Sports
FG Urges Corporate Bodies To Key Into Sports Development Policies
The Federal Government has called on individuals, corporate and private organisations to key into its sports development policies with a view to ensuring the actualization of sports as a business in Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare, made the call yesterday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja during the Handing Over ceremony of a Training Pitch to Afrikings Homes Limited.
He stated that the programme is a fall out of the Adopt-a-Pitch initiative of the present administration, aimed at improving the welfare of athletes even as they prepare for the 2024 Olympics and Common Wealth Games.
Dare explained that the initiative has, amongst others, led to the renovation of the Abuja and Lagos National Stadia as well as other mini Stadia across the country.
*”What we are doing is in line with the Adopt an Athlete Initiative, in which we are creating a funding pathway for the athletes.
The initiative, which started as Adopt a Stadium, has seen the renovation of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja; National Stadium Surulere and other mini Stadia across the country which will be ready soon”* he said.
The Minister stated further that the Ministry has already kick started the implementation of the National Sports Industry Policy, which will leverage on the private sector, National Development Plan 2021-2025 whereby individuals and corporate Organisations will be partnered based on 70% private and 30% government sector funding.
For the successful realization of this policy, Dare added, “the Ministry will soon be hosting the first edition of the Sports Expo and Exhibition Programme so as to avail individuals, private and corporate organisations as well as other stakeholders with up-to-date information to enable them key-in appropriately into their areas of interest”.
Dare who commended Afrikings Homes Limited for coming out to adopt the Training Pitch, expressed optimism that the move will stir more corporate bodies to key into the Adopt Initiative.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Afrikings Homes Limited, Mr. Kingsley James Awodi said that his Organisation saw the effort of the present administration in the development of sports and decided to partner with government with a view to providing wider opportunity for our teeming youth to explore their sporting talents.
“We saw the effort government is making in the development of Sports through its adopt initiative policies in the country and decided to partner with the Ministry to further drive the opportunities provided by government for our teeming youth to excel in sports.”
He added that his organisation is adopting one training pitch, which will be ready in 6 to 8 weeks and will be maintained for 2 years.
Sports
Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.
Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.
In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.
“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.
The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.
The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.
Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.
She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.
According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.
“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.
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