“We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and 1994 AFCON champion,” the Super Eagles said. Dodomayana started his professional career with Stauonery Stores in 1980.

The legendary keeper had 65 caps for the Super Eagles, manning the goalpost for Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998.

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

The annual football competition, tagged AKOGUN UNDER-20 ANNUAL FOOTBALL COMPETITION, is set to take place on the 25^th of June 2025. The organiser of the competition, Hon. (Dr) Akogun Olugbenga Omole, stated that the motive behind it is to serve as an inspiration to the young talents and to develop football from the grassroots in the Akoko area of Ondo State.

Speaking to our correspondent, Hon. (Dr) Akogun stated that the competition has been adopted as one of the main events of the Annual week-long Oka Day Festival. The Akogun Under-20 football competition attracts ex-internationals who have made their mark representing the country. The stars who had attended the past competition include Ben Iroha, Dosu Joseph, Mutiu Adepoju -The Head master, Peter Rufai-Dodo Mayana and Victor Ikpeba- Prince of Monaco, who was a special guest in last year’s edition.

Hon. (Dr) Akogun Olugbenga Omole was a former lawmaker, Nigerian Politician, Entrepreneur, Community Leader, Philanthropist, Farmer, Businessman, and a football club owner.

DareLasisionline.com reports that the competition, which started on the 25th of June, will have the Grand Finale on the 1st of August, 2025.

Overview

Nigeria’s proposed sports development structure aims to create a comprehensive and sustainable framework that promotes sports at all levels—federal, state, and local. This structure draws inspiration from successful models in the UK, Australia, China, Europe, and the USA while considering Nigeria’s unique socio-economic challenges.

Proposed Structure

1. Federal Level: National Sports Commission (NSC)

Role: Oversee national sports policy, funding, and development programs.

Functions:

– Develop a national sports strategy.
– Allocate funding to state sports commissions.
– Organise national competitions and talent identification programs.
– Collaborate with international sports organisations.

Key Departments:

– Talent Development
– Sports Science and Medicine
– Infrastructure Development
– Marketing and Sponsorship
– Safeguarding

2. State Level: State Sports Commissions (SSCs)

Role: Implement national policies at the state level and promote local sports initiatives.

Functions:
– Organise state-level competitions and events.
– Manage state sports facilities.
– Identify and nurture local talent.
– Collaborate with local governments and community organisations.

Key Departments:
– Grassroots Development
– Coaching and Training
– Community Engagement
– Facility Management
– Safeguarding

3. Local Government Level: Local Sports Councils (LSCs)

Role: Engage communities in sports and promote grassroots participation.
Functions:
– Organise local sports events and leagues.
– Facilitate access to sports facilities.
– Promote health and wellness through sports.
– Collaborate with schools and community groups.

Key Departments:

– Youth Engagement
– School Sports Programs
– Volunteer Coordination
– Event Management
– Safeguarding

Implementation Strategy

1. Funding and Resources:
– Establish partnerships with private sectors and NGOs for funding.
– Create a transparent funding allocation system from federal to local levels.

2. Capacity Building:
– Train coaches, referees, and sports administrators at all levels.
– Develop certification programs for sports professionals.

3. Community Engagement:
– Launch awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of sports.
– Involve local communities in planning and executing sports programs.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
– Implement a robust monitoring system to assess the effectiveness of sports programs.
– Regularly review and adapt strategies based on feedback and outcomes.

Graphic Representation

Below is a simplified graphic representation of the proposed sports development structure for Nigeria:

National Sports Commission (NSC)
| National Sports Institute, Elite Sports, Amateur Sports
——————————————————-
| | |
State Sports Commission State Sports Commission State Sports Commission
| | |
Local Sports Council Local Sports Council Local Sports Council
| | |
Community Sports Programs Community Sports Programs Community Sports Programs

Conclusion

This sports development structure for Nigeria is designed to be adaptable and sustainable, addressing the country’s unique challenges. By fostering collaboration between federal, state, and local entities, we can create a thriving sports culture that promotes health, unity, and national pride.

The Next Steps:
– Engage stakeholders for feedback on the proposed structure.
– Develop a detailed action plan for implementation.
– Launch pilot programs in select states to test the framework.

Together, let us build a brighter future for sports in Nigeria!

According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Galatasaray representatives will now meet Osimhen in Naples to get the final green light.

