Kano govt pledges more support to sports

Kano state government has expressed readiness to encourage and motivate the students in order to improve their skills in various sporting activities in the state and the country at large.

The state commissioner of education, Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda stated this while receiving a two trophies won by Ahmadiyya College basketball teams at the recent concluded  Savannah Conference Milo Inter Secondary Schools championship in Kano.

Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda said that the present administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has been supporting financially and morally in promoting and developing various sporting events across the state.

While congratulating the students for making the state proud in the tournament, he pledged that the ministry will continue to do it's best towards the overall development of sports in schools.

 

He then commended the sporting section of the state ministry for their commitment and dedication in promoting and development of various sporting activities in the state.

Earlier, the head of school sports of the ministry, Malam Ibrahim Bello applauded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and state commissioner, Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda as well as other senior staffers for their support and understanding in moving the sports forward in the state.

It would be recalled that Ahmadiyya College basketball teams for both boys and girls have won the runners up trophies at the end of the Savannah Conference.

 

Acting KSSC Boss to lead over 200 Kano contingent to Abeokuta by road

...As National Sports Festival begins Saturday 

The Acting chairman of Kano state Sports Commission (KSSC) Ibrahim Umar Fagge popularly known as FIFA is expected to lead over 200 state contingent to Abeokuta, Ogun by road .

The upcoming 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival tagged:''Gateway Games," scheduled to commenced from May 16 to 30, 2025.

Speaking exclusively with our reporter, Ibrahim Umar Fagge FIFA said: ''By the virtue of my position in the commission, I suppose to travel by plane but I want to remain with athletes, coaches and officials to test experience of traveling by road together.''

''My Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave me the responsibility to head the state commission, and traveling by plane is not an ideal situation, leaving over 200 contingents going by road to Abeokuta what is your justication for that,'' he explained.

The acting chairman however called on the people of the state to continue to pray for their journey mercy and successful outing in Abeokuta, adding that all necessary arrangements are in pipeline towards the success in the festival.

He explained that the total contingent include 173 athletes, 97 coaches , journalists and organizing secretaries as well as 15 government officials.

He added that the athletes are expected to compete in the 17 events which include individual and team events such as judo, boxing, cycling, karate, kungfu, swimming, taekwondo, kick boxing, dambe, kokawa, para power lifting, golf, shooting, handball, volleyball, football, gymnastics, chess among others.

The Acting chairman however charged the athletes, coaches and officials to be discipline, sportsmanship and good ambassadors to the state.

While commending Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his unflinching support morally and financially, he pledged that the commission will continue to do their best towards the overall development of various sporting events in the state and the country at large.

He expressed gratitude to the state Commissioner for youth and sports, Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the special adviser to the Governor on youth and sports, Alhaji Sani Danja and other stakeholders for their contributions and support, reiterated the commission's commitment and determination in order to restore the glory of various sporting events in the state.

Gara Gombe Calls for Suspension of AFN Elections Over Alleged Irregularities

Veteran sports administrator and Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has called for the immediate suspension of the ongoing elections into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), citing widespread irregularities and lack of transparency.

Gara Gombe, a former adviser on sports to the governors of both Kano and Gombe States and ex-chairman of Gombe United FC, made the call on Saturday in a statement issued to journalists.

According to him, the current electoral process is fundamentally flawed due to the absence of a certified and endorsed AFN constitution, exclusion of key stakeholders, and attempts to suppress legal challenges to the outcome of the election.

"I am a member of the AFN Congress, and I can confirm that no constitution has ever been adopted in any congress I have attended. The so-called Anambra 2017 and Abuja 2023 constitutions are shrouded in doubts regarding their legitimacy," he stated.

He further explained that efforts to harmonize the AFN constitution in Abuja after two separate congresses were inconclusive, leaving the federation without a unified, legally binding document.

Gara Gombe also accused the AFN of procedural violations in convening congresses in Asaba, Bayelsa, as well as in the arrangements for the elections scheduled for May, describing them as unconstitutional and lacking due process.

He expressed concern over the conditions attached to nomination forms for board aspirants, especially a clause barring candidates from challenging election results in court.

"This is undemocratic and legally questionable. It violates the rights of aspirants and undermines the credibility of the entire process," he added.

Citing a recent administrative blunder where Nigerian athletes missed the World Relays in China due to lapses in visa application delays, Gara Gombe blamed administrative inefficiency and called for a complete overhaul of the AFN’s leadership structure.

Recommendations

He proposed the following:

1. Suspension of the ongoing AFN elections.

2. Appointment of a neutral caretaker committee to run the affairs of the federation for six months.

3. Facilitation of a transparent constitutional adoption process.

4. Reconstitution of a legitimate congress and electoral committee as stipulated by the (yet-to-be-validated) constitution.

