Sports
NRA Organises Seminar For Referees, Assistant Referees Others
In a bit to have quality officiating for the upcoming 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NRA) in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has organised a ten day intensive programme for football referees, assistant referees and referees’ assessors at Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, recently.
The programme which was well attended by all invitees received lectures on how to improve referees, assistant referees and referee assessors, mostly on practical field experience.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the programme, the President of Nigeria (Football) referees’ association, Hon. Alhaji Sani Zubairu said the exercise is an annual event for Nigeria Football Referees towards kick- off of every football league season.
“This is an annual event we usually organise towards commencement of the League and before commencement of the second stanza’ he said
Alluding the assertion of the President, the Chairman Nigeria Football Federation Referees’ committee Faith Iraboh says “The football season is going to kick off in the next two weeks and to us, we need due diligence in preparing the referees, and assistant referees for the upcoming season and also the referee assessors. We took one week to take care of IFAB amendments of the laws of the game and its application. We went through looking at the laws, with football teams practicalizing it in the field of play.
The referee’s committee chairman asserted that much is expected from the referees, assistant referees and referees’ assessors measuring what was impacted in them throughout the exercise.
“Last year the performance of the referees was a little above average this year we expect the referees to perform optimally. We have tested them on the physical fitness and also on the laws of the game to know how well they assimilated what they were taught. This season, l am confident, going by the training they will do better than the last season”
“For the assessors, they are the guidance to the referees; they were told what is expected of them to be referees role models and mentors. The assessors were also engaged in the practical models of assessments, and they were tested on what they were taught”.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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