Governing Bodies
SIX MONTHS ON THE SADDLE: SUNDAY DARE’S SCORECARD
BY JOHN JOSHUA-AKANJI
Faith is now restored in the Nigerian sports scene. Sponsors and individuals now feel comfortable investing in sports in Nigeria as there exists, great and proper accountability as well as due process.
The results speak clear: The ‘Adopt-A-Stadium’ initiative paying off with the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja to be renovated by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Chief Kensington Daura has done the renovation of the Township Stadium, Katsina. The Kaduna State Government has undertaken to renovate the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
Sports in Nigeria are just beginning to get the desired attention. The entire sports spectrum is being revived despite the paucity of funds.
Dare’s master plan is moving sports away from mere recreation to real business anchored on four triggers; infrastructure as catalyst for development, investment, incentives and policy.
The inauguration of the steering committee of Sports Industry Group led by eminent personalities is an indication of a new dawn, hope and renewal in the sports sector by the organised private sector.
Unlike past ministers who became pigeonholed as ‘football ministers’, Dare is re-inventing the wheel by paying rapt attention to other sports and youth development.
This has seen him navigate round the country in search of talents, revival of the states’ sports festival, launching of a youth policy document, digital training and creation of employment opportunities.
His interventions are already yielding results with the discovery of a young swimmer nicknamed the “Fish”, the young girl boxing sensation Shekina as well as the tennis sisters Oiza and Nene Yakubu.
No wonder he has earned himself the sobriquets “Talent Hunter”, “Reformist Minister” among others.
The revival of the National Sports Festival, Youth Games, NUGA, back to school, Principals Cup, Headmasters Cup among others are geared towards enduring sports development.
Welfare of athletes occupies a front burner in the minister’s agenda with athletes getting their entitlements promptly. Dare insists that without sports men, sports will be meaningless as they are the core of winning glory for our country.
Hence, while active athletes are getting remunerated, forgotten heroes are also getting due recognition. Dare is working with top athletes like Mary Onyali, Daniel Igali, Daniel Amokachi, Joseph Yobo among others in rallying their colleagues to actualize his new vision.
Youths now enjoy a new deal under the D-E-E-L program, an acronym for
Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship, Employment and Leadership.
Through this, youths are being trained to acquire Digital skills and become self-employed. The minister has gone into strategic partnership with at least 20 agencies to implement this action plan.
More than 500,000 youths are expected to benefit from the ‘DY.NG’ – Digital Youth Nigeria initiative. Likewise, the Nigeria Youth Online, ‘NOYA’ program is expected to train youngsters in Digital skills, trading and internship.
This would be done through the Youth Development centres across Nigeria. An agreement with the AFDB has been signed to actualize this mandate.
Other Development partners include Centre Bank, Bank of Industries, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board, Dangote Industries, Premier Lotto, 21st Century and partnership with over 50 Corporate Organizations on WEP initiative.
Since the Ministry is limited by funds, Dare is thinking outside the box by partnering with the private sector, wealthy individuals, state governments, agencies and international organizations to actualize what he calls a huge, unfunded mandate.
Six months on the saddle, Dare is on the right track of re rewriting Nigerian youth and sports development history.
-John Joshua -Akanji is Senior Special Adviser, Media to Youth and Sports Development Minister
The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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