Sports
Catch Them Young Football Activities Begin At PH Club
The “Catch them Young” Football programme which regularly takes place at the Port Harcourt Club has commenced its activities for the year 2021.
The programme organised for the age brackets of five (5) and above is to groom children to master and develop their skills in the sport as future stars.
The football training centre run by the Rivers State Football coach, Tony Chuku has given its level best to groom these children to bring out the best of their God- given talent in them.
According to him, as a coach, he has been trained to train others to bring out the best in them, saying that there could be no better way to do this other than catching them young and groom them to the height, where they can excel in their career.
“This is the right time to do this, to impart my knowledge, experience and techniques to the upcoming ones, the young stars. You strike, when the iron is still hot, so as to help them excel in their chosen sport and l think, they are not doing badly. No doubt, they will do themselves, their parents and the state proud in the future,” coach Chuku said.
Coach Chuku, who is also, owner and manager of Greater Tomorrow Football Academy, in the same vein, confirmed that the progress of the academy was beyond expectation and the players were flourishing in their chosen career as well.
He said that the players doing well and the growth level of the academy was truly encouraging, saying that the academy has always produced players alongside the Local Government Areas to represent the State in the annual football competition, tagged Zenith Future Super Eagles National under13/ 15 Football Tournament.
The academy has come to stay, and it is flourishing well. The academy has progressed to that standard, where l can say the players are doing real good and will make waves in the future, if well motivated, “ Chuku said
He noted that the Academy was located at Rumu Odumaya community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and has its training sessions at the Odonaya Model Primary School Field.
He explained that the Zenith Future Super Eagles National Under 13/15 Football competition, is being organised by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF Youth Football Development (Catch Them Young).
It would be recalled that the tournament could not hold last year, due to the Covid 19 Pandemic that put everything on hold.
“Team Rivers Football will not participate in this edition of the fiesta, due to its inability to take part in the zonal elimination for team sports which was held last year.
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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