Gara Gombe warned that proceeding with the current electoral arrangement would only worsen the credibility crisis in Nigerian sports and make it impossible for newly elected officials to function effectively.

"What we need is not just a change of name from Ministry to Commission, but a complete mindset shift. Sports reform must begin with transparency and accountability," he concluded.

NSSF organises clinic for players and coaches as semi-finals to hold Wednesday

The Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) has organized clinic for players and coaches aimed at improving the technical knowledge of basketball game.

The clinic was presided by top officials from NSSF, the Zone 3 FIBA President, Colonel Samuel Amedu, participants states among others held at the indoor sports Hall of Sani Abacha Sports complex Kofar Mata. 

Speaking with newsmen, the NSSF president Olabisi Joseph who spoke through the federation's Public Relations Officer, Sagir Sani said that the aimed of the clinic was to highlights some of the new rules of basketball.

The president revealed that the federation is serious concerns on how to improve the quality of the game and avoid conflict before, during and after a every match.

She added that organizing such a clinic will go along way in assisting the both players and coaches to acquire more law concerning the game.

While appreciating the participants states for their support and understanding, she assured that the NSSF will continue to initiate more programme with a view to actualize the set target.

Highlights of the event include presentation of papers by resource persons and display the practical aspects of the law.

Meanwhile, Ahmadiyya College basketball team will on Wednesday host it Bauchi state counterpart in the first semi-final of the ongoing tournament at the same venue by 9am while Government girls Mega, Doma, Gombe will confront Government girls secondary schools, Yola, Adamawa in the second semi-final in the girls category.

Ahmadiyya College, Kano will battle Government day science secondary school, science 11, Gombe and Sambo secondary school, Busau, Zamfara versus Government secondary school, Numan, Adamawa in the first and second semi-final in the boys category.

NIMC Commences Free Registration of Pupils, Students of Public Schools in Kano.

National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) has completed arrangements to commence free registration of pupils and students of public schools in Kano.

In a statement by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Ministry, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, said The registration will involve pupils and students of Primary, Junior and Secondary Schools who at the end of the exercise, will be issued with National Identification Number (NIN).

Briefing stakeholders on the project during an advocacy visit to the state ministry of education, the regional coordinator National Identification Management Commission Emmanuela Igbinovia disclosed that the project is crucial in view of the increasing demands for students' NIN number while writing their WAEC or NECO examination.

She revealed that a team from the commission was therefore at the ministry to meet with all the relevant stakeholders in the state and map out modalities to ensure a hitch free registration exercise of pupils and students in public schools.

According to the coordinator, information that are required to kick start the project include names of schools, principals names and their phone numbers.

The coordinator added that NIMC forms will soon be distributed to the parents of pupils and students to be filled, validated and submit to the commission before the day for the registration exercise.

" I want to inform you that a day will be announced for registration and capturing exercise after which we are going to set aside another time for the printing of NIMC slip of each and every pupil/student being registered " she explained.

Speaking, the State Coordinator National Identification Management Commission Garba Balarabe maintained that the project is intended to increase the enrollment figure of the state and allow pupils/students to obtain the NIN number within short period of time.

He disclosed that just recently an enrollment figure was released which indicated that Lagos State was a head of Kano with about two million, two hundred, which he said that could be changed with new development on the ground.

Responding, the State Commissioner of Education Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda assured the commission of the state government support and commitment towards achieving a hitch free NIMC registration exercise.

Ali Makoda represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Alhaji Bashir Baffa Muhammed urged parents and other relevant stakeholders to put heads together and ensure that pupils/students in the state are duly registered for the National Identification Number (NIN)

Africa zone 3 FIBA President praises Kano Govt on facilities at Kofar Mata indoor sports

The President of Africa Zone 3 Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA), Colonel Samuel Amedu (rtd) has praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for sustaining the facilities at the Indoor Sports Hall of Sani Abacha Sports complex, Kofar Mata, Kano.

Colonel Samuel Amedu who double as board member of Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) made commendation during a clinic organised for the players and coaches in the ongoing Savannah Conference inter secondary schools Nestle Milo basketball championship in Kano.

He explained that Kano state has been contributed to the development and promotion of various sporting events especially in interms of hosting national and international competitions.

Colonel Samuel Amedu who is also the coordinator of the Nestle Milo basketball championship applauded the sponsors for their commitment to the development of the game at grassroots levels among secondary schools across the country for 25-years.

He called on other corporate organisations as part of their social responsibility to complement Government efforts in this direction.

T

The president however, said that the tournament has produce stars who some of them were playing in United States of America (USA) and foreign countries.

