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Kuso renames grassroots football tournament after late Coach Babayo By Abubakar Hassan The Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Management Committee and sponsor of the Ɗan Wadatan Nupe Under-17 Football Tournament, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, has renamed the competition after late Coach Ahmed Nuhu Babayo in recognition of his contributions to grassroots football development. Kuso announced the decision during the final of the 2026 edition of the tournament at the Golden Boys FC field in Minna, where Dakacin Maikunkele FC defeated Bosso Low-Cost FC 5-3 on penalties after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw at regulation time. The sponsor, popularly known as Ɗan Wadatan Nupe, said the decision was a mark of respect for the late coach, whose contributions to grassroots football and the development of young players deserved lasting recognition. He recalled that the tournament was conceived through the initiative of the late Coach Ahmed Babayo and Coach Aliyu, noting that many players who had benefited from the competition shared a history with the deceased coach. Kuso, who described the occasion as both joyful and emotional, said the best way to honour the late coach was to continue appreciating his contributions and preserving his legacy. He pledged to sustain the competition annually under its new name, while announcing a donation of N100,000 to the family of the deceased as part of efforts to honour his memory. The Niger Tornadoes management chairman also reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots football, describing competitions such as the tournament as important platforms for discovering young talents and preparing them for professional football. He illustrated the impact of the initiative with the discovery of Suleiman Abubakar of Dakacin Maikunkele FC, whose impressive performance during the competition attracted the attention of Niger Tornadoes Technical Adviser, Coach Kabiru Suleiman Dogo. Abubakar was subsequently selected to join the senior team of Niger Tornadoes as a youth player, with arrangements for his registration and immediate integration into the team expected to follow. Kuso said the development demonstrated that grassroots competitions should not be judged solely by the trophies, certificates or financial rewards presented to participants, but also by their ability to create pathways for talented players to advance to professional football. He encouraged young footballers to remain committed, disciplined and hardworking, stressing that opportunities to progress to higher levels of the game could emerge from local competitions. The tournament, organised by ALI-JIB Grassroots Football Developers in collaboration with the Chanchaga Local Football Coaches Association, attracted 24 teams competing for honours in the Under-17 category. Dakacin Maikunkele FC, winners of the competition, received a cash prize of N100,000, while runners-up Bosso Low-Cost FC went home with N70,000. Trophies, certificates and other prizes were also presented to participating teams and individuals who distinguished themselves during the tournament. The final was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Nuhu Garba Ngaski; Chairman of the Niger State Football Association, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, and members of the association's board. Also present was the Sporting Director of Niger Tornadoes, Mojeed Ibrahim, alongside other stakeholders in the state's football community.

October 18, 2026

Kuso renames grassroots football tournament after late Coach Babayo By Abubakar Hassan The Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Management Committee and sponsor of the Ɗan Wadatan Nupe Under-17 Football Tournament, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, has renamed the competition after late Coach Ahmed Nuhu Babayo in recognition of his contributions to grassroots football development. Kuso announced the decision during the final of the 2026 edition of the tournament at the Golden Boys FC field in Minna, where Dakacin Maikunkele FC defeated Bosso Low-Cost FC 5-3 on penalties after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw at regulation time. The sponsor, popularly known as Ɗan Wadatan Nupe, said the decision was a mark of respect for the late coach, whose contributions to grassroots football and the development of young players deserved lasting recognition. He recalled that the tournament was conceived through the initiative of the late Coach Ahmed Babayo and Coach Aliyu, noting that many players who had benefit...

Niger Governor’s Cup kicks off November 6 as NSFA conducts draws

October 17, 2026

Niger Governor’s Cup kicks off November 6 as NSFA conducts draws By Abubakar Hassan The 2026 Niger State Governor’s Cup, tagged Farmer Governor’s Cup, Bida 2026, will kick off on November 6, with host Bida Local Government facing Rijau in the opening match. The Chairman of the Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, announced this during the draws ceremony held at Bida Town Hall on Friday, October 16. He assured the stakeholders, sponsors and participating teams that the NSFA would ensure a successful competition, stressing the need for strict adherence to football rules and regulations. He appreciated the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, the tournament’s major sponsor, for its continued support. Declaring the draws open, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Dr Nuhu Garba Ingaski, who represented the Commissioner, Hon. Isah Wakili, commended the NSFA for promoting football devel...

Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation Donates Football Boots to Kwara kiddies League Players

October 11, 2026

Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation Donates Football Boots to Kwara kiddies League Players The Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation (TAF) under the leadership of Super Eagles and Coventry City FC Striker Taiwo Awoniyi has donated football boots to young players participating in the Kwara Kiddies League as part of its continued support for grassroots football development. The donation, which benefits young players in the league, is expected to support their development and encourage them to pursue their football dreams. The Chief Operating Officer of the Kwara Kiddies League, Ibrahim Jatto, expressed appreciation to the foundation for the gesture, describing it as another significant boost to the growth and development of young talents. Jatto noted that the foundation has consistently supported the league over the years through the provision of football kits, meals and cash rewards worth millions of naira for outstanding players. He added that the league’s subscriptions to Wyscout and Eyeball platforms are in...

Tornadoes Sporting Director hails team for securing away point against Ranchers Bees

October 11, 2026

Tornadoes Sporting Director hails team for securing away point against Ranchers Bee The Sporting Director of Niger Tornadoes, Mojeed Ibrahim has commended the team for holding Ranchers Bees to a goalless draw in their EuroMatch NPFL matchday 9 clash. Ibrahim described the result as a boost for the team as they try to redeem their image following a struggling start into the season. "I would like to commend the boys and the technical crew for the draw against Ran.. chers which earned us our first point of the road" he said. While urging the team not to relent, he charged them to remain steadfast in the league and sustain top performance both at the home front and on the road. Niger Tornadoes will face Ikorodu City FC in their next league game at the Bako Kontogora Stadium Complex Minna as they look to improve their fortunes on the league table

Offa Football Council Appreciates Popoola for Supporting Coaching Seminar Participants

October 11, 2026

Offa Football Council Appreciates Popoola for Supporting Coaching Seminar Participants The Chairman of the Offa Football Council, Alhaji Azeez Omoluabi, has expressed appreciation to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kwara South Senatorial candidate, Prince Saheed Popoola, for supporting participants at the recently concluded two-day football coaching seminar organised by the council. Popoola, who declared the seminar open on Friday, demonstrated his support for grassroots football development by giving each participant the sum of ₦5,000 to support them. The two-day seminar, which was held at Avalon Hotel in Offa, was organised by the Offa Football Council to enhance the knowledge and technical capacity of grassroots football coaches. Speaking after the programme, Omoluabi thanked Popoola for his financial support, describing the gesture as a demonstration of his commitment to the development of football and the welfare of coaches in the community. The Offa Footb...

Alloy Chukwuemeka Appointed Chairman of SWAN Ethics Committee

October 11, 2026

Alloy Chukwuemeka Appointed Chairman of SWAN Ethics Committee Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka has been appointed Chairman of the Statute Review, Ethics and Code of Conduct Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). The appointment was announced in a letter dated October 9, 2026, issued by the association’s National Secretariat in Abuja. Chukwuemeka is expected to lead the committee in reviewing SWAN’s governing statutes, examining its existing ethical guidelines and recommending reforms to strengthen professional standards, accountability and effective administration within the association. According to the appointment letter, the committee will also identify areas requiring improvement in the association’s Code of Conduct and propose recommendations in line with SWAN’s objectives and constitutional provisions. The committee is expected to ensure that its recommendations to the National Executive Council (NEC) are guided by fairness, due process and the principl...