A bold new initiative, the “Rising Stars League”, is set to transform the landscape of Under-19 football development in Nigeria. Spearheaded by Phoenix Athletics Sports Limited, the league is designed to offer a high-level competitive platform tailored to the nation’s most promising young footballers.
The announcement was made by the CEO of Phoenix Athletics Sports Limited, Mr. Bayo Olanlege, during a virtual media parley held on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
He described the league as “a robust and purpose-driven platform that will thoroughly prepare scouted talents for the demands of elite-level football while fostering their all-round growth.”
“It represents a crucial step in bridging the gap between raw potential and professional readiness,” Olanlege added, highlighting the league’s role in nurturing both sporting and personal development.
The Rising Stars League forms part of Phoenix Athletics’ broader strategic rebranding efforts. The club is currently building a lean, passionate team committed to driving the initiative forward while mentoring young individuals who share the club’s progressive vision.
To discover the best young talents for the league, Phoenix Athletics is establishing a nationwide scouting network. This will involve partnerships with media houses—who will be incentivized to recommend standout talents—alongside collaboration with key football stakeholders and leveraging personal networks across Nigeria.
In a call to action, Phoenix Athletics is inviting sponsors and partners to support the initiative, particularly by investing in the vast, underutilized football talent pool in regions like Ekiti State.
Importantly, Olanlege emphasized that the Rising Stars League is designed to complement—rather than compete with—existing football development structures, especially those led by the Football Association across Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun states.
During the parley, which drew media personalities from across the country, Alhaji Ayodeji Ogunsakin, Vice President of the South West chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), commended Olanlege’s passion for youth and sports development. He expressed confidence in the league’s vision and congratulated the Phoenix Athletics boss for his innovative leadership.