Sports
NFF Ref Committee Sabotaging the Progress of Nigerian International Referees-Report
Joel Ajayi
Over the years, Nigeria Referees have not been seen featuring in CAF and FIFA matches and efforts to correct this irregularity is being frustrated by the NFF Referees Committee as they set to divert the $60,000 sent by FIFA as palliative for Referees Development into payment of their sitting allowance.
There is no doubt NFF as a federation was conscious of most recent of technological trends of innovations and development in the training and development of Referees, which is the Refereeing Cloud Platform (RCP).
In view of this, NFF approved that the part of the released dedicated fund for Refereeing Development to the Referees’ Committee from the FIFA Palliatives be used for this purpose. The amount required is meager compared to the long-lasting benefits to be derived.
THE GLEAMER NEWS gathered that the Chairman and members of the Refereeing Committee feels otherwise by jettison the priority of the Refereeing and hinged more on their personal benefits.
According to information gathered by THE GLEAMER NEWS “After securing approval for the money to be used to ensure timely installation so that Referees for the World Cup will be able to benefit and secure a place in the final listing, the committee concluded arrangement to divert the fund to pay outstanding sitting allowances owed it.
“This is not only misappropriation of allocation but a case of sabotaging the nation’s aspiration to register its name at the forthcoming Women World Cup as well as the opportunity to link Nigeria with the global highway in the sustainable Refereeing development process.”
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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