Sports
“My Father Stopped Paying My School Fees In the University, Because I was Invited To Super Eagles” Coach Gbadebo
This day, it will be a thing of joy for parents to hear that their wards were invited to any of the national teams.
But for young Adebayo Gbadebo, the reverse was his case. As his parents stopped paying his school fees in his final year at the University of Ibadan for playing football and got invited to the Super Eagles.
Speaking as a Guest to the monthly Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association virtual interactive session, Gbadebo who is now a Pro-licensed coach in Thailand said “my parents did not support my going into Football. I was discouraged, though they knew that I was good in the game, but my father stood against it. The parents then only wants you to read and go to school all through. I thank God for that, if not I could not be here today as a graduate from the Premier University in Nigeria. I thank God for a father who will take his stand at every point, and remained on it”.
Adebayo who is the Head Coach of Suphanburi in the Thailand Premier League said his father warned him seriously not to play football in the University, but contrary to his expectations, he started playing for his hall of residence same week he resumed in the school, and played for the school team same year “I was playing for several clubs like 7Up FC, Union Bank FC and Railways FC. It was when I was with Railway that they decided to play in the second tier of the league then, and they moved the team to Lagos. When we went to NUGA games in Port Harcourt, I was selected to join the Super Eagles in camp. I was in the hall one afternoon,
“I was told that my father was looking for me. He came all the way from Lagos. I took him to my room, he brought out a newspaper and showed me a page, while asking me if that was my name among the players invited to Super Eagles camp. I answered in affirmative, he left there and then. I was in final year then. That was the end of his sponsoring me in school. Because, I disobeyed his order”
“I was not much bothered then, because I had a team, Railway FC, that were ready to pay me some sign-on fees, and good salary, I had to rough everything though, it involved my traveling to Lagos daily to train with the team. It also made me to remain focused to achieve what my parents doesn’t like, and what they liked. I was happy that at the end of the day, I did not disappoint them, neither did I disappoint myself “.
He finally advocated that combining football and education is a personal issue, that the player would need to organize himself based on what he needs” it all depends on the quality of the player. If you are good, clubs will come for you and support you on how to succeed in your education. But, if you do not have the qualities, just concentrate on your education and finish up ” he concluded.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Splashes Big Prize Money Ahead Of 14 November 2026 Race
Top Three Elite Finishers To Earn $8,000, $6,000 And $5,000 Respectively
The organisers of the highly anticipated PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon have announced an attractive prize package for athletes across every category ahead of the race on 14 November 2026 in Abuja.
The prize announcement has been welcomed by athletes and coaches, as the event continues to establish itself as one of the leading road races in Nigeria. The race offers local athletes the chance to compete against international runners in front of a home crowd, while also earning meaningful rewards.
In the elite category, first place earns $8,000, second place takes $6,000, third place gets $5,000, fourth place receives $4,000, fifth place goes home with $3,000, sixth place earns $2,000, seventh place takes $1,000, and eighth place gets $500.
In the Nigerian category, first place earns ₦2,000,000, second place takes ₦1,500,000, third place gets ₦1,000,000, fourth place receives ₦500,000, fifth place goes home with ₦300,000, sixth place earns ₦200,000, seventh place takes ₦100,000, and eighth place gets ₦50,000.
According to the organisers, the prize structure reflects the commitment of PremiumTrust Bank to the growth of athletics in Nigeria and to the encouragement of home based athletes. The separate Nigerian category ensures that local runners are properly recognised and rewarded for their performance.
The half marathon, which covers 21 kilometres, remains an important event for long distance runners. It serves as a test of endurance and preparation, and it provides a competitive platform for athletes building towards major national and international competitions.
The race is expected to draw elite athletes, club runners, corporate teams, fitness enthusiasts and supporters from across Nigeria and beyond. The turnout is expected to be high, given the interest already shown since registration opened.
Organisers have advised interested runners to register early through the official registration portal of the race to secure their participation, as arrangements are being put in place for timing, security, medical support and traffic management on race day.
The prize money is now confirmed, attention will shift to the athletes as they complete their final weeks of training and preparations ahead of the race day.
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