TheNewsGuru

Tag: National Sports Festival

  • Team Delta soars at National Sports Festival, tops table with 34 gold

    Team Delta soars at National Sports Festival, tops table with 34 gold

    Defending champions Team Delta have overtaken Team Bayelsa to top the National Sports Festival table after the end of activities on Day 6 in Abeokuta.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Delta State so far in the competition, have won 34 gold, 12 silver, and 28 bronze medals, making it a total of 74 medals, while Bayelsa moved down to the second position with 32 gold, 14 silver and 15 bronze medals for a total of 61 medals.

    Team Rivers is in third with 15 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals, followed by the hosts, Team Ogun, in fourth with 11 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze medals, making it a total of 42 medals.

    A total of 495 medals have been won in various sports at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

  • Just In: Explosion rocks National Sports Festival venue

    Just In: Explosion rocks National Sports Festival venue

    A gas explosion at the Alake Sports Complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State — one of the venues for the ongoing National Sports Festival sparked panic on Tuesday, temporarily halting sporting activities.

    According to eyewitnesses, the explosion which caused a widespread panic, with athletes and spectators fleeing the scene to avoid being caught in the blaze, occurred when a gas truck, reportedly supplying fuel to the complex’s generator, suddenly caught fire.

    As of press time, details surrounding the explosion remained unclear, and there was no official confirmation of casualties or the extent of damage.

    Emergency responders were said to have arrived promptly to bring the situation under control.

    More to come…

  • Enugu State to host 2026 National Sports Festival

    Enugu State to host 2026 National Sports Festival

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced Enugu State as the host of the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) in 2026.

    NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He said the decision was reached after a top management meeting of the NSC.

    According to him, the coal city emerged top from a competitive bidding process and the state is set to deliver a world-class event.

    The NSF, a biennial multi-sports event, brings together thousands of athletes from the 36 States and the FCT to celebrate sportsmanship, national unity and sporting excellence.

    Meanwhile, before Enugu State takes centre stage, the 22nd edition of the festival is set to hold in January, 2025 in Ogun, with the Gateway State set to deliver a world-class event.

    Olopade, the former chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Ogun 2025 NSF revealed that the Games will host over 15,000 athletes.

    He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to supporting Ogun  in delivering a premium tournament.

    Olopade said that early selection of Enugu State for the 23rd edition of the Games was in line with international best practices.

    “With Enugu’s selection for the 23rd edition, the festival promises to uphold its legacy of excellence, inclusivity, and showcasing the best of Nigerian sports talent.

    “This marks the first time the South-Eastern State will be staging the event since its inception in 1973,” he said.

    He noted that the early announcement of Enugu would  give the state enough time to prepare adequately for the Games and also enhance the corporate image of the Festival.

    The 21st edition of the Games was hosted by Asaba, Delta, with over 11,000 athletes participating in the tournament.

