Sports
Falana Storms NFF Over Mba’s Ownership
A lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, has accompanied the management of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu to the secretariat of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) over the ownership of Super Eagles player Sunday Mba.
Warri Wolves FC and Rangers are claiming ownership of Mba, who displayed an outstanding performance in the 29th Africa Cup of Nations competition in South Africa from January to February.
Both clubs and Mba appeared before a-four-man NFA Judicial Panel of inquiry to state their cases.
The sitting was, however, adjourned to Thursday, March 7, for the committee’s final verdict.
Falana told newsmen after the sitting that he was at the Glasshouse to contribute his quota to the development of football in the country.
“I have come here to do my duty, not just as a lawyer, but as someone who is interested in the development of football in this country.
“If there is any inhibition, we have a duty to remove it and allow this player, who is a rising star to achieve and exploit his maximum talent and capability.
“That is why we need to speed up with this matter.
|I don’t go to court if am not sure of my case. It is not about money but as I did make clear to all the parties, we need to determine the fate of this player; we should not allow this case to hang on his head like a sword of Damocles.
“He should be able to move on and exploit his talent maximally in his own interest and in the interest of the country,” Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said.
He said he might seek legal action if it was the wish of his client, if the matter did not go in their favour.
The Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick, said that the commission was waiting for the committee’s verdict before taking the next step.
“The truth is that they do not know the enormity of damage they are doing to the player’s career because we have written that the full weight of the law should be applied here.
“Player, team and everybody that is culpable must be sanctioned and that is the truth.
“To me, there are no issues, we have submitted all the relevant letters to the panel.
“We tendered the letter Rangers wrote requesting for Mba. We also submitted Mba’s contract paper with us for two years; everything the committee requested from us was tendered.
“I believe the only document Rangers tendered was a document showing that Mba signed a six-year contract with them that ended in 2012.
“The issue is not about Sunday Mba, Rangers or Warri Wolves. It is all about redefining a focus for Nigerian football. It is about giving us a tomorrow.
“A situation where you see Rangers bringing a Senior Advocate of Nigeria leading four other lawyers does not speak well for football,” Pinnick said.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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