Sports

ATCN Partners Promoter for World-Class ‘Motorsport Festival’ in Nigeria

Published

4 months ago

March 4, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

In its continued efforts to promote motorsport in Nigeria and generate economic value for the country, the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN) has partnered with a prominent promoter to host an upcoming event dubbed the Motorsport Festival in Nigeria and beyond.

At a signing ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, the President of ATCN, Ishaku Bamaiyi, expressed that this partnership will usher in a new era for motorsport development in Nigeria.

The Festival of Motorsport aligns with the missions and visions of both ATCN and the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC). According to Bamaiyi, today, March 4, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the development of motorsport in Nigeria, particularly grassroots development through the Festival of Motorsport.

“This event will create an industry that not only improves statistics but also adds economic value for promoters, competitors, and the Nigerian economy at large,” he said.

The Festival of Motorsport is a multi-disciplinary event offering Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their talents as competitors, officials, marshals, motorsport marketers, commentators, photographers, videographers, engineers, and more.

“We will soon see the results of our collective efforts,” Bamaiyi stated.

He further explained that the event will boost the country’s economy, promote global tourism, enhance environmental protection, and raise awareness about road safety. The festival will advocate for safe, affordable, and clean transport for all.

The President also identified several potential disciplines for motorsport development in Nigeria, including Junior and Senior Karting Sprint, Karting Slalom, Karting Endurance (4-hour race), Drifting Auto Slalom, Cross Car, and Digital Motorsport.

Reflecting on the progress made by ATCN in recent years, Bamaiyi highlighted the federation’s initiatives in training competitors and organizing events aimed at encouraging development, all without financial commitment from participants.

“Nigeria participated in the FIA Motorsport Games in 2022 in France and will compete in Spain in 2024. We finished in the quarter-finals in GT and the semi-finals in F4 in the esports categories. Our sole competitor in the senior Karting Sprint showed significant improvement,” he added.

Bamaiyi also revealed that the federation is set to launch a Motorsport App soon, which will be used to communicate and raise awareness about motorsports in Nigeria and beyond.

In his remarks, the promoter of the Motorsport Festival, Alhaji Basril Ibrahim, expressed his commitment to bringing world-class motorsport events to Nigeria.

“This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of motorsport in Nigeria,” Ibrahim said. “We are here today to sign this agreement for the Festival of Motorsport, and we believe it’s a great opportunity to contribute to motorsport development in Nigeria. Motorsport in Nigeria holds so much potential, and we need to turn these potentials into success.”

He added, “Look at how Formula 1 has become a daily part of everyone’s life. In 2021 alone, Formula 1 generated over $22 billion, and it’s projected to reach $25 billion by 2030. This presents a huge opportunity for Nigeria.”

Ibrahim emphasized that the signing of this agreement is not just about the financial aspect but also about grassroots development. “We are eager to nurture our young people here in Nigeria and take our motorsport to a world-class level. We hope this event will serve as the launchpad for promoting Nigeria on the global motorsport stage.”

The Festival of Motorsport is expected to become an annual event, raising awareness that Nigeria is ready for motorsport on the global platform.

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Sports

FIFA MA Course: Gusau, FIFA instructors harp on hard work, integrity and fraternity

Published

20 hours ago

June 19, 2025

The Gleamer

The two-week FIFA Member Associations Course for physical and technical instructors, and Young Talents came to a close in Abuja on Thursday with FIFA Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed publicly declaring his confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s budding arbiters to reach unprecedented heights in the vocation globally.

The physical and technical instructors’ course was activated between 9^th – 13^thJune, while the Young Talents programme lasted between Sunday, 15^th – Thursday, 19^th June 2025.

President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), who also doubles as President of WAFU B, told the young talents to endeavour to put all they have learnt during the course into practice, as the Federation is in the process of elevating more of the young talents to take on higher responsibilities, such as handling matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

“I am happy that now, we have a total of 86 young talents in our refereeing pool. This deeply gladdens my heart. Last year, we had 40 people undertake this course, and this year, we have 46. Let me reveal to you that 10 of those young talents from last year have been elevated to the NPFL, and none of them was found wanting throughout the season.

“Their record of performance gives great hope to yourselves, and also shows that the NFF is right in our commitment to the young talents. However, in order to keep improving, I charge you to always find ways to fraternize, collaborate in all aspects, and bond together to jointly and severally enhance your capacities.”

Mohamed, who is from Somalia, said: “I am very satisfied with the group that we worked with over the past one week – the young talents. Their level of assimilation is very high and I see them going places in the work of refereeing. Please always have integrity at the back of your mind in whatever you do.

“We know Nigeria is everywhere, qualifying for all major tournaments and winning trophies and putting up podium performances here and there. But it will also be good to have Nigerian referees not only in the AFCON but also at the FIFA World Cup. Having worked with these young ones for the past one week, I can tell you with assurance that the future of Nigerian refereeing is in very good hands.”

President of NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu thanked FIFA and the NFF for the success of the programme, and asserted that the growing confidence in Nigerian referees at home and abroad can be traced to the support that the referees continue to get from the NFF for their capacity-enhancing programmes, and the intentionality of the NFF President.

FIFA Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi from Tunisia was also present at the closing ceremony, as well as Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ugbuji, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji and Promise Uwaeme.

There were also President of the NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu; Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Madam Faith Irabor; deputy chairman Rafiu Umar Gusau; members of the committee, Kabiyesi James Odeniran, Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, Dr Bello Mohammed, Abraham Zakowi, Waziri Abba Gawe and secretary, Mohammed Ameenu; NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire and; Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isah Ladan Bosso.

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