Category: Sports

NITT Zaria set to host RIGAN Games 2026

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, has secured the hosting rights for the 2026 Research Institute Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) Games, following the successful inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC). RIGAN is a coalition of Research and Development Institutes under various Federal Ministries, established to promote sports development, unity and camaraderie among research institutions nationwide. The RIGAN Games serve as a platform for talent identification, sports development and strengthened collaboration among participating institutes. The last edition was held in Ibadan and hosted by the Cocoa Research…

Medical Strikers FC clinches inaugural Montage 99.7FM community football Tournament title

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Medical Strikers FC of Gwagwalada has emerged champion of the maiden edition of the Montage 99.7FM Community Football Tournament after edging past Chidex FC of Bwari 5–4 on penalties in a thrilling final. The keenly contested showdown was decided on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Area 10 Old Parade Ground football pitch in Garki, Abuja. Both sides were locked in a tense battle that ended goalless after 90 minutes of regulation time, with neither team able to convert their chances despite sustained attacking pressure.   The penalty shootout eventually…

CDS flags off maiden Under-15 Boys Football Championship in Port Harcourt

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The inaugural edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Under-15 Boys Football Championship is set to kick off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from 13 to 20 December 2025, bringing together talented young players from communities and military barracks across the South-South region, as well as Imo and Abia States.   According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the championship aligned with the vision of the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, to promote youth development, capacity building, and social cohesion among the region’s…

Union Bank, NNPC, Others back Cycling Kano 2025 ahead of December 20 flag-off

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Major corporate organisations, including Union Bank of Nigeria and NNPC Limited, have thrown their weight behind Cycling Kano 2025, one of Northern Nigeria’s biggest annual fitness and tourism events scheduled for December 20, 2025. The organisers confirmed that this year’s edition now set to take off from the Emir’s Palace, Kano has secured robust sponsorship support not only from the Kano State Government, but also FrieslandCampina WAMCO and several other leading Nigerian brands. The 2025 event, themed “Health and Wellness”, is expected to attract professional cyclists, fitness enthusiasts, recreational riders,…

FCT Area Councils set for action as Montage fm Tournament kicks off Saturday … Future Planners face Dream Team in Abaji opener

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Excitement is building across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the much-awaited Montage FM 99.7 Area Councils Football Tournament kick off this Saturday. In Abaji, the opening-day spotlight will be on Future Planners as they take on Dream Team, while Emirate Stars will lock horns with Abaji FA in another highly anticipated fixture.   Action will also be intense in AMAC, where Gum FA will battle FC Liberty International, just as 2K19 face Peculiar FC.   In Bwari, Chidex FC will square up against Dutse…

Customs CG Adeniyi elected Nigeria Wrestling Federation President, promises reform-driven leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has been elected President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), pledged to introduce reform-driven leadership aimed at repositioning the sport for greater national and international success.   The election, which held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Gymnasium Hall, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, was supervised by the National Sports Commission. It drew wide commendation from athletes and sports administrators, who described the outcome as both timely and strategic for the development of Nigerian sports.   Before his…

Cycling Kano 2025: Organisers open Online Registration …. Targets Health, Tourism, and Youth Development

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The organisers of Cycling Kano 2025, one of Northern Nigeria’s biggest cycling events, have announced the commencement of online registration for athletes and cycling enthusiasts ahead of the competition scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in Kano State. The event, jointly organised by the Kano State Government and BrandEscort Communications, aims to promote healthy living, tourism, and youth engagement through sports. It is expected to attract professional cyclists, fitness enthusiasts, and recreational riders from within Nigeria and across Africa. According to the organisers, interested participants can now register…

Foreign Affairs Ministry saves Super Eagles from travel Hitch, ensures swift return for World Cup Qualifier

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has successfully facilitated the safe and timely return of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, from Luanda, Angola, ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Benin Republic in Uyo. The intervention followed a travel disruption caused by a cracked windscreen on the team’s aircraft during a refueling stop in Luanda. Acting on the directive of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Nigerian Mission in Angola swiftly activated diplomatic channels to coordinate the release…

Armed Forces, Security Agencies to hold joint Route March Friday

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that personnel of the Armed Forces and other security agencies will on Friday, October 10, 2025, embark on a Route March Exercise in Abuja.   In a statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said the exercise will commence at 5:00 a.m. from the Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment football field to Mambilla Barracks, and return to the cantonment through Niger Barracks.   Gusau explained that the route march is a routine physical fitness activity aimed at promoting synergy, teamwork,…

RIGAN elects new leadership, holds maiden NEC meeting in Ilorin

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Research Institutes Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) has ushered in a new era of leadership, following the successful election and inauguration of its new executive council at the Nigeria Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ilorin. The newly constituted National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to steer the association towards greater achievements in promoting sports, wellness, and inter-institutional cooperation among research institutes across Nigeria.   Professor Feranmi F. Owolade of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, was re-elected as RIGAN President, alongside other key officials including…