Sports
CAF Licences Now Compulsory For Coaches
All practising coaches in Nigeria must as from the 2011/2012 season possess licences obtained from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Unless they have such qualification obtained through Nigeria Football Association (NFA), they will not be eligible to sit on the technical bench of their respective teams.
In line with the measure, coaches of national teams as well as head coaches of clubs in the Nigerian Premier, National and Women Leagues are to obtain CAF Licence B certificates.
Equally, head and assistant coaches of Amateur League clubs, assistant coaches at Nigerian Premier, National and Women Leagues are expected to obtain CAF Licence C certificates.
Already, the NFA has informed Nigerian coaches of the development and of CAF’s directive for it to organise courses that will lead to the award of the confederation’s B and C licences. NFA had on July 18 in a letter to the chairmen of State Coaches associations, through the State Football Association (FA) Secretaries, started moves toward implementing the CAF directive. The letter was copied to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) as well as the Secretaries of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women League and the National Amateur League.
In the letter signed by its Deputy Secretary-General (Technical), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the NFA stated that it was mandatory for those categories of coaches to possess the certificates. “CAF has in line with this directed the NFA to organise the Licences B and C courses during the last week of August 2011 for all eligible coaches,” the letter reads.
The collection of application forms by interested coaches closed on August 1 with the forms to be returned on or before August 10. Commenting on the exercise, Ikpeme told newsmen that NFA had already sent some of the forms to the State FAs and the Nigeria Coaches Association (NCA) for distribution.
“We have sent the forms to the NCA, state FAs and others, while we have on ground at our secretariat in Abuja, Mr Siji Lagunju and Mr Rafiu Yusuf both of our Technical Department, to attend to all related matters,” he said.
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.
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