Mr VAR

Residents of Abesan Estate in Mosan-Okunola LCDA, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the continued closure of the Youth Centre located within the estate. The centre was shut by the supervising Ministry of Youth and Social Development in June 2026 for proposed renovation works. However, residents say the renovation is yet to commence, with the contractor reportedly yet to move to site. The closure has denied thousands of teenagers and youths in the community access to the facility, particularly during the ongoing summer holiday when many young people would ordinarily engage in sports, skills development and other productive activities. The Abesan Estate Residents Association (AERA), the umbrella body representing residents of the community, had written to the ministry expressing concern over the adverse effects of keeping the facility closed at a time when children are on holiday. According to the residents, the ...

National U18 Basketball Team Group Exit Calls for Concern By: Rachel Nwadike The latest medal table from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon should force Nigerians to look beyond the familiar habit of blaming every sporting failure on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The table tells a sobering story. While the United States leads with 12 gold, seven silver and five bronze medals, Kenya sits impressively in second position with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Italy is third with three gold and two bronze, while Jamaica, Australia, Ethiopia and other nations also occupy prominent positions. Nigeria, meanwhile, is listed 17th, with just one gold medal and no silver or bronze medal. That is not merely an athletics problem. It is a Nigerian sports administration problem. And it raises a fundamental question: If Kenya can develop athletes capable of putting the country second in the world at the U20 level, why is Nigeria—blessed with enormous spo...

The Chairman of the Oyo State Football Association, His Royal Majesty, Alakinleye of Akinleye, Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran, has highlighted his intention to contest for the South-West slot on the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), signalling his determination to bring a fresh perspective, stronger representation and renewed development to football in the region. Oba Odeniran, an ex-FIFA badged referee with extensive experience within the football family, is entering the contest with a reputation built around his understanding of the game from the pitch to football administration. His decision to seek the South-West slot is coming at a time when stakeholders across the region are increasingly demanding stronger coordination, improved grassroots development, better opportunities for young talents and more effective representation of the zone at the national level. For Oba Odeniran, the contest is not simply about occupying a position on the NFF Board. It is about ...

The leadership of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has expressed appreciation to the  Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for accepting to host the league’s 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Owerri, the state capital, on August 21, 2026. The 34 NNL clubs, alongside board members and other key stakeholders, are expected to arrive in the Heartland State on August 20 ahead of the meeting and depart two days later. NNL Chief Operating Officer (COO), Danlami Alanana, said the league was delighted by the governor’s support, describing the decision to host the AGM as another demonstration of Imo State’s commitment to the growth of football in Nigeria.  “We are very grateful to His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, for giving the nod to host the 17th Annual General Meeting in Owerri on August 21.  This gesture reflects his administration’s continued support for sports development and football in particular,” he said. He noted that the AGM would provide...

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has announced Owerri, the Imo State capital, as the host city for the 2026/2027 Annual General Meeting (AGM). NNL Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Danlami Alanana, said His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has given the nod for the 17th AGM to be hosted in the Eastern Heartland. "We are delighted that the sports-loving Governor of Imo State Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has magnanimously approved NNL’s request to host our AGM in Owerri. This is one of the most important events in our calendar,” Danlami disclosed. The AGM, a precursor to the 2026-2027 NNL football season is scheduled to hold on Friday, 21st August, 2026 with top officials of the nation’s soccer governing body led by NFF president Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi in attendance. According to the schedule released by the NNL Secretariat,the  thirty-six (36) NNL clubs are expected to co...

The Oyo State Football Association (Oyo FA) has officially released the fixtures for the much-anticipated Wale Canada Inter-Ward Football Competition, setting the stage for an exciting grassroots football festival across Atisbo and Saki East Local Government Area of Oyo State. The tournament, sponsored by the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, *Honourable Wasilat Adegoke*, in honour of her husband, popularly known as Wale Canada, is aimed at discovering young football talents, fostering unity among communities, and promoting grassroots football development within his constituency. According to the fixtures released by the Oyo State FA, 21 wards will compete in 21 matches, with the competition adopting the slogan "21 Wards for 21 Matches with One Ball and One Goal." The championship will be played across two centres—Saki East Centre and Atisbo Centre—before progressing to the Super Semi-finals, Third-Place Match and the Grand Finale. ...