Sports - News Agency Of Nigeria

NSF Day 8: Delta maintains lead with 122 medals

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Sun, 2025

Sports

NSF Day 8: Delta maintains lead with 122 medals

By Peter Amine

Team Delta has maintained its lead on the official medals table with 122 medals at the end of Day Eight of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun.

Delta won 52 gold, 23 silver and 47 bronze, bringing the state’s total medals to 122.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bayelsa is second with 37 gold, 26 silver and 25 bronze medals, totalling 88.

Meanwhile, Ogun displaced Rivers in the third position after the host state scooped more medals.

Ogun currently has 30 gold, 19 silver and 29 bronze with a total of 78 medals, closely followed by Rivers, who has 28 gold, 22 silver and 27 bronze.

NAN also reports Team Edo, which was sixth on Saturday, has climbed up one step to displace Oyo in the fifth position.

The new number five has 23 gold, 54 silver and 53 bronze medals.

The table at the time of filing this report showed that a total of 838 medals have so far been won.

NAN reports that Team Jigawa is the latest state to join the medals table with one bronze.

The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the Federal Government.

It brings together athletes from all 36 states and the FCT to compete in various sports, promoting national unity, sportsmanship, and excellence across Nigeria.

STATE TEAM GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

1. Delta 52 23 47 122

2. Bayelsa 37 26 25 88

3.Ogun 30 19 29 78

4.Rivers 28 22 27 77

5.Edo 23 54 53 130

6. Oyo 19 20 23 62

7. Lagos 15 15 30 60

8. Osun 11 1 5 17

9. Abia 8 9 22 39

10. Akwa Ibom 6 4 7 17

11.Plateau 4 4 15 23

12.FCT 3 4 8 15

13.Kwara 3 4 3 10

14.Cross River 3 1 1 5

15. Invited Junior Athletes(IJA) 2 5 4 11

16.Anambra 1 6 5 12

17.Imo 1 5 8 14

18.Kano 1 5 7 13

19.Niger 1 4 2 7

20. Nasarawa 1 1 7 9

21. Ekiti 1 1 3 5

22.Borno 0 3 1 4

23.Enugu 0 2 1 3

24. Benue 0 1 6 7

25. Ondo 0 1 2 3

26. Bauchi 0 1 1 2

27. Kaduna 0 1 1 2

28. Taraba 0 1 0 1

29. Jigawa 0 0 0 1

30. Kebbi 0 0 1 1

TOTAL 250 243 345 838 (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

NSC justifies disqualification of Ashe from 100m race

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Sun, 2025

Sports

NSC justifies disqualification of Ashe from 100m race

By Olanrewaju Akojede

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has justified the disqualification of Team Delta’s Favour Ashe from the 100m final at the 22nd National Sports Festival held on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ashe, a U.S. based medal hopeful from Delta, was disqualified from the race over an alleged infraction.

The NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, made the clarification at an interactive session with newsmen on Sunday in Abeokuta.

NAN reports that the 21-year-old sprinter, was a favourite to win the race having ran the fastest 100m this year at 10.01 seconds.

Ashe also won his semi-final heat to qualify for the final.

However, Ashe in his defence, said he had properly briefed the organisers about his missing bib after he ran for the semi-final race.

“I ran with one bib in the semi-finals but why now? Ashe queried.

However, Dikko who clarified the stance of the LOC, said that it was a standard rule that was applicable to all athletes without favouritism.

“The case about Ashe’s disqualification is simple, he flouted the rules of the game.

“He has only one bib and according to the rule, he is not fit to run, the standard is standard all over,” he said.

On the postponement of the sports festival, and the impact on subsequent ones, Dikko explained that the postponement had a justifiable reason.

“The festival was only postponed once and that was at our instance it is supposed to be on December 2024, but the NSC was set up in October.

“We felt that there was a need to put our heads together to see what we can do quickly as possible working with the state government.

“This Sports Festival in Ogun will be a benchmark going forward what we are doing is to improve the games,” he said.

Dikko further revealed that hosting sports festival would be more seamless as many states were now jostling to host the sports fiesta.

“We have gotten all the state governments involved in the bidding process, and they have submitted their letter of intent and it is quite gratifying for us that the schedule of the games is right.

“Right now, we have more than 10 states that have confirmed their bid to host the 2028 edition which clearly is a good omen for us.

“Before we do beg states to host the NSF, but now we have 10 states bidding to host.

“This is a good approach for our sport; we hope they are taking note of our reforms and where to come in,” he said.

