Other Sports
NOC Rejects Sports Ministry’s Election Guidelines
The dust is yet to settle on the new electoral guidelines released by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Sports for the purpose of conducting elections into its various associations.
The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, has kicked against the guidelines after its executive committee met on Wednesday.
The NOC called for harmonisation of the guidelines in line with international best practices.
The body argued that the essence of this harmonious guideline is to ensure that it conforms with the Charter of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the constitutions of the various international sports federations.
According to the Secretary General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, who briefed the media after the meeting, “the issue of ‘eligibility’ as contained in the Ministry’s guideline does not in any way conform to the provision of the IOC Charter and constitutions of the international federations.
“That provisions in the guidelines which forbid Nigerians who are members of Executive Committees of their respective international federation from holding offices in their respective national federations locally will inhibit opportunities of getting more Nigerians into positions in the long run,” he argued.
The NOC scribe also picked some holes in the composition of the Appeals Committee, which he said was a crowd of appointees of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, with only one NOC member.
According to him, it is not in accord with the principle of fair hearing. We (NOC) recommend that a team of independent persons be appointed as members of the committee for fair hearing,” he explained.
Popoola also narrated how the Olympic body has tried to maintain good relationship with the sports ministry, noting that the Godwin Kienka’s Reforms Committee made use of the NOC boardroom for most of its meetings with inputs from NOC but some individuals in the sports ministry for selfish interest threw everything over board.
“We are the direct descendant of IOC in Nigeria operating within this territorial water and established to coordinate the affairs of the federations just as the each sporting federation relates with the international bodies.
“It is time to correct most of the anomalies that are associated with the composition of boards of the federations. We are ready to thread path of dialogue and will appreciate if the sports ministry can allow everybody to operate within norms as approved by IOC and not manipulation of the compositions of the respective boards of the sports federations,” he remarked.
Last week, the Sports Ministry released the guidelines with too many contentious issues in the area of eligibility.
The guideline disqualified candidates that have spent more than two terms and as well as banning presidents that are currently serving in the executive committees of their respective continental/international federations.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has praised the growing involvement of Ibom Air in sports development, describing the airline as an exemplary corporate citizen whose contributions are helping to strengthen sports in the state.
Governor Eno gave the commendation on Saturday during activities marking the seventh anniversary of Ibom Air, following the final of a football tournament organised by the airline at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Represented by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, the governor applauded the airline’s increasing support for football, golf and tennis, noting that its intervention had positively impacted sports development in the state.
“It pleases me to know that you are not only riding the skies in aviation, but also distinguishing yourself as an exemplary corporate citizen,” the governor stated.
“Your intervention in golf, tennis and, most recently, football is worth commending.”
Governor Eno particularly highlighted the airline’s contribution to football and tennis in the state, stating that its sponsorship nearly helped Akwa United regain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He also credited the airline’s support for the success of the Akwa Ibom tennis team at the recently concluded Niger Delta Games in Benin City, where the state won three of the five gold medals on offer in tennis.
While congratulating the airline on its seventh anniversary, Governor Eno described Ibom Air as a symbol of the Akwa Ibom spirit of excellence, professionalism and innovation in the aviation sector.
According to him, the airline’s operational standards and recent expansion into international routes within the West African sub-region have strengthened connectivity, boosted commerce and tourism, and contributed to the state’s economic growth.
“The achievements recorded within this relatively short period have stood out as an eloquent testament to the hard work and foresight of your airline’s dedicated leadership and focused workforce,” he said.
“This anniversary marks not only the celebration of years, but the celebration of vision, resilience, professionalism and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.”
The football tournament organised to celebrate the airline’s anniversary lasted over two weeks and culminated in a dramatic final at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The Lagos team of Ibom Air emerged champions after defeating their Uyo counterparts 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
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The stage is set for the 3rd National Para Games, Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious para sports event, scheduled to hold from March 26 to April 3, 2026, in Abuja.
For nine days, the nation’s capital will host more than 3,000 athletes representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, competing across 15 different sports in what promises to be a vibrant celebration of resilience, excellence and inclusion. Organisers say champions will emerge, records will tumble, and new chapters will be written in Nigeria’s para sports history.
The Games are being organised by the National Sports Commission, which describes the event as a critical platform for talent discovery, national unity and the advancement of para sports development across the country.
Since its inception, the National Para Games has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting calendar, spotlighting the remarkable abilities of athletes living with disabilities while reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive participation in sports.
Officials say the 2026 edition will surpass previous outings in scale, organisation and competitive intensity. With participation confirmed from every state of the federation and the FCT, the Games are expected to reveal the depth of talent spread nationwide and provide a pathway for standout performers to progress to continental and global competitions.
In a significant boost to preparations, the National Youth Service Corps has partnered with the Commission by releasing its Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, to serve as the official Games Village. The facility will accommodate athletes and officials throughout the competition, offering a secure and community-focused environment designed to foster camaraderie and peak performance.
