Sports
‘NPL To Conduct Championship Election Soon’
The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Board has said that its electoral committee would soon conduct fresh elections as directed by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
A Federal High Court had on August 2, ordered the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to conduct fresh elections into two NPL board positions.
The positions are those of the chairman and the chairman of Club Chairmen, whose elections are to hold within 30 days and not later than 45 days of the judgment
Justice Gabriel Kolawole had given the order in a suit filed by Mr Davidson Owumi, erstwhile chairman of the board.
Owumi had prayed the court to order the NFA to declare him winner of the May 8, 2010 NPL elections, after the association had ordered his removal in December 2010 during its congress in Uyo.
He had also sought the court’s order to declare that the arbitration panel chaired by Prof. Akin Ibidapo-Obe was not legally constituted and therefore lacked powers to remove him from office.
Consequently, the NFA last week directed the NPL to act in line with the court’s order.
The Chairman of NPL’s Media and Publicity Committee, Mr Akin Akinbobola, said the board decided to act in line with both the court’s order and NFA’s directive.
Akinbobola, who briefed newsmen at the end of the board meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, said the league body had directed its secretariat to send NFA’s letter to the Electoral Committee.
“We decided to forward the NFA letter to the Electoral Committee asking for the elections to be held as ruled by the Federal High Court, for action, and we expect the committee to swing into action very soon,’’ he said.
The NPL board spokesman said both the Electoral Committee headed by Mr Tony Rafua and the Appeals Committee headed by Barr. Isaac Danladi,would stand as earlier constituted by the NPL board in 2010.
It will be recalled that the members of the electoral committee were, Rafua, My Tony Ogola, Alhaji Muazu Suleiman, Prince Oladimeji Thompson, Malam Awalu Baba-Jada, Mr Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Mr Alhassan Yakmut.
Both Suleiman and Anyansi-Agwu are now NFA board members.
Yakmut, who was its Secretary, and then the NPL Executive Secretary on secondment from the National Sports Commission (NSC), has returned to the commission.
The Appeals Committee has Danladi, Suleiman David and Uzor Paul as members.
Akinbobola, who is also NPL board member, said the league body had no reason to tamper with the constitution of both the electoral and appeals committees.
“The committees are returning to their duties as they are like standing committees, and we have no reason to effect any change,’’ he said.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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