Sports
‘NPFL’ll Soon Be Most Watched League’
President of the Spanish foot
ball league (LaLiga), Javier Tebas, at the weekend in Abuja said the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) would soon be the most watched league in Europe.
Tebas who spoke during the official commissioning of the LaLiga office in Abuja said this would materialise in view of the Spanish league’s partnership with its Nigerian counterpart.
The opening of an office in Nigeria by LaLiga is part of the implementation of a technical and commercial partnership recently signed.
LaLiga signed the partnership with the League Management Company (LMC), who are the organisers of the NPFL.
The LaLiga President noted that the Spanish league, being one of the top leagues in the world, attracts a lot of media attention worldwide.
He said its partnership with the NPFL would therefore draw a lot of media attention to the Nigerian league.
“Our vision is very clear. We want to see the NPFL get better in terms of its quality and organisation.
“I am convinced that in a few years from now, the NPFL will be the most watched in Europe.
“Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will also come here to play in Nigeria,’’ Tebas said.
He said part of the partnership deal was the LaLiga tour by 40 players selected from the NPFL into an All-Star team.
NAN reports that during the team’s tour of Spain, it will participate in the prestigious Carranza LaLiga World Club tourney and also play a friendly
match against Valencia CF.
Also, Antonio Baradas, the LaLiga Africa Representative based in South Africa, expressed satisfaction with the location of the office in the high-brow Maitama district of Abuja.
“I am impressed by the quality of materials used in equipping the office.
“It is a very conducive place for us to work on making the NPFL-LaLiga partnership a success.”
He said LaLiga would invest in the grassroots of Nigerian football, adding that a lot of talents abound in the country.
“The talents are here. We have to work with what you’ve got.
“We have a contract signed for five years and hopefully we can extend it beyond that for a long time to come,’’ Baradas said.
Simililarly, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo, said the partnership between LaLiga and the NPFL marked the beginning of a solid presence in Nigeria.
He said it would be consolidating what has already been achieved.
“As Spanish Ambassador, I have to express my satisfaction that one of the strongest institutions in Spain, and probably one of the best known worldwide, LaLiga, has established an office in Nigeria.
“I see a bright future ahead,’’ Barnuevo said.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), described the event as another major milestone and a new dawn for Nigeria.
“We are delighted that very early in the tenor of this partnership, a lot of positives are being recorded.
“This opening of the LaLiga Office represents another landmark in the partnership and will facilitate effective collaboration between the two leagues,’’ he said.
Tidesports source recalls that LaLiga Foundation, a charity arm of LaLiga, recently announced a grant of 56,000 Euros and equipment to El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri.
The grant was to support the club in the response to the insurgency which forced the club to play home league fixtures in other cities for almost three seasons.
Nigeria is the second African country after South Africa to have an office of a major European League.
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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