  • NSF 2nd National Scrabble Festival gets new venue

    NSF 2nd National Scrabble Festival gets new venue

    The biggest and largest gathering scrabble players in Nigeria the 2nd edition of the NSF National Scrabble Festival, now has a new venue.
    Your authoritative news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG understands that the National Scrabble Festival initially scheduled to hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has been moved to the historic city of Ijebu-Ode, also in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.
    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, said the week long Scrabble Festival was moved to city noted for it’s hospitality and festival-like atmosphere because of some logistics reasons and the excellent hotel services offered by one of the hands, backing the event.
    “The host State, Ogun, have put every logistics for a hitch free Festival in place, the hotel bills has been paid upfront so that every delegate will leave that Gateway State with lasting memories.” The NSF President said.
    Aka, explained that the Festival which begins on 15th of April with the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship will take place at the Adetola Hall, in Rolak Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode.
    Rolak Hotel & Suites was commissioned on the 13th of September, 2014 and was further expanded in 2018, increasing lodging capacity to 110 rooms with improved our services.
    Rolak Hotel and Suites is located deep within the serene ambience of the expansive city of Ijebu Ode.
    The hotel is tastefully furnished with the state of the art facilities to meet the needs of corporate organisations and esteemed individuals who appreciate quality and exceptional services.
    “The captivating, serene and spacious environment at the Hotel, coupled with it’s efficient and effective service delivery are some of the reasons why we selected Rolak Hotel and Suites, Ijebu-Ode to play host to the finest and most memorable moments of the Scrabble Circuit in the country.” Aka emphasized.
    “The comfort and safety of the over 200 players, officials, journalists as well as passionate, dedicated sponsors, associates and the sporting family is dear to us, we can’t settle for less, but go the very best in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria’s host of entertainment and festival.” Engineer Toke Aka, an Executive Member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), added.
    The Technical Director of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), John Curtis, stated that each State of the Federation will be represented by six players for the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, while 12 clubs will be competing for honours in the NSF Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals.
    Between the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship and the NSF Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation will take place on Thursday the 18th of April, while the NSF Awards and Gala Night holds on Sunday the 21st of April after the end of the Inter Club Challenge Grand Finals.
    Warri Scrabble Club, now known as Victory SC that parades famous wordsmith, Emmanuel Umujose, winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor, Jacob Tone, Larry Etuwa and Akpojotor Ochuko are the defending champions of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
    Teams that are through to the finals are:
    ✓ BENIN SC
    ✓ WARRI SC
    ✓ UYO SC
    ✓ JOS SC
    ✓ APEX SC
    ✓ ANAMBRA SC
    ✓ ABEOKUTA SC
    ✓ KADUNA CENTRAL SC
    ✓ SURULERE SC
    ✓ IKORODU SC
    ✓ PYRAMID SC
    ✓ UNILAG Scrabble Club
    28 Clubs from 13 States and the Nigeria Police, started the race to reach the finals of the NSF Inter Club Championship.
    Delta State, are the defending champions of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, with Eta Paul Karo as the holder of the NSF Green Jacket 2023.
    ★ TIMELINE OF NSF NATIONAL SCRABBLE FESTIVAL, GATEWAY – 2024
    ✓ Arrival of players and officials for Asaph Zadok National Championship…Sunday 14th of April, 2024
    ✓ Asaph Zadok National Championship…Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th of April, 2024
    ✓ Annual General Meeting (AGM)… Thursday 18th of April, 2024
    ✓ Arrival of Clubs for the NSF Inter Club Challenge finals…Thursday 18th of April, 2024
    ✓ NSF Inter Club Challenge finals… Friday 19th to Sunday 21st of April, 2024
    ✓ Awards and Gala Night…Sunday 21st of April, 2024
  • AFCON 2025: CAF inspection team approves Stephen Keshi Stadium

    AFCON 2025: CAF inspection team approves Stephen Keshi Stadium

    The Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba,  has been certified okay by Officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the inspection exercise saying the arena is suitable to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Recall that the stadium also hosted the 2022 National Sports Festival in the country.

    The CAF team, however, noted some corrections that must be made at the stadium to make it perfect for the competition. The team left Asaba yesterday morning.

    However, the Chairman, Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, has promised that the state would fix the few areas the visitors pointed out as quickly as possible.

    He said ”The stadium hosted last year’s National Sports festival, and the facility has been updated to meet any international standard in terms of hosting any sporting competition.”

    He said: “As we speak, the team from CAF just left Asaba, and they are satisfied with facilities at the Stephen Keshi stadium. They inspected the main bowl, training facilities, hotels and other important facilities that will ensure the smooth running of the competition.

    “They pointed a few things, which we will fix as soon as possible,” Okowa stated.

    Guinea was originally scheduled to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations but was stripped of the right owing to slow preparations.

    Nigeria co-hosted the AFCON with Ghana in the year 2000. Morocco, Algeria and Zambia have also submitted bids to host the 2025 AFCON.

     

  • Asaba 2022: National Sports Festival ends amid glitz, glamour

    Asaba 2022: National Sports Festival ends amid glitz, glamour

    The 21st National Sports Festival reached its climax yesterday with a very colourful closing ceremony at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    The two-week event saw athletes from all the states of the federation compete for honours in different games at the competition.

    Team Delta topped the medals after amassing a total of 648 medals, comprising of 320 gold, 200 silver, 128 bronze, Team Bayelsa came second with 132 gold, 115 silver, and 90 bronze, while, Team Edo finished third with 78 gold, 94 silver, and 167 bronze.

