Sports

EDO 2020 NSF Has Uncovered Diverse Talents-Minister

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2021

Joel Ajayi

After 11 days of serious competition amongst different athletes from different part of the country at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin, Edo state capital, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare has expressed pleasure over the skills, talents on display by participants.

Sports minister who spared no effort to ensure the event hold after series of challenges, while speaking after watching some of the life games said he was thrilled with successes recorded so far.

Chief Dare then charged victorious athletes to remain disciplined and focused while he asked those who didn’t make it to the podium to remain resilient.

According to him “We have witnessed a lot of display of talents and skills in the last 11 days. Wrestling is part of our great hope when it comes to the Olympics, both the male and female categories, I see a lot of young people who have a future in wrestling.

“So far, I am excited about the excitement I have seen in all the centers I have been to. My message is that they need to remain disciplined and focused and also display the spirit of sportsmanship. I have seen those that have won, have seen those that have lost and I see that spirit of comradeship, the future is great for most of those young athletes.

“This thing wouldn’t have been possible without the ministry of youth and sports. It wouldn’t have been possible without the Edo state government. if not for the Covid-19 pandemic, it was just five days, everything was set then the pandemic came in, and within one year we all have to recover. So we are happy this partnership continues for the sake of the youth and for the sake of sport development in our country.

“Even from here, we can see track and field records are being broken, we’ve seen new people that qualified. This is what we expected from this sports festival. That’s why we call it Nigerian Olympics. I am very hopeful that if we get all of these athletes into camp, get them in shape, get them focused we support them. These groups of people, sports men and women will do Nigerian great at the Olympics.

“I have already programmed myself here as the sports Minister for the federal republic of Nigeria Oyo is as important as Kano, Benue as Edo because my terrain is the entire country. I just want to see that it’s fair and the best person wins. The refereeing is excellent and we see that all of the athletes are equally executing their best skills here, which are what is important.”

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

7 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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