Sports

EDO 2020 NSF Has Uncovered Diverse Talents-Minister

Published

5 years ago

April 12, 2021

Joel Ajayi

After 11 days of serious competition amongst different athletes from different part of the country at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin, Edo state capital, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare has expressed pleasure over the skills, talents on display by participants.

Sports minister who spared no effort to ensure the event hold after series of challenges, while speaking after watching some of the life games said he was thrilled with successes recorded so far.

Chief Dare then charged victorious athletes to remain disciplined and focused while he asked those who didn’t make it to the podium to remain resilient.

According to him “We have witnessed a lot of display of talents and skills in the last 11 days. Wrestling is part of our great hope when it comes to the Olympics, both the male and female categories, I see a lot of young people who have a future in wrestling.

“So far, I am excited about the excitement I have seen in all the centers I have been to. My message is that they need to remain disciplined and focused and also display the spirit of sportsmanship. I have seen those that have won, have seen those that have lost and I see that spirit of comradeship, the future is great for most of those young athletes.

“This thing wouldn’t have been possible without the ministry of youth and sports. It wouldn’t have been possible without the Edo state government. if not for the Covid-19 pandemic, it was just five days, everything was set then the pandemic came in, and within one year we all have to recover. So we are happy this partnership continues for the sake of the youth and for the sake of sport development in our country.

“Even from here, we can see track and field records are being broken, we’ve seen new people that qualified. This is what we expected from this sports festival. That’s why we call it Nigerian Olympics. I am very hopeful that if we get all of these athletes into camp, get them in shape, get them focused we support them. These groups of people, sports men and women will do Nigerian great at the Olympics.

“I have already programmed myself here as the sports Minister for the federal republic of Nigeria Oyo is as important as Kano, Benue as Edo because my terrain is the entire country. I just want to see that it’s fair and the best person wins. The refereeing is excellent and we see that all of the athletes are equally executing their best skills here, which are what is important.”

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Sports

PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label

Published

2 days ago

October 29, 2025

The Gleamer

Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.

In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.

The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.

Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.

“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.

” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”

Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.

“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”

“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”

The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.

Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.

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