“We have also agreed on a fixed calendar for our NSF which would be between November and December.

“If we have any reason to move the sports festival forward, it shouldn’t be more than a month in January and that should be what we have on our heads.

“This will help the media and the states to look for sponsorship. Even the next host wants it to be done in September,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

NSF: Benue female athlete scoops 3 medals in weightlifting

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Sun, 2025

Sports

NSF: Benue female athlete scoops 3 medals in weightlifting

By Peter Amine

Joy Yakubu of Team Benue has won three medals to strategically place the state on the medals table at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun.

Yakubu did the state proud by winning three bronze medals in the weightlifting super heavy +87kg category at the ongoing NSF-tagged ‘Gateway Games 2024’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gateway Games is Yakubu’s second appearance at the biennial sports event.

Speaking with newsmen after her victory, Yakubu lauded Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for making it possible for her to be at the biennial sports fiesta.

“I wouldn’t have been here if the governor did not sponsor athletes to compete. For that I am indebted to him.

“I am equally grateful to my coaches for their tireless efforts to ensure that I am a better weightlifter.

“Having achieved this feat, I am raring to go if I have another opportunity to compete,” she said.

Coach Sunday Ogbu, who trained Yakubu, said that he was proud of the achievements of the young athlete.

Ogbu told newsmen that Yakubu would soon be on the global podium considering her potential.

The coach lauded the Benue Government for its support for the athletes to attend the sports fiesta. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

AFN: Athletics club boss seeks partnership with SWAN

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Sun, 2025

Sports

AFN: Athletics club boss seeks partnership with SWAN

By Joseph Edeh

Kola Oredipe, the founder of Samkey Athletics Club, has called for the support of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as he aspires for the South-South zonal position on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Oredipe, who is also the Director-General to the Bayelsa State Government on New Media, made the call on Saturday in Abeokuta while addressing newsmen.

He said he is running for the position of the South-South zonal representative on the board of AFN and would need the support of SWAN to coast to victory.

Oredipe emphasised that the association is his primary constituency, hence the need for their support in propagating his antecedents and gospel across the country and beyond.

He said that he is contesting for the position to contribute his experience to the growth of athletics in the region.

“I’m coming into the AFN board with innovation, inclusiveness, and grassroots development plans, as I believe regular competitions in the region will help discover, nurture, and grow young athletes,” he said.

Responding, Benjamin Isaiah, SWAN National President, extended the association’s solidarity to Oredipe while commending him for the bold steps to go into sports politics.

Isaiah stressed that the move would serve as inspiration to other journalists across the nation.

He said that the association would give him all the support he needed to win the contest, adding that his presence on the AFN board would benefit the association immensely.

“Your going into sports politics will serve as an inspiration to other journalists across the country, he said.

The president said that henceforth, the association would ensure that it was represented on the boards of all sports federations to protect its interests.

He said that the representation of the association on the boards of sports federations must not be limited to media officers only. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Peter Amine

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Sun, 2025

Sports

ESports debut at NSF, set to boost Nigeria’s sports economy

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Esports on Saturday made an historic debut as a demonstration sport at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged ‘Gateway Games’ in Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fast growing sport worth $180 billion global value was on full display at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nigeria Esports Federation, Damilola Pedro, described the feat at the NSF as a bold step towards developing the sport in Nigeria

She told newsmen that the sport had the potential to engage the youths and contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.

” Today at the National Sports Festival Gateway Games 2024, we are not just adding another game, we are making a very bold statement.

” Esports is taking the stage. With it, so is the voice of an entire generation that has long been ignored, misunderstood, and underestimated.

” Because numbers don’t lie and so let me set the facts. The video game industry is worth over $180 billion, larger than the film and music industry combined,” she said.

Pedro said the gaming industry had more than 3.3 billion players worldwide and Nigeria must begin to put in place structures to play globally.

“In 2023 alone, eSports tournaments paid out over $350 million in prize money,.

“Nigeria, with over 70 per cent of its population under the age of 30, is not just ripe for this moment — we are the movement.

“Esports is not just gaming; it is strategy, communication, leadership, and performance under pressure,” she explained.

Pedro said that at a time of rising unemployment, the eSports industry offers a new frontier for employment, education and empowerment.

She expressed appreciation to the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for embracing innovation and supporting the inclusion of eSports in the NSF.

Pedro appealed to the media to join the Federation in setting the right narrative for eSports for better public understanding and acceptance.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria ESports Federation, Messiah Makori said the debut of the sport at NSF marks the beginning of bigger achievements in the country.

