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Africa biggest talent hunt starts in Benin

Published

6 years ago

June 7, 2019

…as Europe scouts storm Nigeria

The quest for talent hunt will get a boast in the country starting this month as football scouts from Europe storm Nigeria to discover young stars for future development of their career.

No fewer than 200 talented young footballers will be picked from 20 cities in six countries by scouts from Europe and Africa to enhance their career.

The project which will kick start in Nigeria in June 24, will see the scouts going to Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Rivers and Edo states with the sole aim of discovering hidden talents to connect them with their dreams.

The General Coordinator of Dynamic Africa Stars, Mo Muhammed Mustapha hinted in Abuja that the grassroots programme is to commence in Nigeria on June 24 and end on July 11 while the other countries programme will run for a year.

Mustapha said the one year search for talents in the continent will see no fewer than 200 footballers picked by the arrays of scouts from Europe and some countries in Africa.

He said the scouts who are coming in from Switzerland, Germany, France, Russia, South Africa, Tunisia and England will visit the cities chosen to host the programme to assess the players and make their choice.

He said Benin City will take the centre stage from 24-25 June, Asaba will host June 26-28, Lagos will take its turn June 29 snd July 1, Kano will host them. July 2-4 while Abuja will climax it between July 5-7.

He said Abdulaziz Kabiru will coordinate Kano centre, Fred Newton for Benin, Loveday Omoruyi will be in charge of Lagos and Olumide will be in Abuja.

At the continental level, young players from Senegal, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Sierra Leone as the beneficiaries of the massive hunt for talents.

“Dynamic Africa Stars want to give opportunity for the abundant talents hidden in our communities and city the opportunity to see the better side of the game, I know it will be massive and we are up to the task.

“We have the managerial skills in the area of talent discovery and I know with the calibre of scouts who are involved the best of them will definitely get the chance to express themselves to the highest level of football,” Mustapha said.

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Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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