Sports
SWAN Set To Monitor Sports Equipment
The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Honour Sirawoo, has expressed the readiness of the association to join the National Lottery Trust Fund in monitoring sports equipment being donated to public primary schools across the federation.
Sirawoo made the pledge in Port Harcourt when the National Lottery Trust Fund donated athletics, volleyball, basketball, handball, badminton, table tennis, judo and taekwondo equipment to 37 public primary schools in Rivers state.
He, therefore, directed all chapters of the association to work with the various education boards in their respective states to ensure the sports equipment were put into proper use by the beneficiaries and not diverted. He stressed the association’s support for grassroots oriented sports development.
The Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, Engr Habu Gumel, while handing over the sports equipment, tasked the beneficiaries to put it into proper use and “ensure the safe keeping so that they do not get stolen as we have already alerted security agencies to apprehend any culprit who diverts these Federal Government intervention materials.
Gumel reaffirmed Federal Government’s objective of promoting grassroots sports development through the application of lottery proceeds, adding “we will continue to channel resources to key government projects and programmes that will bring succor to everyday Nigerians.
According to him, “This present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari is strongly passionate and committed to advancing, uplifting and promoting grassroots sports development in the country and this exercise of equipping our public primary schools with quality sports equipment through funding from the national lottery is a clear demonstration of government’s desire.”
He called on lottery operators, licensees and business promoters that engage in any form of promotional lottery to keep to their obligations of remitting 20% lottery proceeds to the Trust Fund, while insisting that the government will no longer tolerate sharp practices that undermine the growth and development of Nigeria.
Also speaking at the occasion, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Engr Babachir Lawal, who was represented by Dr Amina Shamaki, stated that the government has identified sports as a major revenue earner that is capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s gross earnings outside of oil.
According to him, “we will strive to extend this gesture to as many games and schools as possible. We will at the same time, explore the possibility of concentrating on infrastructure and equipment that should endure in the longer term so as to expand the base of target beneficiaries.”
Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike, thanked the trust fund for the donation, pointing out that it would go a long way in helping the state to discover young talents, while also being educated.
The Executive Chairman of Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Venerable Fyneface Akah, while commending the federal government and the lottery trust fund for the donation, assured of their reading to use the sports equipment and ultimately unveil talents that would be of good to the state and Nigeria at large.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
-
Editorial23 hours agoDomesticate FG’s Exit Benefit Scheme
-
News24 hours agoDHQ Confirms Deaths Of Terrorists, Soldiers In Borno Attack
-
News20 hours agoRSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
-
News21 hours agoTinubu Commissions Bayelsa Gas Turbine, Other Projects Today
-
Rivers23 hours ago
Dep Gov Seeks Collaboration, Transparency Between RIVCHPP, PHCMB
-
Nation20 hours ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Featured22 hours agoFG Reaffirms Nigeria’s Stability As US Embassy Suspends Visa Appointments In Abuja Office
-
Sports1 day ago
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON