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“I had no mum, no father, multiple step-mothers and I was surrounded by drugs and crimes” – Jermaine Pennant opens up about childhood trauma

Jermaine Pennant has opened up about his childhood trauma and claims he can relate to Everton star Dele Alli after his interview with Gary Neville.

Pennant played in the Premier League for the majority of his career and represented the likes of Arsenal, Birmingham City, Liverpool and Stoke City.

Pennant has admitted to binge-drinking and addictions while battling with depression, which is something he now claims is down to his childhood trauma.

The former Champions League finalist opened up about his experiences on TalkSport. But what did Pennant say about his footballing career and why did he go to jail?

Jermaine Pennant praised Dele Alli for opening up about the trouble he faced in his life and claims he could relate to a lot of what he was saying on a personal level.

Alli spoke candidly to Gary Neville about his childhood trauma and said he was sexually assaulted at six years old. Alli went on to explain that he suffered from addiction to sleeping pills and excessive alcohol consumption.

Pennant expressed the importance of Alli’s interview and how helpful speaking up can be. He said: “When you bottle these things up it’s like a timebomb, and it will go off unexpectedly and you become very high risk of addictions. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, gambling. Anything to take that hurt away, anything that gives you joy, you will go to.

“And now he’s spoken openly about what he went through. He can move past that trauma, past that hurt and it will not now dictate his life and his choices.”

What did Jermaine Pennant say about his childhood?
Jermaine Pennant opened up about his childhood during an interview on TalkSport.

He said: “I would go work, go training, I would put on a brave face and smile. I’d play up because there was so much trauma and darkness inside me. I was embarrassed to tell my story about what I went through and where I came from.”

Pennant went on to discuss his childhood. He explained that he was abandoned by his mother at the age of three and says he was raised by his dad, who neglected him.

Pennant said: “I would take myself to school at the age of eight, I would make my own dinner. Which was usually cornflakes. It got to a stage where my friends called me the cornflake boy as that was all I was eating.”

Pennant’s dad became a drug addict during his early teens and he added that he was surrounded by drugs and crime during his childhood.

The footballer added: “I had no mum, no father, multiple step-mothers and I was surrounded by drugs and crimes. I was also diagnosed with ADHD so as a child I was battling with that.”

Pennant claimed he never told anyone about the issues he faced and believes that it damaged his career in football.

He said: “I made bad decisions. I remember in my second year at Liverpool, I couldn’t work out why I was depressed. When things weren’t going well on the field I’d unleash it in any way possible.

“I’d want to go out, to be around people, I’d try anything as pain relief, to get drunk, binge drink, to numb the pain.”

Jermaine Pennant was a member of the Arsenal academy who emerged as an upcoming prospect after a loan spell at Leeds in 2003/04.

The prospect made 24 appearances for England’s under-21 team and signed for Birmingham City in 2004.

In 2005, the footballer was sentenced to 90 days in prison for drink driving, whilst being disqualified. He was allowed out after 30 days but was forced to wear an electronic tag.

Pennant praised former manager Steve Bruce during this period and claims he regularly visited him during his time in prison.

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“He came to visit me in prison. Not to talk about Birmingham. To come to see me, as a person, as a young man, to see how I was doing and my health.

“It was weird because everyone knew who he was. Everyone was looking around in the meeting room but that meant a lot.”

He added: “Most managers that I have had have thrown me away, ‘go and train with the kids’, never had a conversation where they’d ask me if I was alright in the head, everything okay at home?”

Pennant retired from football in 2018 and he now works as a pundit for TalkSport. He says he has turned his life around and credits this to therapy which gave the help that he needed.

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Gumel Re-elected Unopposed as ANOCA Treasurer-General in Algiers

 

Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel has been re-elected unopposed as the Treasurer-General of the African Olympic body. at its General Assembly in Algiers.

The African Olympic body is known officially as the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

The announcement was made during a successful General Assembly held in Algiers, the Algerian capital, where Gumel was confirmed in his role without opposition.

