Sports
La Liga Giants FC Barcelona, Sri Lankan Government Advances Partnership with Nigeria on Football and Cricket
With Nigeria continually benefitting from its participation at the World Football Summit in Seville, Spain, an offer from the Government of Sri Lanka to partner Nigeria in the development of Cricket and Hockey represents the latest silver lining for the nation. This development represents a double swoop for the country, as Barca Innovation Hub also registered its readiness to partner Nigeria in the areas of football education and training.
Nigeria’s delegation at the World Football Summit, led by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh had fruitful engagements with Sri Lankan Government officials, who revelead their desire to offer technical support for the growth of sports, especially cricket and hockey in Nigeria.
Sri Lanka has steadily ranked amongst top nations in cricket globally, since 1965, when it joined the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The South-Asian nation were ICC World Cup champions in 1996 and emerged runners-up in 2007 and 2011. In the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka were champions in 2014 and finished runners-up in 2009 and 2002. The nation sits in history as six-time champions of Asia, 2002 Asian Test winners and gold medalists in cricket during the 2014 Asian Games.
Furthermore, Barca Innovation Hub, a sports innovation and education outfit owned and operated by La Liga giants, FC Barcelona expressed its readiness to partner with Nigeria through its football federation. The Hub is known for its expertise in coaching education, sports nutrition, sports analytics, sports business, science, as well as related technology and innovation.
Senator Enoh said Nigeria is excited about the prospects of these collaborations, which are part of the outcomes from the country’s participation in one of football showpiece gatherings in Spain. He said the Ministry will keenly pursue the dividends of these meetings, with measurable deliverables placed on specific timelines.
Sports
Kukkiwon President Hails Popoola’s Impact on Nigerian Taekwondo, NTF Boss Celebrates One Year of Progress
The President of the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Grand Master Tayo Popoola has received a letter of commendation from the president of Kukkiwon, Yun Ung- Suk, for her outstanding contribution to the development of the sport.
Grand Master Popoola was hailed for her consistent drive improving the game within a short time of her stewardship in the NTF and the dissemination of Taekwondo activities in Nigeria to the global space.
The commendation letter dated October 25, 2026, was personally signed by Kukkiwon President, Ung-Suk.
Popoola said the commendation came to her as a pleasant surprise.
“I did not see that coming but It is a good one not only for me but the entire federation. I did not do it alone and it is also a challenge to do much more in the days, weeks and months ahead. I thank all the board members and I am optimistic that we will do more for the athletes,” Popoola said.
Incidentally, it is just about one year in office for Grand Master Popoola who has recorded a string of successes in the federation including the National Open Trials in Abeokuta, the Africa Taekwondo Championship 2026 in Bamako Mali where Nigeria won several Medals, the first ever Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele National Taekwondo Championship which took place last month in Lagos and the recently held Korean Ambassador Cup in Abuja which also had in attendance the World Kukkiwon Demonstration team.
The demonstration team dazzled fans in Abuja with spectacular display only last weekend just as the para-athletes in taekwondo were duly classified by experts from the world body in preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
“I want to thank the National Sports Commission for the support given to me and the entire NTF. Things can only get better,” Popoola stressed.
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