Mr VAR

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on his 73rd birthday. In a statement on Saturday, SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, through the Association's Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, eulogised President Tinubu for his years of great leadership exploits in Nigeria and beyond. While highlighting the virtues of the 16th President of Africa's most populous country, the SWAN President described him as a fearless patriot and courageous leader whose transformative attributes speak volume. He said, "Our dear President is one wo deserves all accolades, particularly due to his desire and commitment to youth and sports development right from when he was Governor of Lagos State. "I recall how Lagos use to dominate Sports Development through discovery of many talents during national sporting events like the National Sports Festival (NSF). During his reign as Governor, Lagos State-based Athletes domina...

By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) The Head Coach, *Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Keepers' trainer, Kola Ige* has empathized with his Assistant Coach, John Dosu over the unfortunate incident that happened between him and Majin Muhammed at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan shortly before match Day 30 of Nigeria Premier Football League. It would be recalled that the Technical Adviser of the visiting side, Majin Muhammed punched the Assistant trainer of the Oluyole Warriors, John Dosu when he was trying to tell Ikon Allah Boys not to encroach the half of the Ibadan Soccer Lords at the warm up training. This advice did not go down well with Coach Majin and out of displeasure, he openly punched the goalkeeper from the chest and it took the intervention of 3SC technical crew to rescue the lanky trainer from going to the world beyond Kola Ige, while addressing journalists in Ibadan, expressed displeasure over the unfortunate incident that nearly ta...

Rugby Players are celebrating the return of their beloved game to the Edo State Sports Festival which is coming up from 22nd to 30th of April 2025 at Benin City the Edo State Capital.  29 Sports met the final selection by the organizing committee of the 4th edition of the Edo State Sports Festival namely 1. Athletics ,2. Badminton ,3. Basketball , 4. Boxing, 5. Chess, 6. Cycling, 7. Gymnastics , 8. Handball , 9. Hockey, 10. Para Athletics , 11. Taekwondo, 12. Tennis , 13. Abula, 14. Ayo, 15. Volleyball , 16. Beach Volleyball , 17. Weightlifting , 18. Wrestling , 19. Deaf Athletics , 20. Karate, 21. Scrabble , 22. Swimming , 23. Dart, 24. Kung-fu, 25. Kickboxing, 26. Table Tennis, 27. Judo, 28. Football and 29. Rugby This is a huge welcome development for the growth of the Sports in the country as it will further encourage the sports in the State and in extension in the country.  Before now, Rugby was excluded based on the fact that it was not at the Bi-annual Natio...

The Nigeria's Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike JP, has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria, following a 2-0 victory over their Rwandan counterparts, at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali, on Friday evening.  An elated Agu-Ejidike who spoke with a group of journalists in Lagos, shortly after the match, could not hide the joy of seeing the Super Eagles being back to winning ways, after playing 4 matches, drawing 3, and losing one, before Friday's victory, in the qualifying series so far, commended the level of the players' concentration and tenacity that helped secure the victory on the road. All the three-time African champions needed to pick their first maximum points of the World 2026 qualifying series was a first-half brace from Victor Osimhen. Agu-Ejidike who is also the patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC) commended the whole team for their resilience, by not allowing initial results to weigh down on them, going to Friday's ...

The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, has reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders to promote sports development across the country. He assured that his unwavering dedication to the growth of sports would remain steadfast. Chief Ejidike made this statement on Friday evening during an Iftar (breaking of fast) gathering organized by his office for key sports stakeholders at the Kwara FA House, George Inih Stadium, Ilorin. He emphasized that his office would continue to invest in human and capital resources to foster the advancement of sports in Nigeria. He also highlighted that the Iftar symbolized unity of purpose among stakeholders and served as a platform to strengthen peace within the sports community. > "I thank you all for honoring our invitation to this Iftar, the first in the series by my office as the Nigeria Pillar of Sports. This initiative will be expanded and sustained next year," he remarked In his remark...

...Calls Nigerians to rally round Super Eagles for World Cup ticket By: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) One of the distinguised recipients of Special Recognition award in the just concluded maiden Newstap/ SWAN Five Star Sports Award,  Ambassador Oluwakemi Ogunfuwa has lauded the organizers on the award she received for her patriotic zeal towards the development of Nigerian football and assured optimum Innovations that will further drive Super Eagles dream to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Ogunfuwa who rose through the rank was once the National Secretary before she formed her group and she has won multiple awards at both home and abroad. Her unique costume depicting true Nigerian women has earned her global recognition with Mama Nigeria. She said she’s happy with what the Newstap and SWAN are doing in recognizing excellence and dedication of her brand to the growth of Nigerian football.  She used the occasion to extol the efforts of both the Chairman ...