Sports
Police Games: LOC inspects facilities in Asaba
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming 15th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA 2026) on Friday ended a two-day strategic conference held in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Arising from the conference, the LOC embarked on an inspection tour of sporting facilities designated for the Games scheduled to hold from 7th February to 14th February in Asaba.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement at the weekend, said that the conference and inspection exercise was led by AIG Fom Pam Joseph, Chairman of the Force Sports Planning Committee. According to him, the conference aimed at fine-tuning operational plans, logistics, and coordination ahead of the commencement of the games.
In attendance at the conference were senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, including AIG Suleiman Abdul, CP Dantawaye Miller, CP Hassan Gwani, CP Osifo Emefiele, and the Commissioner of Police.
, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, alongside other senior officers and members of the Local Organising Committee.
He said that during the conference, critical issues bordering on venue readiness, security arrangements, accommodation, transportation, medical services, and general logistics were discussed, with particular emphasis on a seamless and professionally coordinated sporting event.
The LOC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a safe, orderly, and successful sporting festival, stating that preparations were progressing steadily.
Niger Tornadoes have threatened to withdraw from the Nigeria Premier Football League after the league body banned the Bako Kantagora Stadium in Minna from hosting top-flight matches, Tidesports source reports.
The chairman of the Niger State Sports Commission, Danjuma Masu, described the decision as unfair and unjust, accusing the authorities of targeting the club through what he alleged were politically motivated actions.
Speaking in Minna while addressing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Masu said the directive forcing the club to relocate its home fixtures outside the state was driven by personal and selfish interests.
“Not that the stadium is bad,” Masu said.
The issue raised is about camera angles, and that can be fixed within one week. Playing politics with sports is unacceptable and should be discouraged.”
Masu insisted that the Niger State Stadium compares favourably with many approved venues across the country, arguing that it is better than at least ten other stadiums currently hosting league matches.
He called on the league to immediately reverse the decision, warning that the club could be forced to pull out of the competition if the ban remains in place.
“Rescheduling of Tornadoes’ matches to other states is politically motivated, personal and driven by selfish interests,” he said as relayed by Tidesports source. .
The state may withdraw the club from the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), if the situation does not improve.”
The Nigeria Premier Football League had earlier announced the ban on the Bako Kantagora Stadium, declaring the venue unfit under new broadcast and television rights agreements that require higher technical and infrastructural standards.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and signed by the league’s chief operating officer, Davidson Owumi, Niger Tornadoes were informed that the stadium no longer meets the requirements to stage league fixtures under the new broadcast framework.
As a result, the club was directed to relocate its remaining home matches for the season and choose an alternative venue between the Rasheed Yekini Main Bowl in Ilorin and the Jos Zaria Road Stadium. The league warned that failure to communicate a choice within the stipulated timeframe would lead to a venue being allocated on the club’s behalf.
Despite the directive, Niger Tornadoes were permitted to host their matchday 24 fixture, a 2–2 draw against Bendel Insurance, at the Kantagora venue due to the short notice of the decision. The relocation order is expected to take effect from the subsequent home games.
The club is now expected to move to the newly renovated Lafia City Stadium in Nasarawa for future home fixtures until the Kantagora Stadium meets the conditions set by the league board.
After their away match against Ikorodu City in Lagos on Sunday (today), Niger Tornadoes are scheduled to host Rivers United, Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars away from Minna.
Viktor Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal comfortably beat Sunderland to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points.
The Gunners looked like they were going to be frustrated by a well organised Sunderland defence before Martin Zubimendi’s excellent strike beat Robin Roefs, after hitting the post.
Sunderland did cause problems, with Brian Brobbey unsettling the Arsenal backline with his physicality and the forward had a shot cleared off the line by Kai Havertz after keeper David Raya fumbled a long ball into the area.
Declan Rice and Havertz went close with curling strikes before substitute Gyokeres slammed the ball into the net after being teed up by Havertz in the 66th minute.
The Swedish international then finished into an empty net in stoppage time after Gabriel Martinelli rolled the ball across the box to him.
After Aston Villa’s draw with Bournemouth and Manchester City not in action until yesterday afternoon, the victory adds more pressure on Arsenal’s title rivals.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
-
News3 hours agoTinubu Embarks On Two-Day State Visit To UK, March 18
-
News3 hours agoNLC Threatens Nationwide Protest Over Electoral Act Amendment
-
Maritime2 hours agoOver 6,223 Seafarers Abandoned In 2025 – Says ITF
-
Niger Delta2 hours agoNembe Renders Development Scorecard … Defers King Koko’s Annual Festival
-
News3 hours agoRSG Committed To Cancer Reduction -Health Commissioner
-
News3 hours agoRed Cross Unveils New Generation Of Humanitarians In PH
-
News3 hours agoI Won’t Be Distracted, Fubara Assures Rivers People
-
News3 hours agoIPOB Orders Total Cancellation Of Sit-At-Home In S’East