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

NOC/Jigawa State Sports Council host Sports Administration Course in Dutse

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Sports Council, will organise a Sports Administration Course for key stakeholders in the sports sector.

The course will be held from April 23 to April 25, 2025, at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The participants are expected to arrive on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and depart on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

The Sports Administration Course is an introductory training programme open to elected officials and paid NO staff members, the National Federations (NFs), club managers, physical education teachers, sports journalists, and other individuals or organisations responsible for developing sports.

The course has been designed using a framework and manual provided by Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) educational arm.

The objective is to reach a broad audience and share insights about the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Games, and sports organisation management.

Participants will gain knowledge of the Olympic values, the principles of good governance, and effective organisational management, all of which aim to enhance the support provided to athletes.

This initiative, part of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) global educational programmes through Olympic Solidarity and the NOC, would seek to empower sports administrators with essential tools and knowledge to drive development and excellence within their organisations.

The 2025 edition specifically targets stakeholders from State Sports Councils/Commissions and Institutions of higher learning.

The programme will be delivered on-site and virtually and facilitated by two IOC-certified National Course Directors, Mr Emmanuel Nweri and Dr (Mrs) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko—with support from Mrs Chidobi Deborah, the NOC Project Officer, and other distinguished speakers, including:

* Prof. Fasan Clement, Programme Director, IOC Advanced Sports Management Course

* Dr Akin Amao, Former Chairman/Member of NOC Medical & Scientific Commission

* Prof. Dominic Leah Funmilayo, University of Ilorin

* Prof. Abiodun Moronfolu, Lagos State University

* Mr Oyebode Oluseyi, CEO, Dynaspro Sports Academy

*Dean, School of Physical and Health Education & Special Education,
Edo State College of Education, Afuze Campus, Edo State. – Dr.Oyahkire Rasheed

The course will be officially declared open by the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel in the company of Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports, and Culture, Jigawa State.

Local News

U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Sponsor Retains N1.925k Prize Monies For Winners, As 6th Edition Final Holds 27 April In Lagos

BY ADELU PRAISE DEBORAH

Just as it did for the 2024 edition, the sponsor of the annual U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament, JOF Nigeria Limited, has announced the sum of N1,925,000 as prize monies to be given to winners in the 6th edition of the grassroots soccer championship which final will hold on Sunday 27 April, 2025.

Speaking earlier on Thursday at the corporate headquarters of JOF Nigeria Limited on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos southwest Nigeria, Mr Adeyinka Adetunji, Director of Strategic Support Services of the company told a media conference that the firm has set a very good standard for the grassroots football tourney last year with handsome rewards for excellence for the winners coupled with an exciting and glamorous final ceremony held at the University of Lagos (Unilag) Sports Centre in Akoka, Lagos, hence any package for the winners this year of the 6th edition must not be low.

Adetunji therefore unveiled the sum of N250,000 for the fourth-place winners. N350,000 will go to the third place, while the second-place winners will pocket the sum of N500,000.

“The winners of the 6th edition of U-13 JOF Kids Cup will go home with the sum of N750,000. We also monetary rewards for individual awards such as the Best Goalkeeper (N25,000), Highest Goal Scorer (N25,000) and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament who will pocket the sum of N25,000,” Adetunji said.

The JOF Nigeria Limited’s manager also announced the 27 April 2025 date for the final ceremony scheduled at the Unilag Sports Centre in Akoka, Yaba. He also disclosed that of the 64 teams that started the 6th edition on 16 February 2025, four teams would be on display during the final ceremony.

He said: “Strong Dove of Orile will trade tackles against 1st Class FC of Lagos Island for the third-place prize, while the final match will be a titanic battle between B. Unit Boys of Mainland and Versity Boys of Lagos Island.”

Some of the kids participating in the U-13 JOF Kids Cup

Adetunji applauded the support the tournament has been receiving from the sporting press since the first edition, just as he also commended various private companies which have been given services and product support to the tournament.

“This support has kept us going to give these kids a future in the round leather game. We are so much grateful. I want to assure you that the final ceremony this year will be more glamorous than what we saw last year,” Adetunji said.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament is organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Football Association and sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

Local News

NDSF: Igali Hails Champions Team Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Honourable Daniel Igali, has praised Team Bayelsa for their exceptional triumph at the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital — where they emerged overall champions, finishing ahead of Delta and Edo States.

In a statement personally signed on behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, Igali lauded the team’s fierce determination and excellence, which led to an impressive haul of 86 medals — 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze.

“Our athletes ran, swam, wrestled, paddled, and fought their way into history,” Igali declared. “From the thunder on the tracks to the brilliance on the mats and in the water, Bayelsa’s sons and daughters showcased the new, unstoppable spirit of our state — proud, prepared, and poised for greatness.”

“On behalf of His Excellency Governor Douye Diri, I say welcome home, champions! Thank you for making Bayelsa the pride of the Niger Delta at this historic maiden edition of the festival. You stood tall at the centre of a region redefining its future — a future beyond oil, driven by talent, hard work, and excellence.”

He continued: “To the Director of Sports, Braveman Wodi, our dedicated coaches, technical staff, secretaries, media team, and every single athlete who gave their all — you have etched your names into gold. We celebrate you. You have made us proud.”

Igali, however, reminded the team to stay grounded and focused as the journey continues: “While we revel in this remarkable achievement, our eyes must now turn to the bigger challenge ahead — the National Sports Festival, Gateway 2025, in Ogun State. It’s time to rest, recover, and prepare to raise the bar once again.”

Delta and Edo States finished second and third respectively, with Delta securing 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals, while Edo claimed 23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze medals.

Bayelsa has spoken — and the message is clear: this is only the beginning.