Sports
Chairman Makes Case For Grassroots Football Players
Chairman of Ejemah FC of Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Fredrick Ngajo has maintained that there are lots of promising young football players at the grassroots level capable of fitting into big teams if spotted by talent hunters and given the chance to show case their true football skills.
Ngajo who stated this at the opening football match of the 2ndEdition of Daewoo Soccer Cup Football tournament between Ejemah FC and Egbealor FC held at Ebubu Primary School Field Eleme on Sunday, noted that it was not a contestable fact that good young footballers actually abounds in Ebubu Community, except that much efforts have not been made by football authorities concerned, in discovering them to hit the stardom.
He, however, prayed that the football authorities, as a matter of fact, should see reason to focus more attention at the grassroots football, especially in the rural areas with a view to discover budding talents that needs little polishing to become great players.
“Truly, I make bold to say that the array of young potentials we have in Ebubu Community today, if proper groomed by seasoned football tactician, could possibly make the final cut in both the u-17 and u-20 team selection in Nigeria national teams”
Asked the cause of the early ouster of Ejemah FC from the ongoing Daewoo soccer cup competition in Ebubu community, the stoutly built Ngajo who also plays at the defense line of Ejemah team, blamed his boys for underrating their Egbealor FC Counterpart, hence the lost.
“Jokes apart, my boys were not only confident but also underrated the Egbealor FC, having come into the competition as the defending champion from the last years edition of the competition.
“Ordinarily, Ejemah FC would have killed the game as a contest within regulation time instead of allowing the match to be dragged into a penalty shootout, seen as any body’s game. But all the same, we have taken the result of the match that ended 5-3 goal aggregate in favour of Egbealor FC, in good faith as true sports men, while looking forward to next year’s edition of the competition to correct our mistakes”, he declared.
Pressed further, Ngajo, a member of Old Stars FC of Eleme, tipped Agbete FC as the much favoured side likely to lift the trophy at stake, given the few tested players in their team.
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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