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Player, Proprietor Solicit For Grassroots Sports Dev

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A player with a grassroots football club, Saga FC, Abuja, Joshua Ibrahim, has urged the federal and state governments to provide the infrastructure needed to develop sports at the grassroots.
Ibrahim made the plea while speaking with the Tidesports  yesterday  in Lagos on the just-concluded football trials organised by U.K.-based Diamond Academy to scout for talents.
The one week trials conducted in partnership with Ezeani Football Academy, Nneni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra ended on Friday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Ibrahim, who participated in the trials, expressed dissatisfaction with the poor development of grassroots football in the country, saying that the country needed to do more to get the best out of players at that level.
“The poor facilities on ground, especially in the rural communities, poverty and poor funding has not really helped the growth of local players at the grassroots level.
“As a player who has been to countries like Sweden, Italy and others, the standard over there is quite different from what is obtainable here in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is far behind but could do a lot more than we are doing now in terms of facilities and how the players are treated because football is psychological.
“If your players are not being treated the way they should, it will definitely affect their performances.
“In terms of facilities, the situation on ground in Abuja, and I believe in other parts of the country, is that where the Academy trains in Lugbe.
“The pitch is sandy and as a result we have to come to Lagos a week ahead of the trials in order to get used to the synthetic pitch,” he told Tidesports source.
Tidesports reports that Charles Ezeani, a lawmaker in the Anambra State House of Assembly and the Proprietor, Ezeani FC of Nnneni, Anambra, also told Tidesports source that he was disappointed with the poor treatment given to grassroots football.
“Grassroots football development in the country is very poor. Ordinarily, one should have expected that government should assist by putting up infrastructure that will guarantee these players proper training.
“In my own case in Anambra’s Anaocha Constituency II that I represent, to be precise, where we play this football, if you come there of course you will shed tears because there’s no infrastructure at all.
“The field is so poor with stones everywhere and the rest of them, but if government as expected, puts up a lot of structures and sports infrastructure, it will encourage those who want to sponsor this kind of programme to come on board.
“Sometimes, we train in my own compound as a result of the bad pitch and it is very bad. Government should appropriate funds to empower youths,” Ezeani said.

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race

Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.

Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.

According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.

“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”

Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.

The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”

It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”

The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.

Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.

His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.

Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.

The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor

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Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push

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A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.

The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.

On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.

In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.

Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.

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W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.

The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.

Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.

Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.

The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.

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