Sports
JUST IN: We’ll soon introduce VAR in NPFL – NFF

The President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Misa Gusau has disclosed the ministry’s plan to introduce Video Assisted Referees, VAR in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
Gusau made this known at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu while addressing journalists at the end of the opening game of the premier league between defending champion, Rangers International and Wkki Tourists.
Gusau who attested that VAR requires a capable hands to handle, disclosed that the ministry want to make sure that they have qualified and trained personnel that will manage it.
He, however, assured that they will start with training and retraining of personnel to ensure efficiency and quality service delivery.
Speaking on the 2024/25 season, Gusau assured that there would be a lot of improvements in the league, adding that referees will be wearing communication gadgets while officiating to provide a communication platform for referees and their assistants without going close to themselves.
“We are working on improving the league to international standard. We will soon introduce the VAR but we are concerned about training the personnel that will handle it first so that we won’t have any error while using VAR.
“From next week, you will see our referees starting to use communication gadgets. The referees will now communicate with themselves, they don’t need to go to AR to start asking them questions.
Gusau who attested that VAR requires a capable hands to handle, disclosed that the ministry want to make sure that they have qualified and trained personnel that will manage it.
He, however, assured that they will start with training and retraining of personnel to ensure efficiency and quality service delivery.
Speaking on the 2024/25 season, Gusau assured that there would be a lot of improvements in the league, adding that referees will be wearing communication gadgets while officiating to provide a communication platform for referees and their assistants without going close to themselves.
“We are working on improving the league to international standard. We will soon introduce the VAR but we are concerned about training the personnel that will handle it first so that we won’t have any error while using VAR.
“From next week, you will see our referees starting to use communication gadgets. The referees will now communicate with themselves, they don’t need to go to AR to start asking them questions.
Sports
Benue Governor Alia dissolves Lobi Stars FC board
The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.
Lobi Stars FC were relegated last season after a 27-year stay in the Nigeria Premier Football League, following a run of poor performances.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the governor’s approval of the dissolution in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The move was described as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the club for “greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance” in the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.
The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions,” the statement read.
Governor Alia directed that “all members of the dissolved management should hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity with immediate effect.”
Sports
Davido Chairs Osun Sports Trust Fund
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”

•Davido and Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke. Photo Credit: X
The Osun State Government has appointed Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.
The government said that the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.
The Guardian Nigeria reports that the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is determined to transform the stadium into a world-class sports arena that will not only host national events but also attract international competitions.
He said, “Ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards — a project that will be completed in the shortest possible time.
“I am pleased to inform you that plans are in advanced stages towards the establishment of the Osun State Sports Commission, which will serve as a central body for sports administration, development, and policy implementation.
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”
Sports
Dembele returns for PSG after six weeks out
Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.

• Dembele
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was on Monday included in Paris Saint-Germain’s squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League after a six-week injury layoff.
According to AFP, Dembele’s return for Tuesday’s league stage game will come as a welcome boost for coach Luis Enrique, whose side has been struggling with injuries this season.
Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.
He had been recuperating at a specialist clinic in Qatar and returned to training last week.
He missed out on PSG’s entertaining 3-3 draw against Strasbourg on Friday but could play some role in Germany as the European champions seek to make it three wins out of three in the Champions League so far this season.
Leverkusen centre-back Loic Bade, Dembele’s teammate in the France squad, told reporters Monday there was “no secret recipe” to stopping the PSG forward, calling him “a complete player with several qualities”.
“He won the Ballon d’Or — of course he’s got a lot of quality. He’s good with both feet. I don’t think he’s got a weak side,” Bade said.
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