Sports
Dry Bones Shall Rise Again’ – Shaibu Vows To Restructure, Replicate Edo Feats At NIS
By Joseph Ebi Kanjo
Former deputy governor of Edo State and current Director General of National Institute for Sports (NIS) Comrade Philip Shaibu, has vowed to restructure and replicate what he did in Edo sports at the institute.
Shaibu, as the deputy governor of Edo State then, and who was saddled with the responsibility of overseeing sporting activities in the state, rejuvenated sporting activities by upgrading the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to world class with modern facilities; made sure Bendel Insurance FC were promoted from the second amateur division to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), among others.
Speaking with sports writers who visited him to congratulate him on his new appointment, the DG said, during his visit to both the Lagos and Abuja centres of the institute , he discovered that Nigeria has a lot of sporting facilities and infrastructure that can cater for the whole of Africa.
He added that because many of the infrastructure have remained unused for a long period of time, they have become non-functional and obsolete.
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Shaibu, who also mentioned that a lot of courses and programmes that ought to be run by the NIS have been abandoned and unutilised, promised to reform the NIS by bringing some new and relevant courses for coaches and athletes and expunge old and irrelevant ones.
“In the coming weeks, we are going to be restructuring the NIS in line with its mandate. There would be a lot of reforms that we are going to carry out in the coming weeks.
“We will make sure that we add to the courses in the NIS, and expunge some. We are going to upgrade the courses beyond where they are now,” he said.
He added: “Those infrastructure were built not just to produce athletes for Nigeria alone, but for Africa and the world at large.
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“I saw some equipment – brand new – but they are non-functional because they were not put into use. In fact, I saw some brand new equipment in their carton but they are not working, why? because rats and what have you destroyed them.”
The Director General, who promised to decentralise the NIS for easy access by the grassroots, noted that as a known training institute, coaches would be trained at local government level so as to eliminate a situation anyone comes on board to bear the name coach after “gathering some children.”
He added: “We’re going to be decentralising the NIS for easy access and easy reach. The mandate of the NIS when it was created 50 years ago was to have centres across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. But we intend to go beyond the six geo-political zones because we need to go to the grassroots to deal with the issue of coaches.
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“That means we are going to be having local government training centres where we will be training those coaches with the basic knowledge they need to impact on players.”
Shaibu also promised to reactivate athletes’ hostels in the institute by making sure they are giving a phase lift and ensure only athletes are permitted to stay in the hotels. He added that the hotels are not for non- athletes accommodation either through payment of rent or any means.
Earlier, Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Edo State chapter, Kehinde Osaigede, who was flanked by other executives, while congratulating Shaibu for his appointment, expressed optimism that he would take the institute to an enviable level.
Sports
[FULL LIST] U-17 W’ World Cup: Nigeria Face Italy As Knockout Stage Begins
The knockout phase of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Morocco, with Nigeria’s Flamingos drawn against Italy in one of the standout Round of 16 fixtures.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Nigeria.
Their qualification follows an emphatic 4–0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday.
The Flamingos will now aim to build on their impressive group-stage campaign as they continue their push for a historic first world title.
READ ALSO:[FULL LIST] 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia Lead Groups
Host nation Morocco will also be in action the same evening, taking on South Korea at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale, where home fans are expected to create a charged atmosphere in support of the Atlas Lionesses.
Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil will battle China PR, while the United States square off against the Netherlands, both matches slated for 4:30 p.m. in Sale.
The game continues on Wednesday, October 29, with Mexico facing Paraguay at 4:30 p.m., while defending champions Spain meet France in a mouthwatering all-European clash at the same time and venue.
Later that night, Canada will take on Zambia, and Japan, one of the tournament’s top contenders, will lock horns with Colombia to round off the Round of 16 fixtures.
READ ALSO:FIFA U-20 World Cup: Top Scorers Ahead Of Final [Full List]
All matches will be staged across venues in Rabat and Sale, with global coverage available via major sports networks and FIFA’s digital platforms.
As the competition enters its decisive stage, only four wins now separate the remaining 16 teams from lifting the prestigious U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
Eight winning teams in the round of 16 will move to the quarter-final stage starting Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Full Round of 16 Fixtures
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Brazil U17 vs China PR U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)
READ ALSO:Flying Eagles Arrive Chile’s Talca For FIFA U20 World Cup Campaign
United States U17 vs Netherlands U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)
Italy U17 vs Nigeria U17 – 8:00 PM (Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat)
South Korea U17 vs Morocco U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2, Sale)
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Mexico U17 vs Paraguay U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)
Spain U17 vs France U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)
Canada U17 vs Zambia U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)
Japan U17 vs Colombia U17 – 8:00 PM (Venue TBC)
Sports
SWAN Kicks Off 60th Anniversary/Awards With Religious Services
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is set to hold its 60th anniversary with Jumat Prayer and Thanksgiving on Friday October 24, 2025.
A statement by the Media and Publicity Committee of the anniversary said the special prayer and thanksgiving will be held in all the state chapters and FCT at the venues which would be determined by the leadership of the various chapters.
According to the statement, the SWAN Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will also feature the full council which is a meeting of the National Executive Council, zonal vice presidents and secretaries and state chairmen and secretaries.
READ ALSO: SWAN, Edo Sports Commission Collaborate To Promote Grassroot Sports
The committee, while inviting “government functionaries, lovers of sports, members of the association and the general public to join SWAN members at the services to thank God for a successful 60-year journey,” added: “All activities at the event will hold at the National Stadium, Abuja between Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.”
“It will also be an opportunity for us to collectively pray for protection of members, better sports fortuneNigeria’s sports men and women and a more prosperous sports sector,” it said.
Sports
EPL: Trossard Strike As Arsenal Beat Fulham 1-0
Arsenal edged past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, climbing three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result marked another composed and professional display from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to show their title credentials.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Leandro Trossard calmly finished after a clever set-piece routine.
Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner that was flicked on by Gabriel, setting up Trossard to slot home the winner.
READ ALSO:EPL: Nottingham Forest Sacks Postecoglou After 3-0 Defeat To Chelsea
Arteta’s side dominated possession throughout, limiting Fulham to very few chances in front of goal.
The hosts struggled to create any real threat, with Arsenal’s defence staying compact and composed.
With the victory, Arsenal overtake Manchester City to sit three points clear at the summit after another disciplined away performance.
More to follow…
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