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Japan Pledges Support for Anti Doping Campaign

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… Offers Scholarship Opportunities to Nigerian Youth

Nigeria and Japan are set to deepen their bilateral relations with stronger and deeper collaborations in Sports and Youth Development.


The Japanese Government is offering scholarship opportunities to Nigerian youth and pledging support for the country’s anti doping campaign.


Both countries are also seeking to promote cooperation in information technology that will be mutually beneficial to their youth and sports development.


Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Monday, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Matsunaga Kazuoshi said both countries have a lot to benefit by working together.


According to him, hosting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic games has given his country a better perspective about the value of sports.


“We appreciate your presence in Tokyo for the Olympics and Paralympic games,” Mr Kazuoshi told the Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare.


“And we want to build on the benefits of hosting these games to promote cooperation between Japan and Nigeria.
“We have sports equipment donated by Kizarazu City and some sports federations for the sports federations in Nigeria,” he added.


The Ambassador also stated that the Japanese Anti Doping Agency(JADA) is willing to provide online education that will help Nigeria deal with the doping issues in her sports.


In the area of youth development, Mr Kazuoshi said the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan runs a scholarship programme that has over 230 Nigerians among its beneficiaries, while another initiative, the Abe initiative, founded by Shinzo Abe, their former Prime Minister, provided internship opportunities for students in the private sector, stressing that Nigerian students could benefit from both programmes.


In his response, the Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare said seeking to strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Japan using sports and youth development would turn out as the best decision by both countries.


The Minister said Nigeria is working hard to improve her anti doping status and so would take advantage of the online education to be provided by JADA to create more awareness as well as provide more information about doping issues to her athletes.


Dare further stated that the Federal Government, through the Ministry will ensure that only qualified and genuine students are recommended for the scholarship programmes in Japan.
“Tokyo 2020, both the Olympics and the Paralympics, have had positive impact on our athletes. Since participating in the Tokyo Games, most of them have become better.
“In the last two weeks, a lot of our student athletes who were in Japan have improved on their personal best records. Our Table Tennis Champion has moved up to 13th from 15th in the world rankings. All these are the Tokyo Olympics impact.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we want to thank Japan for hosting us and the rest of the world,” Dare added.
The Japanese Ambassador was accompanied on the visit by the Head of Culture and Information in the Embassy of Japan, Ms Nami Nakayoshi and the Ambassador’s Special Assistant, Mr John Nwankwo, a Nigerian.
Present at the meeting for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development were the Director of Sports Medicine, Dr Paul Onyeudo, the Deputy Director, Anti Doping, Mrs Fadeke Adebola and the Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister on Policy, Mr Olumide Bamiduro.

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NPFL Strikes ₦2.14 Billion Exclusive Broadcast and Data Management Deal to Drive Modernization and Expand Visibility

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By Joel Ajayi


The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has sealed a landmark ₦2.14 billion Exclusive Broadcast and Data Management Agreement designed to modernize league operations, enhance transparency, and elevate the league’s global profile.


The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, with NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, leading the league’s delegation.


 The agreement formalizes strategic partnerships with Inview Technologies Nigeria Limited, AS Production Hub Limited (ASPH), and Roundup Technologies Limited.


Under the terms of the deal, Inview Technologies Nigeria Limited will serve as a principal partner over a five-year period, investing a total of ₦2 billion, including an ₦800 million upfront payment to the NPFL.


 In addition, Roundup Technologies Limited has entered into a ₦140 million agreement, bringing the combined value of both deals to ₦2.14 billion over five years.


The partnership covers exclusive broadcast, data management, and commercialization rights, all aimed at transforming the NPFL’s digital infrastructure and operational efficiency.


Through this collaboration, the league’s technology partners will deploy cutting-edge systems for data collection, analytics, and digital operations. These innovations are expected to enhance match reporting, performance tracking, player statistics, and club management, while improving fan engagement and ensuring greater transparency across all league activities.


While speaking, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye hailed the agreement as “a major milestone in the NPFL’s mission to modernize its operations and position Nigerian football among the best-managed leagues globally.”


Details soon………

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