Sports
Edo 2020: Overcoming all odds for 20th NSF to come alive
It is heart-warming to know that after the several postponements, the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2920” is going underway in Benin.
It is indeed instructive that the government in Edo continued to keep faith in spite of the situation it found itself in.
It showed a strong determination and desire to host the best-ever festival, unlike what was seen in the past when the festival was left with no host for six years.
Since the hosting right was granted to Edo on Dec 17, 2018 in Abuja, the state strived to keep its promise of presenting athletes with state-of-the-art facilities during the festival.
Determined to deliver on his promise, Gov. Godwin Obaseki handed the festival’s organisation to Philip Shaibu, his trusted deputy and an accomplished athlete as head of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
The then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, while announcing Edo as host of the 20th edition, said Edo was chosen after a careful assessment of its bid.
“Edo was chosen after it has clearly shown that it understands what is needed and required of it in hosting the festival.
“The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will continue to retain its role of technical partners to the festival,’’ he had said.
Dalung disclosed then that Edo beat Delta, Imo and Cross River to clinch the competition’s hosting right.
In his remarks then, Obaseki had expressed the state’s readiness to accept the challenge.
Of course, this was without having the hindsight that the state would have to contend with the challenges of the dreaded coronavirus disease.
The Federal Government, with less than 72 hours to the opening of the festival in March 2020, postponed the games to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The pandemic had attacked the world economy and other spheres of human endeavour, leaving in its stride tales of multiple deaths and worsened health conditions around the world.
NAN findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic caused the most significant disruption to worldwide sports calendar since World War II.
Across the world and to varying degrees, sports events were either cancelled or postponed and, for sports lovers around the world, 2020 has been a major turn-off.
The sports calendar went for a toss, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notwithstanding the COVID-19 challenge, the Edo government continued to make earnest preparations for the NSF.
This was in terms of installation of the state-of-the-art equipment and provision of health facilities to mitigate the spread of the disease.
Gov. Obaseki sometime in March 2020 disclosed that the state had expended over N1 billion to procure medical equipment and building of human capacity to fight COVID-19.
On May 27, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, commended the governor and his deputy and their team for putting in place the Level 3 Bio-safety Molecular Laboratory.
It was cited at the Edo Specialist Hospital In Benin City.
There was was also the 500-bed COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Centre at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital.
Ehanire thus declared the readiness of Edo to ensure the health of the people of the state was taken good care of.
The minister, impressed with the state of the health facilities, also noted that Edo was ready to respond appropriately to fight COVID-19 in any corner of Nigeria.
Obaseki told the minister that the Level 3 Bio-safety Molecular Laboratory was aimed at handling such diseases as SARS-COV 2 Virus, Ebola virus, Lassa virus and other infectious diseases.
Experts taking the minister’s team round the facility also revealed that the centre could also run samples such as all forms of viral loads, Tuberculosis PCR and Fungi PCR.
Thereafter, the state government never wavered in its commitment to the hosting project as it continued to work with all the relevant stakeholders.
As precautionary measures, both the host state and federal governments agreed on pruning down the number of athletes at the festival from the original 13,000 to about 8,000.
The current Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, thereafter announced the reduction of the number of expected athletes.
Dare also on March 26 in Benin expressed Federal Government’s readiness to support the Edo Government in hosting the 20th NSF after seeing the justification for this.
“In spite of the hiccups being experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government is ready and willing to provide financial support to the Edo Government in hosting the festival between April 2 and April 14.
“The process is ongoing and sometimes it takes time and it is our hope and desire to monitor, follow through and hasten the process.
“We are sure of the process and we have decided to work with the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu who heads the LOC, to convey to all the 36 state governors and all their sports bodies that by April 2 camp for the festival will open,” he had said.
Dare also gave the assurance that the official opening of the festival would be on April 6, and commended the state government’s commitment in ensuring that the festival was hosted.
“President Muhammadu Buhari will officially declare the festival open on April 6,” he further said.
The minister disclosed however that there have been and there were going to be some changes to what were earlier planned.
He nonetheless expressed happiness that Edo was ready and adequately prepared with facilities in place to host the games.
“There is no better place to host Nigerian athletes for the Tokyo Olympics than Edo State.