“Galatasaray have reached an agreement in principle with Napoli over loan deal for Victor Osimhen,” Romano wrote on X.

“One year loan, salary covered as Napoli have accepted these conditions.

“Gala’s delegation to meet with Osimhen in Napoli in next hours for final green light to the move.”

It would be recalled that Osimhen failed to secure a move to Chelsea and Al-Ahli last week Friday .

Galatasaray agreed to cover €9/10m as salary of Osimhen until the end of the season.

The loan deal agreed with Napoli does not include a buy option or obligation clause.

According to Skysport in Italy, the Nigerian forward would prefer a move to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in a four-year deal with his former employers; Napoli expected to earn £67.3m (€80m) plus add-ons for the Nigeria international.

Recall that Osimhen had reportedly agreed to join Chelsea on a €350,000 weekly pay, taking a major step closer to realising his dream Premier League move, but some significant news regarding the Chelsea target reveals that Osimhen would rather ply his trade in the Saudi Pro League.

The 27-year-old competed in lane six during the first heat of the event on Friday.

The reigning world champion and world record holder finished behind Alayasha Johnson from the United States, who clocked a time of 12.39 seconds, and Devynne Charlton from the Bahamas, who recorded 12.50 seconds.

Amusan’s time of 12.55 seconds was insufficient to qualify her for the finals.

This achievement comes amid Nigeria’s disappointing performance in the games, where Nigerian athletes have yet to secure a medal as the Olympics approach their conclusion on Sunday.

On Tuesday, former Super Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde criticized Nigeria’s performance, attributing it to inadequate sports administration in the country.

The veteran technical sports director said: “You see, why Nigerian athletes are not performing well in the ongoing Olympics and other international sports competitions is not technical, but administrative. Is it technical that an athlete who qualified properly in her event will be ridiculed by not registering her for participation?

“Situations like this will continue if our administrators don’t separate politics from sports.”

He stressed that most of the administrators have forgotten the core objective of developmental programmes in sports which had earned the country some measure of success in the past.

The monarch, in a personal message to the team, urged the Three Lions to “hold your heads high”, adding that being a finalist was a “really great achievement”.

In a letter published on X, King Charles wrote,

“Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high.

“All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.

“But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation that will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.”

Recall that the Spanish national team on Sunday night defeated the Three Lions of England 2-1 to lift the Euro 2024 trophy.

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute goal secured the trophy for a record fourth time.

However, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer scored an equalizer for England to make the game 1-1 in the second half following an assist from Jude Bellingham. Fortunately for Spain, Oyarzabal, who came in for Alvaro Morata, netted the final goal in the 86th minute of the game played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Spain has been extremely impressive throughout the competition.

Recall that Spain knocked out France 2-1 in the semi-finals, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest scorer in the history of Euros. Naija News recalls that Spain won the Euro title in 1964, 2008 and 2012. Spain is now four times European champions following Sunday night’s victory against England.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Oyarzabal, who came on as a substitute for captain Alvaro Morata said:

“I did my job and what I had to and was lucky enough to score the goal for the win. “When you are among the 26 names to be picked, that is special enough, but then to get to help the team like I did, that is the most important part.” It is worth noting that England has now lost back-to-back Euro finals and is still without a major title since winning the 1966 World Cup.

Hamza Soye, the commission’s Executive Chairman, told newsmen in Gombe that all arrangements for camping had been put in place to give the athletes good preparations.

“The closed camping which will last for 10 days is to give the needed training and attention that the athletes deserve to win laurels at the upcoming NSF,’’ he stated.

Soye added that Gombe State athletes were going to feature in 14 of the 31 events at the festival, with 142 athletes, 52 technical, medical and management officials representing the state.

“We picked 14 events, on the basis of the events we are sure of medals from.’’

He said the athletes were being prepared to win laurels “We are not taking athletes to Benin to see Benin City but to win laurels and, if that is the case, we must do all needed, including motivation.

“We know the role of motivation for any competition of this kind and that is why we have also put in place motivation plans to ensure that our athletes are well motivated for the competition,’’ Soye said.

He added that the athletes representing Gombe State were selected from grassroots competitions, such as the Tula Marathon.

“Our athletes are young and energetic. They were hidden talents that will surprise the country in Benin,’’ the sports commission chairman said.

Soye commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for making funds available for timely preparation of athletes for the competition, “we don’t have any issues with funding for the camping. We are good to go’’.(NAN)