Nigeria Sports Arena

This is me wishing the Special Adviser Media and Public Communications to Mr. President, Chief Sunday Dare, a heartfelt wishes on the occasion of his 59th birthday today. An astute, competent, hardworking, and charismatic trailblazer are some of the virtues that uniquely characterised the personality of Chief Sunday Dare, as he marks another year. As the former Minister of Sports , I remember how he pioneered some of the enabling policies that we are currently implementing today as part of our Renewed Hope initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy. His passion for sustainable sports development is one of the reasons the 22nd edition of the National Sports festival is held in Ogun State and today marking the closing ceremony of the Games rightly coincides with his 59th birthday. As a consultant I bidded for Ogun state to host the Sports festival and Chief Sunday Dare  then Sports Minister believed strongly in our bid and awarded us the hosting rights and today the games is d...

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...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade, has charged the Country's Invited Junior Athletes ( IJA), contingents to see their participation at the forthcoming 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State as a bold step towards their Sporting Greatness. The DG gave the charge when he visited the Athletes in their training camp in Abuja on Wednesday, where he held an exciting interactive discussion with them to boost their morals ahead of the Games. Nigeria Sports is currently receiving a breath of fresh air with the IJA concept where the very best of the Country's young athletes across multiple Sports have been selected to feature as the 38th State at the Sports Festival. The NSC DG reminded the athletes that they are the future of the country's Sports and that is why Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, backed the Commission to create the IJA concept into the Sports festival, starting with the Gateway Games. ...

With just 11 days left until the 22nd National Sports Festival dubbed “Gateway Games” kicks off in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the anticipation continues to soar — and one of the most compelling storylines emerging is that of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA). Introduced by the National Sports Commission (NSC) as a bold innovation, the IJA concept was born out of the need to nurture the nation’s brightest young sports prospects.  Dubbed the “38th state,” the team heading to the NSF comprises just over 100 teenage athletes selected from across Nigeria to compete against more established counterparts in about 11 sports at the upcoming National Sports Festival. The NSC’s vision is to provide these young athletes a rare platform to test their skills on a grand stage while accelerating their development in a highly competitive environment. And with the IJA camp currently buzzing with energy and optimism, that vision is beginning to take shape. The IJA will compete in athletics, badminton, foo...

The government owned Nigerian football clubsides have dominated the the landscape of the local football leagues in the last 35 years.  The narratives began to take a new turn since 2022, when Remo Stars owned by successful businessman and football investor, Hon. Kunle Soname entered the fray and it's no longer been business as usual.  On Sunday at its impressive Remo Stars International Stadium, Remo Stars FC left the pretenders corners, to claim a first and historic NPFL title, on a day that coincidences with the 63rd birthday anniversary of the club president.  In a congratulatory message to celebrate the feat of Remo Stars, President of fast-rising Ikorodu City  FC, Sanmi Doherty, described it as heart-warming and a sign of better days ahead for Nigerian football. "Congratulations to  Hon. Kunle Soname, it's a huge feat and all the hard works of many years has finally yielded in the club being Nigerian league champions.  "It’s a brilliant fee...

Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Bukola Olopade, has sent his congratulations to Nigeria's foremost Sports Investor and Business Man Kunle Soname, as he celebrates his Birthday. The Philanthropist and entrepreneur who owns Nigeria Professional league club Remo stars, marks his 59th birthday today, as the sporting family in Nigeria and beyond stands still to honour his unwavering success. The DG said " I want to wish my brother and friend, Kunle Soname, a very fruitful and happy birthday as he adds another year today ". " Soname is one of Nigeria's leading entrepreneurs and Sports investors who has continued to invest massively in the growth of Nigerian Sports in various capacities. His type is very rare to find because of all the things he does to promote, develop and sponsor the sports ecosystem in Nigeria".  " Soname is a major contributor to the Sports Economy of the country and I am delighted to say he is a rare ...

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko has reassured Nigerian athletes of regular internal competitions as a key priority of the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy, RHINSE, mandate of the Commission. The Chairman stated this when he declared open the 6th edition of the One Service One medal ( OSOM) Games inside the mainbowl of the MKO stadium in Abuja on Thursday. The Chairman emphasized the importance of organising such Games which amongst other things serves as a veritable tool to foster unity and commaraderie among the security agencies. " We recognise the role the security agencies played in the rich sporting history of our country by producing some of the country's finest athletes who have done the country proud at various international competitions". " And at the Sports Commission we acknowledge that the security agencies still has the potential to produce top class athletes for the country which is part...

No fewer than forty-four (44) players have been axed by the Nationwide League One (NLO), after a comprehensive medical check-up conducted by authorized doctors to ascertain their medical conditions and fitness levels found them wanting.  According to a statement from the media department of Africa's largest grassroot league, it was very important to conduct the medical examination test of players periodically in order to avoid sudden death. According to the NLO Secretariat, the 44 players cut across 31 teams that were registered for the 2025 NLO season.  Offa Football Club tops the list with six (6) players, after the tests conducted by Doctor Ayo Olajide, Medical Consultant to the Nationwide League, confirmed a few hidden medical ailments.  Dr. Olajide also certified four (4) players of Camp Pro of FCT, Abuja unfit for the season on medical grounds.  Reacting to the development, NLO's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Olushola Ogunnowo: "A comprehensive medi...

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has lauded the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the recently concluded ITTF World Para Future tournament in Amman, Jordan, where the nation displayed  its dominance in para table tennis by finishing among the top three teams globally. Over the three-day championship, Nigeria amassed a remarkable haul of five gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals. Competing against powerhouses such as Germany, Iran, and host nation Jordan, Nigeria stood tall as one of only three African nations in attendance, alongside Egypt and South Africa. NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko described the achievement as a “testament to what is possible when vision meets preparation and belief.” He added: “Our para-athletes have continued to inspire the entire nation. Their performance in Jordan shows that with the right support, Nigerian sports can soar on any global stage.”  NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the resilience and brilliance of th...