Sports
Akpabio Charges Sports Administrators on Grassroots Development ***As Under-18 Unity Competition Kicks Off in Abuja
Ignatius Okorocha,Abuja
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has urged football administrators to engage in talent hunts at the grassroots level to discover budding stars who would represent Nigeria in the future.
He assured that modalities would be put in place to make the Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup a yearly tournament that budding takents would be discovered and nurtured to bring back the glory days of Nigerian football.
Senator Godswill Akpabio made this known on Sunday as the second edition of the 10th Senate President’s U-18 Unity Cup commenced in Abuja.
Twenty one teams comprising sixteen (16) male and five (5) female teams cutting across the country arrived the nation’s capital, Abuja on Saturday ahead of the competition, which kicked off on Sunday, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja.
Represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Senator Akpabio described the young players as future stars who would go on to represent the country at both continental and world football competitions.
According to the Senate President, sports and football in particular cannot grow if the grassroot is neglected. He said, “With these young men showcasing their talents, this is the future of Nigeria, and there is no way you can grow sports if we don’t go to the grassroots.
“In times past the Late Keshis, the Okochas, the Kanus, the Amokachis, the Ikpebas and the Tijani Babangidas, who brought glory to Nigeria were discovered in these kind of tournaments.
“I have seen tremendous signal from President Bola Tinubu in putting sports in the front burner, therefore sports administrators must key into this opportunity that the President has shown in the last two years. It should not be business as usual,” he said.
Senator Akpabio commended the Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF) for their tireless efforts in organising the competition and described the tournament as an opportunity to develop the sports sector, so that the future for the young footballl talents would be brighter.
In his welcome remarks, Tournament Coordinator, Hon. John Bassey Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude to Senator Akpabio for recognizing the importance of such competitions to the development of youths and the sports sector. He highlighted the benefits of ensuring a yearly competition, as it would among other things become a pedestal for teenagers to nurture their football career.
“This will ensure that future generations of Nigerian youth continue to benefit from this platform, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and national development. We believe that with your leadership, this tournament can become a flagship event for the Senate, inspiring and empowering Nigerian youth for years to come.”
In the opening game the Jaguar Football Club of Abia state saw off Amahus Football Club of Yobe one goal to nil. The competition continues at the Old Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja.
Sports
More Talents Spotted in Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Tourney … As Competition Enters Matchday Three
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The quest to return Bayelsa United to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL next season is gradually gaining momentum with twelve participating teams showcasing their talents in the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament.
The competition, targeted at discovering home-grown talents that would be integrated into the Bayelsa United team next season, has the 2026 Prosperity Cup finalists apart from champions, Okoroma United, whose players are currently undergoing trials in different teams outside the state.
Bayelsa Starlets Academy in the first match of matchday two showed class as they whitewashed AJ Inter Soccer Academy 4-1 with goals from Silas Benjamin, Udake Joel and a brace from Nathaniel Ojigbere.
Former champions, Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene were held to a barren draw by rugged and determined Brazil FC. Ereme Jackson humbled NDU Oilers FC by three goals to one while Bayelsa United Feeders in the last match of the day edged out Grassroots FC with two unreplied goals.
The tournament will enter match day three on Saturday, 25th July, 2026. Mountain of the Lord Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will take on Grassroots FC in the first match at 11.00am, Bayelsa Starlets will keep a date with Mountain of Fire Miracle Ministry, MFM FC at 12.30pm
Prosperity Cup finalist, Akinima Biogbo will battle Ereme Jackson of Port-Harcourt at 2.00pm while Federal University of Otuoke, FUO Kings FC will lock horns with Brazil FC in the last match of matchday three at 3.30pm at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Sports
Bayelsa United Chairman calls for synergy between Feeder,Senior Teams as Season begins
By David Owei
Chairman of the Interim Board of Bayelsa United Football Club, Dr. Peter Singabele has stressed the need for collaboration between the Feeder team and senior teams of Bayelsa United
Dr. Singabele made the call while addressing coaches and players of the Feeder team shortly after their training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
He noted that for the club to succeed in it’s aspirations of returning the team to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL that coaches from both Feeders and the senior team must work hand in gloves to achieve its objectives.
According to him, the Feeder team is the foundation of every club in the world and not a dumping ground for players but a veritable platform for nurturing talented players that are capable of gaining promotion to the senior team.
Dr Singabele asserted that the board was deliberate about the growth of the Feeder team and that they are desirous of seeing more players from Feeder graduate into the main team, noting that the Feeder team serves as a “breeding ground”.
He hinted that preparations are underway for them to have a fruitful season, maintaining that the registration process for the Nigeria Youth League has been completed successfully.
”The feeder team is not a dumping ground. You must be up to the task of playing for this club. We must not compromise the growth of Bayelsa United. Because If properly managed, the feeder team will be the future of the senior team,” he said.
He explained that the board would thoroughly scrutinize players before they are considered for promotion, insisting that only those who meet the required standards would be considered into the first team, urging players to be professionals in the discharge of their duties.
The chairman assured the players and coaches that the board remains committed to improving their welfare, stating that the board is poised to provide a conducive environment for them to perform at their optimum.
Dr Singabele who described the NNL as a more difficult league, urged the players to be determined in their quest to bring the team back to the top flight at the end of the season, saying that one of the objectives of the pre-season tournament is to discover talents that would feature in the team.
Also speaking, Bayelsa United Assistant Coach, Ngozi Elechi, charged the players in the Feeder team to make use of the opportunity before them, stressing that outstanding players would be promoted to the senior team.
Bayelsa United Feeders are currently preparing for the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament aimed at identifying and developing home grown talented players for possible integration into the senior team ahead of the upcoming football season.
Sports
Bayelsa United Resumes Training, Targets NPFL Return
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa United have resumed preparations for the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League, NNL with their first training session at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa
The session, which marked the start of pre-season activities for the club was supervised by the club’s technical crew, led by assistant coach Ngozi Elechi alongside Anderson West.

The Bayelsa united players
The players underwent light fitness drills and tactical routines as the coaching crew assessed their conditioning ahead of a more intensive build-up programme.
More players are expected to join the team in the coming days as preparations for the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup Pre-season tournament in Yenagoa gathers momentum in line with the vision of the governor, Senator Douye Diri to return the team back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL at the end of the 2026/27 season.
Before training commenced, a member of the board, Godson Ekarde charged the players to approach the new season with discipline, dedication and a strong winning mentality, describing the campaign as “a season of serious business” for the club.
Mr. Ekarde, said the management is committed to providing the support the team needs to compete strongly in the NNL and secure promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
He urged both players and the technical crew to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering an improved performance and more consistent results throughout the season.
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