Sports

23 States Arrive Ogun For National Sports Festival

Published

12 months ago

May 17, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 23 states have arrived in Ogun State for the National Sports Festival tagged ‘Gateway Games’ 2024.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the biennial festival is to officially commence on Sunday.

The Director General, National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, made the disclosure in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Abeokuta.

Olopade told NAN that there were visible signs that the state would host the best festival in the history of the country.

“Twenty-three states are already in the camp; their feeding and welfare are top-notch and seamless.

“I just spoke with leaders of four states who are already praising the state.

“Globally, if you have an event of this nature, the first thing is accommodation and feeding,” he said.

NAN observed that finishing touches were ongoing at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, venue of the opening ceremony. Different cultural troops were at the main bowl of the stadium rehearsing performances for the ceremony.

Some sports fans and analysts who spoke to NAN expressed confidence that the festival would surpass the successes recorded in the last edition in Delta State.

An Abeokuta-based sports journalist, Mr Abiodun Alabi, told NAN that he believed that the sports festival would be better than the previous edition.

Alabi expressed hope that new talents would be discovered from the festival.

”The event will throw more talents that will go on to represent Nigeria at national and international events. It will also create expected economic opportunities for the people of the state.

“The game already left a legacy in terms of infrastructure; the MKO Abiola Stadium, with its new look and capacity, can now host major international events,” he said.

“Already we have three events coming after this festival, and that’s clearly one of the things that come with a national sports festival.”

A sports fan, Mr Micheal Adesanya, expressed confidence that the festival would come out as a good event in terms of the quality of athletes and talent discovery.

Adesanya noted that the festival was to promote unity among Nigerians.

He appealed to the organisers not to politicise the games, calling on authorities to ensure that proper talents were discovered to replace ageing ones.
NAN

Sports

EPL: Why I Won’t Stay One More Year At Man Utd – Casemiro

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has explained why he won’t stay one more year at the club.

The 34-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the current season.

The Brazilian, however, had been urged by the club’s fans to extend his contract by one more year due to his brilliant display for Michael Carrick’s side this term.

Speaking on the development, Casemiro told ESPN Brasil, “There is no chance [for me to stay one more year].

“It is leaving through the front door. It has been four wonderful years, and I am eternally grateful not only to the club but to the fans.

“I think it is over. The cycle has ended here. I am moving on to a new chapter in my career.”

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

23 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.