Sports
NSF Scribe Canvasses More Grassroots Programmes
The Secretary-General of
Nigeria Swimming Federation (NSF), Mrs Gloria Ekwempu-Chinwuko has appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to initiate grassroots sports development programmes, to enable the country discover more especially in swimming talents.
Mrs Ekwempu-Chinwuko made the appeal in an execlusive interview with Tidesports, in Port Harcourt at the weekend. She stated that NSC should not wait for National Sports Festival in every two years before talents would be discovered.
“We, in the Swimming Federation want NSC to initiate other grassroots sports development programmes and not to wait for NSF only,” she said. According to her, the swimming federation usually organises tournaments and competitions to ensure that the federation discover talents in swimming. The Federation has discovered some talents, because we usually organise some grassroots programmes, even before the National Sports Festival.
Infact, as I am talking to you now, we have sent two swimmers to Morocco for a competition and they are doing well” the Secretary General added.
The Chief scribe of the Federation used the forum to advice athletes generally to be always focused and discipline in any sports they are into, saying that it is only when they do that they can achieve success in their Game.
She commended the Rivers State government of the good quality of facilities that is put in place for the Sports Festival, must especially the swimming pool, which is an Olympics standard.
My advice to athletes is to be focused and discipline to enable them achieve success. I also commend the Rivers State Government over high quality of facilities used during the Sports Festival and I want the authorities concern to put adequate machineries to maintain these facilities.
Tonye Orabere
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
