Sports

Oyo State Bids To Host Next National Sports Festival

Published

5 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

PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label

Published

2 days ago

October 29, 2025

The Gleamer

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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