While expressing appreciation to the participants states for their sportsmanship throughout the competition, he assured them that the organisers would continue to ensure their comfort and fair officiating aimed at achieving the desired goal.

 

''Honestly speaking we have achieved a lot within this 25 years. I must commend all the stakeholders for their commitment and support for reaching this level as we have concluded all necessary arrangements to celebrate the 25th edition in a unique style at the final in Lagos later this year,'' he concluded.

....As NSSF VP four hails participants, officiating officials, Nestle Milo

The Vice President four of the Nigerian School Sports Federation NSSF, Malam Aminu Sarkin Fada has applauded the participants for their commitment and sportsmanship in the championship.

He made the commendation in the ongoing Savannah Conference Nestle Milo basketball championship in Kano.

Malam Aminu Sarkin Fada said that the championship has contributed immensely to the development of the game in the country, assuring that the NSSF will do it's best to ensure more national and international players were produce in the tournament.

He then commended the sponsors Nestle Milo for their commitment towards the overall development of the event in the country.

On officiating and general organisation, he expressed satisfaction with the performance of the referees and good facilities in Kano.

Today Tuesday is a free day as the NSSF is also organizing clinic for the participating coaches in order to improve their technical knowledge of the game from 8am to 11 am at the competition's venue, Kofar Mata. 

Four states have already qualified for the semi final of the competition namely Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe and the host state Kano. The semi final will hold on Wednesday in the morning.

The winners for boys and girls in the Savannah conference will represent the zone in the stage of the championship scheduled to hold later in the year in Lagos.

Despite insecurity, Zamfara students excel at Savannah conference basketball in Kano

Despite the insecurity challenge, representative of Zamfara state in the ongoing Savannah Conference inter secondary schools basketball championship for boys and girls are in high spirit and make an impact in the tournament.

The head of school sports under the special services in the state ministry of education, Malam Sagir Sani stated this shortly after Sambo Secondary schools, Busau, and Government girls day secondary school, Samaru, Zamfara state walked over their opponents from Yobe state held at the indoor sports hall of Sani Abacha Sports Complex, Kofar Mata, Kano.

Malam Sagir Sani explained that his players (boys and girls) were gradually making efforts to ensure picking a point in the matches.

He described the performance of the players as highly impressive, calling on them to redouble efforts especially in projecting the good image of Zamfara as far as sports was concerned in the country.

While expressing gratitude to the the state Governor Dr Dauda Lawan and the state Commissioner of science and technology, Malam Wada Tau Madawaki as well as the Executive Chairman of Senior Secondary schools Education board for their total support morally and financially to the students.

Malam Sagir Sani who double as the NSSF's Public Relations officer assured that the coaches would go back to the drawing board to review the matches with a view to actualize their set objective.

However, he appealed to the state government as a matter of urgency to improve the schools various facilities aimed at developing the students' skills in future sporting events in the state and the country at large.

....As NSSF VP four hails participants, officiating officials

the Vice President four of the Nigerian School Sports Federation NSSF, Malam Aminu Sarkin Fada has applauded the participants for their commitment and sportsmanship in the championship.

He made the commendation in the ongoing Savannah Conference Nestle Milo basketball championship in Kano.

Malam Aminu Sarkin Fada said that the championship has contributed immensely to the development of the game in the country, assuring that the NSSF will do it's best to ensure more national and international players were produce in the tournament.

On officiating and general organisation, he expressed satisfaction with the performance of the referees and good facilities in Kano.

Today Tuesday is a free day as the NSSF is also organizing clinic for the participating coaches in order to improve their technical knowledge of the game from 8am to 11 am at the competition's venue, Kofar Mata. 

Four states have already qualified for the semi final of the competition namely Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe and the host state Kano. The semi final will hold on Wednesday in the morning.

The winners for boys and girls in the Savannah conference will represent the zone in the stage of the championship scheduled to hold later in the year in Lagos.

NSC Chairman Dikko, DG Charged to Stop Globetrotting, Sit at Home, Work for Nigeria's Sports

One of Nigeria's sports entrepreneur and Chairman and Board of Trustees of Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe has Charged the Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade to sit down and pay more attention to assignments in Nigeria's Sports.

He further emphasied that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not appoint them to be globetrotting the whole world,

as facts have it that since their appointment, both Mallam Shehu and his DG Olopade have traveled outside Nigeria 12 times  as spectators and had never signed any sports deal based on  the e-sports economy agenda of Mr. President.

In a press statement on Thursday and  made available to Journalists in Abuja, Gombe said, "The most embarrassing was when I saw the NSC Chairman travelling to one of the African countries to serve as CAF match Commissioner."

According to him, "If Dikko wants to keep functioning as Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) match commissioner, he should first resign as NSC Chairman, both assignments are not equal. I believe his incompetence on the NSC job have started to show.

