Sports
Lagos Begins “Catch-Them-Young” Multi-Sports Trials Ahead of 2025 National Youth Games
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has officially launched its “Catch-Them-Young” multi-sports trials, a major step in its preparations for the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta State.
The grassroots talent discovery programme is designed to identify, nurture, and develop young athletes who will not only represent Lagos at the NYG but also form a pipeline of future champions for national and international competitions.
The ongoing trials, which began a few weeks ago across various sporting facilities in the state, span multiple disciplines including athletics (track and field), swimming, gymnastics, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, chess, ayo, and others. The programme is open to children aged 9 to 14 from across Lagos State.
Speaking at the venue of the athletics trials, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, highlighted the strategic importance of early talent identification in building a sustainable sports development structure.
“The ‘Catch-Them-Young’ programme represents our commitment to discovering and nurturing raw talent from the grassroots level,” Mr. Fatodu said. “We believe that every child in Lagos has the potential to become a world champion. Through this structured trial system, we are creating pathways for young athletes to turn their dreams into reality.”
He added that the initiative is not only aimed at building a strong Lagos team for the 2025 NYG but also at establishing a legacy programme that will continually feed into the state’s long-term sports development goals.
Mr. Fatodu also revealed that the Commission is exploring partnerships with international sports development organisations to provide further training and exposure for standout talents identified during the trials.
The LSSC is also placing strong emphasis on age verification and compliance with eligibility requirements, while focusing on areas where Lagos has historically excelled, and simultaneously exploring emerging potentials across all sports.
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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