    This victory marks Team Delta’s seventh consecutive NSF triumph.,

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who represented the President, Muhammadu Buhari  praised hosts Delta State for the manner in which they hosted the festival and asked that the next state that would host maintain the same level of consistency.

    Ogun state won the bid to host the 22nd edition of the event in 2024.

    Indigenous rap artiste, Erigga and Lagos based singer, Zlatan closed the show after thrilling fans to a fun filled atmostphere with their songs.

     

     

  • Discontent as Ogun emerges host of 2024 National Sports Festival

    Discontent as Ogun emerges host of 2024 National Sports Festival

    Sabina Chikere, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Edo Sports Commission has called for a review of the criteria for awarding the hosting rights of a National Sports Festival (NSF).

    Chikere, who made the call in Asaba on the sidelines of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), said so many things were wrong with “Delta 2022” that came to a close on Saturday.

    At the close of the 21st NSF, Ogun emerged as the next host of the sports festival, their second hosting after their first in 2006.

    Chikere, expressed dissatisfaction with the logistics arrangement at the festival, noting that the Edo sports authorities were not comfortable with where their contingent was kept.

    “The tournament is just a charade. A lot of things are not just right. I am sure that, as you are coming in from the gate, you can see it for yourself. You really don’t need anybody to tell you what all this is about.

    “From the gate up to this place, you can see where we are all kept. You can see the environment. You can see everything. We came in here. As we speak now, there is no light. That is how we stay most of the time.

    “But we give the glory at least, that we have come this far. We can now only hope for the best,” Chikere said.

    She added that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development needed to insist on putting in place certain rules and regulations.

    ”The Ministry needs to make sure that whichever state is hosting has a guide on what is expected. It should be able to give guidelines on what they expect from the hosting state.

    ”The Ministry should make sure the state meets up with the requirements so that, at the end of the day, there will be a semblance of a National Sports Festival,” the Permanent Secretary said.

    On the performance of Edo at the festival, Chikere assured that the state’s athletes would strive in line with the promises made to the people of Edo.

    “So far so good. We are hoping for the best like we promised our Edo people before we left. We are doing our best to be part of those at the top of the table, and we are working towards it.

    “The games are still on and it is not over until it is over. There is still hope. We will put up a very good performance,” the Edo sports commission official said.

    Meanwhile, announcing Ogun State as the next of the NSF, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare disclosed that for the first time the competition’s hosting right would have a first runner-up in Oyo State.

    He explained that the essence of placing a willing state on stand-by was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen state failed to meet up.

    Dare said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival billed for 2024.

  • Asaba 2022: How accident led me into para-sports – Gold medalist

    Asaba 2022: How accident led me into para-sports – Gold medalist

    Kudirat Imam-Fulani, a gold medallist in para-table tennis at the ongoing 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta on Saturday said auto-crash led her into para-sports.

    Imam-Fulani, who disclosed this in Asaba, said when she thought it was over, the sports rescued her from a neck deep depression.

    The athlete, who won the first gold for Team Kwara at Delta 2022, said she had no regret since she had been involved in the sporting activities.

    “I started para-table tennis in 2006 and since then, I have been winning gold medal for the state.

    “I was at home when my coach came to pick me that I should not kill myself with depression. He said I could still engage in more meaningful things; that I should not lose  hope.

    “This has really been helping and I am now good for it. There is hardly any competition I go for that I do not win medal.

    “I am even preparing to go for ValueJet (para-table tennis open) in Lagos, which will hold between Dec. 13 and 17,” she said.

    The gold medallist, who is in her late 30s, said she was involved in a fatal motor accident which crippled her leg.

    “I look forward to be wealthy in this sport; to build house, buy cars and take care of my parents from it.

    “Since, I started the game, I am always happy, so depression has no place in my mind again.

    “In fact, if I do not go for training, I would not be happy, except I go to see my colleagues even if in the end, I did not train,” said the para-athlete.

    The NSF gold medallist advised whoever had children with disabilities at home to bring them out, and allow them to engage in sports.

    “They should not lose hope in them that they cannot become successful in life. Rather, they should encourage them and allow them to participate in sports.

    “We make ourselves happy through sporting and my family is happy too anytime they see me,” she said.

