Sports
Eko Youth Cup For U-15 Kicks Off
The fifth edition of the yearly Bola Akindele Football Tournament tagged: ‘The Eko Youth Cup’ for the U-15 boys and girls has commenced with 64 teams from across Lagos State competing in the male and female categories.
The competition, which is organised in junction with the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association, is a developmental football event designed to unearth talents.
Teams taking part in the competition are currently engaged in round-robin fixtures at three venues namely Okobaba Sports Complex, Ebute Meta; Elegbata Sports Complex, Lagos Island and St. John Primary School, Meiran.
During the unveiling trophies for the tournament, the sponsor, Adebola Akindele, said the reason for the competition was to empower the youth.
“We want to contribute to national development through sports by bankrolling the competition, while we hope that these players will seize the opportunity afforded them to better their careers,” he said.
Akindele, who presented trophies to the organisers, harped on the need to engage the youth positively and charged the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association to ensure that talents discovered from the competition are properly harnessed.
The top four teams and outstanding players in the competition will receive mouth-watering cash prizes with winners in both categories going home with N400,000.
The finals of the competition will hold on July 24 at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.
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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