“The state already has the facilities and the national camp will be set up in Edo state,” the sports minister had said.
Dare added that the ministry was working with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID 19 and other stakeholders for the necessary support in terms of vaccination.
On his part, the LOC chairman who made clarification on health precautions put in place said the Main Organising Committee (MOC) has taken some crucial decisions.
One of them is that decision that all athletes/officials from the 36 states and the FCT participating in the NSF must take COVID-19 tests 72 hours before arrival for the tournament.
“All athletes/officials are to take COVID-19 vaccines at least 12 days before arrival for the tournament.
“Athletes/officials are to present certificates and documentation of COVID-19 tests and vaccination before they can be admitted into the Games Villages.”
On facilities on ground, Dare described the facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the City as world-class.
He said the Obaseki-led Edo government had set a standard in Nigeria with them.
“I can’t ask for more and sports men and women can’t ask for better facilities than what we have here at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
“The facilities and equipment here excite the athletes as the facilities are comparable to what you find anywhere in the world.
“This is a revamp of sports facilities of global standard never seen before anywhere in the country.
“This is a standard and model that raises the bar for any other state that wants to revamp its sports facilities,” the minister said.
“I am satisfied with what I have seen here and most of our athletes will be ready to compete here and set new personal and world records,” he said.
Nigerian Olympian, Mary Onyali, who was on the minister’s entourage, expressed delight at the facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
She said they were comparable with what anyone would find in developed nations.
“You can’t find anything better than this right now in the South of Sahara. These facilities are world-class and all you need is for you to be here at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
“These facilities cater for more than 1,000 athletes a year and you know what that will do for our sports,” she said.
With preparations all top notch, the LOC chairman, who announced that Edo would be presenting 689 athletes and 236 officials, added that “we are hosting to win fair and square.”
The LOC chairman, who also supervised the testing and vaccination of members of Team Edo against COVID-19 ahead of the Games opening, said his committee would not compromise on health protocols.
While addressing the state’s athletes, he said: “We are hosting to win and we must win clean without using drugs or cheats.
“We trust you and know you will make us proud. We will not do anything to give us a bad name.
“Our junior brothers, Delta, are already boasting that they will win. We will tell them that we are their senior brothers and will clinch the most gold medals to win the games.”
Participating athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to compete in 38 sports events spread across about 10 venues within the Benin metropolis.
2012 champions Delta emerged champions of the 19th edition in Abuja in 2018 with 163 gold medals, 88 silver medals and 101 bronze medals to amass a whooping total of 352 medals.
NAN reports that the festival was in limbo for six years as Cross River failed to host it since the last edition tagged “Eko 2012” when they won the hosting right.
Hosting the biennial event was eventually taken up by the Federal Government which hosted it in 2018.
The then Bendel State, now split into Edo and Delta, won the NSF’s inaugural edition in 1973 in Lagos State.
Bendel went on to host the 1981 edition, while the 2002 edition was now won by Edo after the splitting of Bendel.
The “Edo 2020” festival has a leopard as its mascot, named ”Etin” and meaning “Strength”, which has not only in the long run become of significance.
This significance is in the strength Team Edo has been loudly proclaiming it has to dislodge the likes of recent winners Delta and Rivers and win the festival.
More significant is the strength Edo as a state has displayed not in the provision of world-class facilities, but in subduing all other odds for the 20th NSF to come alive. (NAN)
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In a bold step that underscores the growing fusion of media and the digital economy, the Kwara State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is set to launch its first-ever online radio station in collaboration with 132 Media, a technology-driven broadcasting company led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tijani Ajara.
The initiative, steered by veteran sports administrator and former SWAN National Executive member, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, reflects the broader transition of journalism into the digital space, where content delivery is no longer tied to traditional airwaves.
By leveraging the reach of the internet, the new platform aims to place Kwara on the digital broadcasting map, while also creating a marketplace of opportunities for sports journalists, advertisers, and fans.
Ajara, whose firm is providing the technical backbone for the project, described the partnership as a landmark moment in the evolution of media in Kwara State.
