From WILLIE ATTAH, Gombe
In an inspiring gathering over the weekend in Gombe, Nigerian sprint legend Mary Onyali took center stage, motivating young athletes during the second edition of the Prudential Sports Award.
The Olympic medalist engaged with the attendees during a panel discussion, encouraging them to focus on their God-given talents and highlighting the importance of discipline, determination, and wise resource management.
“Invest such for the sake of the rainy day,” she advised, emphasizing not only the immediate joys of sporting success but also the long-term thinking needed for sustainable achievements.
The event was graced by several high-profile sports personalities, including the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko (represented by his Personal Assistant), and renowned sports journalist Toyin Ebitoye.
The Prudential Sports Award marked a significant stride in the Northeastern region, as Prudential Sports Limited announced the enrollment of 1,000 retired athletes and their dependents at a cost of N10,000,000.
Additionally, they enrolled 100 active athletes into a contributory pension scheme with Premium Pension Limited.
A support fund of N2,000,000 was also pledged to the Gombe State Football Association for the registration of clubs in the state league’s Divisions 1 and 2.
Throughout the event, sports equipment was donated to 15 selected public and private schools to enhance sports development—this included footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, handballs, chessboards, and football nets.
Gombe State University also received a similar donation and two sets of customized football jerseys.
During the award presentation section, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo announced that the 2025 Prudential Sports Award for Overall Best Athlete in Gombe State was awarded to Mercy Iliya.
He also pledged to sponsor her trip to Zimbabwe to join the Nigerian national team players for an upcoming championship.
Other noteworthy awards were given to Abdulrahman Mahmoud Baba and Haruna Saleh for Young Athlete of the Season, while Atiku Baitu was recognized for Most Appearances.
The Referee of the Year award went to Bawa Buhari, and the Sports Journalist of the Year was awarded to Williams Attah from Daily Independent Newspapers.
The highlight of the event concluded with the Alhaji Baba Manu Sports Administrator of the Year award, going to Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, a former House of Representatives member and CEO of Mailantarki Academy.
Farouk Yarma, CEO of Prudential Sports, extended gratitude to partnering organizations such as the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation for their support in promoting sports development.
NSC affirms January 2026 election date, rules out third term for NBBF president
In a decisive move regarding the governance of basketball in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has directed the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to strictly adhere to its constitution.
In a letter addressed to NBBF President Musa Kida, the NSC clarified that the federation’s next board elections will take place in January 2026, explicitly ruling out any possibility of a third term for Kida.
The NSC’s statement aims to eliminate confusion surrounding the federation’s electoral timeline and quell speculation about a potential extension of leadership.
The current board, which began its term on January 31, 2022, will officially end its tenure on January 31, 2026.
This ruling follows rumours that Kida, who first took office in 2017, might seek to extend his leadership beyond the constitutional limits.
Moreover, the NSC has officially inaugurated two important committees as part of its strategic initiative to ensure transparency and fairness in sports federation elections: the Election Petitions Committee and the Election Appeals Committee.
These committees are composed of respected legal professionals, administrators, and media practitioners with exemplary track records in integrity and governance.
The Election Petitions Committee is chaired by Barrister Denen Ikyaa, a highly respected legal expert active in sports ethics.
He is joined by Barrister Chike Onyeacho, a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive knowledge of electoral jurisprudence.
Their roles are pivotal in maintaining the integrity of the upcoming elections, setting the stage for a transparent electoral process that aligns with international best practices.
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