Sports

Ban of Minna Stadium; Tornadoes move to Lafia

Published

7 months ago

February 26, 2025

Joel Ajayi

Following the decision of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to withdraw the provisional approval for the Bako Konragora Stadium, home ground Niger Tornadoes, the club has elected to adopt the Lafia Township Stadium for the rest of the season.

The NPFL had also ruled that the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, earlier adopted by Tornadoes is not fit to host league matches.

The decision of the NPFL was conveyed in a letter dated February 19, 2025 in which the league body cited the requirements of club licensing infrastructure criteria.

Tornadoes in their response on February 23, 2025 acknowledged the unsatisfactory conditions of the two stadiums and nominated the stadium in Nasarawa State.

“I would like to inform you that we have selected Lafia Township Stadium inLafia, Nasarawa State, as our designated home ground. This stadium is amongthose approved by the NPFL Board for hosting our home matches”, wrote Jibrin Haruna, the Secretary of the club.

He added that the club would work to mitigate the conditions of the Minna stadium to enable them return to their home fans.

“The Niger State Government has commenced maintenance work through areputable company to ensure that within two weeks the Bako KontagoraMemorial Stadium, Minna meets all the criteria necessary for hosting NPFLmatches”, Jibrin stated.

In his reaction, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye noted that the NPFL will continue to monitor all grounds to ensure that those whose conditions fall short of requirements are delisted from approved grounds.

“We have a monitoring mechanism to check that clubs conform to our rules especially as it relates to television friendly grounds”, stated Elegbeleye.

Lobi Stars is another club that was axed from their home ground for failure to meet the club licensing infrastructure criteria

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Sports

Team Nigeria Jets to Cairo for 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships

Published

5 hours ago

October 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Excitement is high as Team Nigeria’s para powerlifting contingent departed Nigeria on Tuesday, October 7, for the 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from October 9 to 18, 2025.

The milestone event marks the first-ever World Championships to be hosted on African soil, symbolizing a new era for the sport on the continent.

The first batch of Team Nigeria athletes left the country on Tuesday amid cheers and well-wishes from officials, fans, and supporters.

The second batch of the contingent is scheduled to depart tomorrow, October 8, from Lagos, completing the full team that will represent the nation at this landmark competition.

Speaking ahead of the departure, officials expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with, in global para powerlifting.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) reaffirmed its full support for the athletes, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence in sports.

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