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PAF – G inaugurates Nasarawa State Sports Project Team

Published

6 years ago

September 2, 2019

PAN African Youth Friendship Games has inaugurated the Nasarawa state project team that would handle its various sports activities in the state.

Inaugurating the team recently at Mararaba, the Director-General, Ambassador, Richard Ekong, said the games to be organized will help fight the scourge of crime as the youth will be adequately engaged with various levels of games that would be introduced.

He charged the project team to set the pace for something dramatic through the sports in the state.

He said the PAF -G project team in the state will also organize the 20km marathon race game in the state and also organize a football game named after the chief of Pada, with the theme: “All-Star FC of Aso Pads.

” Nigeria cannot afford to be losing the marathon race to countries like Kenya, and Ethiopia anymore, we must take advantage of the opportunities we have. We have able youth who can compete favorably but don’t have opportunity; therefore we are creating the opportunities.

“The race will be organized in every state of the federal and every five winners would come together in Abuja or any other designated venue for the national 20km marathon while the winner will be able to represent Nigeria internationally.

“We will also be organizing the local football competitions in the state to help reduce the incidence of youth restiveness. One of such will be named ” All-Star FC of Aso-Pada, after the chief of Pada.

He charged the team members to think out of the box to bring out youth-oriented games even as he outlined some of the games to be organized.

The PAF-G State Coordinator, Mr. Daniel Akwashiki, said the team is set to take the stage by storm with the nature of sports to be organized.

He said the state is blessed with young talent that could be harnessed to represent the nation

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

Published

7 days 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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