Sports
Player, Proprietor Solicit For Grassroots Sports Dev
A player with a grassroots football club, Saga FC, Abuja, Joshua Ibrahim, has urged the federal and state governments to provide the infrastructure needed to develop sports at the grassroots.
Ibrahim made the plea while speaking with the Tidesports yesterday in Lagos on the just-concluded football trials organised by U.K.-based Diamond Academy to scout for talents.
The one week trials conducted in partnership with Ezeani Football Academy, Nneni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra ended on Friday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Ibrahim, who participated in the trials, expressed dissatisfaction with the poor development of grassroots football in the country, saying that the country needed to do more to get the best out of players at that level.
“The poor facilities on ground, especially in the rural communities, poverty and poor funding has not really helped the growth of local players at the grassroots level.
“As a player who has been to countries like Sweden, Italy and others, the standard over there is quite different from what is obtainable here in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is far behind but could do a lot more than we are doing now in terms of facilities and how the players are treated because football is psychological.
“If your players are not being treated the way they should, it will definitely affect their performances.
“In terms of facilities, the situation on ground in Abuja, and I believe in other parts of the country, is that where the Academy trains in Lugbe.
“The pitch is sandy and as a result we have to come to Lagos a week ahead of the trials in order to get used to the synthetic pitch,” he told Tidesports source.
Tidesports reports that Charles Ezeani, a lawmaker in the Anambra State House of Assembly and the Proprietor, Ezeani FC of Nnneni, Anambra, also told Tidesports source that he was disappointed with the poor treatment given to grassroots football.
“Grassroots football development in the country is very poor. Ordinarily, one should have expected that government should assist by putting up infrastructure that will guarantee these players proper training.
“In my own case in Anambra’s Anaocha Constituency II that I represent, to be precise, where we play this football, if you come there of course you will shed tears because there’s no infrastructure at all.
“The field is so poor with stones everywhere and the rest of them, but if government as expected, puts up a lot of structures and sports infrastructure, it will encourage those who want to sponsor this kind of programme to come on board.
“Sometimes, we train in my own compound as a result of the bad pitch and it is very bad. Government should appropriate funds to empower youths,” Ezeani 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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