Sports
U-19 Nigeria Independence Cup 2025: Kebbi Outclass Imo, Lagos Stage Comeback Against Plateau
By Joel Ajayi
The 2025 U-19 Nigeria Independence Football Challenge Cup kicked off in Abuja on Thursday with exciting action on the opening day.
At the Area 3 Football Pitch, Kebbi State proved too strong for Imo State, sealing a 2-1 victory. Ahmed Aliyu opened the scoring before Hayatudeen Haruna doubled the lead before halftime, giving the North-West side control of the game. Imo pulled one back in the second half but could not prevent defeat.
Over at the Nyanya Mopol Football Pitch, Lagos State showed grit and resilience in their clash with Plateau State. After conceding twice, the Lagos boys fought back impressively to secure a 2-2 draw in a pulsating encounter.
The scheduled fixture between Kano and Benue States was abandoned due to a heavy downpour that left the Nyanya Mopol pitch waterlogged.
The U-19 Nigeria Independence Football Challenge Cup, organized by the Inter-Sports Promoters Association (ISPA), is part of events commemorating Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. Beyond competition, the initiative seeks to inspire hope, foster unity, and provide a platform for young footballers nationwide to showcase their talent.
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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