Local News

21 Students Graduate From Sporting Coders Programme

Twenty-one female students of Tare Pet Montessori Group of Schools, Yanagoa, Bayelsa State, recently graduated from the Sporting Coders pilot programme that was organised by CSED Initiative and the Management of the school.

This first of its kind training programme in Nigeria which combined training in the sport of netball and coding, is aimed at introducing the participants to basic training in coding, as well as, laying the foundation for them to consider future careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic), an area where female are currently underrepresented.

The twelve weeks training programme which started in the first week of January 2024, involved the participants doing their coding training every Saturday morning for a period of two hours, which is then followed by two hours of netball training.

Free lunch was provided to the netballers by the school. In order to sustain the interest of the students from the rigorous training of the netball coaches that are led by Funsho Ekundayo, the students were provided with two educational vouchers worth ten thousand Naira on each occasion. Furthermore, three of their ex-netball colleagues who are now in universities were provided with educational vouchers worth fifty thousand Naira by the training organisers, who have Lord’s Taverners (UK based charity), as their kits supplier.

The students were provided with twelve netball training and match balls and two separate sets of sports jerseys and training bibs. During the period of the training course, CSED Initiative, donated one hundred and ten general interest books to the school library, as well as, a new laptop to the Management of the school, who did everything within their power to ensure the success of the training programme.

The parents of the 21 students were also not to be outdone, as they showed up in numbers during the school’s recently held inter-house sport competition and on the gradation day of the Sporting Coders programme, in order to support their daughters.

The school proprietress, Mrs. Victoria Mologe, advised the students to work hard and consider developing their sporting talent, while still pursuing their academic or professional careers.

Tare Pet School are currently the netball champions of Bayelsa State. The captain of the team, Alaere Wisdom, lauded the coaches, parents, teachers and the sponsors for providing them with the opportunity to access this free girl child friendly training programme.

In her remark, the Director Technical Bayelsa State Sports Council, Mrs. Catherine Sasoude, stated that while growing up in the 80s her parents used to discourage her from taking part in sports, but she managed to combine sport and education together. As a result, she is now supporting her two daughters to take part in sports, and netball is currently their sport of choice, after they have tried other sports. Mrs. Sasoude thanked the sponsors (CSED Initiative and Lord’s Taverners, for investing in the leaders of tomorrow.

On his part, the Head of School Sports Coordinators in Bayelsa State, Mr. Godwin Adagbo, stated that Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative training of games masters and games mistresses under their “Project 2027” programme is currently yielding positive results in the state. Bayelsa State Sports Council is the only Sports Council in Nigeria that currently have a functioning netball team that takes part in competitions.

Certificates were presented to the graduating students of the Sporting Coders programme in the presence of their cheering parents, teachers, and fellow students. The biggest cheer of the day was the announcement that the 21 graduates of this programme would be provided with a fifty thousand Naira educational voucher by the organisers, once they show proof of being offered admission into a tertiary educational institution in future.

Furthermore, these new graduates would be supported to access online safeguarding training, and they will be tasked with supporting 10 local primary schools to develop their netball access training through the “Bee netball pathway.”

A spokesman for the event organisers stated that CSED Initiative is currently exploring the possibility of rolling out the Sporting Coders programme in other states of Nigeria.

They are open to partnership and sponsorship with other relevant NGOs, corporate organisations, and educational institutions. More importantly, subject to the availability of funds, they will consider doing the Sporting Coders training for residents of hard to reach community (IDPs, refugees and wards of the state).

Local News

6th JOF Kids Cup Kicks Off In Lagos

The much awaited 6th edition of the annual Under-13 JOF Kids Soccer competition kicked off on Sunday, 16th February 2025 at the Union Bank Sports Club playground on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos with 64 neighborhood football clubs and academies taking part in the tournament.

This is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of the sponsor company, JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous manufacturing and supply chain services organisation, which took special interest in the development of talents of the Nigerian youths. The U-13 JOF Kids Cup this year promises to be more glamorous, judging from the display of the kids during the kick-off match between Shaker Boys from Oshodi and Omonia Babes of Oto Awori.

Though Shakers Boys won the grudge tie by a lone goal, it was obvious that Omonia Babes put up a display on the pitch to send a message to opponents in the course of the first round of the competition that they are not pushovers.

Chairman Organising Committee of the tournament, Samuel Omolola disclosed that the first round will be keenly contested across three centres, Union Bank playground in Surulere, Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute-Metta and Lekki playground in Eti-Osa, adding that matches are scheduled to be played on weekends to give the children opportunity of concentrating on their studies during the week. Omolola commended the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited, for the support since the first edition. He assured everyone that Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association will continue to organize a tournament of high football standards that will motivate the kid footballers.

Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, the Director, Strategic Support Services, who represented the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited played the ceremonial kick-off. Adetunji advised the footballers to enjoy themselves on the pitch while displaying their God-given talents.

Other registered participating teams in the 6th edition of the tournament are, Small Tiger of Epe, Rufy Academy of Badagry, Puma Boys of Ojo, Latoyam Boys of Aguda, United Boys of Ogijo, Alaro Babes of Apapa, Yinka Babes of Badagry, Barca of Mainland, Adeomo Boys of Okoko, Junior Arsenal of Alimosho, Kola Babes of Ipaja, Miracle FC of Ijesha, Young Stars of Lagos Island, Warrior FC of Agege, Bariga United of Bariga, HB Utility of Ilupeju, Oron Academy of Oyingbo, Edet Academy of Aguda, Oloto Babes of Otto, ADC Academy of Ogba, Ajegunle Boys of Ajegunle, Idimu Bombers of Idimu, Tom boys of Orile, Oworo United of Oworo, Tobi Boys of Ojodu, Rock FC of Ojodu, Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu, Royal FC of Iwaya, Stricker Academy of Oko-Oba, Dollar Boys of Ifako, Landa Boys of Okoko, Demilade Boys of Ayobo, MRS Academy of Imota, Global FC of Mushin, Fagbems Boys of Ikeja, Alaba United of Alaba, Oluyole FC of Ayobo, Ikosi babes of Ketu, St. Michael of Alimosho, B. Unit of Surulere, Amazon Boys of Ikoyi, Abey Boys of Ajah, Afun Academy of Maryland, Kamin Boys of Oyingbo, Zamadek of Lagos Island, Chelsea Boys of Ketu, Ajiran Boys of Ajiran, Okota Academy of Okota, Ola’s Babes of Somolu, Greater Tomorrow of Lagos Island, Strong Dove of Orile, Adamu Academy of Idi-Araba, Glory FC of Ikotun, Mafe Ace of Ijegun, Botife Ace of Abule-Egba, Solution Boys of Apapa, Dopemu United of Dopemu, United Star of Mafoluku, Musiner FC of Mushin, Ultimate Stars of Apapa, Young Boys of Ojo, Abu Babes of Igando and Aket Babes of Iddo.

Local News

Nigerian Player Drags Super Eagles Coach Chelle To His Club

FK Rabotnichki star defender, Sodiq Anthony Rasheed is making the right headline in Southeastern Europe, distinguishing himself as the best productive player in the Macedonian top Football League.

The experienced 24-year-old has consistently maintained top form that ranked him as the best player in the league. His versatility on the pitch is what many Macedonian pundits have described as genius.

His club, Rabotnichki are currently in the 1st position with the same 37 points with the 2nd and 3rd positions. Thanks to the efficiency of Rasheed who has scored two vital goals so far and made himself a solid rock at the defence line of the team.

Speaking on his explosive form, he said: “I am enjoying every bit of my career in the league, my major focus is to remain consistent and help my team to win the title this season. I have been encouraged to do more and I am not going to let my current performance affect my main focus.”.

Rasheed exceptional and superlative performance is sending a message to the newly hired Super Eagles coach to take a stop at the Macedonia league as he is currently moving around to shop for new players.

“I am not going to be too desperate, I almost had a chance under the former foreign coach, and maybe this time around I can be invited to the national team to prove my experience can count at the defence line. My target for 2025 is to win the Macedonia league and take big advantage of Super Eagles camp and I hope this comes to pass.”

Rasheed has become the rave of the moment in the Macedonian top league following the superlative display that saw him nominated for several Macedonian 1. MFL Team of the Week player.

Local News

Play For Super Eagles – Chelle In Contact With 29 Year Old Newcastle United Forward

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is not leaving any stone unturned in his bid to ensure that the senior national team of Nigeria progress to the 2026 World Cup.Nigerian football apparel, as reported by OwnGoalNigeria.

The coach made a tour last week to see players of the team ahead of the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively. He is expected to submit his provisional list of players for the world cup qualifiers to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later this week.

He is also planning ahead of both games, and we can exclusively reveal that he has made contact with Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy who is eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Chelle had a chat with the 29 year old to gauge his interest in switching to Nigeria due to his Nigerian descent. Details of how the discussion went wasn’t made available to us as at the time of this report.

Murphy who has represented England at various level is of Irish descent through his mother and he is of Nigerian origin through his father. He is yet to be capped by any of the above nation at senior level.