  • Asaba 2022: Allegation of poaching mars 21st National Sports Festival

    Asaba 2022: Allegation of poaching mars 21st National Sports Festival

    Team Delta on Saturday emerged as the overall winner of the 21st National Sports Festival the State government hosted in the capital city of Asaba.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Delta won a total of 320 gold medals, 200 silver medals and 128 bronze medals to emerge overall winner of the sports festival.

    The final medals table shows that Delta’s neighbours, Bayelsa, came second with 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze medals.

    Edo, which hosted the festival’s 20th edition, came third with 78 gold, 94 silver and 167 bronze medals to make it a South-South affair in the top-three ranking.

    See final medals table below:

    Asaba 2022: Allegation of poaching mars 21st National Sports Festival
    Asaba 2022: Final medals table of 21st National Sports Festival

    TNG reports no fewer than 14,000 athletes participated in 38 sports at the festival. However, allegation of poaching trailed the 21st National Sports Festival.

    National Sports Festival now looking like trading post – Rivers Sports Commissioner

    Christopher Green, the Rivers Commissioner for Sports had said the situation the National Sports Festival (NSF) has found itself now is lamentable.

    Speaking in Asaba on Friday on the sidelines of the 21st NSF, Green disclosed that the national competition could now be likened to “a trading post”.

    ”The NSF is supposed to be a platform to raise and groom talents, and to develop them into international athletes. But what we now have is like a trading post,” he said.

    The Commissioner said the way athletes were being lured by some states to compete for them was unbecoming and not good for sports.

    ”An athlete can be with one state now, and the next day he or she will be competing at the festival for another state.

    ”It is so painful when you spend a lot of time and other resources to raise an athlete, only for another state to come and lure that athlete away with money.

    ”This has made the festival to become like an event for the highest bidder.

    ”The fact that the NSF organisers, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, are not curtailing it makes it a big problem for sports development,” he said.

    Green then called for an amendment of the residency rule for athletes competing at the festival.

    ”The rule should make the number of years such athletes have to be with their new states five years, so as to curtail the movement of athletes just before festivals,” he said.

    Ogun State to host 2024 National Sports Festival

    Meanwhile, Ogun State has been officially announced as the next host of the National Sports Festival (NSF), their second hosting after their first one in 2006.

    Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare, made the announcement   on Saturday in Asaba during the closing ceremony of the 21st NSF.

    Dare said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival, billed for 2024.

    He however said for the first time the competition’s hosting right would have a first runners-up in Oyo State.

    “Following the evaluation of the bids and physical evaluation to the states, the runners-up will be on stand-by,” the minister said.

    He said the essence of placing a willing state on stand-by was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen state failed to meet up.

  • Asaba 2022: Team Kaduna male team wins gold in volleyball

    Asaba 2022: Team Kaduna male team wins gold in volleyball

    Kaduna state defeated Ogun state 3-2 (25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 15-13) to win gold in the Men’s volleyball event of the men’s volleyball at the Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival on Friday evening.
    Team Kaduna was very outstanding in the final event as they put up a spirited performance against team Ogun at the Men’s final.
    Kaduna surprisingly took the first set by 25 to 21 points in a set that saw the Ogun players struggle to get their rhythm. The second set produced a spectacular display from both sides as Ogun won by 26 to 24 points.
    The young Kaduna players held Ogun state ransom in the third set 25 to 23 points before Ogun came back from behind to win the fourth set by 25-17. Kaduna finally cruised to victory in the fifth set winning by 15 to 13 points.
    The Coach of Kaduna men’s team, Adamu Nitte expressed delight over the win against highly rated Ogun state.
    Nitte revealed that most pundits did not give Kaduna state the chance of winning the finals adding that the Ogun team crushed all their opponents before entering into the finals.
    He said 10 players out of the squad are making their debut at the National Sports Festival.
    He said, “I am overwhelmed and cannot express myself because I am overfilled with joy. Kaduna was not the favourite to win the National Sports Festival but God is our strength and fortress.
    “Ogun state is a very good side looking at their statistics but my boys did not respect them. 10 of my players are playing the National Sports Festival for the first time and this win will further boost their profile”.
    He commended the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association, Engineer Musa Nimrod for believing in the team.
    Meanwhile, Rivers State beat Kano state to win the men’s bronze at the 2022 National Sports Festival.