Sports

AFN to organize U-13 competition in three centres, probes its finances

Published

3 years ago

September 19, 2023

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, says it will organise three U-13 athletics competition in three centres across Nigeria.

This was one of the resolutions reached at its executive board meeting, held virtually on Saturday September 16, 2023 and presided over by Tafida Gadzama, its First Vice President.

The competition will be funded by World Athletics under its Grant for Growth Under 13 National Athletics Competition project.
The three centres are Abuja, Kaduna and Portharcourt/Enugu.

The AFN executive board also resolved to look into its finances, its income and expenditure since the start of 2023.

This will be the first time in over two decades an executive board of the federation will probe its own activities to ensure transparency and accountability.

The executive board appointed a five member committee led by the First Vice President, Gadzama to look into the books of the federation since the start of this administration viz its income and expenditure and report their findings to the executive board.

Other members of the committee are Mrs Maria Worphil, Mr Victor Okorie, Mr Samuel Onikeku and Mr Dare Esan.

In view of the unsavoury reports in the media of athletes not getting paid by road race organizers in Nigeria, the board mandated the road race committee
to come up with a road running manual to assist road race organisers in getting started or to help produce quality events of an international standard and
define the criteria that must be met in organizing a road running event in Nigeria.

In other decisions reached at the meeting, the AFN board resolved to draw up a Safeguarding Policy in compliance with World Athletics’ demand.

The Safeguarding policy sets expectations as well as defines the specific roles and responsibilities of the federation in protecting our athletes.

Most importantly it gives confidence and trust to our athletes that there are structures and processes in place to report safeguarding abuse.

The board agreed to appoint a safeguarding officer to see to the implementation of the policy without further delay to make our athletes feel safe and
supported.

The board also deliberated on the performance of Team Nigeria at the 19th World Athletics Championships which was held in Budapest, Hungary between August 19 and 27, 2023 and resolved that future participation of athletes in the championships and indeed other international competitions will not be limited to just securing the entry standard set by World Athletics and, as the case may be, the AFN, but also other factors which the technical committee has been mandated to come up with and present to the board for approval.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

21 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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