Sports
Administrators Commend CAF Programme For Coaches
Football administrators have commended the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for initiating the Coaching Licensing System that would serve as a platform to evaluate coaches and foster professionalism.
In separate interviews with newsmen, some football fans said the programme would help develop the standard of coaching in Nigeria and the world generally.
Former coach of the Flying Eagles, Tunde Disu said the programme was a laudable one which was aimed at achieving homogeneous and high professional standards.
“The coaching licence system is a good one because it will be uniformed and it will boost coaches’ standard, anywhere in the world,” he said.
Disu said that the licence would particularly help to improve coaches of football clubs who usually have little or no formal training.
“If you look at most club coaches when they come for employment, they have little or no certified experience and this is alarming. This is a great idea.
“The long term goal is the implementation of identical licensces everywhere on the globe through the establishment of a relevant uniformity system.
“ It will allow coaches to trade their know-how and qualifications throughout Africa, Europe, Asia or Latin America,” he said.
Tade Azeez, Vice President, Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) advised that the programme to acquire the licence should be organised in the six geopolitical zones to reduce the cost of the coaches travelling long distances.
Azeez also said that the cost of obtaining the licence was too high for the coaches and suggested that the management of clubs should assist their coaches to ensure they participated in the programme.
Taiwo Afinnih, a former Lagos FA Chairman, also commended the initiative and urged the coaches to take advantage of the programme to enhance their capacity.
“Club coaches should not look at the cost, they should be concerned about what they will gain and the life time achievements they will benefit,” Afinnih said.
The participants, aside paying as much as N5,000 for the forms, are also expected to pay a participation fee of N30, 000.
The Confederation of Africa Football launched the programmes in January 2009.
According to CAF online.com, the landmark licensing programme seeks to set and promote standard regarding coaching on the continent and help recognise African coaches for their knowledge and experience.
Coaches without CAF licence would not be allowed to coach national teams, clubs or even academies in the country from next season.
The Licence B coaching programme would commence after the completion of Licence C in Abuja.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.