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Sadiq Umar Bags Hat Trick In Almeria Routing Of Ponferradina

Published

5 years ago

January 4, 2021

The rave of the moments as far the Spanish Segunda Liga is concerned, Sadiq Umar has added to his goal account as he scored a first-half hat trick in Almeria’s 3-0 bashing of Ponferradina on Sunday.

The 2018 Olympics Bronze medal winner for Nigeria who was outstanding for his new side Almeria in 2020 has started the year the same way he ended the last.

Umar who joined the Spanish second division side from Serbian top side, Partizan Belgrade in the summer has now helped his side moved to second on the log.

Umar begins the night of goals with a left-foot finish inside a six-yard box within second minutes into the match.

The former AS Roma forward got his second goal of the night in the 20th minutes as he latched on to a loose ball in the box after the Ponferradina defense couldn’t deal with a corner in their goal area.

The Kaduna born striker completed his first-half hat trick nine minutes later with a strange goal as he rounded the keeper before volleying into the top right corner. He was later substituted for Juan Villar in the 59th minutes after getting the job done for his side.

The slim, slickly, and slippery Umar who is still waiting for his first call up to the main national team of Nigeria, the Super Eagles has now buried 16 goals from 19 games thus far for Almeria making him one of the hottest strikers out of Nigeria.

His performance on Sunday night has further proved the handler of Super Eagles right why he deserves a call up to the team.

It was a big gamble to move to Segunda Division, but should Almeria return to La Liga as widely expected, with their current status on the log coupled with their mouthwatering display, it would be a massive step up for Sadiq, who has been previously linked with some of the biggest clubs across Europ

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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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