Sports
APFAN Calls For Support For Football Academies
The Association of Proprietors of Football Academies of Nigeria (APFAN), Lagos chapter, has called for more support for football academies to promote grass-roots soccer.
APFAN secretary, Toyin Popoola, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria soccer academies have yet to meet the aims of their establishment.
“We have yet to tap into the potential of academies as well as the goal for their establishments; academies need to be more forthcoming in their approach toward grooming young talents into future stars.
“Many of the players in the European clubs are from their academies; this is to prove that academies are doing well and can do better with support.
“With support from football stakeholders, academies in Nigeria can compete with renowned ones across the world and produce world-class players,” Popoola said.
According to him, the situation is different in other countries because, if a child cannot excel through education he can grow through football.
“It is a shame that most football clubs in the country do not even have youth teams and you begin to wonder where the future of our football is heading.
“If football in the country seeks to develop to its pinnacle, the existence of academies should not be written off,’’ Popoola said.
He said that for football to develop at the grassroots, its operation should be regulated by football authorities.
According to him, government should enact laws that will recognise the existence of football academies and encourage private-sector involvement in running them.
“Football academies should be coordinated in a manner that their activities can be monitored and controlled. Then, we can get the best from these academies,’’ he added.
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.