For nine days, the nation’s capital will host more than 3,000 athletes representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, competing across 15 different sports in what promises to be a vibrant celebration of resilience, excellence and inclusion. Organisers say champions will emerge, records will tumble, and new chapters will be written in Nigeria’s para sports history.

The Games are being organised by the National Sports Commission, which describes the event as a critical platform for talent discovery, national unity and the advancement of para sports development across the country.

Since its inception, the National Para Games has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting calendar, spotlighting the remarkable abilities of athletes living with disabilities while reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive participation in sports.

Officials say the 2026 edition will surpass previous outings in scale, organisation and competitive intensity. With participation confirmed from every state of the federation and the FCT, the Games are expected to reveal the depth of talent spread nationwide and provide a pathway for standout performers to progress to continental and global competitions.

In a significant boost to preparations, the National Youth Service Corps has partnered with the Commission by releasing its Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, to serve as the official Games Village. The facility will accommodate athletes and officials throughout the competition, offering a secure and community-focused environment designed to foster camaraderie and peak performance.

The collaboration reflects a broader inter-agency commitment to empowering young Nigerians and promoting social integration through sport. It also underscores growing national recognition of para athletes as integral contributors to Nigeria’s sporting success.

With anticipation building and logistics nearing completion, Abuja is poised to welcome thousands of competitors and supporters for what promises to be a defining celebration of courage, competition and collective pride.

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Akwa Ibom State will parade a strong contingent of about 280 athletes and 44 officials at the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 28.

The State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Curator of Keresy Sports Museum (KSM), Keresifon Essien, noting that Team Akwa Ibom will compete in 16 sporting events at the regional multi-sports fiesta.

According to Bassey, the sports in which the state will feature include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming and chess.

To ensure optimal preparation, the state government has constituted a five-man State Liaison Committee to oversee arrangements for the festival. The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.

Other members of the committee are Coach Catherine Ewa Ekuta, Head of Technical; Guinness World Record holder George Essien; Edidiong Stephen, a member; and Mfon Bassey, who serves as Secretary.

Bassey explained that the committee has been mandated to fine-tune all preparations for the festival, beginning with the state trials scheduled for this weekend, and to ensure that the contingent arrives in Benin City fully prepared and ready to project Akwa Ibom State positively at the Niger Delta Sports Festival.

He expressed confidence that with proper planning and early preparations, Team Akwa Ibom will make a strong impression when the festival proper begins.

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The nation will be represented by five outstanding athletes who have demonstrated exceptional discipline, consistency, and competitive grit in their buildup to the global event. The team is made up of:

• Loveth Ngozi Okoro – Kumite -50kg
• Godfirst Orie Ukoha-Sampson – Kumite -55kg
• Constance Tamunodiepreye Abode – Kumite -61kg
• Ujunwa Caroline Nwankwo – Kumite +68kg
• Oluwaseun Olorunbe – Male Kata

The athletes, who have undergone intense preparations, will be led by coach Efezino Akpotu, while Olusegun Abode serves as the leader of delegation.

Four members of the squad—Ngozi, Godfirst, Constance, and Ujunwa—are already well-known names on the domestic circuit. They are regular contenders at the Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship, an annual tournament founded by Hajiya Zainab Saleh, a Board Member of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN). The championship has been widely recognised for empowering and developing female karatekas across the country.

Ahead of the team’s participation, the Board of the KFN expressed confidence in the athletes’ ability to deliver strong performances on the world stage.

However, it also appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for urgent financial support to offset debts incurred in ensuring Nigeria’s participation in the championship.

According to the federation, the World Karate Championship falls under the mandate of the NSC, and timely intervention is necessary to stabilise the federation’s operations after securing the team’s trip to Cairo.

Team Nigeria will now focus on making a strong impact as they join the world’s best karatekas in Egypt later this week.

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Their triumph was made even more remarkable by the arduous 16-hour road journey undertaken by the 22 students and officials, who arrived in Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday and still delivered an outstanding performance on the field.

The school’s success is rooted in a unique multi-sport development model. Five of the victorious female flag football players are also members of the school’s netball team, while two netballers featured in the boys’ squad. Many team members are multi-talented athletes who actively compete in cricket, further demonstrating the school’s commitment to nurturing all-round sporting excellence.

C.S.C.S. Ibiaku Itam offers students broad exposure to a wide array of sports including football, scrabble, rugby, athletics, chess, netball, volleyball, and badminton. Students are encouraged to try their hands at various disciplines before specialising in a sport of their choice in their final year—an approach that continues to produce exceptional talent.