Gombe positted that Mallam Shehu Dikko's  position is equivalent to being Nigeria's Sports Minister with huge responsibility and  should stop embarrassing Nigeria.

This is not League Management Commission, (LMC) It is National Sports Commission.

Again, Bukola Olopade  who is stirring the all-important  National Sports Festival Committee supposed to sit down as NSC's Administrative head  but he is busy following footballers, weightlifters the whole places, a job naturally, designated for Sports Federation Presidents.

"They should stay in Nigeria and work.  Unfortunately, since their appointment, Nigerian Sports have no visible direction.

They harp about sports economy and have gone to the President to tell him all sorts of things, the next thing they did was load pictures, videos for people see because that's the tactics they deployed to deceive Mr. President."

Details of the Statement read thus..

"You don't run sports in the Media. Sit down, with your DG and work.

Stop behaving like a permanent secretary or Managing director or Chairman of a company, you suppose to function with board of directors, it is in the Act that established NSC"

"Any arbitrary decision you take is illegal and could be challenged in a court of Competent jurisdiction, because you are not supposed to take arbitrary decisions as Chairman or DG against the provisions of the NSC Act as other institutions that  would have been on the NSC Board are being denied their rightful places as part of Nigeria's project to exercise their enterprise, but you cut them off and two of you sat down to decide what you like, spending Nigeria's money any how".

"Let me remind you, "Any money spent outside the provisions of NSC Act would be accounted for.

I trust you are aware of federal government circular that stipulates how many times public officers can travel with government funds outside the country in a quoter? Are you aware?

Sports is not an exception, all these trips you both are embarking on supposed to be approved  by the board.

It is the sports federations chairman that should be traveling with their teams and not you both.

You have not organized anything that would impact positively on Nigerian Sports since your appointment, it has been from receiving visitors to globetrotting",

"Hon. Olopade, appointed his friend Yusuf Ali in the Podium Finish project, that is fine and have started paying training grants to supposedly Elite athletes and Nigerians are asking, who are these athletes, what are there Names and categories, which countries are they domiciled?

Nigerians are demanding to see the list of elite athletes that received $20.000, $10.000 and $5.000. and their categories well written. It's public money.

Nigerians also want to know who gave Mallam Dikko the power to approve such money outside the board, what are the criteria for approval and release?

This is not how government works.

It is a shame that in this country, apart Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa/Ibom state, there's no other stadium in Nigeria  that meets CAF or FIFA standards to Host international football matches and NSC heads are busy traveling, is that not supposed to be worrisome to them?

The Remo- Ikene Stadium built by Chief Kunle Soname has become the only center in the South West for CAF matches and no other international match finals finals would be played there  except preliminaries.

The Remo- Ikene Stadium was only  considered based on the huge influence of sports loving Kunle Soname who  provided a jet for CAF officials to inspect the stadium. 

Otherwise, there wouldn't have been a chance to play in the Ikene stadium.

Now, Remo Stars FC have won the NPFL Cup, where would the team play their continental games?

Dikko,  Nigerians have given you an opportunity to change from your old ways, but you have not changed. 

Please sit down do the job given to you by Mr. President.

You have to put on your thinking Cap", Gombe said.

NSSF tasks Students as Milo basketball begins in Kano

Students taking part in the 25th edition of Nestle Milo inter secondary schools basketball championship for boys and girls have been urged to utilize the competition as ladder for greener pasture.

The Savannah Conference which begins today Saturday attracted seven state so far namely: Yobe. Borno, Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa, Zamfara and host state Kano in attendance.

The Secretary General of the Nigerian School Sports Federation NSSF, Oba Funsho Usman PhD made the while addressing the participant states at the Indoor Sports Hall of Sani Abacha Sports complex Kofar Mata.

Oba Funsho Usman PhD said that the championship started almost three decades has produced big stars national and international players who are currently playing in United States of America USA and other foreign countries earning big money.

"This is the real grassroots tournament which we call it catch them young. The NSSF are proud of being part of the organisers and supported by Nestle Milo company,'' he explained.

On the screening exercise conducted before the commencement of the matches, he expressed satisfaction with way and manner, the coordinators presented the real age bracket of the students (Under-17).

The Secretary General however, said that leadership of NSSF led by Mrs Olabisi Joseph would continue to do their best towards promoting and development of various sporting activities in the country, calling to other multi corporate bodies to complete Government efforts in this direction.

In some of the matches played, Ahmadiyya College basketball team whitewashed Federal Polytechnic Staff School, Damaturu 27-06 points in the girls categories, Government Girls College, Bauchi also hammered its Government Girls Secondary school, Dutsen Tsafe, Katsina 28-01 points.

The matches continue tomorrow Sunday at the same venue.