By George Mgbeleke
With just six days to kick-off, the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for the 3rd Edition of the Senate President National Under-18 Unity Cup, Dr. Mike Uyi, has expressed excitement over the overwhelming interest the tournament has generated amongst football academies and clubs across the federation.

Dr. Uyi, who spoke in Uyo on Saturday , after a strategic meeting of the MOC, said the committee is overwhelmed by calls from top academies and grassroots clubs who want to be part of the national youth fiesta scheduled for Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, 25th October to 1st November, 2026.

“For this 3rd Edition, we are hosting 24 States, both male and female categories, but from the next edition, the tournament will be thrown open to all clubs and academies in the entire country. Our emphasis remains youth empowerment through sports, especially football”, he said .

He thanked the President of the 10th Senate and Chief Host, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Dr. Godswill Akpabio, for his uncommon passion for grassroots sports development, noting that Akpabio has in strong terms exhibited his desire to use football as a means for economic empowerment of Nigerian youths.

He further disclosed that the kick-off ceremony on 25th October at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium will be a gathering of football legends and icons, as Tournament Ambassadors and Ex-Internationals including Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON – former Golden Eaglets World Cup-winning Coach, Joseph Yobo – former Super Eagles Captain, Akarandut Nicodemus Orok and other respected ambassadors will be live to inspire the young talents.

According to him, renowned football scout, Chief Paul Ojo Omamome, has confirmed his presence and will take some quality players discovered during the tournament for trials abroad.

In his own remarks, the National President of Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF) and Tournament Coordinator, Hon. John Bassey Ekpenyong, expressed profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for his giant strides in sports development and for the successful hosting of the just-concluded Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.

He noted that as organizers of the Pastor Umo Eno Easter Under-17 Unity Cup, GRASOF has witnessed first-hand the Governor’s deliberate investment in grassroots sports as a vehicle for youth engagement and peace building.

“GRASOF as a Federation aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno in using sports to create jobs, curb restiveness and empower our youths. Football is not just a game, it is economy,” he said .

The tournament he added, is organized by GRASOF in collaboration with the Office of the President of the Senate.

By David Owei

The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has congratulated Team Nigeria on the country’s historic achievement at the ongoing Veterans World Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan.

Adeniyi described the feat as a significant milestone for Nigerian wrestling following the country’s first-ever medal at the Veterans World Wrestling Championships.

The championship, organised by United World Wrestling (UWW), is taking place from October 6 to 11, 2026, featuring Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling for athletes aged 35 and above across various age categories.

Wrestling veteran and former national champion, Mapsin Elias Mika, etched his name into the history books by becoming the first Nigerian veteran wrestler to win a medal at the global competition. Mika secured a bronze medal in the 70kg Greco-Roman wrestling category to give Nigeria its maiden podium finish at the Veterans World Wrestling Championships

In a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the NWF Board, Adeniyi commended Mika for his outstanding performance and described the achievement as a moment of pride for the country and the wrestling community

He said the historic medal had written Nigeria’s name in the record books of world veterans wrestling while also further strengthening the country’s growing presence and reputation on the international wrestling scene.

The NWF President also acknowledged the contribution of veteran coach Babatunde James, popularly known as Tunde King, for his role in guiding and supporting Mika in his successful campaign at the championships

“On behalf of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation Board, I congratulate Mapsin Elias Mika and Tunde King on this historic feat. This historic achievement is a moment of immense pride for Nigeria and the entire wrestling community.”

“Their dedication and passion for wrestling, even after retiring from active competition, demonstrate the enduring commitment of our veterans to the development of the sport. Writing Nigeria’s name in the record books of world veterans wrestling will further strengthen our country’s growing presence and reputation on the international stage.” Adeniyi said.

He said the achievement underscored the importance of veterans and legends in the growth of wrestling, adding that the experience and knowledge of former athletes could play a vital role in inspiring and mentoring the younger generation.

The NWF boss disclosed that the federation under his leadership had deliberately incorporated veteran wrestling into its strategic blueprint, stressing that the initiative was aimed at recognising the contributions of former athletes and keeping them actively connected to the sport.

Adeniyi assured Nigeria’s wrestling legends and veterans that the current NWF Board would continue to support initiatives that promote their welfare, involvement and contributions to the sport, stressing that their years of service to the country would remain appreciated and valued.

By David Owei
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International Partners of Bayelsa Starlets, FC Barcelona of Spain have commended the Bayelsa State Government for the practical steps it has taken to ensure implementation of the MoU it signed with the government.

FC Barcelona officials particularly commended the government for the facilities it has put in place for the comfort of Starlets’ players, pointing out that players’ comfort was not negotiable if they must perform well on the field of play.

‎They made this known during their three-day visit to Bayelsa while assessing the Onopa facility located behind Government House.

They expressed satisfaction with the temporary camp of the team situated at Onopa in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
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‎In the course of the visit, which coincided with the State’s 30th anniversary celebrations, Bernat Villa-Gorriz,Technical Director FC Barcelona for Europe and Africa, said he was impressed with facilities and the hostels he saw and that the facility reflects the government’s commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding, Mou signed in May this year.
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‎According to him, the environment is not only conductive, but is equally spacious for an academy and that beyond football the accommodation would create a strong bond amongst players as they are determined to see players combine their talents and education.
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‎He also applauded the Management of the Starlets for the quality of football displayed by the players in the two matches he watched, pointing out that the team has improved tremendously compared to the last time he visited.
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‎Gorriz commended the Director General of the Prosperity Cup and his team for their determination and steadfastness in ensuring that the lads realized their potential, stressing that the academy has given the kids a means of livelihood.
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On his part, MrBernat Villa-Gorriz,Technical Director FC Barcelona Sylvester Okonkwo of Whiz-Kid Ventures, Netherlands, who brokered the deal between the Spanish football giants and the Bayelsa State Government, noted that the temporary structure of the academy was indicative of government’s readiness to set-up the Bayelsa Starlets Academy in line with the MoU that was signed between FC Barcelona and the government.
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‎Also speaking, Director General of the Prosperity Cup Mr. Ono Akpe appreciated the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali for providing the facilities as well as the funds the government has extended to the team since the academy took off.

Akpe said immediately after the MoU was signed the management of the Starlets swung into action to assemble a team from the season eight of the tournament, stressing that the selection was headed by a group of coaches led by former international, Edema Fuludu.
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‎He explained that the painstaking step that was taken by the coaches was gradually yielding results having emerged champions in the NLO Youth League that was held in Yenagoa and the players have been in camp since then, with the organization being professionally run as an academy.
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‎In separate interviews, Secretary of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Mr Diseye Nwankwe and member of the Central Organizing Committee COC, Mr Zuzu Ebimotimi, urged the lads to be disciplined and be professional in the discharge of their duties.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa Starlets Academy have been fine-tuning their preparations for the N-Youth League with a series of training matches with neighbouring clubs.
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‎Bayelsa Starlets Academy, affiliated to FC Barcelona of Spain, will kick-start their N-Youth League campaign away to Supreme Kings FA on the 13th of October, 2026 before returning home to face PSMA Pepperest on the 20th of October, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.