Jewel Sports

Gombe State chess athlete, Mercy Iliya Namarwa, has won two bronze medals at the World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships held in Abuja. Mercy clinched bronze in the Blitz U2000 Women Category and another bronze in the Rapid U2000 Women Category. Speaking after the tournament, Mercy expressed gratitude to God and to everyone who supported her journey, describing the competition as challenging but rewarding. She noted that while the tournament had its difficult moments, she remained focused on the lessons learned and the experience gained. She specially appreciated her sponsor, Malam Farouk Yarma, for believing in her and supporting her participation at the championship. She also thanked sports journalist Mark Malele for covering her story, as well as her manager Tiko Jonathan, family, friends, and well-wishers across Gombe State for their encouragement throughout the competition. Mercy described the two bronze medals as a step forward rather than a final destination, stating...

  With just six days to the 3rd National Para Games in Abuja, preparations across host venues have reached advanced stages. The Moshood Abiola National Stadium is set to serve as the central hub, with multiple para-sport events scheduled across its facilities, while other competitions will take place at designated locations such as Jabi Lake and the Velodrome from March 26 to April 3, 2026. But beyond the readiness of the host city lies a more pressing and uncomfortable question for stakeholders in Gombe State: Is Gombe truly prepared to be part of this national event or is it at risk of being absent altogether? Confirming initial plans, the Director of Sports in Gombe State, Manga Sale, stated that three associations; para athletics, para table tennis, and para cycling are expected to represent the state at the Games. On paper, this suggests participation. In reality, however, it raises deeper concerns: Are these teams adequately trained, funded, and competition-ready? Or is this ...

The newly elected President of the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Senator Ibrahim H. Dankwambo, PhD, OON (Talban Gombe), on Thursday, November 6, 2025, presided over the inaugural meeting of the Federation’s Board in Abuja. The meeting is a significant step in repositioning chess development in Nigeria, as the board reviewed its 2025 programs with key focus areas including funding, capacity building, athlete welfare, and the expansion of chess into secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide. In his remarks, Senator Dankwambo commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its ongoing efforts to strengthen the sports sector through innovation, transparency, and inclusiveness. He noted that the Federation’s renewed vision aligns with the NSC’s broader agenda for sports development across the country. The newly elected Federation President underscored the importance of strategic planning and collaboration in advancing chess in Nigeria, stating that the NCF would ...

  The Gombe State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has congratulated three distinguished sons of the State over their deserved awards during the SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Abuja. Malam Farouk Yarma, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Sports Limited, the pioneer Chairman of the Gombe State Sports Commission and one time Commissioner for Youths, was honoured along with the Director General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli, and immediate past Gombe State SWAN Chairman, Halilu Mohammed Teli, for advancing sports development and journalism. The honour bestowed upon them by the national leadership of SWAN under Isaiah Benjamin, was in acknowledgement of their invaluable contributions to sports development and their support for the Association’s growth both within Gombe State and across the nation. In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Mark Malele, and Secretary, Williams Attah, the Association described the ...

Three illustrious sports icons from Gombe State, Malam Farouk Yarma (CEO Prudential Sports), Ismaila Uba Misilli (DG Press Affairs, Gombe State) and Halilu Mohammed Teli, were honoured in recognition of their outstanding contributions to sports development and the development of sports journalism in Nigeria. The trio were among selected individuals and journalists across the country recognised during the SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration held from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. While presenting these awards, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin described the award as a token of appreciation for the recipients’ contribution to sports development, professionalism, mentorship, and enduring service to the growth and integrity of sports journalism in Nigeria. The president further commended their commitment, mentorship, and passion which have inspired generations of journalists and enriched the nation’s sporting narrative. While Yarma have over the years, pl...

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has officially commenced activities marking its 60th anniversary, celebrating six decades of excellence and dedication to sports journalism in Nigeria. The association began its Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Thursday, October 30, 2025, with a high-profile lecture and panel discussion themed “The Power of Sports Media: Honouring its Legacy, Shaping the Future.” The event, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, drew prominent figures from the sports and media sectors. Declaring the celebration open, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, who also served as the Special Guest of Honour, commended SWAN for its consistent contribution to sports development in Nigeria. He urged journalists in Nigeria to remain factual and avoid sensationalism in their reportage, emphasising that the credibility of the media is vital to national unity and sports development. “If we succeed, we succeed together; a...