Sports

First-Ever Referee Instructors’ Course Kicks Off in Nigeria with 40 Participants

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2025

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.

Share on Facebook

Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

1 day ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

Share on Facebook