Sports

Oyo State Bids To Host Next National Sports Festival

Published

4 years ago

January 30, 2021

Oyo State has signified its desire to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival.

The Chairman of the State Sports Council Honourable Gbenga Adewusi disclosed it to leaders of State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) who paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Wednesday.

Honourable Adewusi said the political leaders and sports administrators in the pacesetter state have communicated their desire to the Minister for Sports Mr Sunday Dare, who is an indigene of the state.

“The Sport loving Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde is interested on hosting the next edition of the National Sports Festival. And we have told the Minister for Sports that we want to host the next edition after the one in Edo State. We have begun preparations for this, with the ongoing upgrade of the Lekan Salami Stadium. In addition, we’re also upgrading some mini stadia in six geo-political zones as well as sports arenas in the state capital”, Honourable Adewusi said.

The last time Oyo State hosted the National Sports Festival was in 1976.

Speaking further to the cream of sports journalists in his office at the Lekan Salami Stadium, the graduate of Physical and Health Education, fondly called Arole, also revealed the efforts of Oyo State sports administrators at ensuring that the state athletes excel at the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Edo State.

“We’re leaving no stone unturned at ensuring that our contingent perform excellently in Edo state. Aside giving the athletes sound preparations, we have also proposed on – the – spot reward to each athlete who wins medal, to the state governor for approval. In addition to state government’s reward, I am also promising to give each of the state gold medalists 5% of my monthly salary”, the Chairman of Oyo State Sports Council disclosed.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman Oyo SWAN, Mr Niyi Alebiosu who led the delegation of sports journalists on the visit to Hon. Adewusi, said the visit was to appreciate the good works that Honourable Adewusi has been doing since his appointment in 2020.

Alebiosu used the occasion to call on the Oyo State Sports Council boss to look into the possibility of bringing back female football teams for the state, saying that “it will not only help the talents in the state but will also give employments to various officials in the state. Oyo state was known to having good female football teams in the past, Nito Queens and Tewo Babes, but these had gone moribund. So I want to appeal to you Sir to please resuscitate female football in the state”.

Mr Alebiosu then assured Honourable Adewusi of the continued support of sports writers in the state.

Among those who played host to the visiting sportswriters, was the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Gboyega Makinde, who took the team on an inspection tour of the Lekan Salami Stadium to assess the remodeling works going on there.

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Sports

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

Published

3 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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