Sports

10th Years Anniversary : Fosla Academy is still A Work In Progress…. Lulu

Published

5 years ago

December 8, 2021

Former NFF President Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has described his pet project, Fosla Academy as a work in progress, saying that if fully developed, the Academy will compete favourably with the best in the world.

Lulu who was speaking at the background of the Academy’s 10th year anniversary and 5th Graduation ceremony holding on Saturday 11 December 2021, said that the vision of ensuring that the institution when fully developed will have all the facilities of competing with the best in the world.

He said within ten years, the Academy has successfully implemented the first phase of the project, and is now ready to embark on the second phase and third phase which are the full development of the Stadium project and the University, all based on available resources. “the concept is to ensure that the students are developed in an environment that will give them the opportunity to develop their skills and their academics prowness without hindrance.

So that they will grow to become the best in the world”.

The former FCT Director of Sports said the 10th anniversary will be used in recognizing those that have contributed in the success stories of the Academy. “we are recognizing the Kaduna state Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who was the Minister of FCT, who approved the establishment of the Academy here in FCT.

We are also recognizing the Sarki Karshi Alhaji Ismaila Mohammed, late NFF Secretary General and Board member of the Academy Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi among others.

Fosla Academy opened its doors of allowing youths with natural endowment in football to combine their career effectively with education in 2011. They have excelled in both within the decade of existence. They are the national champions of the rejuvenated National Principals Cup, and a student of the Academy emerged the best National Essay writer among secondary schools in Nigeria in 2020. 42 students on the Academy’s scholarship program are running various Undergraduate programs at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, all are members of the Fosla Football Club that plays in the Nigeria Nationwide League Division One.

The club holds the record of been the first clubside in the country to present an all Undergraduate players in any Nigeria League.

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Sports

Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit

Published

21 hours ago

November 5, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.

Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.

The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.

He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.

“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.

“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.

He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.

According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.

On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.

He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.

He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.

Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.

He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.

A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.

The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.

Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.

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