SportsNews

Gara Gombe warns FG against allocating N78bn to sports commission

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2025

Sports entrepreneur and Chairman of Gombe Athletics Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has urged the federal government not to release the proposed N78 billion budgeted for the National Sports Commission (NSC).

He argued that the commission has the capacity to raise funds independently to drive the sports economy, particularly e-sports, without relying on taxpayers’ money.

In a statement shared on his social media handle, Gombe criticized the allocation, warning that previous funds earmarked for sports development were mismanaged. He called for reforms and accountability before any public funds are released to the commission.

“Sports economies across the world are not funded with public money but driven by private investments,” Gara Gombe stated. “I have read reports about the N78 billion allocation, and sadly, the same people who celebrated past budgets that were squandered are jubilating again. This is a recipe for disaster.”

He referenced the failed N3 billion sponsorship deal between SuperSport and the League Management Company (LMC) as an example of financial mismanagement in the sector. According to him, the lack of accountability in the use of such funds has hindered sports development in Nigeria.

Gombe said, “The same people who promised they could attract sponsors are celebrating N78 billion. If they truly have the capacity, let them use their contacts to raise the money instead of relying on public funds. The NSC must be sanitised before any funds are released.”

He also emphasized the need to reduce government funding for sports and proposed the re-establishment of the Team Nigeria initiative, managed by trustees, as a more effective model for raising and managing funds.

“Efforts should be made to re-establish Team Nigeria with appointed trustees to manage funds. Government funding should be transitional and eventually phased out to encourage private sector investment in sports,” he said.

The sports advocate expressed concern over Nigeria’s lack of world-class sports infrastructure despite previous government interventions.

He specifically criticized the $1 million reportedly sourced from Aliko Dangote by former Sports Minister Sunday Dare for renovating the Abuja Stadium, noting that the facility and others across the country still fail to meet international standards.

SportsNews

Chelsea mathematically out of title race after 3-0 defeat to Everton

Published

3 days ago

March 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Chelsea are now mathematically out of the Premier League title race.

This follows their 3-0 drubbing in the hands of Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday night.

Liam Rosenior’s men came into the match with 48 points, looking to keep pace with the teams in front of them.

However, Beto opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, before adding a second after the break.

Chelsea barely threatened Everton and looked flat for most of the game, before Iliman Ndiaye added a third.

The result means the Blues cannot match the 70 points that league leaders Arsenal currently have with seven matches left.

Champions Liverpool are also on the verge of being mathematically ruled out, as they have 49 points.

SportsNews

Super Eagles player bounced me from Iheanacho’s room — Osimhen

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has claimed that a senior member of the Super Eagles squad in 2017 sent him away from a hotel room during his first call-up to the national team.

According to the 27-year-old, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who intervened and welcomed him inside.

Osimhen revealed this while appearing on a Twitch livestream with comedian, Carter Efe in the early hours of Saturday.

He said: “When I came, I met Iheanacho. And I told him, ‘ah, see me, I’m gonna carry your boots.’ So he said I should come to his room so, he gave me his room number.

“So, as I got to his room — I don’t just want to mention the name — he had a roommate. So, as I knocked on the door, the roommate opened the door. So, he like bounced me out of the room.”

Osimhen refused to reveal the identity of the player who sent him away.

SportsNews

AFCON 2025; Drama as Senegal Reportedly Relocates Trophy To Military Base After CAF Decision (Video)

Published

4 days ago

March 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Drama as Senegal reportedly relocates AFCON trophy to military base after Confederation of African Football (CAF) viral decision.

‎It would be recalled that CAF stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, awarding it to Morocco instead.

This decision came after Morocco appealed the result of the January 18 final, where Senegal won 1-0 in extra time.

‎ According to the CAF Appeal Board, Senegal had forfeited the match due to their players walking off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.

The controversy surrounds the AFCON final, where Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

In a clip circulating on the microblogging platform, X (formerly Twitter), a young man with glasses is seen holding the AFCON trophy surrounded by military personnel.

The clip captures the military personnel’s excitement as they support the trophy, with an officer recording the moment.

In a recent development, Senegal has announced plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with some officials and players expressing outrage and disappointment.