The Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment was a cynosure of sporting excellence, as Paris Africana international School, led by Director, Engr. Gbenga Nowoola hosted its 3rd Annual Inter-house Sports, with Ex-Super Eagles Stars thrilled with top-notch sporting performances.

Ex-Super Eagles stars threw support for a system through which Sports men were unearthed decades ago. President, Nigerian Players’ Union, Tijanni Babangida, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro, and NFF Technical Officer, Garba Lawal were at the ground to light up the torch and provide mentorship for the young and aspiring sports starlets of the institution.

The Minister of Sports, Hon. Sunday Dare reiterated that the ministry will not stop working round the clock to ensure Nigeria returns to the era it produced international athletes for the country from a robust school sports system.

In his remarks delivered by the Media Aide to the Minister, Kola Daniel, he said “sports stars like Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Babayaro and so on were unearthed through a functional school sports system and my principal, Hon. Sunday Dare is committed to returning our schools to its invaluable place in sports stars development”.

Ex-Super Eagles goalie, Emmanuel Babayaro said “I was thrilled with the atmosphere as soon as I got in. I love the investment Paris Africana international School has made in sports and this will be the beginning of greatness for the talents in the school. We will always provide mentorship and support to this kids, so they grow to be better than we were”.

Reacting thereafter, the Director of the School, Engr. Gbenga Nowoola expressed delight with the willingness of the ex internationals to provide mentorship and support to the young aspiring Sports starlets in the school. He said that the school will keep providing a platform for the students to hone their skills until they get to professional level.

Paris Africana international Schools, Abuja is one of the leading institutions in the country with it’s robust model for combining sound education and sports training.

Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare has received commendation from Former Super Eagles players Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Amuneke for rehabilitating the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja and the Surulere National Stadium, Lagos after years of neglect.

According to Lawal “I am so excited to know that the Moshood Abiola National stadium is back to life. Each time I walk round the stadium, I’m impressed by the progress of going on work. This is how to go about managing sports infrastructure.”

According to the former Julius Berger of Lagos player “When I remember those games I played for the Super Eagles in the same stadium, I think the Minister’s initiative is good, but it will take a while to see the impact of the beautiful work.”

Speaking in the same vein, Former Africa footballer of the year Emmanuel Amuneke said “You can’t succeed in football without good pitches to play on. Poor infrastructure is part of the greatest undoing of most Africa countries not just Nigeria. But I am glad that the Minister knows the important role of good pitches in developing of football talents across the country. Am aware of the on going work at the Surulere stadium, Lagos , I heard he has completed the Daura mini stadium and the Moshood Abiola National stadium is close to completion. I urge all stakeholders to support the Minister’s dream. I have listened to him severally and I’m convinced he is on the right track of changing the narrative of our sports development ,” the former Barcelona player concluded.

The much talked about Abdul Sule Football Academy has been launched in the football loving city of Kaduna State with the aim of getting players exposed to best practices and nurtured them for greatness.

The launching ceremony which was held at the football pitch of Adeyemo College in Kaduna on Saturday had in attendance former Nigeria internationals and top government officials.

The brain behind the academy, Abdul Sule told newsmen at the event that the idea was to encourage upcoming players and also exposed them to much opportunities abound in football business.

Sule, who played for Nigeria Super Eagles between 1991 and 1993 said the academy will be in two cadres which includes Under 13/14 categories where young footballers will have the opportunities of getting standard and basic training in football from top class coaches.

He said that the U16 and U17 cadres will be mainly players who are going to thrown into big market in football business.

The former Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens added that the academy was already attracting partnership with national and international partners.

Among those who graced the official launching of the academy were Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal who were former team mates of Abdul Sule at national team and club levels and they also commended the founder for the initiative which they believed would further help to take boys off the street and give them life.

Others include Alhaji Musa Kalli who is the Special Adviser on Projects to the Minister of Niger Delta, Majority Leader of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon Haruna Inuwa Dogo and other top government officials including the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly who was represented as well as football scouts from within and outside Nigeria.

President of Naija Ratels, Barrister Paul Edeh was among dignitaries who made cash and kits donations to the academy.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the LMC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, in a Press Conference held at the corporate head office of the league body in the country’s capital City, Abuja.

Among those present at the event was the country Director of Laliga, Desmond Chiji, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports in Enugu State, Manfred Nzekwe, NFF Deputy Director of technical, coach Paul Aigbogun and ex Nigerian international, Garba Lawal.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the LMC said: “The 2021 version of the NPFL Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League is dear to us; it has been very successful over the years, and we have to thank Laliga for giving us the ideas and support to get this going over the years, said Dikko.”

“It is time to get boys to come and play, after the disruption of last year’s edition as a result of the emergence of COVID-19.”

“So far, we’ve done the usual coaches training online and this project has sent over 500 coaches across the NPFL and the grassroot sector of Nigerian football, and as at today, every club in the top flight has a player or two that has passed through this project in the last few years.”

“We’re also doing this programme to unveil Enugu State Government. We thank the Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for being magnanimous enough to see the vision of this project.”

“This time, Government of Enugu State will host all the participants for the duration of the entire competition. We also thank the Honourable Commissioner for Sports for his efforts in making things work.”

While thanking the League Management Company and Enugu State Government, the Laliga country Director, Desmond Chiji said: “Our commitment towards the NPFL has always been the same and the development of football in the country remains our priority, that’s why we’ll keep supporting the growth of the game in anyway we know how.

“Football speaks a lot of languages, Laliga speaks more than language and that is the message we preach through our logos. We want to speak the local language; we want to be part of what is happening in Nigeria.

The Honourable Commissioner while conveying the message of his Governor, maintained that Enugu State is the safest Haven for youth developmental programmes such as the NPFL/Laliga U-15 Youth League.

“The Governor has assured that Enugu State will host this year’s edition of the programme and everything has been put in place for a successful hosting.

“We’re also assuring you that the state being the capital of South Eastern states is one of the safest in terms of security of lives and property.

This year’s edition of the NPFL/Laliga U-15 Promises Youth League will hold between 14th and 28th  of April 2021 with Katsina United FC U-15 side as the defending Champions.