• Bukola Olopade, DG National Sports Commission

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has said Bayelsa State can comfortably host the 2028 National Sports Festival (NSF).

The Director-General, of the NSC, Mr. Bukola Olapade, stated this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.

Olopade said that the team was in the state to inspect facilities before announcing the 2028 sports festival host.

He said facilities inspected included the security infrastructure, medical facilities, wrestling gyms, table tennis halls as well as the ongoing construction of an ultramodern stadium.

According to the NSC DG, from what the team saw, he was confident that Bayelsa will get the nod to host the festival.

He described the state as very peaceful, hospitable and a sleeping giant with great potential in the sports sector.

His words: “Bayelsa State presented an amazing bid for the 2028 sports festival. I was happy to know that there is an intentional desire by Bayelsa to host the sports festival.

Bayelsa is a sleeping giant in sports.“Yenagoa is beautiful and peaceful. This is an amazingly peaceful and beautiful state and it tells me that these are people ready to welcome visitors.

Eight-time Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba International Football Club, have confirmed a massive shake-up in their squad with the departure of 22 players ahead of the new season.

The players released include Imo Prince Ikemdinachi, Musa Usman Babalolo, Innocent Gabriel, Nelson Michael, Alade Muyiwa Balogun, Nnachi Chidiebere, Chisom Ejio, Junior Lokosa, Fatai Abdullahi, Imo Obot Udo, Umeh Gozie, Olufemi Opeoluwa, Somiari Orinate Alalibo, Chidera Eze, Ukadiike Chiemerie Divine, Augustine Onyemaechi, Gideon Peter, Tobias Orkuma, Leonard Obinna, Brown Ideye, Ani Ozoemena, and Elijah Akanni.

The Nation, reports that in an official statement, the Aba-based club expressed appreciation to the departing players for their service, dedication, and contribution to the team, while wishing them success in their future careers.

In addition to the permanent exits, three players have been sent out on loan to gain more playing time and experience. They are Obichere Wisdom Odinaka, Purpose Ahubaraezemma, and Samuel Buah Nuako.

The clear-out follows a disappointing 2024/25 campaign in which the People’s Elephant fell well short of expectations, finishing outside continental qualification spots and ending the season trophies.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), organisers of the annual domestic league and the sponsors, Zenith Bank PLC are getting set for the second phase of the 2025 Women’s Basketball League scheduled to take place in both the Atlantic and Savannah conferences.

The second phase is expected to take place between August 24 and September 1. A board member and NBBF’s Head of Media, Felix Awogu, confirmed the federation’s readiness to adhere to commencement date of the second phase as originally scheduled.

He confirmed that all is in place for a successful completion of the league as the Atlantic Conference will take place at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

At the same time, the Savannah Conference is billed for Jos, Plateau State.

In the 1st phase which took place in Benin, defending Champions, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Basketball team and First Bank had a good run against others like Dolphins, Bayelsa Blue Whales, and First Deep Waters.

In the Savannah Conference, Air Warriors and Plateau Rocks were the high fliers in a group which also has Customs, Kada Angels, HAM Warriors, Titans, Royal Aces and Nasarawa Amazons.

The sponsor of the league, Zenith Bank, has assured stakeholders that the organisation is ready to continue its commitment to the development of the game in Nigeria.