Sports
Grassroots Football System Has Failed In Nigeria – Coach
The Head coach of New Creation Ambassador Church FC of Port Harcourt, Marius Okechukwu, has said that the development and system to catch players young in the football have failed in Nigeria.
According to him, in the 80s there were a lot of systems and developmental programmes to fish out young talents in the round leather game, adding that today you hardly see private individuals and companies sponsoring football competitions, particularly in Port Harcourt.
Okechukwu, who is popularly called Coach Maco said this early in the week in a chat with Tidesports in Port Harcourt.
He explained that a lot of young talents that were discovered in those days were from different football competitions, the likes of Youths Sports Federation Of Nigeria ( YSFON), Shell Cup and School Sports tournaments, adding that today those competitions are nowhere to be seen.
He pointed out that when those tournaments were ongoing, one hardly saw the youths engaging themselves in social vices in the society, saying that the system and development had failed.
“ Those days, competitions were used to discover talent.
‘Today we are no longer seeing those activities in the round leather game.
‘It gives room to our youth moving on the streets because of lack of activities that would engage them,” Okechukwu said.
He used the medium to call on government, companies, corporate bodies to invest in the youth by giving them meaningful assistance through organising football competitions at the grassroots.
‘I am begging them because our football system today is nothing to write home about.
‘ If going back to those days for development of the game would be recreated, the rate of youth involvement in crime in the society would reduce drastically.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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.