This marks another term of four years for Engr. Gumel in his capacity as the Treasurer-General.

This is a demonstration of the trust and confidence placed in his leadership by the members of ANOCA drawn from mainly the presidents of the Olympic Movement in the continent.

Alongside Mr. Gumel, the Algerian president of ANOCA, Moustspha Berraf, was also re-elected unopposed, reflecting continued stability and unity within the organization.

Gumel is currently the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the country’s lone member to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Assembly was rounded up with a special Awards ceremonies with our own Rena Wakama, Nigeria’s D’Tigress Coach to the 2024 Paris Olympics being one the recipients.

She was adjudged the Best African Coach at the Olympics by ANOCA.

Her Trophy was received on her behalf by Gumel and was presented by the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chair, Mallam Shehu Dikko.

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It’s Out Again: Sports Market International March- May 2025 Edition

It's Out Again: Sports Market International March- May 2025 Edition

This publication is reintroducing itself with renewed vigor. Following a brief hiatus for content enhancement and logistical improvements, we are pleased to present the inaugural edition of the esteemed SMI Magazine. This edition features a detailed examination of the recent AFCON 2025 draw, during which Morocco committed to hosting a memorable tournament and has provided a glimpse of what to expect in December 2025 and January 2026 through an impressive draw.

The content includes a comprehensive group-by-group analysis of the 2025 AFCON participants, categorizing them as Contenders, Pretenders, and offering predictions for each group to build anticipation for African football. In the realm of boxing, we delve into Anthony Joshua’s reportedly £200 million worth, juxtaposed with his continued residence with his mother, despite his financial capacity to explore various lifestyle choices.

Additionally, we provide insights into Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen’s forthcoming transfer worth €75 million amid numerous speculations regarding his future. We also analyze the 20 most significant transfers during the January 2025 window, highlighting notable movements such as Moroccan forward Omar Marmoush’s transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City.

On the local front, this edition underscores the significance of sports governance, particularly the promising development of a world-class stadium in Warri, Delta State, an initiative spearheaded by His Excellency Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Inside this edition

 

TO ORDER PRINT COPIES, CONTACT US

Address: 7, House 2, Maryland Crescent, Lagos, Nigeria

Email: info@sportsmarketinternational.com

Phone number: +2348066479428

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Why We’re Using Football As A Tool For National Unity – Comrade Onengiye Elekima

 

The organisers of the maiden edition of President Bola Tinubu U20 Unity football championship, Onengiye Elekima Foundation have come out to explain why they are using football as a tool to propagate their peace and unity agenda, in line with the avowed commitments of President Bola Tinubu towards engendering lasting peace, unity and progress ìn the country.

President and founder of the foundation, Comrade Onengiye Elekima, in a press statement explained that the forthcoming football championship would see male and female U20 football clubs from across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria, participate and battle for the grand prize money of N50 million.

He was quick however, to reiterate the drive behind the competition. According to the soft-spoken youth advocate, the competition is ostensibly targeted at giving the less privileged, the vulnerable and the seemingly maligned and particularly, the displaced members of the society, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to display their God-given talents.

“We’re very concerned about the lives of the less privileged and particularly, the people of the various IDP camps in the country,” he said.

“Nigeria is a very blessed nation in all of its ramifications and we believe there are millions of talented male and female youths in the villages, towns and even the IDP camps. The Onengiye Elekima Foundation, is set to seek them out and give them a lifetime opportunity to move out of the dark and become better persons by realising their dreams.

“And over several decades, football has become the most veritable tool for promotionbefore peace and unity in the world.  We know the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to engendering peace and unity in the country, and particularly, his love and determination to ensure the Nigerian youths are empowered and encouraged to positively channel their unbridled energies to the betterment of the society. That is why we have keyed into his policies for the youths. And what better tool than football,” he asked rhetorically.

He further disclosed that registration for the competition is free and ongoing, as interested clubsides can visit the dedicated website to download and fill the forms for participation via www.onengiyeelekimafoundation.org.ng

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