Sports
Promoter Scores Nigerian Sports Low
A Rivers State born grassroots Football promoter, Chief
Isaac Wonwu has said that Nigeria has not made appreciable progress in Sports
development in her 52 years as a sovereign nation.
Speaking in an interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt,
Wonwu, said that other smaller African countries are looking up to Nigeria to claim the top spot in sports
as giant of Africa, given her great potentials, but that has not been the case
as the country’s rating has continued to decline every passing year.
According to him, some of the smaller neighbouring countries
are now beginning to challenge Nigeria in competitive sports and that has
invariably reduced the country’s rating in thecomity of world’s sports.
Speaking on the way forward, Chief Wonwu suggested that
efforts should be made towards ensuring that proper planning is made from the grassroots in order to discover
budding talents and groom them properly.
He bemoaned the absence of sports fields in schools these days
as a negative effect on the development of sports, particularly football among
youths in Rivers State.
“Imagine a situation where youths are deprived of using a
standard football pitches to train as a result of the building of public and
private primary schools without consideration for sporting activities,” he
said.
He continued that the few anomalies including corrupt
practices of the leaders who are busy paying lip services to sports development
in Nigeria should be viewed seriously if the country hopes to improve on her
sports development and rating.
To ensure a smooth operation of the maiden National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday set up 13 sub-committees, with a challenge to all members to do everything possible to deliver the best-ever Games in October this year.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) held at the Conference Room of the Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, who is the Chairman of the LOC, charged all members of the various committees to focus on how to host a Game that will be enjoyable, just as he urged members of the LOC and chairmen of the various committees to be transparent in their dealings.
“We are one big family,” Egube said. “To host a Game of this magnitude requires wisdom, maturity and we should submit to the will of the majority.”
Egube, a former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State. Added: “One of the objectives of this Games is sports development, but you can’t talk about sports development without people’s development. We must organise ourselves in a way that those coming to participate in the Games will see that Lagos is truly number one when it comes to hosting National sporting events.”
Co-chairman of Lagos 2026 National Intermediate Games, Lekan Fatodu, who is the Chairman of Lagos Sports Commission, revealed that between 13,000 to 15,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Games.
“It is the first time in 14 years that Lagos is hosting another major sporting event after EKO 2024 National Sports Festival, and we must brace up to give it the best it deserves,” Fatodu stated.
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles player, Waidi Akanni, a member of the Finance and Sponsorship Sub-committee, has emphased the need for massive publicity for the Games.
Among the 13-sub committees put in place for the Games is the Media and Publicity Sub-committee headed by Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso. The committee includes Lekan Okusan,Tunde Eludini and Gowon Akpodonor of The Guardian.
Other sub-committees rolled out at the venue on Friday include Mobilization committee, Venue and Facilities, Games Village and Accommodation, Medical, Transportation and Logistics, Ceremonial and Protocol, Catering and Feeding, as well as Finance and Sponsorship.
All members of the various sub-committees were given letter of appointment signed by the Secretary-General of the LOC, Mr. Adedeji Aladegbemi, shortly after the inaugural meeting on Friday.
The maiden Lagos 2026 National Intermediate Games will run from October 1-15 across various sporting centers in the state.
The Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) has commended Nestlé Nigeria Plc. for its unwavering commitment to grassroots sports through the consistent sponsorship of the country’s longest-running school basketball competition — the MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship.
Now in its 26th edition, the annual tournament has produced numerous talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria at continental and international levels.
At a press briefing ahead of the national finals, which tip off tomorrow, NSSF President Olabisi Joseph described Nestlé’s support as “unrivalled.”
She noted: “On behalf of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, I sincerely thank Nestlé Nigeria Plc. and the MILO brand for their unwavering support and commitment to youth development through sports. Your investment over the past twenty-six years has positively impacted millions of Nigerian children and created a legacy in school sports.”
Joseph emphasised that the championship has become more than just a competition: “For twenty-six editions, the impact has been remarkable. The MILO brand has partnered with NSSF to build a foundation where passion meets purpose, serving as a breeding ground for excellence. Many young talents discovered here have gone on to represent their states, wear the national colours, and even build successful professional careers both at home and abroad.”
Beyond the basketball court, the tournament has instilled discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship among students. It has also promoted academic balance, cultural unity, and leadership development, shaping participants into responsible future leaders.
This year’s edition saw over 13,000 schools across Nigeria compete from state preliminaries to the national finals, with 12 teams – including debutants from Katsina and Ekiti – battling for glory in Lagos.
Joseph remarked: “What started as a modest initiative has grown into a national movement. The participation of over 13,000 schools this year alone demonstrates the tremendous impact and reach of this programme.”
In addition to the competition, the finals will feature clinics, mentorship sessions, and cultural exhibitions. To ensure fairness, NSSF will deploy screening, biometrics, and data capturing to confirm eligibility of school-aged participants.
Joseph said that the championship is not just about winning trophies but about nurturing confidence, leadership, and citizenship among Nigerian youth.
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