Mr VAR

 By Michael Odetunde The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), Dr. Shola Ogunnowo, has urged clubs participating in the league to strictly comply with its rules and legal framework. Ogunnowo made the appeal during the July edition of the Super Interview on the Sports World WhatsApp platform on Friday. He said the league is intensifying efforts to prevent some club owners from gaining an unfair advantage by fielding established professional players in a competition designed to develop emerging football talents. "We have been doing our best to curb the attitude of some club owners who intend to cheat the system," he said. According to him, such practices undermine football development in Nigeria by denying young players the opportunity to showcase their abilities. "These actions are affecting football development in Nigeria because they deny younger players the chance to display their talents by bringing in already established prof...

Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO), Shola Ogunnowo, has thrown his weight behind the second-term re-election bid of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, describing his leadership as progressive and worthy of continuity. Ogunnowo made the call on Friday evening during a WhatsApp interview session on Nigerian popular group, *Sports World Platform* hosted by renowned sports journalist, Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR), alongside co-host Afonne Chukwuemeka. Speaking during the interactive session, Ogunnowo applauded Gusau's administration for initiating reforms that have brought renewed stability and growth to Nigerian football. He noted that the NFF under Gusau has demonstrated a genuine commitment to football development at all levels, including grassroots football, league administration, youth development, and improved collaboration with football stakeholders. According to him, continuity remains essentia...

The Oyo State Football Association (OYSFA), in collaboration with the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation, has announced a One-Day Seminar for coaches of clubs and football academies affiliated with the Association. Addressing newsmen in Ibadan shortly after finalising the arrangements, Oyo FA Chairman, Oba Alakinleye of Akinleye, HRM Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran said that the capacity building is part of cardinal programmes of the Association ,aims at preparing leadership skills amongst the coaches in the sate. The ex FIFA badged referee lauded the Pillar of Sports Youth Development Foundation, Mr Temitope Obideyi for his vision which aligns with the Regulatory functions of the state football body. The seminar is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by 11:00 a.m. at the Academy Suite, Moremi Hall, Oke Ado, Ibadan. The one-day programme is designed to enhance the knowledge, competence and overall capacity of grassroots football coaches in Oyo State. Partic...

President Ikorodu City FC Sanmi Doherty says Nigeria’s football reforms will only succeed if clubs are allowed to invest in academies before being burdened with unsustainable salary demands. Sanmi Doherty, has waded into the debate over the NPFL reform agenda, calling for a development-first approach instead of pushing clubs toward heavy financial obligations they cannot sustain. Doherty’s comments come after National Sports Commission Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, confirmed that the 2026/2027 NPFL season will kick off with or without full compliance to the Commission’s new club licensing requirements. While acknowledging the need for reforms, Doherty argued that Nigeria’s football future cannot be built on high player wages alone. Speaking on the direction of Nigerian football, the President Ikorodu City said the real growth will come from the grassroots. “If I have my way, I want to invest more in my academy and developmental programmes. I want to start from prim...

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Benjamin Isaiah, has outlined his administration’s vision to rebuild the association into a respected professional body while addressing critical challenges affecting sports journalists across the country. Isaiah made this known during his appearance as a guest on the Friday night Super Interview session of the Sports World WhatsApp Platform, hosted by the platform’s founder and administrator, Mr. Sunday Agunbiade, popularly known as Mr. VAR. During the interactive session, the SWAN President spoke extensively on issues ranging from the stability of the association, welfare of sports journalists, accreditation challenges, professionalism, digital transformation and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. Awijare News highlights some of the key issues discussed during the interview. Building a United and Respected SWAN Since assuming office as SWAN President, Benjamin Isaiah said his administration’s major f...

President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN has reacted to allegations over the sharing of travelling slots given to the Body by both National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. The Kogi born Media experts stated this while featuring in a popular WhatsApp group, *Sports World Platform* on Friday, 17th July, 2026 in a questions and answer session tagged Super Interview hosted by Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) . Critic within the executives and extended members across some state chapters have alleged the misused official traveling slots ,and such to them is tantamount to acting against association statutes. Some opposing NEC members claimed Benjamin diverted travel opportunities intended for executives, while the same conspiracy theory was overtly circulated by state chapters across media space.   Reacting, "I think this is just an allegstion because it's not absolute true. What I can confirm to you is that the National Spor...