Sports

NPFL, FRCN Sign MoU to boost Nigerian football Coverage

Published

6 months ago

March 27, 2025

A deal to broadcast the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on national radio was penned Thursday with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two organisations in Abuja.

It is a move that stakeholders believe will enhance the coverage and promotion of domestic football across the country.

The agreement will see FRCN provide live match commentary, analysis, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and league officials.

Speaking at the event, NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the partnership as another landmark partnership for league football in the country.

He said that the collaboration is expected to boost the league’s popularity, attract sponsorships, and enhance fan engagement, ultimately contributing to the growth of professional football in Nigeria.

Research shows that radio has the highest reach in the country and Elegbeleye insists that working with FRCN will bring the NPFL closer to millions of football fans, especially those in rural areas who rely on radio for sports updates.

He said: “Television is what we call direct-to-home. You have to be home to watch television. But with radio, you can be anywhere, on your farmland, in your office, or on the road, and still follow live updates. And know what is going on everywhere in the country and the rest of the world.

“Our football ecosystem needs this relationship with the Federal Radio Corporation to ensure the entire country listens to our athletes on match days. This will promote the league and boost Nigeria’s football industry.”

He recalled how radio commentary played a key role in the past, helping fans familiarize themselves with local players and clubs.

“Back in the day, people knew our players by name because of live commentary. When you don’t run commentaries, there’s no way fans can recognize footballers. But when a player’s name is mentioned frequently, he becomes well-known.

“This is crucial for marketing our players, clubs, and the league itself, which is indeed a national asset. I’m proud to say we have achieved a lot in a short time.

The Nigerian league is now rated higher than before, and more local players are being included in the national team.”
In his remarks, the Director-General of FRCN, Mohammed Bulama, reaffirmed the corporation’s dedication to reviving football enthusiasm in Nigeria.

Bulama said: “The history of sports in Nigeria has shown sports as a unifying factor and a catalyst for the overall development of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Indeed, the history of sports development in Nigeria, as well as the promotion of national unity cannot be complete without the mention of Radio Nigeria and its iconic sports commentators over the years, who worked hard to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, immortalized our sporting icons, and put Nigerian sports on the global stage.”

He recalled how radio commentaries boosted stadium attendance and newspaper sales from the 1960s to the 1980s, with many fans even bringing radio sets to the stadium to listen to live analysis.

He added, “Nigerians would often put on their television only for visuals, while muting it to listen to commentaries on radio. This was a period when Radio Nigeria dominated the sports commentary scene, driving national football enthusiasm to unparalleled heights”.

Bulama lamented that the decline in football commentary on radio contributed to the drop in local football’s popularity, as many fans turned their attention to foreign leagues like the English Premier League.

“It is to arrest this decline, and put Nigerian football back on an upward trajectory, that the NPFL and the FRCN are getting back into this strategic partnership, aimed at bringing radio football commentary back.”

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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