The annual FIFA Member Association courses for technical and physical fitness instructors, and for young talents in refereeing, is now ongoing ( June 8 – 19 ) at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The participants are 80.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the programme for technical and physical fitness instructors, who are 40 in number, has the objective of bringing Nigeria’s technical and physical fitness instructors up to speed with current trends, tendencies and ideals, for them to imbibe global best practices in the refereeing business.

World football-governing body, FIFA, Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed, as well as Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi are to superintend the programmes, alongside Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Emmanuel Imiere and Stella Emoji, and IT/Video Instructor Promise Uwaeme.

For the technical and physical fitness programme, participants will be taken through the course objectives, challenges and tactical fouls, and preparation of practical training on day one, with new law changes, tactical approach, handball, offside, penalty area incidents and use of new FIFA red among other presentations. Practical training with referees and players will kick off each day’s programme.

The final of this year’s Federation Cup between debutants Abakaliki FC and Kwara United will be held on June 28 at the magnificent Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena Lagos, a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, Remo Stars Sports Complex and Bwari Township Stadium were weighed before the NFF finally settled for the iconic stadium in Lagos,” said the official.

“The final of the 2025 edition of the Federation Cup will be staged at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena Lagos on Saturday, June 28.”

“Other stadiums like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Remo Stars Stadium and the remodeled Bwari Township Stadium in Abuja were considered but the NFF decided to take the final of the competition to its traditional home ground.

“So, after successfully hosting last edition, Mobolaji Johnson Stadium will have the honour of hosting this year’s final again,” he said.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun commiserated with the government and people of Kano state over the loss of athletes and officials returning home from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged, Gateway Games 2024.

The Governor also gave N1 million each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones, totaling N31 million.

The message was delivered on behalf of the governor by a delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Gateway Games 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh.

The delegation was received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.

: “We know that the Governor is out of the state on Hajj, but we felt we had to be here to show our support to the Governor, the Government, and the people of Kano State in these trying times.

This was a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community, and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident.

We also pray for the speedy recovery of the other people who are in the hospital at this time, who rushed to the aid of the victims,” said Engr. Salako-Oyedele.

The Kano Deputy Governor expressed the State Government’s appreciation for the visit.

He disclosed that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State over the incident on Saturday.