Sports
NFF is working diligently to ensure Eagles, Falcons, others attain greater heights-Gusau
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday disclosed that the football governing body is working assiduously to ensure that all the National Teams perform much better in their competitions in the next year, than they have done in the past year. He made this pledge while reviewing the activities of the NFF and the teams in one year of his Board in office, and also articulating expectations for the next year.
While highlighting the achievements of the past year, which included a first-ever podium finish at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, quarter-final performance of the Flying Eagles at the FIFA U20 World Cup, qualification of the Super Eagles to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and best-ever outing by the Super Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Gusau asseverated that the Board and Secretariat have worked in tandem to remove toxicity from the system and enable a more conducive environment for the game in the country.
“One of our priorities on coming into office was to ensure that the football environment was cleansed of so much toxicity that had threatened the health of the game and made some persons feel unwelcome in the system. We have tried our best to give everyone a sense of belonging with a policy of inclusiveness.
“Off the pitch, we are proud of the work of the Interim Management Committee that we constituted to organize the last NPFL League Season, which was commended by all stakeholders, and we also feel fulfilled about the constitution of the Boards of the NNL, NWFL and NLO with vibrant, knowledgeable and competent individuals who are capable of taking the leagues to the next level. Elections into the State FAs have also been largely peaceful and successful.”
Gusau said his board will work assiduously and diligently with the secretariat and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to see the Super Eagles off to a great start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series and to win the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.
“We also want to see the Super Falcons reclaim their African title and return to the Women Olympic Football Tournament. Our expectations include making good progress in our plan for hostel accommodation and some playing pitches for the National Teams, through the FIFA Forward 3.0 program, and also see that the U17 and U20 Women National Teams achieve their best-ever outings at their different World Cups next year.
“We are working already with the new NPFL Board to grow the NPFL into the product that all administrators and stakeholders desire, and also with the boards of the other Leagues to improve the state of our domestic football. To achieve all these, we need money, so we are also looking to work even harder to grow our revenue base through aggressive marketing drive.”
The NFF boss said his team will also not allow any FIFA window for friendly matches to go unutilized. “As you can see, we have arranged two matches for the Super Eagles in this month’s window, against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. Mozambique is in southern Africa where three of our opponents in the World Cup qualifiers, namely Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa also are. Playing Mozambique is a good opportunity for the team to have a sneak preview of what to expect against these three teams.”
Also at the parley were NFF Executive Committee Members H. E. Ali Silas Agara and Mr. George Aluo; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Chairman of Anambra State FA, Chikelue Iloenyosi; NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David and; Head of Member Associations, Ali Abubakar Muhammad.
Sports
NSC, NOC Task Journalists on Gender Equality in Sports Reporting
Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel and Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, have urged sports journalists to intensify awareness of women’s participation and achievements in sports.
They made the call on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists, aimed at promoting gender equality and improving media coverage of women in sports.
Olopade stressed that women could not be sidelined in Nigeria’s sports development, urging journalists to give greater attention to female athletes and their contributions to the sector.
In his remarks, Eng Gumel said the media had a significant role in shaping public perception of women in sports, noting that balanced and inclusive reporting would encourage more girls to participate and inspire women to take up leadership positions.
He described the seminar as a strategic initiative to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in sports, while commending the Women’s Commission for its commitment to promoting gender equality.
According to him, the seminar was designed not merely to improve sports reporting but also to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in the sporting sector.
He noted that the programmes had helped build capacity, provide mentorship and inspire women to contribute more effectively to sports development
The president described the journalists’ seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women Commission, expressing satisfaction that its final programme focused on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation in sports.
He urged participants to make the most of the seminar by engaging actively, asking questions and acquiring the knowledge needed to become advocates for women in sports journalism.
Earlier in her welcome addressed, the Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, called on journalists to use their influence to promote fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.
Adeyanju observed that although sports had traditionally been perceived as a male-dominated field, many women had overcome barriers to participate and excel.
She noted that sports offered enormous benefits to girls, including improved skills, self-confidence and resilience, while opening doors to lifelong opportunities.
According to her, journalists’ reports, photographs and attitudes significantly influence public perceptions of female athletes, warning against coverage that prioritises physical appearance over sporting skills and achievements.
She urged participants to embrace modern sports reporting techniques that challenge stereotypes and remove barriers that have hindered women’s participation in sports.
Adeyanju also encouraged the journalists to share the knowledge acquired at the seminar and produce reports that would inspire future generations.
She expressed appreciation to Gumel and the NOC board for supporting the commission’s initiative.
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