By Sani Idris-Abdulrahman

Kaduna North Local Government Area has won the 2024 football competition of the Kaduna State Basic Education School Sports (BESS) fiesta.

The gold medalist, Kaduna North LGA, defeated Jama’ah LGA that lifted silver medal, two goals to one, while Kaura LGA, that got the third position clinched the bronze medal.

Other games competed for by the participating LGAs in the 2024 BESS Competition were track and field, volleyball and board games, where winners emerged in each of the games from respective LGAs.

Speaking at the end of the two-day competition in Kaduna, the acting Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mubarak Mohammed, said it was the first of its kind among the public schools in the state.

He said prior to the event, they had held the competition in the three zones of the state, where the winners made it to the final.

Mohammed stressed the importance of the occasion, adding that sports development was very important in human lives.

The chairman explained that the programme was an initiative from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) which was stepped down to all state SUBEBs.

He said that the objective of the competition was achieved, which was aimed at driving cohesion and encouraging unity amongst the state teaming pupils and to nurture their mindset at a very young age.

“This competition has given the children from Kajuru, Chikun, Ikara, Kaduna North, among other LGAs, the opportunity to meet, learn from their peers, network, and foster unity.

“Sports foster unity, and that is why there is the World Cup, African Nations Cup, and other international competitions,” he said.

The chairman stated that the Kaduna State Government prioritised sports development, which made SUBEB work closely with the Ministry of Sports to scale up such inter-schools and inter-local governments competitions.

He thanked all the sports coaches and desk officers from the local governments, and all those who provided support for success of the competition.

Mohammed congratulated all the pupils, emphasising that everybody was a winner, while assuring that the board would scale up with many other sporting activities in subsequent competitions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was a collaboration between SUBEB and UBEC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Matchday 11 of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season witnessed a total of eight games played across various stadia in the country with 18 goals scored.

It began with newcomers Benue Queens recording their first win in the league following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ibom Angels at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Joy Ikyagh’s 57th-minute strike proved decisive in Lafia, ending a frustrating 11-game run without a win—comprising 10 losses and one draw—for Coach Liadi Bashiru’s debutant side.

In Benin City, reigning champions Edo Queens extended their unbeaten streak with a dominant 3-1 win against Dannaz Ladies at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Anjor Mary netted a brace, while Chioma Moses added a third for the hosts. Meanwhile, Rosemary Okorie’s goal for Dannaz was merely a consolation as they suffered their seventh defeat of the campaign.

Bayelsa Queens also maintained their unbeaten record, playing out a 1-1 draw with hosts Adamawa Queens in Numan.

 Delight Isaac opened the scoring for the visitors in the eighth minute, but Katon Waken equalised early in the second half for the home side.

Elsewhere, Abia Angels secured the only away win of the round thanks to Winner Onajite’s goal in Anyigba against Confluence Queens —reviving their chances of a top-three finish.

In Owerri, Remo Stars Ladies were held to a 1-1 draw by Heartland Queens.

Onyinyechi Kalu gave the hosts the lead before Bolaji Olamide ended her four-game goal drought to rescue a point for Wemimo Mathew’s side.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers Angels produced the most emphatic result of the matchday, dismantling Delta Queens 3-0 in a South-South derby, courtesy of a hat-trick from Mary Moses – her second treble this term.

Naija Ratels continued their playoff push with a narrow 1-0 win over FC Robo Queens at the Bwari Township Stadium with Sofiat Bankole scoring the match-winner.

In Ibadan, Ekiti Queens and Nasarawa Amazons played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

Zainab Ismail scored twice for the hosts Ekiti, while Jenat Akekeromowei and Hembafan Ayatsea were on target for the visitors.

With two rounds left in the regular season, Edo Queens, Bayelsa Queens, and Rivers Angels have sealed their places in the Super Six playoffs.

Remo Stars Ladies of Ikenne, Ogun can join the trio with a win on Matchday 13.

Meanwhile, the quartet of Nasarawa Amazon, Abia Angels, FC Robo Queens and Naija Ratels, will take their Super Six qualification hopes to the final day of the regular season.

The winner of the Super Six playoffs would be declared the winner of the league season. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Victor Okoye

Deontay Amate has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 IBB Captain’s Cup in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, which teed-off on Monday, ended on Saturday night at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Amate, who played off handicap 14, returned a gross score of 81 and 67 net to beat his closest challenger M. Suleiman on count-back, to emerge the overall winner of the tournament.

Suleiman, who also played off handicap 4, with 73 gross and 69 net, finished as best nett in the men’s division 1 (handicap 0 – 10) category.

Isaiah Okonofua, playing off handicap 10 with 80 gross and 70 nett, finished as the runner-up nett, after he brushed aside M.B Hassan on count-back.

In the ladies division 1 (handicap 0 – 15) category, former lady captain and BOT member, Grace Ihonvbere playing off handicap 14, returned a gross score of 84 and 70 nett, to emerge as best nett.

Teenage sensation, Grace Agbo, playing off handicap 6, with 80 gross and 74 nett, went home with the runner-up prize in the category.

The men’s best gross prize for division 1 (handicap 0 -11) went to M. Suleiman, who played a total of 159 gross (80+79) over two days, while,

Okonofua on the other hand, emerged as best gross winner of the men’s division 2 category (handicap 11 – 28), after playing a total of 167 gross (81 + 86) over two days.

Former Nigeria number one ranked golfer, Andrew Odoh, emerged winner of the professional category after playing 66 gross, while U. Ogbuokiri won the ladies’ pro category with 80 gross.

The Special Guest of Honour, Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was represented by Rep. Martins Esin.

Abbas extended his warm congratulations to the leadership and esteemed members of the club, as well as the sponsors and partners for the successful hosting of this year’s Captain’s Cup.

“Your preference and excellence continue to raise the profile of golf in Nigeria and this tournament has once again proven the power of sports to unite, inspire and uplift.

“I specially commend the sponsors and partners of the tournament for their unwavering support which has not only sustained this great event but has also played a vital role in promoting the game of golf across the nation.

“Your contributions speak volumes about the value of public/private partnership in advancing recreational and sporting excellence,” he said.

The Speaker also affirmed his unflinching support for the IBB International Golf and Country Club, and for the continued development of golf in Nigeria.

The outgoing captain, Ibrahim Babayo, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who came out to celebrate him.

Babayo said that the event was not just about celebration, but a moment to reflect, take a walk down memory lane and to recall the gains of his Executive Committee.

“We were given clear and critical mandates; to register the club’s constitution, to inaugurate the committee for filling vacancies in the BOT, to ensure the Forensic Audit Committee carried out its responsibilities and to inaugurate and support the Disciplinary Committee and the Audit Committee.

“We took off with purpose and ensured that each of these tasks were carried through to its logical conclusion – with diligence, transparency and commitment.”

Babayo said he was proud to have led an effective Exco which achieved so much in the period of one year.

He mentioned some of the milestones achieved to include: the complete restoration of the golf course and the current work carried out on hole 13 to solve the perennial problem of flooding.

The captain listed other achievements to include the replacement of all sprinklers and repair of critical maintenance machinery, the renovation of the clubhouse reception by Julius Berger as part of their CSR, amongst several other accomplishments too numerous to mention.

“These accomplishments are a testament not just to the Exco, but to the collective will and support of every single member of this club.

“We also succeeded because of your cooperation and the belief in this team.

“As we prepare to hand over the baton, we do so with our heads held high.

“We are proud of our journey, and excited for the future of IBB International Golf and Country Club,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne