Sports
NSC Nullifies Gymnastics, Judo, and Shooting Elections, Sets October 18 for Fresh Polls
By Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially declared the elections recently conducted by the Gymnastics, Judo, and Shooting Federations as invalid, urging them to prepare for fresh elections scheduled for October 18, 2025 in Abuja.
According to the NSC, the earlier elections held by these federations were not aligned with the Ministry’s guidelines and failed to reflect the principle of inclusive representation as mandated by Nigeria’s sports governance framework.
A statement released on Wednesday by the NSC’s Director of Press, Dr. (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi, emphasized the importance of full representation from 14 key constituencies on the board of every sports federation. These constituencies are:
Six Zonal Representatives (one from each geopolitical zone) 1 Athlete Representative, 1 Technical Representative, 1 Military/Paramilitary Representative, 1 NAWIS Representative, 1 NAPHER-SD Representative,1 Sponsor Representative and 1 AFFAN Representative.
“The strength of our sports federations lies in representation. We want to make it categorically clear that none of the 14 constituencies will be excluded from the governance structure of any federation. Inclusiveness remains non-negotiable.”
The affected federations have been directed to comply with the October 18 deadline. Notably:
Gymnastics and Judo Federations are to conduct their zonal elections prior to the national polls.
The Shooting Federation, having already completed its zonal elections, will proceed directly to elect its President and Vice President on the said date.
The recent election held by the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN) on September 6, 2025, saw Prince Kelvin Erhunwmunse re-elected for a historic third term after polling all 33 votes cast. The Vice Presidency went to Alhaji Mohammed Abba Inuwa, who received 32 votes.
While the election was commended by observers from the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and international gymnastics bodies, the NSC was notably absent and reportedly advised the federation to postpone the election—advice that went unheeded.
The NOC’s Secretary General, Tunde Popoola, expressed both admiration for the peaceful process and surprise at the absence of the NSC, stating:
“This election was constitutionally backed and well-organized. However, I had expected the Sports Commission DG to be present. We were only informed upon arrival that he had advised postponement.”
Popoola emphasized the importance of unity and respect for the federation’s constitution, noting that as long as the constitution remains unchallenged, it stands as the guiding framework.
“At the NOC, we strongly uphold the autonomy of federations and the rule of law,” he said. “We will continue to support this federation moving forward.”
Meanwhile, the Shooting Federation’s election on September 22 ended inconclusively after six rounds of voting failed to produce a clear winner between two candidates. This stalemate prompted the NSC’s intervention and the rescheduling of elections.
The Judo Federation, which also recently held its elections, has been instructed to redo both its zonal and national elections to comply with NSC’s inclusivity guidelines.
The NSC has called for all federations to conduct their elections in full compliance with its directives to ensure transparency, fairness, and adequate representation.
The fresh elections on October 18, 2025, will be held under the strict supervision of the NSC, with stakeholders and observers expected to ensure a credible process.
Sports
Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish
Joel Ajayi
With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.
The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.
“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.
Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.
“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.
To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.
“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.
The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.
Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.
“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.
Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.
“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”
Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.
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