Sports
First Lady, CDS, FCT Minister Among Dignitaries to Grace Maiden Kingdom Unity Games Kick-Off Saturday
……As 32 Teams Battle in Football, Basketball, and Volleyball
Joel Ajayi
Abuja will this weekend host a historic sporting spectacle as the maiden Kingdom Unity Games Abuja (KUGA) 2025 kicks off on Saturday, September 6, at 3:00 PM inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The week-long event, running from September 6–13, is a faith-based sports initiative designed to promote peace, unity, and youth development across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring states.
A host of dignitaries are expected at the opening ceremony, led by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who will serve as Guest of Honour.
Also expected are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, among several others.
Speaking at a pre-event press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Convener, Ambassador Solomon Omonokhua, underscored the transformative vision behind the initiative.
“Although rooted in the Christian community, KUGA is open to all—Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths. It is a platform for building national unity, fostering peace, and constructively engaging our youth through sports,” he said.
Ambassador Omonokhua explained that the Games seek to discover and mentor young athletes, create academic and career opportunities, and reduce insecurity by productively engaging young people.
“This event is designed to pull youths off the streets, nurture their talents, and provide platforms for growth—not just for their families, but for society as a whole.
“Sports is a powerful tool for breaking barriers of religion, tribe, and social class. It unites, heals, and empowers. What we are building is more than just a tournament—it’s a movement,” Omonokhua affirmed.
The 2025 edition will feature three major sporting categories: Football: 24 male teams drawn from church es representing five major Christian blocs; Basketball: 16 male and female teams and Volleyball: 16 male and female teams
In total, 32 teams will compete for cash prizes, medals, and branded kits, with additional surprise packages to be unveiled at the closing ceremony.
While KUGA 2025 is currently FCT-based, the long-term goal is to scale it into a full national event by 2026, with participation from all states across Nigeria. The FCT serves as a testbed for nationwide implementation.
Sports
Team Nigeria Records Best-Ever Performance at Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh
…Finishes 8th on overall standings, secures Africa’s second best placement
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria finished eighth on the medals table with a total of 30 medals, marking its best-ever performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games, while Turkey emerged at the top of the standings.
This year has been a remarkable success for the National Sports Commission, which has supported more than 40 sports federations in attending international competitions, many of whom have delivered outstanding performances and secured medals – the count includes taekwondo, swimming, cricket, para-powerlifting, para-badminton, among others.
Nigeria’s haul, comprised 11 gold, 12 silver, and 7 bronze, a result that reinforces the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) strategic direction of sending only athletes with strong podium prospects to major international events.
Competing in seven sports, Taekwondo, Boxing, Athletics, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Para-Powerlifting, and Para-Athletics, the team delivered an unprecedented outcome, winning medals in every sports they competed in .
Weightlifting led Nigeria’s medal haul with 6 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze, followed by Athletics, which secured 2 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze. Wrestling added 2 gold and 2 silver, Para-Powerlifting contributed 1 gold, while Boxing and Para-Athletics each earned 1 silver. Taekwondo completed the tally with 1 bronze medal.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the team’s exceptional outing, stating:
“It is not a coincidence that Nigeria won medals in every sport we participated in at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games. This achievement reflects the new direction we have taken in sports development. After meeting with our team at the Commission and the Elite and Podium Board led by Yusuf Ali, we made a deliberate decision to bring only podium prospects to Riyadh and today, that decision has paid off.”
He added that the performance in Riyadh sets the standard for future international engagements:
“From Boxing to Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Track and Field and Powerlifting, Nigeria secured medals in every sport we entered. This is the new benchmark at the National Sports Commission, guiding our preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and ultimately, the Olympics.”
Officials stated that Team Nigeria’s record-breaking finish in Riyadh marks a defining moment in the country’s sporting evolution and strengthens its position as a rising force in global multi-sport competitions.
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