The school’s model is already yielding national and international results. In January, two of its students represented Nigeria at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia. In addition, a former student who graduated in 2022 is now playing professional football in Norway.

With their double victory in Abuja, C.S.C.S. Ibiaku Itam have reinforced their reputation as one of Nigeria’s rising powerhouses in school sports—combining passion, resilience, and a forward-thinking development strategy that continues to shape future stars.

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The Nigeria 2025 Game On Afrika Tournament came to an exciting close in Owerri at the weekend, with Team Enugu emerging champions after a tense penalty shootout victory over hosts Team Imo.

The final, played at Okenalogho Secondary Technical School in Obowo, ended goalless in regulation time before Team Enugu triumphed 5–4 on penalties to claim the national title. They will now represent Nigeria in a continental showdown against the winners of the Ghana edition to determine the overall champion of the 2025 Game On Afrika Tournament.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the CEO of the Game On Afrika Tournament, Prince Emeka Nwankwo, expressed delight at the success of the event, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-held family vision.

“I was actually executing what my father told me. He said to me, ‘My son, I want you to do that which is permanent and voluntary, that will enhance the society and also our family name in all respects.’ I think I have achieved all that today. I am very, very happy,” he said.

Nwankwo reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the tournament as a platform for grassroots football development across Africa, noting that teams from Nigeria and Ghana would continue to compete for regional honours.

He also extended appreciation to Project Manager Lady Jenny Anusiem and the coordinators whose contributions ensured a smooth event—Neville Okere (Imo), Felix Nwosu (Enugu), Femi Ajilore (FCT), and Dr. Abolore Abdul (Lagos). He further acknowledged the efforts of media personnel, volunteers, and the participating clubs from both countries.

The closing ceremony featured several individual awards. Team Enugu’s goalkeeper, Orisakwe Chibuike Fortune—an Imo-born talent from Njaba LGA—won the Best Goalkeeper Award for his outstanding saves, including crucial stops during the final. Team Imo’s dynamic midfielder, Sorochi Stanley Nwachukwu, was named Best Player of the Tournament for his creativity, leadership, and consistent brilliance throughout the competition.

The grand finale drew dignitaries from across Imo State and beyond. Among those present were the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Obinna Onyeocha (represented by Marcel Obinna Nwachukwu), HRH Martins Keke, Oparanadim I, and HRH Eze John Ifeanyichukwu Okafor, Oke I of Umuoke (represented by Deputy President General Meribe Micheal), alongside Ugoeze Patrick Uwalaka and other community leaders and sports enthusiasts.

With Team Enugu set for continental duty, organisers say plans are already underway to ensure the next edition builds on the success of this year’s competition.

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The announcement marks a major milestone for Nigeria and Africa, as the E1 Lagos Grand Prix brings cutting-edge water sport, innovation, and environmental sustainability to the continent’s shores for the first time.

Sharing the news on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the event as “a demonstration of innovation and progress, showing how sport can inspire sustainable solutions for the future.”

He added: “It is also a celebration of the creativity and resilience that define our people. This occasion gives us the opportunity to showcase Lagos to the world as we know it: welcoming, dynamic, and determined to embrace the future with confidence.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also extended an open invitation to Lagosians and the global community to witness the groundbreaking spectacle.

“The E1 Lagos Grand Prix is a chance for Lagos, and for Africa, to stand proudly on the global stage,” he said.

Traditionally renowned for its passion for land-based sports like football, Africa is now set to explore its aquatic potential as the UIM E1 Series, presented by PIF, transforms Lagos’ waterfront into a thrilling race track.

Scheduled for October 4–5, the E1 Lagos Grand Prix promises a unique blend of speed, culture, and sustainability, turning the city’s coastline into a symbol of Africa’s readiness to embrace innovation and green technology in sports.

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The esteemed cleric was accompanied by his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, along with top church leaders including Pastor Joseph Obayemi; RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, and the management of Peaceville International Academy led by Head of School Dolapo Fatoki.

The event was graced by several board members of the school, including Leke Adeoye, Olugbenga Omojola, Ayoola Jolayemi, Noah Osato, and Mrs Busola Ogunsiji.

Reflecting on his past, Pastor Adeboye lamented the lack of such facilities during his university days and the general scarcity of quality sports amenities across the country.

“This kind of well-grassed stadium and serene environment were not available in universities during our time. Remarkably, God has made this possible in a secondary school, showing that He is on our side,” he remarked.

He offered prayers for those who contributed to the realization of these facilities and expressed his vision for the school to become a global brand.

