Sports
1st U19 Nigeria Independence Football Cup Set to Inspire Hope, Empower Young Footballers – ISPA
Joel Ajayi
As Nigeria prepares to mark its 65th Independence Anniversary in 2025, the celebration is set to take a new and exciting turn with the launch of the 1st U19 Nigeria Independence Football Challenge Cup.
Organized by the Inter-Sports Promoters Association (ISPA), the tournament aims to inspire hope, promote unity, and create meaningful opportunities for young footballers across the country.
At the official inauguration and press briefing of the Organizing Committee held on Monday in Abuja, the tournament was formally unveiled as part of the official activities commemorating Nigeria’s Independence.
Representing the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, NFF Secretary General Dr. Sanusi Mohammed commended the initiative, noting that it would play a vital role in fostering national unity, particularly among Nigerian youth.
In his welcome address, ISPA Secretary Hon. Andrew Tynongo expressed appreciation to stakeholders and emphasized the importance of the tournament:
“This tournament—endorsed by the NFF, the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the Federal Government—is proudly a national sporting initiative and part of the official Independence celebrations. It will not only showcase our youth talents but also promote peace, patriotism, discipline, and national pride,” he said.
“Scheduled to run from September 25th to October 1st, 2025, the U19 Cup is envisioned as a platform for grassroots development. Talented players will be discovered from across the 36 states and the FCT, and groomed to become national and international football stars in the near future.
“Our mandate is clear— to organize a transparent, successful, and memorable tournament that inspires hope and creates real opportunities for young Nigerian footballers,” Hon. Tynongo added.
Also speaking at the event, President of ISPA, Amb. Nasril Dankolo, extended gratitude to the Federal Government, sporting bodies, and other key partners for their support.
He reaffirmed ISPA’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports.
The 1st Nigeria Independence U19 Football Cup is more than a sporting event—it is a symbol of hope, unity, and a renewed focus on youth development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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