Sports
Nigeria Students To Enjoy Scholarship In USA As Secondary School Invitational Football Tournament Kicks off In Abuja
Joel Ajayi
Not fewer than 100 students have been registered for the maiden edition of National Secondary School Invitational Football Tournament which holds in Abuja
The tournament targeted at discovering talented footballers at the secondary schools will kick off from 21st-23rd February, 2025 at the Family Worship Center pitch,Wuye, Abuja.
Six schools and two wild cards (eight teams) in total will participate in the inaugural edition of the competition.
While all registered students are eligible for the scholarship, however, only six schools, namely; Glisten International Academy, Britarch Schools, Royal Family Academy Wuye, Faith Academy, Abuja and Lugbe Titans and International Secondary School, Owerri are eligible to win the giant trophy. However, the two participating schools invited on wild card can’t win the trophy.
The two schools selected for wild cards are; Right Value Selected and Pioneers Selected.
Speaking at the press conference on Friday, the brain behind the tournament and the CEO of Godfather Emmanuel Babayaro Foundation, the 1996 Olympics medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro stated that, “the tournament is set up as an opportunity for young talented footballers to better their lives when education is merged with their football career after being picked by the scout appointed by the USA collegiate for the scholarship. All matches will be covered and recorded live because all players that will be selected for the scholarship will be backed up by statistics and video evidences.
He added, “Another good thing is that, there is no limit to the number of students who can benefit from it. Once any player meet up with the criteria, then, such player will be chosen and be a beneficiary.
The tournament will start from 21st to 23rd February and will hold at the Family Worship Center pitch in Wuye Abuja.
He commended the sponsor, First Generation Mortgage Bank (FGMB) for supporting the initiative. “I must commend the sponsor, First Generation Mortgage Bank (FGMB), they showed that truly, they are the bank for this and next generation.
“Without wasting time, they accept our proposal and immediately after meeting with them, they set the ball rolling. They’re the reason we are seated here today making the tournament a reality.
Also speaking, Mr Nelson John, the
Group Head, FGMB said, “the reason we are here today is to better the future our generation and the next, because those who combine education and talent will be superstar and FGMB is the only bank for superstars.
“We discovered that the foundation is set up to groom young stars, so, we came in to secure the futures of superstars.”
Former Super Falcons and Super Eagles coach, James Peters who is the appointed scout for the the tournament hailed the sponsor and predicted a successful competition.
He said, “firstly, let me commend the First Generation Mortgage Bank for their confidence in investing in the program. I want assure them that it’s right step in a right direction.
“Football is a big business and identifying themselves with Emmanuel Babayaro Foundation and the project will yield multiple profits for FGMB. I am sure the bank will be proud of the players that will be discovered in the tournament because they will be the bedrock of Nigeria football in the future.”
The Beijing Olympics silver medalist, Femi Ajilore expressed his satisfaction and hailed the project saying that it will benefit not only the players but the country at large.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
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.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News9 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
