Sports

Nigerian Sports Will Witness Tremendous Progress In 2025 – FG

Published

2 months ago

January 20, 2025

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to see that sports in Nigeria witness a turnaround in 2025 and beyond.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Zulu, stated this at the final of the maiden FCT Area Council Cup which was held on Sunday at the Apo Football Pitch, Abuja.

Zulu said all necessary plans have been put in place to make sure that youths are positively and productively engaged from the elementary school to higher institutions to participate in sports and chart a career that will benefit them on the long run.

He also assured that the 10-year Sports Master Plan will see the light of the day through the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, the chairman and the Director General respectively.
“My major plan (in 2025) is for us to get it right with grassroots, to understand, to orientate and to lecture them (the youths) on why they have to participate in sports in their various local government to the states.

“And what I mean is that it is high time for us to make sure that our young and talented youths have something doing for themselves, their states and the country. But I’m assuring you that our own plan is to engage the youths from the primary school to tertiary institutions and see that they really particle in sports.

“I want to assure you that the 10-year Master Plan on Sports is surely going to see the light of the day. You have a respected, a reliable and a tested chairman of the National Sports Commission.
“We also have a Director General who has been in sports for the past 30 years and I want to assure you that working together with these two people, our sports will witness a lot of improvement when you talk of grassroots sports rise to the highest level to the elite sports in this country.

“What you see today is the younger generation coming out enmasse to support Mr President. It shows that the President is a grassroots man, it shows that Bitrus is a man of the people, it shows the love he has for Abuja. And very soon, we will see our youths representing the country in international competitions,” the SSA said.

Bitrus Lawrence Garki, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, , who is the organizer of the competition, said it was about giving platform to youths in the FCT to showcase their talents to the world adding that it was a celebratory tournament “to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this landmark achievement which is the local government autonomy and appreciate him for looking at the grassroots and for making a decision that will ensure that development comes to the grassroots directly.”

At the end of hostilities which was competed for by 12 teams, Strikers FC emerged as champions beating Emirates FC by 3 goals to 2 through penalties.

While Strikers FC FC smiled out with N1 million, Emirates FC got N500,000 for their efforts.

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

11 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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