Sports

13 years old Wonderkid become Youngest player to play an NLO Div 1 Match.

Published

3 years ago

May 14, 2023

13 years old son of former Flying Eagles of Nigeria Team Coordinator Mallam Abdulrahman Umar Baba, Abdullahi Abdulrahman has become the youngest player in history to feature in the Nigeria third tier football league Nationwide League One decided between Capital City FC taking on Supreme Court at the Area 3 Pitch Abuja.

Abdullahi Abdulrahman who is currently in the junior secondary school class 3 (JSS 3) of Excellent Secondary school in Zuba took the shine of the day as he was handed the captain band for his side Capital City to the cheers of fans as the teams and match officials filed out.

Speaking to Capital city media immediately after the game, young Abdullahi declared that it was a dream come true for him playing the game and hearing that he is the youngest player in history at his to play in the NLO division 1.

“It was a dream come true for me and I can`t express the joy in me for this feat because I have been hoping to play at the level since I started playing football at the age of 5 years and I want to thank my team mates for helping me to achieve my dream”.

Abdullahi who is just in JSS 3 while feeling so sad about the loss of the game to Supreme Court FC described the lost a bad one for him on his debut.

“I am really sad that we are losing my league game but I believe that is football where 3 results can be gathered either win, lose or draw and today we have lost but for me that is football we will keep working hard for the future”.

The father of Abdullahi Mallam Adbulrahman Umar Baba who is also the President of Capital City FC Abuja while reacting after the game described his son’s history making as a day of happiness for him looking at the efforts, he has been putting into playing football.

“I am a happy father today seeing my son making his league debut in the NLO Division One and for him also becoming the youngest ever at his age to play a league game. Let me tell you this is a boy who at least trains 3 times a week and is doing perfectly well in his academics so you can see the joy in me as a proud Father”.

With the lost 2-1 defeat to Supreme Court, Capital City FC only managed 9 points in games they played with FOLSA Academy having 11 points who will playing their last match against Bussdor FC which the result of games on Monday will determine the final grouping of the table.

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Sports

NSC, NOC Task Journalists on Gender Equality in Sports Reporting

Published

1 hour ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel and Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, have urged sports journalists to intensify awareness of women’s participation and achievements in sports.

They made the call on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists, aimed at promoting gender equality and improving media coverage of women in sports.

Olopade stressed that women could not be sidelined in Nigeria’s sports development, urging journalists to give greater attention to female athletes and their contributions to the sector.

In his remarks, Eng Gumel said the media had a significant role in shaping public perception of women in sports, noting that balanced and inclusive reporting would encourage more girls to participate and inspire women to take up leadership positions.

He described the seminar as a strategic initiative to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in sports, while commending the Women’s Commission for its commitment to promoting gender equality.
According to him, the seminar was designed not merely to improve sports reporting but also to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in the sporting sector.
He noted that the programmes had helped build capacity, provide mentorship and inspire women to contribute more effectively to sports development
The president described the journalists’ seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women Commission, expressing satisfaction that its final programme focused on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation in sports.

He urged participants to make the most of the seminar by engaging actively, asking questions and acquiring the knowledge needed to become advocates for women in sports journalism.

Earlier in her welcome addressed, the Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, called on journalists to use their influence to promote fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.

Adeyanju observed that although sports had traditionally been perceived as a male-dominated field, many women had overcome barriers to participate and excel.

She noted that sports offered enormous benefits to girls, including improved skills, self-confidence and resilience, while opening doors to lifelong opportunities.

According to her, journalists’ reports, photographs and attitudes significantly influence public perceptions of female athletes, warning against coverage that prioritises physical appearance over sporting skills and achievements.

She urged participants to embrace modern sports reporting techniques that challenge stereotypes and remove barriers that have hindered women’s participation in sports.

Adeyanju also encouraged the journalists to share the knowledge acquired at the seminar and produce reports that would inspire future generations.

She expressed appreciation to Gumel and the NOC board for supporting the commission’s initiative.

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