Local News

States Across Nigeria To Enjoy Hosting NOC Programmes

To improve Communication and the impact of its programmes, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has resolved to hold more of its International Olympic Committee (IOC)- sponsored Solidarity Training courses and workshops outside the traditional hubs of Abuja and Lagos.

The Committee resolved this during its first Executive Committee meeting since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and the NOC acknowledged that the feedback from the field had shown a more significant misunderstanding of its role.

A statement released by Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of the Committee, noted that staging most of its programmes in the States as one of the best ways to tackle this problem.

These States have demonstrated their effectiveness in implementing the messages of the Movement.

The Committee has then pleaded with State Governments to accept to provide the enabling environment for sports Commissions or Councils to host Olympic programmes.

”We believe these programmes will strengthen the administration and management of sports and invariably improve sports.

This will create a multiplier effect.’’ The Committee extensively discussed Team Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

It acknowledged that although the team did not perform well overall, but acknowledged that despite this, at least eight athletes received certificates for improved performances.

They are: * Ese Brume – Athletics – 5th Place in Long Jump (W)

* Favour Ofili – Athletics – 6th Place in 200m (W)

* Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – Athletics – 6th Place in Shotput (Men)

* Samuel Ogazi – Athletics -7th Place – 400m (Men)

* Rafiatu Folashade Lawal- Weightlifting – 5th Place in 59kg (W)

* Joy Ogbonne Eze – Weightifting -7h Place in 71kg (W)

* Blessing Oborodudu – Wrestling Freestyle – 5th Place in Freestyle – 68kg (W)

* Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye – Wresting Freestyle – 8th Place in 57kg (Ww)

It also includes The badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, was hailed for improved performance. The National Basketball team, De Tigress, was adjudged the most improved team, and its coach was singled out for recognition as the best coach.

This is the first African team in the sport, male or female, to reach the quarter-final of any Olympic Games. The NOC praised the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Grand Patron of NOC, and the Federal Government for sponsoring and supporting Team Nigeria.

The NOC Executive Committee also praised Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports, for his hard work during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Committee stressed the need for timely and yearly funding release to facilitate more meaningful pre-Games preparations and qualifications.

By taking the NOC’s programmes to the various States, the committee hopes to muster greater awareness and adoption of Olympic values while identifying and nurturing young sporting talents nationwide.

This strategic shift is a crucial step in Nigeria’s quest to become a consistent powerhouse on the Olympic stage.

The committee also discussed upcoming programmes and sporting competitions that require urgent attention.

These include the 1. Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, in December 2025;
2. the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2025; and

3. the African Beach Games in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in October 2025 and

4. the African School Sports Games in Algiers, Algeria in 2025. Others are

5. the Youth Olympic Games to be held in 2026 in Dakar, Senegal;

6. the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, U.K., in March 2026;

7. the African Games in Egypt in 2027;

8. the Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy; and

9. the Olympic Games – the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the U.S.A.

The NOC then praised States that played host to some of the NOC programmes, and, like Oliver Twist, the Committee asked the Governments for more support to help it open up the sports sector, which can help employ, empower, and positively engage the youth.

The NOC discussed further improvements at the Amuwo Odofin OlympAfric Sports Centre for youths to drop their sporting skills.

The facility will eventually become a national Training Centre available to relevant national federations.

It also discussed the development of a Permanent Secretariat of the NOC on a parcel of land already allocated to it in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

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.