Sports
36 Years After, Sam Okwaraji U-16 National Secondary School Soccer Championship Kicks Off Nov. 8th
Joel Ajayi
The maiden edition of the Sam Okwaraji Under-16 Annual All Nigeria Secondary School Soccer Championship will officially commence on November 8, 2025, bringing together promising young footballers from across the country to honour one of Nigeria’s most iconic sports heroes.
Organised by the Sam Okwaraji Foundation under the theme “Patriotism, Education and Soccer”, the tournament celebrates the life and legacy of the late Super Eagles midfielder, Dr. Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji.
The competition aims to discover, nurture, and promote grassroots football talent while instilling discipline, patriotism, and sportsmanship among secondary school students.
Speaking at a media briefing, Senator Osita B. Izunaso, Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, said the initiative will not only provide young players with a national platform to showcase their skills but also keep alive the memory of Okwaraji, who tragically collapsed and died during a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos, on August 12, 1989.
“Exactly 36 years ago, we lost an icon, a rare gem, a believer in the Nigerian project. That day was a dark moment for our country. Dr. Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji was not only a gifted footballer but a symbol of patriotism, sacrifice, and national pride.
He died wearing the green-white-green, giving his last breath on the field of play. In honouring him, we remind ourselves and future generations that true greatness lies in service, not in self,” Senator Izunaso said.
He stressed that the championship will: Ensure transparency, fairness, and meritocracy in team selection and participation. Serve as a platform to unearth hidden football talents from across Nigeria’s towns and villages. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and exposure to professional football opportunities.
The tournament format will see one secondary school per state compete at the zonal level, with two teams from each zone qualifying to make up 12 national finalists. These teams will then go into camp to compete for the trophy at the national finals.
The debut edition will feature teams from all 36 states of the federation and the FCT. Matches will be staged at designated centres nationwide, culminating in a grand finale at a venue to be announced.
Beyond the football matches, the programme will include mentorship sessions, career development workshops, and football clinics led by former Nigerian internation
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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