Sports

NPFL Resumption: Coach Erasmus Onu Extols Sunday Dare

Published

6 years ago

December 29, 2020

If there one thing that make many football lovers in the country happy, that thing is no other thing than prompt, apt intervention of Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare who stood for the commencement of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL.

Just two days ago the 2020/2021 NPFL season finally kick-started with actions from different centers all across the country, which also carried some interesting and ventilating contents, where there was the creation of NPFL TV platforms, which enabled the League control its content, as well as helping fans view their respective teams from across the world.

While applauding the Minister the ex-Heartland FC and Niger Tornadoes Coach, Erasmus Onu hailed the efforts of the sports minister for his tremendous work on restarting the League, most especially the introduction of Content to the League.

Former home based Super Eagles coach commend the great efforts of the Youth and Sports Development Minister for his great effort of restarting the League, after it looked as though it wouldn’t get started, as well as hailing the innovative content as well, which was being brought out for the League.

Coach onu, equally praised the League Management Company (LMC) for carrying out the desires and wishes of the Minister in restarting the League as well as enforcing the content initiative, saying that he is fully impressed with both parties (The Minister and the LMC).

According to him, Kudos to the Minister, I want to thank the Sports Minister for the way and manner he has gone, regarding the League. I want to appreciate him, for the fact that he said they should restart the League and they (The LMC) did so. I listened to his interview the last time and on the 27th (on Sunday), the League started. I watched the content he was talking about, some people were making a mockery of it that the content is stupid, but what he (the Minster) actually meant was the League in its content”

“You can see in week one, radio is carrying it, TV is carrying it, they now have NPFL TV, you can now google online and know what the League is all about. The League needs content, I want to thank the Sports Minister, who talked about the licensing of the players, there is a mandate given to the players, you could see the manner the minister went about it, he talked about the facilities, he said the stadiums would be put in order, which he did, I want to thank him a lot for that”

“I want to thank LMC too for adhering to the instructions of the minister. Sunday Dare has done well. Over the years, We have ministers who are not concerned about what happens in the League. Had it been they were concerned, we could have had a wonderful league by now. I have coached the NPFL for more than 15 years and I have coached so many NPFL teams. In week one, some teams won away, some drew away from home and nothing happened, we pray that the officiating will continue that way”.

“Sunday Dare has written his name in the hands of time, he has definitely done well”, he concluded.

Erasmus Onu is a legendary Coach of Nigeria, who has coached the likes of Heartland, Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourist, Home-based Super Eagles, and so on. The Amazing Gaffer has had an illustrious coaching career.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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