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2020 NSF: Early Release Of Fund, Preps Will Help Team FCT, Stakeholder Tells Minister

Published

6 years ago

October 22, 2019

Joel Ajayi

A Stakeholder in sports has appealed to authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA for early release of funds for the athletes that will represent the FCT at the forthcoming 2020 National Sports Festival, NSF in Edo, Benin city.

Tolulope Oguntimehin, a sports journalist and Vice Chairman, Sports Writers Association, SWAN, FCT chapter made the call in an interview on Monday.

He decried the unpleasant experiences Team FCT has experienced in past festivals including the 2018 edition as well as the just recently concluded National Youth Games in Ilorin.

Mr. Oguntimehin, therefore, called on the FCTA authorities to commence preparations ahead of time so as to avoid the ugly experience of 2018.

According to him, early preparation remains one of the important tools to improve on the performance of the Team FCT at the National event next year.

“We do not want what happened in the 2018 festival to repeat in 2020 in Edo State. I therefore appeal to the FCTA, FCT Social Development, and FCT Sports Council to commence immediate preparation and release of funds for athletes to raise the name of FCT high in Edo come to 2020 NSF.

“I am calling on FCTA to please release the fund for early and better preparation. We don’t want the experience of 2018 where athletes were left with no option than to protest before their allowances were paid them,

“In 2018, there were series of unpleasant stories regarding the welfare of Team FCT athletes as many resorted to carrying placards in protest of nonpayment of camp allowances.

“We do not want these experiences anymore. Sports should be given priority attention and necessary funds released on time for effective camping, preparations, and performance. FCT has all it takes to challenge Delta, Lagos, Rivers and other big states for the best sporting state in the country.

“I appealing to FCTA under the leadership of Malam Musa Bello for early and prompt release of funds that will enable athletes in FCT to start preparation as soon as possible,” he said.

It could be recalled that late preparation for the 19th edition of the NSF by Team FCT was a cog in the wheel of athletes’ performance at the 2018 edition held at National Stadium, Abuja.

Team FCT occupied 7th position at the last edition in Abuja with 21 Gold, 9 Silver, 24 Bronze.

The National Sports Festival was evolved to foster unity and help unearth new talents in the country. Described as Nigeria’s Olympics, it has produced prominent athletes for the country who had gone on to win continental and global medals for the country.

The festival, however, went into hiatus from 2012 but the intervention of the former minister of youth and sports, Solomon Dalung, who, despite daunting challenges, restored the festival in 2018.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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