Sports

A New Dawn for Nigerian Sports in 2025

Published

2 years ago

December 31, 2024

As we welcome the year 2025, I am filled with hope and optimism for the future of sports in Nigeria. The establishment of the National Sports Commission (NSC) represents a pivotal moment in our sports framework, and I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to revitalizing our sports economy.

The allocation of over ₦78 billion in the 2025 budget is a clear testament to the government’s dedication to advancing sports in our nation. However, it is imperative that the NSC learns from past mistakes and moves away from ineffective practices that have hindered our progress.

To our sports administrators, I urge you to implement a governance framework that fosters professionalism and accountability within our sports federations. It is crucial that we address the challenges posed by weak federations, often dominated by individuals who manipulate rules to maintain their positions indefinitely.

Currently, many federations including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Nigeria Basketball Federation(NBBF), the Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN), and many others are mired in dissent and internal conflict. The National Sports Commission (NSC) must prioritize addressing these issues as a first step. While we work towards securing Nigeria’s qualification for the next FIFA World Cup, we must also focus on cleansing our federations of ineffective leadership. Without this critical reform, the National Sports Commission risks becoming a monumental failure.

To our athletes, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to showcase your talents and bring pride to Nigeria. With the right support and infrastructure in place, I am confident that you will excel on the global stage.

To our dedicated fans, I ask that you continue to support our athletes and teams with the same passion and enthusiasm that you have always demonstrated. Your energy is a vital source of motivation for our athletes as they strive for success.

As we look to the future, I am reminded of the wise words of Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Let us rise to the challenge of transforming Nigerian sports and make 2025 a year to remember.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year, and may God bless Nigerian sports!

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Sports

Montage Community Football Tourney Registration Ends October 30

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Registration for the 2026 edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament will close on Friday, October 30, organisers have announced.

The tournament coordinator, Mr Raphael Ekpang, disclosed this on Thursday, urging interested teams across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take advantage of the remaining days to register.

Ekpang said registration had been ongoing since Monday, encouraging eligible teams to complete the process before the deadline.

The tournament, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is scheduled to kick off on November 3, 2026, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

The grand finale will hold on December 5, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki Area 10, Abuja, where the top four teams will compete for first-, second- and third-place honours.

A total of 48 teams will participate in the competition, with eight teams representing each of the six Area Councils.

The participating teams will compete for cash prizes worth over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.

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