
Sports
FG, Enugu Sign Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival


The Federal Government and Enugu State Government have signed the host state agreement in respect of the 2026 National Sports Festival billed to hold in the South East State.
The agreement, which was signed by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade for the FG and Governor Peter Mbah for Enugu State, on Tuesday, now awards Enugu State the full hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah thanked the Commission and other sports stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the state and his administration to stage the event, assuring that it would discharge its hosting responsibilities in a way that would leave a lifelong memory and experience on the athletes and all lovers of sports in Nigeria and beyond.
“We also appreciate the value and significance of this award. I want to commend the commission for finding Enugu worthy of being the next host of the 23rd National Sports Festival. We are going to discharge ourselves creditably.
“As you know, we like to be a role model as a state that gained preeminence over 115 years ago. We will not want to let our forebears down. We will live up to that standard.
“We have already set forth at dawn. Immediately that announcement was made, we mobilised our team. We are already working on revamping the Awgu Games Village and a whole lot. We have decided to deliver a brand new Games Village. We are also completely renovating the stadium to brand new.
“We are making sure that by the time you come here by the end of this year, you are going to be highly impressed. It is not revamping, rebranding or re-equipping, but we are also going to build additional facilities to the existing one. We are looking forward to having a word-class experience befitting the sports men and women, making our hosting a lifelong memory and experience,” he stated.

L-R: Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Enugu State, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; and the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olapade, during the signing of the Host State Agreement for 2026 National Sports Festival between the Commission and Enugu State Government the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday.
Earlier in his address, Hon. Olopade said the commission was encouraged by Enugu’s bid, available facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s determination to turn around the sports and social infrastructure to grant Enugu the right to host the event after the 22nd edition to be hosted by Ogun State.
The National Sports Commission boss added that the hosting would boost investment and tourism in the state before, during, and after the event.
Sports
Ademola Lookman crowned 2024 CAF Player of the Year


Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, has been named the CAF Footballer of the Year for the past year.
Lookman was announced as the winner at an elaborate event in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night.
The Atalanta star won the prize ahead of Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It has been an incredible year for Lookman, who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League/UEFA Cup final since 1975, netting the three goals within 26 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman was included in the Team of the Year for the Europa League, and ended the season having had a direct hand in 18 top flight goals for La Dea.
The 27-year-old was ranked the 14th best player during the Ballon d’Or gala on October 28.
Sports
It’s Nigeria’s night of glory, Mbah Hails Lookman, Nnadozie, Super Falcons


Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has congratulated Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons on their wins at the 2024 Confederation of African Football, CAF, Awards, describing the event as a night of glory for both Nigerian football and the nation in general.
“Congratulations to Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the Super Falcons on their well deserved awards as Africa’s Male Footballer of the Year, Female Goalkeeper of the Year, and Female National Team of the Year, respectively, at the prestigious CAF Awards, 2924.
“It was indeed a night of glory for Nigeria. You shone like a million stars through a dint of hard work and patriotism in the year under review and we are super proud of you all.
“I hope these serve as your stepping stones unto higher ground in your individual footballing careers and for Nigerian football in general. Again, congratulations,” he stated.
Sports
Enugu Rangers Players attacked, Bus vandalized in Jos after draw with Plateau United


Enugu Rangers management says it has petitioned the appropriate authorities to probe the attack on their players and bus in Plateau.
Irate fans of Plateau United on Sunday evening attacked the bus of Enugu Rangers after the Flying Antelopes held their football club to a goalless draw on the Match Day 11 of the 2024/2025 Nigerian Football League.
This was disclosed by an official of the team, Felix Ifeanyi, who said the team bus and some of their players were attacked by the fans of the host team after the match.
He said: “Today, just a draw in Jos, Plateau United fans ‘scatter’ (damaged) our bus and beat our players. The damage done to the bus alone can’t be repaired with nothing less than millions. Is this the league we wanted? It’s well anyway… God dey!!!”
A press statement issued by the Enugu Rangers management revealed that the team has petitioned the appropriate authorities to probe the attack on their players and bus in Plateau.
The statement reads: “We wish to inform you about the unfortunate incident that occurred during our match against Plateau United in Jos.
“The attack on our team was unwarranted, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure justice is served. A petition has been submitted to the relevant authorities, and we will not rest until this issue is thoroughly addressed and resolved.”
Reacting, Plateau United management, in a separate statement, claimed that the attack on the visiting team occurred outside the stadium.
The statement added that the host team should not be liable for the ugly incident.
The statement reads: “At the Culmination of NPFL25 Match Day 11 game involving Plateau United FC and Rangers International of Enugu in Jos, viral photographs and videos flooded diverse media platforms showcasing an injured player of Rangers International of Enugu.
“The Rangers team claimed fans of Plateau United FC attacked them using harmful pebbles, resulting in the injury of one player and destruction of property.
“It must be stated that at the culmination of the Match Day 11 game, players and officials of Rangers International of Enugu departed the New Jos Stadium safely without any form of molestation.
“More so, the technical team successfully held a post-match interview at the media conference room before departing.
“On cross examination, reports say the visiting team had covered almost two kilometres off the stadium facility before the incident occurred.
“While It remains unclear how and why the incident occurred, it is key to note that once the visiting team leaves the parameters of the stadium, security pulls off the grasp of the host team by virtue of jurisdiction.
“While Plateau United FC condemns any form of hooliganism amongst its fan base, the club is insistent it knows nothing about the attack nor has anything to do with the accused persons that attacked.
“According to Plateau United FC General Manager, Habila Hosea Mutla, ‘we are a peaceful club who believe in either of three outcomes when we step out for an encounter is to win, lose or draw’.
“Hence, we will do everything within our powers to maintain law and order within the stadium perimeter.”
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