Sports

Nigeria Students To Enjoy Scholarship In USA As Secondary School Invitational Football Tournament Kicks off In Abuja

Published

4 months ago

February 16, 2025

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.

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Sports

No crisis in NAWIS ahead of AFN elections on Monday

Published

10 hours ago

June 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), known for its orderliness since its establishment in 1990, continues to uphold its standards ahead of the upcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.

With members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, NAWIS has consistently operated without external interference.

Over the years, its members have been nominated to various boards of national sports federations after meeting established criteria, including the payment of annual dues.

The association has attracted a strong base of respected sportswomen who have served the country with distinction, both during and after their active careers.

In preparation for the AFN elections, zonal elections were conducted on June 2 and 3, producing representatives for the national exercise.

While NAWIS initially planned to hold its election in Zaria, Kaduna State, the association’s headquarters, it was later rescheduled for Abuja on Monday, June 9, following directives from higher authorities.

Importantly, NAWIS has a set of strict guidelines that govern its electoral process, particularly the requirement for timely payment of annual dues. Failure to meet this condition results in automatic disqualification.

This guideline was the basis for the disqualification of Maria Wophil, who has reportedly not paid her annual dues since 2017. Her attempt to hurriedly settle outstanding debts just before the election was deemed non-compliant with NAWIS regulations.

Who is Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju?

Commonwealth gold medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju is one of the leading contenders for the NAWIS representative position in the AFN.

She made history as the first African woman to run the 400m in under 50 seconds and brought glory to Nigeria by winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Yusuf-Olukoju also claimed gold in the 400m at the 1991 All-Africa Games and silver in the 200m.

Based on nominations and her track record, Yusuf-Olukoju is considered the most qualified candidate. However, three other contenders have also shown interest, and the final decision will be made in the election slated for Monday, June 9, in Abuja.

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