Sports
Owolabi Urges Talent -Hunt Role For Ex-Internationals
A former Green Eagles player in the 1980s, Felix Owolabi,
has called on the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to involve
ex-internationals in efforts to develop football at the grassroots level.
Owolabi made the
call while speaking with Tidesports at the wekend in Lagos.
He stressed that since most of the ex-internationals were
products of grassroots football, they would be in better position to comb the nooks and
crannies of the country for budding talents.
The former Green Eagles’ defender stressed that the country’s
football development programme should be anchored on a comprehensive plan aimed
at monitoring the progress of players closely.
“However, the state of the country’s grassroots football
development is worrisome; we need to adopt a more radical approach to scout for
emerging talents.
“This is where we have to call on the services of our
numerous ex-internationals that are currently idling away; I feel that their
wealth of experience would be needed in this critical area of football
development.
“The only way they could be useful to the country’s football
growth is through their involvement in the NFA’s grassroots football
development programme as talents’ scouts,’’ he said.
Owolabi, a member of the victorious Green Eagles squad that
won the 1980 edition of the African Cup of Nations in Lagos, urged the
Technical Department of the NFA to be more proactive in its approach to
football development.
“Even though we don’t have a Technical Director at the
moment, members of the technical department must be up and doing to ensure that
the country’s football growth is sustained,’’ 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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