Sports
20th Gwagwalada Football League to Kick Off September 20 with 26 Teams
The much-anticipated 20th edition of the Gwagwalada Football League (GFL) has been officially scheduled to kick off on Saturday, September 20, 2025, according to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Patrick Ngwaogu (Odogwu).
Speaking at a media briefing in Gwagwalada, Ngwaogu confirmed that 26 grassroots football teams will participate in this year’s edition. The teams have been grouped into four, with the first round of matches set to run through the first week of November.
At the end of the group stage, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8, which will determine the ultimate champion of the league.
Group Breakdown
• Group A:
Excel FC, Young Stars, Dukpa FC, Cottage FC, Desert Warriors FC, Net Shakers FC
• Group B:
Kapital Waves FC, Medical Strikers FC, Medical Feeders Academy, Riverside FC, Ejiwumi FC, Sky FC
• Group C (Group of Heavyweights):
ECN Global Academy, Potters FC, Bocknor Academy, Sensational Stars Academy, ABU Dhabi FC, FC 20 Academy, Sheikhdam FC
• Group D:
NIMMA FC, Babayaro FC, Daniel Academy, Golden Boys Academy, Soccer Talents Academy, Ejanla FC, Inspirational Sports Academy
Ngwaogu described Group C as the “group of heavyweights”, pointing to the presence of several high-performing academies and competitive sides.
The Gwagwalada Football League was first held in 2005, and has grown into one of the most vibrant grassroots football competitions in the FCT. The maiden edition was graced by Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, then Director of Sports at the FCT Sports Council and later President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The league has consistently served as a platform for discovering young football talents and promoting sports development in Abuja and surrounding communities.
With the fixtures released and preparations underway, anticipation is building among fans and football stakeholders in the region. The Organising Committee has promised a well-coordinated and talent-rich competition, which may serve as a springboard for future professional players.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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