Sports
YSFON Rounds Off 2014 Activities
The Kaduna State chapter
of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) has in Kaduna rounded off its year 2014 activities with the final matches of seven competitions.
The final matches were played at the Kaduna YSFON Pitch and the ABS Training Pitch, both at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS).
They involved finalists from various age-grade male competitions organised by the youth sports body since January, involving a total of 140 youth football clubsides.
In the final of the under-10 competition which had 14 participants, Nationale of Tudun Ilu beat Gamji of Kaduna South 3-2 at the YSFON pitch.
Florentina beat FC Porto 1-0 at the YSFON pitch in the final of the under-13 competition, which was an 8-a-side event involving 12 teams.
At the ABS Training Pitch, Golden Boys of Igabi beat Bufa of Kaduna South 2-1 in the final of the under-15 contest which had 20 participants.
The under-17 event which had 24 participants saw Stallion beating Doka Stars on penalty kicks after a goalless draw at the ABS Training Pitch.
In the under-18 category which had 36 teams as participants, the Quarry Men Fc of Kaduna North lost 0-3 to El-Haroun FC of Kaduna South.
In the final of the under-14 competition which had 18 teams, Golden Arrows beat Gamji 2-0.
The final of the under-17 competition for clubsides in the Zangon-Kataf local government area was also played on Sunday in Kaduna at the ABS Training Pitch.
Sixteen teams took part, with Dutsen-Mai of Zangon-Kataf taking on Amana Madauchi in the final match.
Speaking after the matches, the Kaduna State YSFON Secretary, Abdulrasaq Usman, said it was thrilling for him and the organisation to have ended the year on such a note.
He said the final matches were just some of the finals of competitions the organisation put together in the year.
“Five other final matches were played some days ago on these two pitches, involving some other age-grade clubsides, and it is a good thing to see the excitement in the players and their officials.
‘Not only that, it was lovely seeing the quality of play and the individual skills displayed by the boys in these matches, and I can say that the national team handlers are missing a lot by not being here,’’ Usman said.
The official, who is also the YSFON National Organising Secretary, said it was important that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials should take time out to watch youth competitions in states.
“It is very important, because Nigeria has a lot of youth football talents and it is only when the NFF officials go round that they can really see them and choose the best for the country,’’ he said.
Usman however , appealed to public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to come to the aid of Kaduna State YSFON, saying the body was in dire need of financial assistance.
“We have a lot of activities on our programme, and not only in male and female football, but in other sports too, involving various grades of youths.
“However, finance is our major problem, as we receive no grant or any form of assistance from any group or government.
“So, we will greatly appreciate any form of support to help expose hidden sports talents, and help in grooming and shaping their lives for a better future,’’ he said.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.