Sports

Nurudeen Academy Unveils State-of-the-Art Talent Camp in Mararaba

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

…Aims to Nurture and Develop Young Footballers

By Tolulope Oguntimehin

One of Nigeria’s leading football development institutions, Nurudeen Football Academy, has launched a state-of-the-art residential camp in Mararaba, Nasarawa State — a strategic location near the Abuja-Nasarawa border.

The newly unveiled facility is designed to support talented young footballers, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds or living outside Abuja and Nasarawa, who previously faced accommodation challenges while training at the academy.

Speaking at the launch, President of Nurudeen Football Academy, Mahmud Musa, shared the inspiration behind the initiative:

“Football has always been a passion of mine. I played when I was younger, and I’ve always dreamed of creating a platform where young, aspiring players can thrive. This academy is more than just a training ground — it’s a hub for nurturing talent while recognizing the business side of football. That’s why we’ve invited top professionals in the industry to assess and help enhance what we’ve built.”

“We’re not stopping here. We also encourage our players to learn a vocation alongside football, giving them something sustainable to fall back on beyond their playing days.”

Chairman of the academy, Engr. Adamu Salihu Rabo, emphasized the significance of the new camp in attracting more youth to the academy:

“This facility opens the door to many more players, especially those previously held back due to accommodation barriers. Now, they can live and train here under the guidance of some of the best coaches in the country.”

Also present at the event was the Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), Usman Ilerika, who lauded the academy’s investment in youth development:

“This is a truly commendable project. Nurudeen Academy is not just building footballers — they’re transforming lives. By providing a safe space for kids to live and train, they’re helping steer youth away from social vices while giving them a platform to shine.”

“Mararaba has long been a breeding ground for raw football talent, with many players in the FCT leagues emerging from these suburbs. This camp, which has been affiliated with the FCT FA for over five years, provides an even stronger platform to nurture and harness that potential. We at the FCT FA are proud to be associated with such a meaningful initiative.”

The Nurudeen Academy Talent Camp is set to become a beacon of hope for aspiring footballers across the region, combining technical training with life skills development to empower the next generation of stars.

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Patron of the Academy, the Emir of Karshi; Chairman of FCT Coaches Association, Bartholomew David; former Nasarawa United coach, Bala Nikyu; and several other notable guests.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Tangerine APT Pension Crowned New Kings of PFA Games 2025

Published

8 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
Joel Ajayi Tangerine APT Pension stormed the 2025 Pension Fund Administrators Games and snatched the crown with a commanding 66 points—ending FCMB’s reign and announcing themselves as the new champions of corporate sporting excellence.

From the first whistle to the final scoreboard, Tangerine APT played like an organisation possessed. They dominated volleyball and snooker, showcased brilliant tactical depth to finish second in chess behind Norrenberger, secured second place in team bonding behind Premium Pension, and held their own across the board—fourth in football, sixth in table tennis, fifth in scrabble, and eighth in e-sports, press conference, discipline and grooming. Every point mattered, and Tangerine APT grabbed them with fire.

Defending champions FCMB, despite flashes of brilliance, simply could not summon last year’s magic.

They finished second overall with 63 points—just three points behind the new champions. FCMB were first in scrabble, second in football, third in table tennis and e-sports, fourth in snooker and team bonding, and fifth in volleyball, chess, and press conference/discipline/grooming. A brave defence, but not enough to stop the Tangerine wave.

Rounding off the podium is NPF Pension, finishing third with 57 points after a spirited campaign. They claimed gold in football, second in table tennis and e-sports, third in volleyball, fourth in scrabble, sixth in press conference/discipline/fanfare/most coordinated, seventh in chess, and eighth in snooker and team bonding.

The rest of the table saw fierce competition:4th – Norrenberger Pension: 52 points, 5th – Premium Pension: 47 points, 6th – NNPC Pension: 45 points, 7th – Access Arm: 41 points
In Others position 8th – Trustfund Pension: 29 points 9th – PENCOM: 28 points and 10th – NUPEMCO: 25 points.

With the dust settled and the cheers still echoing, one truth stands tall:Tangerine APT Pension has ushered in a new era—bold, dominant, and unforgettable.

Share on Facebook