Sports
23rd NSF: Zonal Eliminations for Team Sports Scheduled for September 12–15
Preparations for the 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged Coal City Games 2026, will enter a crucial phase as zonal eliminations for team sports take place across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from September 12 to 15, 2026.
The National Sports Commission disclosed this in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Director-General of the Commission, Kola Daniel, in Abuja on Thursday.
The zonal eliminations will serve as a major qualification stage for the festival, with competitions scheduled in basketball, cricket, football, volleyball and beach volleyball for both male and female categories.
Under the festival’s qualification rules, the first- and second-placed teams from each geopolitical zone will secure places at the National Sports Festival.
Host state, Enugu, will, however, enjoy automatic qualification in all the featured team sports.
The Main Organising Committee (MOC) has directed the various zonal coordinators to commence preparations for the competitions and submit proposed venues for approval.
The coordinators have also been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the rules and regulations of the Games to promote fairness, transparency and a level playing field for all participating states and teams.
The zonal exercise is expected to provide an opportunity for states to identify their strongest teams while ensuring that only the best-performing sides advance to the national stage.
The 23rd National Sports Festival is themed “Excellence, Sportsmanship and Unity.” The biennial multi-sport event is scheduled to hold in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
The Coal City Games are expected to bring together athletes from across the country in a wide range of sporting disciplines as part of efforts to promote grassroots development, national unity and sporting excellence.
Sports
YellowGreens Thrash The Gambia by 160 Runs in Dominant Display
Joel Ajayi
Selim Salau’s century and a breathtaking late assault from Isaac Okpe powered Nigeria to a dominant opening victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
Nigeria’s senior men’s national cricket team, the YellowGreens, made a resounding start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign, defeating The Gambia by 160 runs at the NCF Oval 2 in Abuja on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria produced a formidable total of 262 for one in their allotted 20 overs, setting The Gambia a daunting target of 263 runs.
The innings was anchored by an outstanding century from Selim Salau, who remained unbeaten on 105 off 58 deliveries, striking 12 fours and three sixes. Isaac Danladi provided excellent support with an impressive 86 off 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as the pair laid the foundation for Nigeria’s commanding total.
Isaac Okpe then delivered a sensational finishing assault, smashing an unbeaten 56 off just 16 deliveries, with three fours and six sixes. His remarkable strike rate of 350.00 propelled Nigeria beyond the 260-run mark and put the hosts firmly in control.
The Gambia faced an uphill battle in their chase and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs, handing Nigeria a comprehensive 160-run victory.
The result marked an emphatic opening statement from the YellowGreens as they began their campaign on home soil with an impressive all-round performance.
The victory also provides Nigeria with valuable momentum in a six-team competition featuring hosts Nigeria, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique. With the teams competing in a round-robin format, the top two sides will progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.
Nigeria will look to build on this commanding start as the YellowGreens continue their pursuit of one of the two available qualification places, with their next fixture against Zambia scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October, at the NCF Oval 1 in Abuja.
Final Score
Nigeria: 262/1 (20 overs)
The Gambia: 102 all out (17.2 overs)
Result: Nigeria won by 160 runs.
Key Performers
Selim Salau — 105 not out off 58 balls
Isaac Danladi — 86 off 48 balls
Isaac Okpe — 56 not out off 16 balls
*
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured7 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured7 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Featured7 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
Sports4 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News2 years agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
