Gombe Aquatic Sports Body Unveils Board, Sets Stage for Competitive Debut

By Auwal Ahmad Umar 

The Gombe State chapter of the Aquatic Sports Association has taken a major step toward revitalising water-based sports with the official inauguration of its patrons and board members, signalling the beginning of structured aquatic sporting activities in the state.

The ceremony, held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, also featured the establishment of twelve strategic committees designed to drive the association’s operations and ensure effective coordination of its programs.

Speaking at the event, the state chairman of the association, Tijjani Jaafar, described the inauguration as a turning point for aquatic sports development in Gombe. He revealed that the association is set to roll out various activities, including competitive swimming, diving, and water polo, as part of efforts to harness local talent.

Jaafar commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for fostering a supportive environment for sports growth, noting that such backing has created opportunities for emerging athletes to thrive.

He, however, stressed the need for sustained collaboration between government and private stakeholders, particularly in sponsorship and athlete welfare, to ensure that the association’s programs are not hindered by funding challenges.

According to him, Gombe athletes are well-positioned to compete at national platforms, including the upcoming National Sports Festival, provided there is increased investment in training and development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Adamu Inuwa Ibrahim, endorsed the association during a meeting in his office, assuring members of the ministry’s continued support. He expressed optimism that the body would contribute positively to the state’s sporting reputation and pledged an open-door policy for engagement.

Also speaking, one of the association’s patrons, Shehu Awak, called for financial support to enable the smooth execution of programs and expressed confidence in the association’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

The newly formed committees include technical organisation and meetings; finance, budget, and sponsorship; school sports and higher institutions; and the Aquatic Integrity, Disciplinary, and Ethics Unit.

Others are media and publicity; lifeguards; water safety and drowning prevention; facilities and swimming pool monitoring; security; athlete discovery and development; open-water swimming, polo, and diving; medical and doping control; as well as the Aquatic Welfare Committee.

With the structures now in place, stakeholders say the association is poised to nurture talent and position Gombe as a competitive force in aquatic sports nationwide.

Oriental Energy Football Cup Set for Kick-Off in Maiduguri as 48 Teams Battle for Glory

By Auwal Ahamad Umar

Everything is now in place for the maiden edition of the Oriental Energy Football Cup, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on April 6, 2026, in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The competition is expected to bring 48 football teams drawn from Maiduguri and neighbouring local government areas together in what organisers describe as a major grassroots football fiesta aimed at promoting unity, sportsmanship, and talent discovery.

The tournament will follow a knockout format, ensuring that every match is a high-stakes encounter for the participating clubs, according to the organisers.

The teams have been grouped into 12 groups, while the opening fixture will see Mafoni Warriors take on FC Crack at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

The official draw ceremony was held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Football Association Hall, Elkanemi Warriors Sports Centre, Maiduguri, where club officials, coaches, and football stakeholders gathered to witness the pairing of teams ahead of the competition.

One of the key moments at the event was an update on the new Laws of the Game, delivered by respected Borno-based referee Ali Sharu, popularly known as Ali Wulari. During the session, he explained recent changes in football regulations to participating teams and clarified several issues raised by coaches.

The interactive session allowed club officials to seek explanations on areas of concern, with Ali Sharu providing detailed responses to ensure deeper understanding of the revised football rules before the start of the tournament.

Speaking after the draw, Coach El-Ahmed Goni, commonly known as Coach Nasara of the Mafoni Warriors, praised the organisers for putting together what he described as a commendable football competition. He also expressed hope for a successful and peaceful tournament.

Also reacting, Coach Ibrahim Ali Kellu, also known as Coach Dala, described the competition as one of the best initiatives by football stakeholders in the state, despite being its first edition.

He noted that the tournament would be highly competitive because of its knockout format, where every team must fight to survive.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Borno State Club Owners Association, Ibrahim Mohammed, commended the local organising committee for what he called a well-coordinated and transparent draw ceremony.

He urged all participating clubs to maintain discipline throughout the competition and advised team officials to properly educate their players and supporters on the updated laws of football to avoid unnecessary tension before, during, and after matches.

According to him, discipline, respect for the rules, and fair play will be essential to the success of the tournament.

The ceremony ended with the formal grouping of all the teams, setting the stage for what is expected to be an exciting and fiercely contested football championship in Maiduguri.

With growing anticipation among football lovers in Borno, the Oriental Energy Football Cup is already shaping up to be a major platform for showcasing local talent and strengthening grassroots football development in the state.

NSC, Bodybuilding Federation Partnership for Sport Growth

By Sani Yakubu, Kaduna

The National Sports Commission and the Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria are collaborating to promote fitness and expand the sport of bodybuilding in Nigeria.

The National Sports Commission has promised closer cooperation with the Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Nigeria as part of efforts to expand bodybuilding and fitness development across the country.

The commitment was made on Friday in Abuja when a delegation from the federation, led by its president, Soye Elekima, paid a courtesy visit to the commission.

Speaking during the meeting, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said the commission was prepared to work more closely with the federation to strengthen the sport from the grassroots to the professional stage.

He explained that the partnership would focus on discovering young talents, improving training facilities, and raising the quality of competitions across the country. According to him, the collaboration is also expected to create a stronger pathway for athletes to progress from local contests to the international stage.

Dikko said the commission would support the development of national teams and back programmes designed to improve the structure and organisation of bodybuilding championships in Nigeria. He added that introducing fitness initiatives at the school level would help nurture athletes early and build a sustainable future for the sport.

He stressed that Nigeria must begin to invest more seriously in fitness and talent development if it hopes to compete favourably on the global stage.

The NSC chairman also raised concern over the need to properly regulate gyms and fitness centres across the country, saying the move had become necessary to prevent avoidable accidents and ensure that fitness instructors are professionally certified.

According to him, the visit by the federation came at a critical moment when issues of safety, professionalism and standardisation in the fitness industry require urgent attention.

Dikko further pledged support for key programmes proposed by the federation, including the ShapeUp Nigeria 30×30 Fitness Challenge, an initiative aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles and helping to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases among Nigerians.

As part of the proposed partnership, both bodies are expected to collaborate on logistics, competition support and prize sponsorship to improve the standard of national bodybuilding events.

The plan also includes specialised workshops and training sessions for junior and elite athletes between the ages of six and 21, as well as technical development programmes for coaches across the country.

Officials said the initiative would help prepare both male and female athletes for regional and international competitions while also deepening technical knowledge within the sport.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the induction of Dikko into the World Fitness Sheriffs Department as Grand Commander, in recognition of his support for fitness advocacy and sports development.

The body also announced that the last Saturday of every month would now be observed as “Keep Fit Day”, a move aimed at promoting public awareness about physical health and wellness.

Earlier, Elekima said Nigeria was prepared to host international events under the IFBB Fitness and Bodybuilding League, as well as other major competitions that could place the country on the global bodybuilding map.

He said hosting such events would not only elevate the sport locally but also stimulate economic activity, generate jobs and attract foreign attention and investment into Nigeria’s sports and wellness sector.

Elekima expressed optimism that with the support of the NSC, Nigeria could emerge as a major destination for bodybuilding and fitness development in Africa and beyond.