Sports

First-Ever Referee Instructors’ Course Kicks Off in Nigeria with 40 Participants

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2025

By Joel Ajayi
In a significant step towards the development of football officiating in Nigeria, over 40 young and talented referees are currently participating in the country’s first-ever FIFA-sanctioned physical and technical instructors’ course for referees.

The groundbreaking training program is taking place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and is organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with FIFA, under the 2025 FIFA Member Association (MA) Course for Instructors and Young Talent Referees.

Declaring the course open on Monday, the Secretary General of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, urged the participants to make the most of the opportunity and use the knowledge gained to uplift others in their respective zones.

“This is the first time such a course is happening in Nigeria — with both physical and technical instructors from FIFA here to impact knowledge.”

“At the end of this programme, learning must have taken place. And where learning takes place, there must be a change in attitude and approach to responsibilities. We believe the team of instructors sent by FIFA will help elevate the standard of our referees.”

In his welcome address, the President of the Referees Association and Head of the Referees Unit at the NFF, Subairu Sani, also expressed appreciation to both the NFF and FIFA for bringing the course to Nigeria for the first time.

“This is a historic moment for Nigerian referees,” Sani said. “I urge all participants to not hoard the knowledge they receive here. Take it back to your zones and help develop others this is how we grow football in this country.”

The course aims to build the capacity of young referees and prepare a new generation of instructors who will, in turn, contribute to the improvement of football officiating across Nigeria.

The maiden edition of the event, scheduled from June 9th to 13th, is dedicated to Technical Instructors, while the Nigeria Young Talent Referees Course will take place from June 13th to 19th in Abuja.

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Sports

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

Published

2 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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