Sports
Hon. Dauda Named Ambassador for Kingdom Unity Games Abuja KUGA 2025
By Joel Ajayi
In a significant move to boost awareness and participation in the forthcoming Kingdom Unity Games (KUG) Abuja 2025, organizers have officially named Hon. Ephraim Dauda as the Games’ Ambassador.
The Kingdom Unity Games, scheduled to hold in Abuja in 2025, is a faith-based sporting event designed to bring together youths from across the FCT and its environs to compete in various sports, while promoting peace, discipline, and spiritual growth.
The announcement was made during a brief unveiling ceremony where Hon. Dauda was recognized for his unwavering commitment to grassroots development, youth empowerment, and national unity through sports.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Dauda expressed appreciation to the organizers for selecting him as the face of the 2025 edition.
He described sports as a vital tool for building unity and improving health.
“Sports enhance our health and serve as a unique unifying force. Where there is sport, there is no barrier, no tribe, no ethnicity,” he said.
Hon. Dauda pledged his full support for the event and assured that he would play an active role in achieving its core objectives, including talent discovery and youth development.
He also urged young people, especially boys, to seize the opportunity and participate in KUG 2025.
“It’s going to bring you out and put you in the spotlight — KUG 2025 is going to be the bomb!” he declared.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Convener of KUG 2025, Ambassador Solomon Omonokhua, emphasized that the Kingdom Unity Games Abuja (KUGA) is an initiative of the Kingdom Star Sports International Foundation in collaboration with Celebrity Sports Magazine.
He described the 2025 edition as a major step toward discovering talented youths, particularly within churches in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding areas.
“Our goal is to identify gifted young individuals with athletic potential who may otherwise remain undiscovered,” Omonokhua said. “Through this initiative, we aim to help them showcase their abilities, with opportunities to be scouted by talent agents from both Africa and Europe.”
According to him, KUGA is not only focused on talent discovery but also on building a sustainable platform that connects young athletes to professional opportunities both locally and internationally.
Another key objective of the Games, he noted, is to foster unity among churches, residents of the FCT, and Nigerians at large. He emphasized the importance of national cohesion, noting that the event welcomes people from different religious backgrounds Christians, Muslims, and others in the spirit of collaboration and peace.
“Most importantly,” he added, “KUGA seeks to promote unity within the Christian community by bringing various denominations together in support of youth empowerment through sports.”
On the format of the 2025 edition, Ambassador Omonokhua revealed that three major sports will feature: football, basketball, and volleyball.
“For football, 24 male teams will be drawn from churches across five major Christian blocs,” he explained. “Basketball will feature 16 teams both male and female while volleyball will also include 16 teams across both genders.”
The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 6 at the Main Bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Basketball and volleyball matches will take place at Package B of the stadium, specifically at the basketball and volleyball courts.
With preparations well underway and Hon. Dauda now at the forefront as Ambassador, KUG 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking edition that will not only spotlight emerging talents but also promote peace, unity, and national pride through sports.
Sports
Thrills as 2026 National Hockey Super League Opens in Abuja — NHF President Promises Greater Innovation
Cyril Ogar
The atmosphere was electric on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, as the 2026 National Hockey Super League officially kicked off in grand style.
The championship, which runs from November 1st to 9th, features 13 male and 8 female teams from across the country competing for supremacy in Nigeria’s top-tier hockey competition.
In the opening fixtures, Police Machine dominated IGP Flickers 9–1, Kada Stars overwhelmed Adamawa 13–0, Plateau edged Ekiti 1–0, while Niger Flickers crushed Team Katsina 10–0.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed satisfaction with the smooth start, describing the league as a key milestone in the Federation’s renewed drive to strengthen grassroots hockey and promote national development of the sport.
“This is indeed a proud moment for us. We are here to witness a national event that we hold in very high esteem,” he said. “It’s a great way to end the year, return to our grassroots, and continue developing the game.”
Nkom, who also serves as an Executive Member of the African Hockey Federation Board, assured that the Federation will sustain its current momentum and introduce more innovations in 2027 to further elevate Nigerian hockey both locally and internationally.
“Our focus remains on building a strong foundation for our players and promoting discipline, teamwork, and fair play,” he added.
“Beyond monetary rewards, the experience gained here is invaluable. We will continue to recognize excellence through awards for Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Youngest Player, and Most Disciplined Team.”
The Tournament Director, Mr. Falore Olajuyigbe, confirmed that the league will run for one week, ending on November 8th, with teams departing the following day. He praised the level of play and organization so far.
“The matches have been exciting and competitive. Attendance has been encouraging, and we’re confident that the quality of play will keep improving,” Olajuyigbe said.
He added that the tournament is benefitting from lessons learned during Nigeria’s participation in the African Club Championship in Ismailia, Egypt, noting that two Nigerian umpires who officiated at that continental event are also part of the officiating crew in Abuja.
As the 2026 National Hockey Super League unfolds, excitement continues to build among fans and players alike, with Abuja firmly at the center of Nigeria’s hockey action.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News10 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
