World News Update

PRESS STATEMENT The National Sports Commission (NSC) Appreciation Tour made a significant stop in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday as officials of the Commission arrived to celebrate and reward outstanding young Nigerian athletes whose dedication and achievements continue to inspire the nation.  One of the highlights of the visit was the recognition of teenage sprint sensation Jacinta Lawrence Andrew, an SS2 student of Community Secondary School, Ibiaku Itam in Itu Local Government Area, who has rapidly emerged as one of Nigeria’s most promising young athletes.  Jacinta made the country proud at the maiden African School Games in Algeria where she won a silver medal in the girls’ 400 meters, before going on to claim gold in the same event at the African Youth Games in Angola.  Recently, she was also part of the elite Nigerian team that qualified the country for the World Athletics Relays, a remarkable feat for a student still in secondary school. Director General of the Na...

Head Coach of the Nigeria Women Basketball team, D'Tigress, Rena Wakama, has charged her girls to quickly put the defeat to South Korea behind them and focus on an improved performance in their game against the Philippines at the FIBA women's World cup qualification tournament in Lyon, France. D'Tigress lost to their Asian opponents 77-60 points in their second game on Thursday, marking the first time the Nigeria senior women basketball team is losing to the Koreans. The Nigerian team had a closed game in the first and second quarter losing narrowly by 36-32 points but couldn't build their usual momentum in the third and final quarter as the game slipped away from them. Victoria Macaulay was Nigeria's best performer after her MVP display in the first game against Colombia, scoring 22 points and 6 rebounds. Coach Rena Wakama said there are lessons to be learnt from the defeat and praised the Koreans for their overall performance. " Korea is a great team. We stru...

PRESS RELEASE The organisers of the 2026 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 2 Games have revealed the sporting disciplines for the upcoming event in The Gambia.  The Games, scheduled to take place in Banjul from June 7-13, 2026, will feature five sports: Athletics Basketball (3x3) Beach Volleyball Boxing African Traditional Games (Exhibition). The Government of the Republic of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has officially signed the Host Agreement with the African Union Sports Council Region 2 for The Gambia to host the prestigious AUSC Region 2 Games The event is expected to bring together young athletes from member states to compete and promote youth development, sports excellence, and regional unity. Under this partnership, ASKY Airlines will provide travel and logistical support for athletes, officials, and stakeholders attending the regional multi-sport event. The collaboration is expected to strengthen cooperation between the sports and aviation...

PRESS STATEMENT  The countdown has begun as Nigeria prepares for its 3rd National Para Games, with just 14 days to go before the historic event begins in the nation’s capital, Abuja. Organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Games will take place from March 26 to April 3rd, 2026, at the iconic Moshood Abiola National Stadium, bringing together thousands of para-athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The National Para Games have grown into Nigeria’s largest platform for differently-abled athletes, serving as a crucial pathway for discovering talents who can represent the country at continental and global para competitions. The 2026 edition will feature a wide range of para-sport disciplines including Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, Para Taekwondo, Para Cycling, and Amputee Football, among others. The Games underscore the NSC’s commitment to inclusive spor...

Joel Ajayi  The Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has said that early talent discovery and sustained investment are essential to securing the future of Nigerian sports. Dare made the remarks during the appreciation tour organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to celebrate outstanding young athletes of 2025. The event took place on Wednesday at Nigerian Tulip International College in Abuja. While commending the ongoing reforms under President Tinubu, Dare said the renewed attention being given to sports development reflects a broader commitment to building a strong and sustainable sporting ecosystem in the country. According to him, the foundation of global sporting success lies in identifying and nurturing athletes at a young age, providing them with structured training, education, and the necessary support systems that can help them excel on the interna...

Bayelsa State is set to host elite runners from across Nigeria and around the world as the Yenagoa City 10KM International Race takes center stage on April 4, 2026, promising a thrilling celebration of athletic excellence, wellness, and culture. The race will begin at Obollo Roundabout and conclude with a grand finish at Peace Park Square, Yenagoa, where participants and spectators will also enjoy a vibrant post-race concert. Designed to promote healthy living, sports tourism, and community engagement, the race is expected to attract professional athletes, amateur runners, and fitness enthusiasts eager to compete for rewards while embracing the spirit of sportsmanship. Participants can register for the race at the Ministry of Sports Complex, Yenagoa, or online via https://www.yenagoacity10kmrace.com/. Race kits will be available for collection from April 1 to April 3, 2026, at Peace Park, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Organizers say the event will not only showcase Bayelsa’s hospitality but ...