Sports
Elegbeleye thumbs up intriguing NPFL Title Race
It has been a season of twists and turns at the top and bottom zones of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) log with positions changing almost after every Matchday.
At the start of the season, Remo Stars established their title credentials by staying within the top three just as Lobi Stars, Nasarawa and Akwa United struggled to burst loose from the drop zone.
As the season crossed the half line, Remo Stars broke away from the loop, establishing a ten points gap from the chasing pack. But it appears the fierce fight now is for the remaining continental slots, which Ikorodu City is the latest and surprise entrant. They join the quartet of Rivers United, Shooting Stars, Rangers and Enyimba in the jostle for second and third place.
NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye took stock of the ding-dong and expressed excitement over the fierce battle for the league title and continental spots.
After Matchday 28, theres left 10 matchdays to conclude the season, and Elegbeleye says the competition has been “unprecedented,” He attributes the tight contest to improvements in match officiating that may have boosted clubs’ confidence.
“Teams now travel for away games with the mindset of winning rather than just defending for a point,” he noted.
The NPFL has increasingly attracted new breed of young managers including former Super Eagles players who returned from Europe. From Finidi Georgia to Emmanuel Amunike and Daniel Amokachi to least a few, the European influence is aiding the competition. There are also the likes of home bred Stars like Imama Amakapabo, Kennedy Boboye, Tony Bulus and others who are all from the same generation.
Elegbeleye points to their influence in the rise in coaching standards, arguing that “with the blend of young and experienced tacticians, we are creating an environment where ex-players can transition into coaching roles, and where Super Eagles and international players feel comfortable playing in Nigeria due to the league’s quality.”
He is specifically impressed by Ikorodu City, whose remarkable rise has added a fresh twist to the title race.
“]Ikorodu City’s performance has been impressive. They’ve shown that privately owned clubs can thrive in the NPFL with proper planning, recruitment, and promotion. From struggling early in the season to now challenging for the title and continental spots, they’ve added excitement and credibility to the league. Their journey is a testament to what can be achieved with the right approach.”
On the relegation battle, Elegbeleye noted the fierce competition at the bottom of the table. “While the focus is often on the top, the fight to avoid relegation is equally intense. Any team from 12th to 20th is still at risk, which shows the level of competition in the league. We’ll be closely monitoring the remaining matches to ensure fairness and integrity.”
With the NPFL delivering drama, quality, and unpredictability, Elegbeleye is confident the league will crown a worthy champion at the end of the season.
Sports
Badminton Federation Targets Stronger Performance in 2026
…..Calls For More Public Private Partnership
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has described 2025 as a fairly positive year for the federation, while outlining ambitious plans to consolidate recent gains and expand activities across the country.
Speaking on the federation’s progress, Orbih said although there were challenges, the year marked a turning point for Nigerian badminton, particularly in the area of corporate sponsorship and technical development.
“The year was not a bad year for us as a federation.
“ We are definitely looking at improving on what we were able to achieve last year because there are still many areas and grounds to cover,” he said.
One of the major highlights of 2025, was the signing of a landmark sponsorship agreement with a corporate body — a first in the history of badminton in Nigeria.
The four-year partnership between GIG Logistics and national para-badminton player Eniola Bolaji, he said, represents a significant breakthrough for the sport.
“For the first time, we signed an agreement with a corporate body to sponsor one of our players.
“ This has never happened before in Nigerian badminton.
“ For us, it is just the beginning, and we are hoping to consolidate on this and attract more corporate sponsorships this year, not just for players but also for events,” he said.
He acknowledged that the federation did not organise a national championship in 2025, a situation he said was not ideal.
However, he explained that a busy international calendar helped keep players active.
“Last year, we didn’t have a national championship.
Fortunately, we had the National Sports Festival, the Lagos International, the Abia Para-Badminton International and the African Championship, which kept us busy.
“ But we are not too comfortable with that because we want a situation where players have competitions they can truly call their own,” he said.
He also revealed that the federation plans to organise at least four national championships this year to ensure consistent competition and player development.
He also highlighted major strides made in officiating and coaching.
He disclosed that one Nigerian umpire was accredited by the African Badminton Confederation in 2025, becoming the fourth official from Nigeria to attain that status — an achievement he described as unprecedented.
In addition, he said the federation trained 13 new coaches towards the end of 2024.
One of them, he revealed, secured a scholarship to Dubai in 2025 and has since obtained a Level Two coaching certificate, having initially been trained at Level One in Abuja.
Another female coach from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also benefited from a scholarship to South Africa and recently earned her Level One certification.
“The coaching and technical department of the game is very critical.
“ As we focus on player development, we must also focus on coaches and officials. They must grow side by side,” he said.
He added that increased tournaments in this year would ensure more engagement for coaches, umpires and players, while providing a fuller competitive calendar.
Orbih said that the All Africa Senior Badminton Championship is set for February 2026, describing it as the sport’s equivalent of football’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In preparation, he said national players have already commenced camping.
“The players entered camp on Sunday , and we are hopeful they will be well prepared to go out there and have a good outing,” he said.
Orbih expressed optimism that with improved planning, stronger corporate partnerships and enhanced technical capacity, Nigerian badminton is on a steady path to growth and international relevance.
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