Sports
Engr Chiroma to Nigerian Youth: Take Sports Seriously, It’s a Platform for Opportunity and Unity
By Joel Ajayi
Ambassador of the 2025 Kingdom Unity Games, Engineer Joseph Chiroma, has called on Nigerian youth to take sports seriously, describing it as not only a tool for unity but also a growing economic opportunity.
Chiroma made the appeal on Saturday during the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where Dunamis FC edged ECWA Wumba 1–0 to claim the inaugural trophy.
According to him, the timing of the event could not have been more significant. “Our country is navigating moments of tension—tribal, religious, and social divisions. But through platforms like this, we are reminded of the power of unity and the importance of coming together,” he said.
He stressed the importance of engaging young people in positive, structured activities, noting that sports provide a pathway to discipline, leadership, and future opportunities.
“When young people participate in activities like sports, they are less likely to fall into harmful or destructive paths. Instead, they develop progressive thinking—thinking that prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the future of this nation,” Chiroma added.
Highlighting the inclusivity of the Games, he noted that while the initiative was Christian-led, it was by no means exclusive: “When we step onto the field, faith and tribe no longer matter—we are all Nigerians. That is the beauty of events like this.”
He further encouraged youth to find a sporting activity to engage in, whether athletics, basketball, volleyball, or other disciplines. “Sport is no longer just recreation. It has become a viable economic opportunity that creates jobs, generates income, and contributes to national development. I encourage all youth across Nigeria to take sports seriously—as a tool for unity, growth, and empowerment,” he urged.
The 2025 edition of the Kingdom Unity Games will feature three major categories:
- Football – 24 male teams drawn from churches representing five major Christian blocs
- Basketball – 16 male and female teams
- Volleyball – 16 male and female teams
In all, 32 teams will compete for cash prizes, medals, branded kits, and surprise rewards. While currently FCT-based, organisers revealed that the long-term plan is to expand the Games into a full national event by 2026, with participation from all 36 states.
Convener of the Games, Ambassador Solomon Omonokhua, reiterated the vision of the initiative: “This competition is about more than football. It is about building bridges between churches, fostering peace and unity, and giving our youth a platform to showcase their gifts. We are hopeful some players here will catch the eye of scouts and clubs, and bring pride to Nigeria,” he said.
On the pitch, Team Dunamis FC made history by clinching the maiden title with their early strike against ECWA Wumba, holding off pressure until the final whistle. In the third-place playoff, ECWA Kwali edged ECWA Karasana 1–0 in a closely fought encounter.
Organisers concluded that beyond the competition, the Games stand as a vehicle for peace-building, talent discovery, and the strengthening of bonds across communities and faith groups in Nigeria.
Sports
Plateau Vipers, Benue Queens Crowned Champions at HFN North Central Division One Tourney
Joel Ajayi
The President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Jibril Seidu, has said the federation will continue to intensify its grassroots talent development drive through zonal competitions across the country.
Seidu stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the finals of the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship, where Plateau Vipers defeated Suleja Shooters 29-24 to emerge champions in the men’s category.
In the women’s final, Benue Queens of Makurdi defeated City Queens of Suleja to claim the title.
The eight-day tournament featured teams from across the North Central Zone, with Plateau Vipers of Jos, Confluence Stars of Lokoja, Unity Boys of Abuja, Suleja Shooters and Nasarawa Ambassadors of Lafia competing in the men’s category.
In the women’s category, Nuela Handball Academy of Ilorin, Inikpi Babes of Idah, Benue Queens of Makurdi and City Queens of Suleja competed for honours.
At the end of the competition, four teams — two male and two female — emerged as the North Central Zone’s representatives for the national Division One league.
According to Seidu, the tournament was organised as part of the federation’s deliberate strategy to take handball development back to the regions and discover talents that might otherwise remain unnoticed.
He said the HFN board, inaugurated on October 25, 2025, resolved that grassroots development was essential to creating a sustainable pipeline of players for national and international competitions.
“All the teams you have seen here are from the North Central Zone of the country, and every state is represented with an academy or state team,” he said.
Seidu explained that the new approach marked a departure from the previous system, where talent identification was largely centred on the federation’s major league competitions.
He said taking competitions to the regions would provide young players with greater opportunities to showcase their abilities while strengthening the foundation of handball across the country.
The HFN president also linked the grassroots initiative to Nigeria’s recent achievements in international handball, stressing the need to develop younger players who can eventually replace members of the current national teams.
He noted that Nigeria had qualified for the 2027 Men’s Junior Handball World Championship in North Macedonia, describing the achievement as evidence of the potential within the country’s handball system.
“How do we replace these players with upcoming players? This is the avenue for us to get players,” he said.
Seidu added that the federation was determined to make handball more visible and accessible, describing it as one of Nigeria’s major sporting disciplines with significant potential for growth.
The North Central tournament is part of a wider zonal programme designed to decentralise handball development across Nigeria.
According to the federation, similar competitions are being organised across other zones, including the South East, North East, North West and South South, with qualifiers from each zone expected to converge at a designated venue for the next stage of the competition.
The federation also appealed for greater support from sponsors, stakeholders and state associations to sustain its grassroots development programme.
It expressed appreciation to the participating states, academies, team sponsors and other stakeholders for their support and commitment to the growth of handball in Nigeria.
The federation said the initiative would provide a platform for discovering the next generation of Nigerian handball stars while expanding the sport’s reach beyond its traditional centres.
While Speaking the elated coach of Benue Queen Godwin Tondo has promised a stronger and more tactical performance after guiding the team to victory at the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship in Abuja.
He attributed the success to the team’s long-term youth development programme, noting that the squad was built through a deliberate process of identifying and nurturing young talents.
According to him, the programme began with the selection of 92 girls from secondary schools, who were subsequently trained and developed over a four-year period.
He said the team’s success was a product of sustained hard work and commitment despite the challenges encountered during preparations for the tournament.
“I feel very pleased being a champion today. The road to this stage was very, very hard, but I am very happy that we have got the result from all the toughness of the game,” he said.
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