Sports
“Sports Is Beyond Podium Placement”
“All of these are fully entrenched in the Niger Delta Games,” he said while declaring the 2nd edition closed in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday night.
Olopade, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the closing ceremony, delivered a passionate address highlighting the broader value of sports to national development, youth empowerment and economic growth.
He described the Niger Delta Games as a living example of how sport can unify communities while stimulating local economies, adding that the Commission would continue to back the initiative.
“This is why I make a bold statement today that the National Sports Commission will continue to support Dunamis Icon and the Games,” he said.
Olopade emphasised that the vision behind the Games aligns strongly with President Tinubu’s commitment to repositioning sports as a strategic tool for youth engagement and national development.
“The father of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has shown in so many ways his determination to use sports as a tool of empowerment and engagement with the most important demographic in our country, the youth,” he said.
“For the first time in this country, sport is being given its rightful position in government. The President did not stop at that. Just last week, in a meeting with the Chairman of the Commission, sweeping reform policies were approved. These reforms will ensure that sporting facilities are upgraded and equitably distributed across the nation, while also opening the door for increased private sector involvement in sports.”
“In the last one year, we have taken deliberate steps to collect data from sporting events organised across the country. The numbers show clearly that these Games are putting money in the pockets of our people. They are supporting small businesses, creating direct and induced jobs, boosting corporate sponsorship opportunities and creating visibility for host cities and states,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Dunamis Icon Ltd and lead Consultant to the NDG, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, has revealed plans to increase the number of sports from 16 to 21 at the next edition.
Speaking to journalists at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Ikpokpo explained that the expansion would depend largely on the popularity of the sports within the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the vision of the games goes beyond winning medals, stressing that talent discovery remains the primary objective.
He noted that canoeing was removed from this year’s programme due to lack of equipment in participating states, while Taekwondo was introduced instead.
He emphasised that one of the key legacies of the Games is ensuring athletes welfare and proper organisation.
He called for a return to vibrant school sports and urged state governments to adequately fund coaches to drive grassroots talent identification.
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
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