Sports
Real Madrid Football Academy Screening: Commissioner Flays Children’s Act Of Lying
Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, has lamented the fact that some children have been lying about their age and class because of admission into the Real Madrid Football Academy.
Ebeku made the observation on Monday in Port Harcourt during the Academy’s screening of prospective students, saying the unfortunate act was on the basis of what their parents taught them.
The commissioner pointed out also that some parents insisted on having their way by not obeying the guidelines as stated in the advert on age and class of their children.
“Some parents are insisting to have it their own way by not adhering to the guidelines in the advert.
“The guideline says applicants must be between the age of nine and 12 years, and must be in Junior Secondary School (JSS) One. But we have found out that some children here are 13, going to 14, and 14, going to 15 years.
“So, how do we reconcile this situation with the advert? And some of the parents have told their children to tell lies concerning their age and class,” he said.
“If the parents had not come to create this problem here, we would have been done with this exercise today. But we have been able to surmount the difficulty.”
Ebeku added that it was so ridiculous that they found out that some of the candidates were in Primary Two and Primary Three too.
“Even if they meet the age criteria, one of the conditions is, they must have completed primary school,”
“Going forward, parents should help in building a society that respects the rule of law and obey instructions,” he added
The commissioner, however, observed that the large turnout of applicants and the enthusiasm at the venue of the screening demonstrated that Governor Nyesom Wike’s approach to football development was a huge success.
“Most parents, even those that break the rule, are scrambling to key into the vision of the governor to build youths that would be of great pride to the state and Nigeria.
“This is so because we have people from places like Sokoto State, Niger and other parts of the country who are participating in the screening,” he said.
Ebeku assured parents that no candidate would be unfairly treated during the screening process, as they would all have a fair assessment.
He urged parents to always allow their wards to express their inherent talent, as the Port Harcourt-based Real Madrid Football Academy would be a platform to catch them young.
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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