Sports
Coach Harps On Grassroots Football …To Encourage Young Players
The head coach of Port Harcourt Future Stars Academy, Ufibe Ukpabio has said that grassroots football should be encouraged to enable young players imbibe the rudiments of the game at early stage.
Coach Ukpabio said this on Monday in an exclusive interview with The Tidesports, during one of their training session at Ogbuku field D-Line Port Harcourt.
According to him, he developed the interest in coaching when he was 13 years, saying that during his playing days with Hollando Football Academy of Port Harcourt, that is where he got the knowledge of coaching.
“I love this game and we need to encourage the young ones from grassroots, they need exposure, I am very focused on training younger players from the grassroots, Ukpabio said.
He explained that, it is not possible to play professional football when you did not start from the grassroots, adding that catching them young from the tender age is the best period for them to utilise, saying that, his five years in coaching has given him some good experience in the job.
He further said that Obuka Nwokocha who was one of the players that represented Nigeria during the Under 17, 2017 Junior World Cup qualifier graduated from his academy.
The head coach appealed to Rivers State Government, multinationals and well-meaning individuals in the state to support the club in order to give the young players hope and motivation.
“I have been the only sponsor of the club financially and other wise, football is a capital intensive project that need the support of corporate bodies multinationals and the government to succeed”, he stated.
Ukpabio equally said that, instead of the boys to contribute financially he use his money to buy training kits, because at their age, it is not proper to demand money from them, adding that only those that came with their parents, register with the sum of N5,000 and N1,000.00 for their I.D cards.
Ukpabio noted that, developing grassroots football is capital intensive.
Kiadum F. Edookor
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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