Sports

NSC Hails Tinubu’s Unprecedented Support, Backs Renewed Hope Unity Cup

Published

2 months ago

July 29, 2026

By Joel Ajayi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as unprecedented support for the sports sector, while reaffirming its commitment to grassroots sports development through the Renewed Hope Unity Cup, a nationwide football competition aimed at discovering and nurturing young talents.

Speaking at the unveiling of the official logo of the Renewed Hope Unity Cup at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Wednesday, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, represented by the Commission’s Director of Facilities, Dr Mohammed Rabiu, said grassroots football remains the bedrock of sustainable sports development in Nigeria.

According to him, football remains the country’s most popular sport and provides the best platform for identifying future stars capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.

“Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria and developing it at the grassroots is critical to the future of our sports. Our goal is to build a solid foundation that will continue to support the growth of sports across the country,” he said.

Dr Rabiu said the Commission was proud to associate with the Renewed Hope Unity Cup initiative, describing it as a strategic platform that aligns with the NSC’s vision of building a sustainable sports development structure capable of producing world-class athletes.

He also commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the sports sector, noting that the current administration has significantly increased investment in sports infrastructure after years of neglect.

“There was a time when funding for the maintenance of sports facilities was virtually non-existent. Today, substantial resources have been provided for the rehabilitation and maintenance of our sporting facilities. This demonstrates Mr President’s commitment to the growth of sports in Nigeria,” he stated.

The NSC representative assured stakeholders that the Commission would continue to maximise the support from the Federal Government to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading sporting nation.

Earlier, National Convener of the Renewed Hope Unity Cup, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, described the tournament as a historic initiative that would, for the first time in Nigeria’s football history, feature teams from all 774 Local Government Areas in one unified national competition.

He explained that the championship is designed not only to discover football talents but also to promote national unity, youth empowerment, peacebuilding and community development.

“The National Renewed Hope Unity Cup is more than a football competition. It is a national movement that seeks to unite Nigerians, discover hidden talents, empower young people and strengthen grassroots football across the country,” Yahaya-Kwande said.

He disclosed that every participating local government team would receive football equipment, including jerseys, boots, footballs, training bibs and other essential kits, while players and officials would benefit from welfare packages, insurance where applicable and match allowances.

According to him, all matches will be professionally produced and streamed live on digital platforms to expose talented players to professional clubs, football academies, national team selectors and international scouts.

Yahaya-Kwande further revealed that the competition would leave a lasting legacy through a nationwide Train-the-Trainer Programme, under which selected coaches from each of the 774 local government areas will receive technical education and coaching certification from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and other technical partners before returning to train coaches within their respective communities.

He added that beyond football, the initiative would create employment opportunities, stimulate local economies, encourage entrepreneurship and equip young Nigerians with leadership, discipline and life skills.

The two-month tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 1, 2026, with matches taking place simultaneously across all 774 Local Government Areas. Winners will progress through state and zonal qualifiers before competing at the national finals to determine the overall champion.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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