Sports
First-Ever Referee Instructors’ Course Kicks Off in Nigeria with 40 Participants
By Joel Ajayi
In a significant step towards the development of football officiating in Nigeria, over 40 young and talented referees are currently participating in the country’s first-ever FIFA-sanctioned physical and technical instructors’ course for referees.
The groundbreaking training program is taking place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and is organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with FIFA, under the 2025 FIFA Member Association (MA) Course for Instructors and Young Talent Referees.
Declaring the course open on Monday, the Secretary General of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, urged the participants to make the most of the opportunity and use the knowledge gained to uplift others in their respective zones.
“This is the first time such a course is happening in Nigeria — with both physical and technical instructors from FIFA here to impact knowledge.”
“At the end of this programme, learning must have taken place. And where learning takes place, there must be a change in attitude and approach to responsibilities. We believe the team of instructors sent by FIFA will help elevate the standard of our referees.”
In his welcome address, the President of the Referees Association and Head of the Referees Unit at the NFF, Subairu Sani, also expressed appreciation to both the NFF and FIFA for bringing the course to Nigeria for the first time.
“This is a historic moment for Nigerian referees,” Sani said. “I urge all participants to not hoard the knowledge they receive here. Take it back to your zones and help develop others this is how we grow football in this country.”
The course aims to build the capacity of young referees and prepare a new generation of instructors who will, in turn, contribute to the improvement of football officiating across Nigeria.
The maiden edition of the event, scheduled from June 9th to 13th, is dedicated to Technical Instructors, while the Nigeria Young Talent Referees Course will take place from June 13th to 19th in Abuja.
Sports
35 Days to Go: Nigeria Set to Host African Junior Athletics Championship in Abeokuta
Joel Ajayi
With just 35 days to go, Nigeria is revving up preparations to host the 3rd edition of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Junior Athletics Championship, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 20, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Returning to Nigerian soil, the prestigious biennial event will welcome the continent’s most promising Under-18 and Under-20 athletes to the newly refurbished MKO Abiola International Stadium, which recently played host to the 22nd National Sports Festival.
Over 500 athletes from more than 50 African nations are expected to compete in this year’s championship, making it one of the largest gatherings of young athletic talent on the continent.
South Africa, the reigning overall champions, will be looking to defend their title, but Nigeria’s young stars are also eager to make a strong statement on home soil.
“This is not just a competition; it is a celebration of Africa’s future in track and field,” Hon. Bukola Olopade, DG of the National Sports Commission said.
“Nigeria is honored to host once again and to demonstrate its world-class capacity in organizing major sporting events,” he added.
The choice of Abeokuta—also known as the Gateway City—underscores the state’s growing reputation as a hub for sports development, alongside other Nigerian cities. With its state-of-the-art facilities and strategic location, the city is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes, officials, and fans alike.
The CAA African Junior Championships is widely regarded as the breeding ground for the continent’s future Olympic and world champions.
As the countdown continues, all eyes will be on Nigeria to once again rise to the occasion and reinforce its status as Africa’s true sporting giant.
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