Sports
Back2Base Set To Produce Ronaldos, Messi – Mikel
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has said that the main purpose of embarking on his talent hunt project, Back2Base, is to produce the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the Nigerian league.
The maiden edition of Back2Base programme will hold at the University of Lagos from June 9 to 12, featuring three sports, football, basketball and tennis. While football and basketball are expected to be competed in by male players, tennis will feature both male and female players.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, yesterday, Mikel, who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, said the Back2Base programme was set up to give aspiring professional athletes between 17 and 20 years opportunity to showcase their talents in football, basketball and tennis.
According to him, eight teams will participate in the football event, adding that 200 players have been thoroughly screened by a team of experts for the competition.
Mikel, a fan of tennis legend, Roger Federer, added that the sum of N2 million each has been set aside as financial reward for the three best teams. He said: “Back2Base talent hunt is not about gathering players and sending them abroad for professional career. We have to build the Nigerian league, and this project is to scout for players for interested clubs featuring in our domestic league. If the opportunity comes for the players to travel abroad, we will accept it. But for now, we are more interested in making the domestic league more viable so that our players will shun this ideal of taking their soccer trade abroad.”
Mikel also promised to take the Back2Base programme round the country soon. “I grew up in Jos, and I will like to take this project to the primary school, where I started my football career by the time we visit Jos. I will like to play football with the kids.
Mikel, who started as an academy player in Jos, rose to become one of Africa’s biggest football stars, winning one AFCON title at South Africa 2013, Olympic Games bronze medal at Rio 2016, and also leading Nigeria to two FIFA senior World Cup competitions, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018.
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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