Sports

Chairman House Committee on Sports meets Stakeholders.

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2023

…Congratulates Falcons

The newly appointed Chairman of the House of Representatives Sports Committee Honourable Ekene Adams Abubakar has hit the ground running as he is set to meet with critical Sports stakeholders in Abuja on Thursday August 3rd to chart a new course for Sports.

According to the accomplished Administrator and former General Manager of Remo Stars, the meeting which will take place at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja will be attended by Presidents of all the 36 Sports Federations, The Nigerian Olympics Committee, Premier League Club owners, Nation wide league and other league boards , NFF, Referees, Ex Internationals, players Union, The National Institute for sports, Former Sports Minister, coaches, Lottery Board, EFCC, ICPC and Corporate organizations.

Also expected at the event are the Nigerian Olympians Association, the Nigerian Police Force, Medical Practioners, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Ministries of Youth and Sports, Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Nigerian School’s Sports Federation amongst others.

He assured that the meeting will set the tone for a robust, renewed policy direction for Nigerian Sports as well as to seek areas of mutual benefits in the best interest of Nigerian Sports.

Honourable Abubakar assured that the era of bickering, bitterness and working at cross purposes was over. ” We should all come together to forge a new direction for our sports. We have to work together with the Executive Arm of Government and all stakeholders to actualize our collective dreams.

Sports can only thrive when there is peace and harmony among the stakeholders.
Sports Unites us as a people, so we should deploy it to foster peace, unity, progress and development of our great country.
Having played the game to the highest level,administered it as a club owner, I feel the pains of all stakeholders. Let’s put the past bad experiences behind us and focus on a bright future. We are not doing the youths any good if we don’t put the interest of the country first. We need to rally round each other to make things work well for everyone”

Meanwhile, the Chairman has described the Female National team the Super Falcons as a beacon of hope for not only Nigeria, but the African continent.While commending the team’s impressive performance at the on- going Fifa Women World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, he urged them not to rest on their oars until they secure the ultimate price”

Congratulations Falcons, we are so proud of you. We are solidly behind you, please don’t relax until you get to the finals and God willing win the trophy. You have lifted the spirit of millions of Nigerians, so don’t relent until victory is secured.”

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Sports

No crisis in NAWIS ahead of AFN elections on Monday

Published

9 hours ago

June 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), known for its orderliness since its establishment in 1990, continues to uphold its standards ahead of the upcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.

With members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, NAWIS has consistently operated without external interference.

Over the years, its members have been nominated to various boards of national sports federations after meeting established criteria, including the payment of annual dues.

The association has attracted a strong base of respected sportswomen who have served the country with distinction, both during and after their active careers.

In preparation for the AFN elections, zonal elections were conducted on June 2 and 3, producing representatives for the national exercise.

While NAWIS initially planned to hold its election in Zaria, Kaduna State, the association’s headquarters, it was later rescheduled for Abuja on Monday, June 9, following directives from higher authorities.

Importantly, NAWIS has a set of strict guidelines that govern its electoral process, particularly the requirement for timely payment of annual dues. Failure to meet this condition results in automatic disqualification.

This guideline was the basis for the disqualification of Maria Wophil, who has reportedly not paid her annual dues since 2017. Her attempt to hurriedly settle outstanding debts just before the election was deemed non-compliant with NAWIS regulations.

Who is Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju?

Commonwealth gold medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju is one of the leading contenders for the NAWIS representative position in the AFN.

She made history as the first African woman to run the 400m in under 50 seconds and brought glory to Nigeria by winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Yusuf-Olukoju also claimed gold in the 400m at the 1991 All-Africa Games and silver in the 200m.

Based on nominations and her track record, Yusuf-Olukoju is considered the most qualified candidate. However, three other contenders have also shown interest, and the final decision will be made in the election slated for Monday, June 9, in Abuja.

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