NAN reports that the ESports Federation was officially inaugurated by the NSC in February with the mandate to empower Nigerian youth positively through digital gaming.

With the debut of eSports at the festival, the sport is now better positioned to raise more awareness, contribute to youth empowerment and global economic participation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

NSF Day 7: Team Delta soars to 103 medals

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Sat, 2025

Sports

NSF Day 7: Team Delta soars to 103 medals

By Peter Amine

Team Delta has soared to 103 medals after Day Seven of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged ‘Gateway Games’ in Ogun.

Delta won 44 gold, 19 silver and 40 bronze, bringing the state’s total medals haul to 103.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official medals table of the NSF tagged ‘Gateway Games 2024’ indicated that Bayelsa maintained its second position with 33 gold, 23 silver and 23 bronze medals, totalling 79.

Meanwhile, Rivers remained third with 26 gold, 21 silver and 26 bronze medals.

Team Ogun garnered 25 gold, 16 silver and 24 bronze medals to consolidate in the fourth position, while Oyo tightly held onto to the fifth with 14 gold, 17 silver and 21 bronze medals.

The table at the time of filing this report showed that a total of 709 medals have so far been won.

NAN reports that Taraba is the latest state to join the medals table with one silver.

The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the Federal Government.

It brings together athletes from all 36 states and the FCT to compete in various sports, promoting national unity, sportsmanship, and excellence across Nigeria.

STATE TEAM GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

1. Delta 44 19 40 103

2. Bayelsa 33 23 23 79

3.Rivers 26 21 26 73

4.Ogun 25 16 24 65

5.Oyo 16 17 21 54

6. Edo 14 48 45 107

7. Lagos 11 11 25 47

8. Osun 10 1 4 15

9. Abia 6 8 21 35

10.Plateau 4 3 11 18

11.Akwa Ibom 4 3 4 11

12.FCT. 3 2 6 11

13.Cross River 3 1 1 5

14.Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) 2 5 2 9

15. Anambra 1 5 5 11

16.Imo 1 4 7 12

17.Niger. 1 3 2 6

18.Kwara 1 2 3 6

19.Nasarawa 1 1 7 9

20. Kano 0 3 6 9

21. Borno 0 3 1 4

22.Benue 0 1 6 7

23.Ekiti 0 1 3 4

24. Ondo 0 1 2 3

25. Bauchi 0 1 1 2

26. Kaduna 0 1 1 2

27. Taraba 0 1 0 1

28. Kebbi 0 0 1 1

TOTAL. 206 205 298 709 (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Team Edo’s Ezeaku wins gold in Men’s 100m

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Sat, 2025

Sports

Team Edo’s Ezeaku wins gold in Men’s 100m

By Olanrewaju Akojede

Team Edo on Saturday dominated the 100m sprint at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) held at the mainbowl of the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chidera Ezeaku returned in an unofficial time of 10:27 to win the gold medal.

On Ezeaku’s heel for the silver medal were his compatriots from Edo, Enoch Adegoke and Emmanuel Taiwo from Rivers who won the bronze medal.

Speaking after his victory, Ezeaku attributed the victory to intense preparations for the race.

“I can say that I was well prepared for the sports festival, what I need to win the race is to get good from the blocks and maintained the first 60seconds and off I go.

“I have gone through lots of training with my coach which is not an easy one, I really need to get this done which eventually came through.

“I am not scared of any of the athletes, what I will do now is to go home and get my body fixed to push further.

“I have to prepare for the 4×100 race which I believe is going to be gold medal for Team Edo,” he said.

On what the future holds after his emergence as Nigeria’s fastest man, Ezeaku said he looked forward to greater challenges.

“This time around it is a great future for me, I am not under any pressure, I just need to be focused, get everything done and I’m good.

“Big thanks to Team Edo, they have been behind since and now behind them, giving them the gold is not an easy feat because that was what I have promised from the day one.

“The next thing for me now is the world championship and that is my focus for now,” he said.

NAN reports that a U.S. based medal hopeful, Favour Ashe, from Delta, was disqualified from the race over an alleged infraction. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

14 Lagos students get NIS football scholarships

Magdalene Ukuedojor
May, Sat, 2025

Sports

14 Lagos students get NIS football scholarships

By Babatunde Ogunrinde

The Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Hajj Gafar, says 14 students from Lagos tertiary institutions have been awarded training scholarships at the Nigeria Institute of Sports.