“Sports play a vital role in uniting people, and with this online radio, we are creating a modern channel for young journalists to express themselves while also giving sports fans quality content,” he said, noting that digital platforms are fast becoming the new economy for media creators and consumers alike.
Chief Chukwuemeka explained that the project is not just about sports coverage but about empowering practitioners to remain relevant in today’s rapidly changing media ecosystem.
“This dream has been nurtured for years. With Kwara SWAN Online Radio, we will not only give athletes the exposure they deserve but also strengthen grassroots sports development.
More importantly, our members will embrace digital broadcasting and acquire new skills that are indispensable in the global media economy,” he said.
The planned station will feature live commentaries, exclusive interviews, sports documentaries, and interactive talk shows—formats designed to thrive in digital spaces where audience engagement and on-demand access are key drivers.
For advertisers and content creators, the station offers a new digital marketplace to reach sports-loving audiences both in Nigeria and abroad.
Kwara SWAN Chairman, Mr. Ismail Ayodeji, hailed the project as a visionary response to the disruption sweeping the media industry.
“This is another bold step to keep our members innovative and competitive.
The Kwara SWAN Online Radio will not only promote sports but also serve as a model for other chapters nationwide,” he said.
With preparations at an advanced stage, the initiative highlights how sports journalism in Kwara is repositioning itself within Nigeria’s growing digital economy, where online media platforms are increasingly shaping both consumption patterns and economic value creation.
Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reconstituted the board of the Kwara State Sports Commission with the return of squash legend, Coach Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, as Executive Chairman.
Alhaji Dele Abubakar, MON, and Hon. Abdullahi Yunusa Lade were retained as representatives of Kwara Central and North, while Mrs. Monisola Yemisi Makanjuola was newly appointed for Kwara South.
Government sources said the reshuffle is aimed at consolidating sports development gains and strengthening the commission’s structure.
Analysts say the move restores stability after a brief leadership vacuum unsettled the state’s sporting community, particularly as Kwara United prepares for both the CAF Confederation Cup and the new NPFL season.
Mogaji, expressing gratitude for his reappointment, pledged to intensify efforts to grow the state’s sporting sector. “The reward for hard work is more work. I have challenged myself to meet the expectations,” he said, while urging stakeholders to unite for the common goal of building Kwara’s sports industry.
His earlier tenure had improved youth development structures and raised Kwara’s visibility at national tournaments, but experts warn these gains need consistent leadership to avoid stagnation.
Interviews
“Football under siege: How Insecurity, poor investment threaten the beautiful game in Kwara North”
In this short interview, Dr. Ndanusa, a director at Aidu Football Academy (AFA), Lafiagi, speaks with our correspondent on the struggles of running a private football academy in a region ravaged by banditry, and the broader challenges of managing football without government support. AFA players wore black armbands during their friendly against NPFL side, Kwara United, in Ilorin, as a show of solidarity for communities in Kwara North under siege.
AFA only launched formally in February. How has the journey been so far?
What we did in February was an unveiling. The academy had actually started long before that. After the launch, we set up a boot camp where we picked some of the best talents to expose them to the wider world of football. Over the last six months, our boys have had several encounters — some are currently in Ethiopia trying out with clubs, while others are preparing to move to Doha, Qatar. Those at home continue to engage local teams, and coming to Ilorin feels like homecoming since Lafiagi is part of Kwara. But beyond football, our presence here is symbolic — our home base in Kwara North is bleeding due to insecurity. That’s why our boys wore black armbands: a cry for solidarity. Government is doing its best, but security is everyone’s problem.
What does it mean to run a football academy from an insecure region like Lafiagi?
Dr. Ndanusa: It is both emotional and challenging. Every day, we battle the reality that while we try to raise young men through football, our community is under siege by armed bandits. Players come to training after hearing gunshots the previous night. Families are displaced, and yet we must carry on. It shows that football is more than sport — it is a beacon of hope. Our boys are saying through football that Lafiagi deserves peace.
How tough is it for the private sector to invest in football in Nigeria?
Dr. Ndanusa: Very tough. It requires money, time, and enormous resources — things one man alone cannot shoulder. Unfortunately, unlike government-backed clubs such as Kwara United, private academies struggle without institutional support. People understand football’s value but they have not directly benefited from it, so they shy away from investing. Until more investors come in, academies like ours will remain at the mercy of passion and sacrifice.
What lessons do you think government and stakeholders can take from AFA’s effort?
That football can be a force for good. Beyond winning trophies, it can rebuild broken communities, unite people, and take young people off the streets. Our academy is proof — even in a conflict zone, young men can choose football over crime if given the chance. What we need is more investment, collaboration, and deliberate policies that support private football academies. With security guaranteed and stakeholders involved, Nigeria can produce not just players but true ambassadors of peace and development.
Ilorin is buzzing with youthful energy as over 1,200 athletes and officials from the North Central region gather for the zonal elimination of team sports ahead of the 9th National Youth Sports Festival (NYSF) slated for Delta State later this year.
The event was originally scheduled for Nasarawa State, but Kwara stepped in at the last minute to host after Nasarawa failed to meet requirements.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq approved full sponsorship of the eliminations, earning praise from organisers.
“We are immensely grateful to Governor Abdulrazaq for saving the day. Our impression so far has been very positive,” said Saka Akeem, Zonal Coordinator.
Nine sports – Abula, Cricket, Handball, Beach Volleyball, Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Rugby, and Hockey – will be contested, with only two finalists per sport advancing to the festival in Delta.
Participation from Benue State remains uncertain, but Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Niger, Kogi, and hosts Kwara are confirmed.
Screening of athletes, pegged at 15 years and below, began Saturday with matches set to run through Monday.
Kwara’s Director of Sports, Coach Ibrahim Bako, assured smooth organisation despite the late notice.
> “Kwara is always prepared, and that’s why the state leads in North Central and ranks among the top five nationwide at the NYSF,” he said.
Sports experts say the eliminations are more than just a qualifying series.
They serve as a platform for talent discovery, youth development, and regional pride, especially for North Central states where opportunities for structured sports are limited.
The festival has a strong track record of producing stars who later represent Nigeria on the international stage.
For Ilorin, the event also means an economic boost, with hotels, restaurants, and transport operators already recording increased patronage.
By giving teenagers across the zone exposure to national-level contests, the eliminations are expected to inspire a new generation of athletes while strengthening grassroots sports development in the region.
(DDM) – The 2025/2026 Premier League season opened in dramatic fashion as Liverpool defeated Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield on Friday night.
The match was filled with everything fans had longed for during the 82-day break.
There was the opening choir, VAR controversies, a racist incident, and a stunning solo goal from Antoine Semenyo.
Tributes were also paid throughout the night to the late Diogo Jota, who passed away earlier this year.
Arne Slot’s men needed no reminder of the pressure to start strong, and they delivered three points in front of their fans.
DDM learned that Liverpool enter the season widely tipped as favourites to retain their crown, having bolstered their squad in the transfer window.
Analysts point to the acquisition of Hugo Ekitike, who has already scored twice in his first two appearances.
The 23-year-old striker is seen as one of the defining signings of the summer.
Football podcaster Clinton McDubus told Daily Post that Liverpool’s squad looks “title-worthy” and more balanced than last year’s.
He added that the chase for Alexander Isak could make them even stronger.
But the competition is fierce.
Arsenal have signed Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, a prolific scorer in Portugal.
Manchester United brought in Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko to bolster their attack.
Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, have signed Brazilian Joao Pedro to add depth.
All four traditional powerhouses are expected to battle closely for supremacy.
DDM notes that pundits believe Gyökeres and Ekitike could easily deliver 20-goal seasons in the Premier League.
That level of firepower may determine who lifts the trophy next May.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, newly promoted Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland are tipped by many to struggle.
However, Sunderland have defied expectations in the transfer market, spending over £130 million on reinforcements.
McDubus believes their smart acquisitions could see them survive and surprise critics.
In contrast, Newcastle United, who reached the Champions League last season, are expected by some to underachieve.
Their window has been widely criticized, with speculation that star striker Alexander Isak could depart before deadline day.
Observers warn that their European commitments may further derail their domestic campaign.
As the first matchday unfolds, fans are bracing for another rollercoaster season filled with goals, controversies, and unexpected twists.
The Premier League, often described as the most competitive in the world, looks set for yet another classic campaign.
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