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Oyo Football at crossroads: Time for Oyo FA ,Government and coaches's to account

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Oyo Football at crossroads: Time for Oyo FA ,Government and coaches's to account  The declining fortunes of football development in Oyo State have reached a point where silence can no longer be an option. A state that once served as one of Nigeria’s foremost football nurseries, producing outstanding players for the Super Eagles, leading domestic clubs and teams across Europe and Africa, now appears to be struggling to translate its rich football heritage into a sustainable development structure. The situation demands urgent introspection from the Oyo State Football Association (OYSFA), the Oyo State Government, the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Oyo State Chapter, and every stakeholder entrusted with the development of the game. If the current leadership structures cannot provide a clear roadmap for grassroots development, talent identification, coach education, competitions, player welfare and institutional growth, then they should be prepared to give way to fre...

SWAN Congress: Benjamin Re-elected SWAN President As Nyong, Gangwaja Win Contested Seats

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SWAN Congress: Benjamin Re-elected SWAN President As Nyong, Gangwaja Win Contested Seats The 2026 National Triennial Delegates Congress of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) ended in Kaduna on Friday with the election and inauguration of a new National Executive Council to steer the affairs of the association for the next three years. The elections, held on August 28, brought to a close activities at the congress, which provided delegates from across the country an opportunity to review the affairs of the association and determine its leadership for another term. Incumbent President, Isaiah Kemje Benjamin (JP), was returned for a second term after emerging unopposed, while only two positions — Deputy President at the national level and Vice President for the North-East Zone, required voting. The contest for Deputy President was between Nyong Bonny Silas of Akwa Ibom State and Chigozie Chukwuleta of Anambra State. At the end of voting, Nyong secured 21 votes to...

Niger FA, Tornadoes Management meet stakeholders ahead of NPFL season opener

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Niger FA, Tornadoes Management meet stakeholders ahead of NPFL season opener By Abubakar Hassan The Niger State Football Association (NSFA) and the management of Niger Tornadoes Football Club have engaged relevant stakeholders ahead of the team’s 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season opener against Enyimba FC of Aba this weekend. The strategic meeting, convened by the NSFA under the leadership of its Chairman, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, was chaired by an NSFA member and acting Chairman of the association’s Organising and Disciplinary Committee, Sani Salawu. The meeting, held at the conference hall of the Niger Tornadoes FC Secretariat on Friday, brought together officials of Niger Tornadoes, security agencies, supporters and fans clubs, the Red Cross, media practitioners, referees, sanitation personnel and other relevant stakeholders to deliberate on measures for a smooth and successful football season. Sani Salawu said the engagement was aimed at ensuring...

FCC Chairman, Omidiran, Becomes SWAN’s First National Matron

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FCC Chairman, Omidiran, Becomes SWAN’s First National Matron The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has been formally invested as the first National Matron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), pledging to use her experience in sports administration and public service to support the association and the growth of sports journalism in Nigeria. Omidiran was invested during the 2026 SWAN Triennial Delegates Congress in Kaduna, following her nomination by the association’s National Executive Committee in recognition of her contributions to sports development, public service and national integration. Speaking on the choice of Omidiran, SWAN President, Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, said she was carefully selected because of her exceptional track record across sports administration, public service and national development. Benjamin said Omidiran’s leadership of the FCC had been characterised by institutional...

8th Edition of Kwara Sports Festival Boosts Business Activities in Ilorin

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8th Edition of Kwara Sports Festival Boosts Business Activities in Ilorin Business activities have emerged as one of the major side attractions of the ongoing 8th Edition of the Kwara State Sports Festival at the George Inih Agbazika Stadium Complex, Ilorin. The influx of athletes, officials and other participants from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state has provided an opportunity for traders and business owners to increase their sales. Athletes and officials, especially those who travelled from far-flung Local Government Areas, were seen using the opportunity of their stay in Ilorin to shop for various items, including clothing, footwear, food and other personal needs. The increased patronage has also created economic opportunities for traders operating within and around the stadium complex, as they attend to the needs of participants throughout the festival. Some traders expressed satisfaction with the development, saying the sports festival has provid...

How Mojeed Ibrahim is building opportunities, empowering youths in Iwo

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How Mojeed Ibrahim is building opportunities, empowering youths in Iwo In a community where the potential of young people is often greater than the opportunities available to them, Mojeed Ibrahim is quietly becoming a bridge between talent and opportunity in Iwo. Beyond his profile as a business manager, sports administrator and serial entrepreneur, Ibrahim has consistently demonstrated a commitment to helping young people discover, develop and pursue sustainable careers.  His interventions cut across sports, entertainment and business, reflecting a broader vision of creating pathways for Iwo youths to turn their talents into meaningful livelihoods. In football, Ibrahim has played an important role in helping young players from Iwo navigate the often difficult journey from grassroots football to professional opportunities. Through his contacts, experience and understanding of the football ecosystem, he has assisted footballers in securing opportunities with clubs within...

Kwara Sports Festival Closing Ceremony Holds Saturday In Ilorin

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Kwara Sports Festival Closing Ceremony Holds Saturday In Ilorin The 8th Kwara State Sports Festival will climax on Saturday at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl, George Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin, with the closing ceremony scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The week-long multi-sport event has lived up to expectations, providing a platform for the discovery of promising talents across the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State. Speaking ahead of the closing ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Mallam Bola Mogaji, expressed satisfaction with the successful staging of the festival. Mogaji said he was fulfilled to have delivered another edition of the state sports festival, describing the discovery of new talents as one of the major highlights of the competition. He commended the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his support and magnanimity in approving the hosting of the festival, noting...