The collaboration reflects a broader inter-agency commitment to empowering young Nigerians and promoting social integration through sport. It also underscores growing national recognition of para athletes as integral contributors to Nigeria’s sporting success.
With anticipation building and logistics nearing completion, Abuja is poised to welcome thousands of competitors and supporters for what promises to be a defining celebration of courage, competition and collective pride.
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By Keresifon Essien
Akwa Ibom State will parade a strong contingent of about 280 athletes and 44 officials at the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 28.
The State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Curator of Keresy Sports Museum (KSM), Keresifon Essien, noting that Team Akwa Ibom will compete in 16 sporting events at the regional multi-sports fiesta.
According to Bassey, the sports in which the state will feature include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming and chess.
To ensure optimal preparation, the state government has constituted a five-man State Liaison Committee to oversee arrangements for the festival. The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.
Other members of the committee are Coach Catherine Ewa Ekuta, Head of Technical; Guinness World Record holder George Essien; Edidiong Stephen, a member; and Mfon Bassey, who serves as Secretary.
Bassey explained that the committee has been mandated to fine-tune all preparations for the festival, beginning with the state trials scheduled for this weekend, and to ensure that the contingent arrives in Benin City fully prepared and ready to project Akwa Ibom State positively at the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
He expressed confidence that with proper planning and early preparations, Team Akwa Ibom will make a strong impression when the festival proper begins.
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Muhammad Awal Bako
April 20, 2017 at 7:12 am
I think the Minister has a right to what ever decision he would take to protect sports from the present decay and move it forward in Nigeria.when you look round the sports federations,you will see that it’s only two that are keeping sports with activities while majority were busy politicking or castigating one person or the other over nothing and make the sports to go to sleep over the years. Because the presidents have been there for years they turn the federation to be there personal properties.The NOC should be fair to their judgment is that what the international body are doing??? At the international body there are lots of programs contrary to what we are experiencing in Nigeria.I have never had NOC assist one federation to attend a competition apart from the major games and now you don’t want the minister to bring those that have fresh idea and are willing to move their sports forward.I think its high time we remove our individual selfishness and help our sports grow. Thank you my candid observation.
Abubakar Jibril Ibrahim Ramalan
April 20, 2017 at 8:20 am
You have said it all Mohammed Awal Bako, except if we want to continue with the mess in sports if not, change is inevitable and must be done now or we all regret it later for our actions or inactions.
fayomi ayodeji
April 20, 2017 at 8:51 am
Howmuch is the minister providing for this fedration, they hv been spending thieir parsonnal money without return for years, the minister shud follow the international guide line, is not the president that kills sports in Nigeria but the sports ministry, they hv to provide funds for this fedration to function well, instead the minister is busy traveling around, since that minister came in no sports festival, no body is talking about that what has he done for sports in Nigeria,
Francis
April 20, 2017 at 9:29 am
Some people have turned the Federations into personal empires and estates. How can one man hold on to the Presidency of a Federation for 12 year or more and still want to sit tight there. Okay the ministry is not funding the federations like they should then leave let other people come with new ideas. Please, this Isa Hayatou syndrome should stop in our country. A lot of the sports are dying and some dead. I believe the guidelines can be improved upon but we must start from somewhere. My own concern about the guidelines is that the federations will be hijacked by money bags. They will be for the highest bidders. The delegates that will come for the elections will be sponsored by who? The ministry will not bring the money and we all know that quiete a number of them will not be able to come to Abuja on their own. The highest bidder will get the delegates by transporting 36 or more people Abuja and providing accommodation for them with some additional money. Is it an investment that he will have to recoup his money. I think expanding the delegates membership has just created room for some people to come and make money out of the process and competence and merit will be relegated to the background. We all know this and shouldn’t deceive ourselves. The six chairmen that voted the zonal rep will likely vote the way the zonal rep will vote. The two terms tenure is perfect and should be the overriding factor. My thinking is that where you have someone occupying a position in the continental or world body but has done only one term, such person should be allowed to do a second term if voted but not more than that.
Kenneth Azuine
April 21, 2017 at 4:22 pm
In all fairness the minister is human and his fallible nature equally can’t be questioned never the less the guildlines is in the best interest of sports in NIgeria, and not to conform with international best practices that does not in anyway positively inpact sports in Nigeria ,change is inevitable and the only way forward is forward. An indebt look into sports lately in the country dipicts a crystal clear picture of the dewinding state of sports ,the decay dense in sports cost us precious medals in the just conluded Olympics such that in quote coach Samson siasia relieved the country of an international embarrassment that would have gone into history. Many has seen sports in Nigeria as their personal businesses where they call the shorts and have no one to account to, well the long and short story of it is that we need to sub due the Isah hayaoutu syndrome and ensure proper representation so as to ensure people that mean well for various sports in Nigeria are given opportunities to serve in various capacity .The minister himself strongly believes and knows posterity won’t forgive him if he fails to reposition sports and get it back on track so that we can redeem our image both locally and internationally as this would pave way for Nigeria to regain our glory days in this era of change