In her welcome address, Pastor Mrs. Adeboye, the founder of the college, described the institution as a legacy made possible by God’s support.

She thanked her husband for his unwavering support in making the school a reality and emphasized the importance of the sports facilities in moulding Godly champions.

The unveiling ceremony also featured a novelty match to celebrate Pastor Adeboye’s 83rd birthday, with him performing the ceremonial kick-off for the match between Redemption City FC and Region 1 FC. The home team triumphed with a 4-0 victory.

Head of School Dolapo Fatoki highlighted that the facilities would be judiciously used to enhance the physical well-being of students and position the school as a hub for sports development in Ogun State and Nigeria.

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It was Burnley’s 24th Championship clean sheet of the season and their 11th in a row — a new English second-tier record.

In 33 Championship games their miserly defence has been breached only nine times and no opposition player has scored against them in the league since Dec. 21.

Burnley keeper James Trafford has faced only 21 shots on target in achieving his 11 successive clean sheets — including two penalties which he saved against Sunderland.

Scott Parker’s side need just one more clean sheet to match the Championship record of Queen’s Park Rangers in 2010-11.

“It’s something we pride ourselves on. We’re proud of being hard to beat and if you can’t win games, don’t lose them,” Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen told the club’s website.

“We come away with a point thanks to that defensive record and being solid again here at a tough place.”

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A UK-based sports recycling charity, Lord’s Taverners has donated sports kits and equipment worth over 30 million naira to the CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative.

The donated kits and equipment weighed 998 kilograms. It is not the first time such a donation was made.

It would be recalled that since 2019, this is the fifth batch of sports kit donations that Lord’s Taverners have donated to CSED Initiative.

In total, CSED Initiative has received sports kits weighing over three thousand kilogrammes from Lord’s Taverners.

Most of this batch of donated sports kit items are for cricket, netball, badminton, football, casual sportswear and tracksuits.

 Some of the prominent institutions that have benefitted from the kits that were donated by Lord’s Taverners in the past are Edo State Cricket Association, the cricket team of ABU Zaria, the cricket team of IDPs Uhogua, Cameroonian refugees in Ogoja (Cross River State).

Furthermore, some selected schools in Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Taraba States have benefitted from the free cricket kits that were donated by Lord’s Taverners to CSED Initiative.

In a recent email correspondence between a Trustee of CSED Initiative, a Project Manager of Lord’s Taverners, a representative of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) acknowledged the role the kits that Lord’s Taverners donated to CSED Initiative played in the development of some of the cricketers who recently played in the Nigerian female cricket team at the recently completed T20, U-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.

Nine out of these fifteen cricketers are players from Edo State whose cricket Association received 250 kilogrammes of donated cricket kits from CSED Initiative in April 2019.

Furthermore, CSED has also donated cricket items to a cricket project that has supported the development of the two cricketers from Akwa Ibom State who featured for Nigeria in the Malaysian tournament.

During an interview with sports reporters, a representative of CSED Initiative stated that the new batch of donated equipment from Lord’s Taverners will enable them to empower three thousand children and youths in respect of supporting some of their basic sports kit needs. The donated kits will enable CSED Initiative to train three hundred P.E. Teachers in 2025. “So, it is going to be a win-win situation for grassroots sports.”

However, CSED Initiative have been informed that the Lord’s Taverners sports kits recycling project is going to close in March 2025, as a result of financial constraint. The National Coordinator of CSED Initiative stated that this news was a huge shock to them, and the sports recycling community all over the world.

Lord’s Taverners has a global base of sports for change NGOs that they have supported in the past few decades. Though Lord’s Taverners was mainly set up as a cricket charity, it has over the years supported other sports at the grassroots level.

“We in CSED Initiative will forever remain grateful for the support we have received from Lord’s Taverners. Especially in respect of the sport of netball.

They have supported us with balls, bibs, netball jerseys, T-shirts and skirts.

These donated netball kits gave us the courage to strive to revive the game of netball in Nigeria through our ongoing: “Project 2027” drive where we have trained and equipped more than three hundred and seventy P.E. Teachers and community leaders.”

While receiving the donated items in their Niger Delta base, the National Coordinator of CSED Initiative assured Dave Pemberton (Project Manager of Lord’s Taverners) that the sports kits will be distributed for free to selected schools and vulnerable community groups (IDPs and asylum seekers/refugees) they currently work with, as well as new sets of schools and communities who will be expected to put the donated kit into good use. 

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 In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.

Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.

“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.

“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.

Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.

 “We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.

“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.