Sports

How Our inputs, lifted Gombe United FC Sports Commission- Ex Chairman

Published

3 years ago

July 13, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The immediate past Chairman of Gombe State Sports Commission, Honourable Dr. Larry Daniel, has disclosed that his positive impact indeed lifted the struggling Gombe United, as well as Sport Commission in the the state.

The ex-player, Dr Daniel, also identified self discipline, commitment, hardwork as well as his love for grassroots development as the tools used during his tenure to bring the desired tremendous success to the Commission.

There is no doubt, the Ex-Chairman left no stone unturned to ensure growth and development of sports in Gombe state.

Speaking on Wednesday, during the interview segment with presenters on the largest network of Radio Nigeria, the former Nigerian player explained how he brought struggled Gombe United from relegation, to be on sixth position on the Nigeria Professional Football League.

“Before I became Executive Chairman of Gombe United Sports Commission- after 12 years of leaving sports, because I am a business man, I was called that Gombe United needed experienced people like me, and this is a club that is darling to me, I don’t want it to die.

“And I can’t forget to mention the immense contribution of Senator Haruna Garba, he has done tremendously to make sure Gombe United stay up till today. When the Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, called him to ask, what can be done to Gombe United to ensure its existence? He said, Dr Larry Daniel should be brought to Gombe United to be continued.

“And today I want to thank God that when we came in as a Board in 2020, during (COVID period), Gombe United was already relegated to second division NNL, but I want to tell you that throughout Gombe United’s stay in NNL, we never lost a single match both home and away, even we were superb at Super 8 as well, and we got promotion back into NPFL.

“And in the first year, we played in NPFL, our performance was good, we came sixth position on NPFL’s table out of 20 teams, even in abridged league 38 games, we came 7th.

“Before we came, the club was struggling, we revived the club and brought it back to number one league.”

Highlighting some of the measures he put in place as the chairman, Dr Larry revealed: ” when I came on board, I looked at what and what to be done. The first thing we did was to ensure there is water at every corner of the stadium.

“We discovered there was no water, the two bolehole were not working in the last 7 years during the previous administration, and in the rule of sports, you can never operate any sports without water.

“Today, in Gombe, every part of the Sports Commission has water.

“Also, we fixed the issues of toilets to stop open defecation that had been happening before we came, in just one year, we built 8 toilets.

“Not only that, we started aggressive campaign for grassroots development, through ministry of education, we went to all Primary and Secondary schools, because during our period, most great athletes were discovered at grassroot level and as I am speaking to you, it’s yeilding tremendous result.”

When asked to compare athletes of today and his playing days? He replied: “Those days, we had good commitment, we stayed together with one mind and not playing too much for the money, even to wear the jersey alone was enough respect.

We trained ourselves, we don’t even wait for coaches to train us, we train like professionals during our playing days, we were committed and we always want result but today, the case is different.”

The former Gombe United player, therefore, urged youth in the State and Country at large to be committed to everything they are doing saying, the future is bright for committed athletes.

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

11 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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