Nigeria Sports Arena

By Akeem Busari In his characteristic magnanimity, the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed, has once again activated his annual scholarship for another set of beneficiaries for the NIS Coaches Course. He has decidedly upped the ante by adding five female and nine male students drawn from the pool of National Association of Nigeria Students.  They would join another set of 36 coaches selected for the training course, who would certainly swell the ever-increasing list of football coaches sponsored for the training programme on the scholarship of 36 Lion Investment Limited.  These 14 lucky students will enjoy football education at the National Institute For Sports, the premier sports institution in Nigeria.  According to the sponsor, Hajji Gafar, the sports education initiative is in alignment with the youth empowerment mantra of His Excellency, Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, which also include using sports, particular...

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Hon. Sunday Dare has commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for presenting a spectacular opening ceremony at the 22nd National Sports Festival. Dare, a former Youth and Sports Minister, who was in attendance at the Moshood Abiola Stadium for the opening ceremony praised the NSC leadership under Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for delivering a memorable event while speaking with NSC Media Team, He described the ceremony as "a sparkling splendor" that showcased sports and unity.  "The opening ceremony was a sparkling splendor. A combustion of excitement as the stadium was filled up and the beautiful scenes unfolded.  The opening ceremony was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and several serving governors. Dare attrib...

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has sent a resounding congratulatory message to the Nigeria U20 Team, the Flying Eagles for booking a semi final ticket at the AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt and ultimately securing their place at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. The Aliyu Zubairu team achieved the feat after knocking out defending Champions Senegal in the quarter finals of the tournament on Monday at the Suez Canal stadium in Ismailia, Egypt. An excited Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the performance of the boys has steadily improved with every game they played and were a better side against their Senegalese opponents. " I must thank the Nigeria Football Federation for this qualification feat which shows the collective resilience of the boys and their coaching crew". " The boys performance so far only showed the hard work that was put into the team both in preparations and camping". " We have a very good record at this level and th...

Former Enugu Rangers midfielder, Kazeem Ogunleye who recently joined Albanian side, FK Partizani has made his debut with the club. The 18-year-old midfielder was included in his team’s matchday squad for the Albanian Superliga game against Dinamo Tirana after his impressive performance with the reserve team. Kazeem Ogunleye scored a goal and created two assists in four games while playing with the reserve team. The teenage midfielder was introduced against Dinamo Tirana in the 65th minute of the game at the Elbasan Arena and posted a fine performance.

As the countdown hits five days to the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival—tagged the 2024 Gateway Games—anticipation is building across Nigeria. Set to be hosted by Ogun State, the Festival remains a fertile ground for discovering future champions and unearthing raw talent destined for global greatness. Over the years, the National Sports Festival has served as the launchpad for some of Nigeria’s most celebrated athletes—those who moved from local fame to Olympic immortality. As we gear up for another historic edition, we take a look back at some iconic names who were first spotted on this national stage before ascending to global prominence. Mary Onyali: The Queen of the Track Mary Onyali, one of Nigeria’s most decorated sprinters, was first discovered at the National Sports Festival when she competed at the 1984 Kwara ’85 Games and later the 1997 Oluyole Games in Ibadan. Her dazzling performances earned her a spot at the 1986 World Junior Championships in Athens...

The teenage winger has racked up 9 goals and 2 assists in 28 games, playing a key role in Ikorodu City’s push for continental football. Ikorodu City winger Ayomide Cole is turning heads in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with a scintillating run of form that has seen him score 9 goals and provide 2 assists in 28 matches across all competitions this season. The teenage sensation has been at the heart of Ikorodu City’s impressive campaign, racking up 11 goal contributions and playing a pivotal role in the club’s rise to fourth place on the league table. His influence has been immense, directly involved in 27% of the Oga Boys’ total goals this season. Cole's consistency and attacking prowess have made him one of the most lethal wingers in the NPFL. As Ikorodu City eyes a potential berth in continental competition, his performances continue to fuel the team’s ambition. All eyes will be on him once again this Saturday when Ikorodu City faces Wikki Tourist FC in th...