Gafar disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos.

He said the beneficiaries would join 36 other selected coaches, increasing the number of football coaches sponsored for professional training.

The 14 students, comprising five females and nine males, were selected from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The female students are Ekun Balikis, Adeleke Ameenah, and Lawal Abibat, all from Lagos State University.

Also selected are Afenisumen Eunice from the University of Lagos, and Ogundele Olajumoke from the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

The male students include Bello Yusuf, Usman Azeez, and Olayioye Samuel from Lagos State University.

Others are Oyewole Peter and Olukotun Damilola from the University of Lagos, and Tokunbo Lateef from the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

Additional beneficiaries are Onah Onyekachi, Adeyemi Tomisin, and Omolale David, from the same institutions.

“These 14 students will receive football education at the NIS, Nigeria’s premier sports institution,” said Gafar.

He noted that 36 Lion Investment Ltd. is fully funding the training programme.

Gafar added that the initiative supports Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s youth empowerment vision using football for social reengineering. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Kamal Tayo Oropo

NSF: Team Ogun wins gold in 4×400 mixed relay

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Fri, 2025

Sports

NSF: Team Ogun wins gold in 4×400 mixed relay

By Abiodun Lawal

Team Ogun on Friday won the 4×400 mixed relay at the ongoing National Sports Festival tagged “Gateway Games 2024”.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the race at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, the Coach of the team , Saheed Akinpelu, applauded the athletes for the feat achieved.

NAN reports the winners include Gafar Badmus, Tosin Adeloye, Samson Nathaniel and Toheebat Jimoh.

He explained that they won the race through dedication and hardwork , saying that the state government tried by putting the athletes in camp.

” At the same time am still appealing to the government , assuming we spent like three months in camp , we would have even done better than this.

” We used all our strategies in order to defeat states like Bayelsa, Delta and other good states. Our athletes are humble and they listen to instructions .

” That tells you there’s love in camping. I am on top of the world, we started with a gold this morning in the walking race and now a gold medal in relay . It is fantastic and a good result for us,” he said.

He expressed optimism that more gold medals would still be won by the state , saying that the athletes had worked hard and prayed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Edo and Lagos came second and third respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

NSF Day 6: Delta leapfrogs Bayelsa, Ogun climb to 4th on medal table

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Fri, 2025

Sports

NSF Day 6: Delta leapfrogs Bayelsa, Ogun climb to 4th on medal table

By Peter Amine

Team Delta has leapfrogged Team Bayelsa on the medals table at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun.

Team Delta amassed 35 gold, 12 silver and 29 bronze, bringing the state’s total medals to 76.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official medals table of the NSF tagged ‘Gateway Games 2024’ indicated that Bayelsa is now second with 33 gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze medals after five days on top of the table.

Meanwhile, Rivers has maintained its third position with 17 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals.

Team Ogun garnered 12 gold, 14 silver and 18 bronze medals to usurp Oyo in the fourth position, while Oyo dropped to fifth with 12 gold, 12 silver and 18 bronze medals.

The medals log at the time of filing this report indicated that a total of 516 medals have so far been won by states participating in the festival.

NAN reports that two states, Borno and Kebbi, have made it to the medals table with one bronze each.

The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the Federal Government.

It brings together athletes from all 36 states and the FCT to compete in various sports, promoting national unity, sportsmanship, and excellence across Nigeria.

STATE TEAM GOLD. SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

1. Delta 35 12 29 76

2. Bayelsa 33 16 17 66

3.Rivers 17 13 13 43

4.Ogun 12 14 18 44

5.Oyo 12 12 18 42

6. Osun 10 1 3 14

7. Edo 8 38 31 77

8. Lagos 7 10 16 33

9. Akwa Ibom 4 2 3 9

10.Plateau 3 3 8 14

11.Cross River 3 1 1 5

12.Invited United Athelete (IJA) 2 5 1 8

13.Abia 2 4 12 18

14.Anambra 1 5 3 9

15. Imo 1 2 6 9

16.FCT 1 2 5 8

17.Nasarawa 1 1 6 8

18.Kano 0 3 6 9

19.Niger 0 2 1 3

20. Ekiti 0 1 3 4

21. Kwara 0 1 3 4

22.Ondo 0 1 2 3

23.Kaduna 0 1 1 2

24. Bauchi 0 1 0 1

25. Benue 0 0 5 5

26. Borno 0 0 1 1

27. Kebbi 0 0 1 7

TOTAL m 152 151 213 516

NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh