The new president of Pan-African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Haruna Adamu, has received a useful reel of expert tips from experts of the game on how to succeed in the post he recently attained.

Sports247 reports that the line-up of wise counsel coming Adamu’s way is being led by PANASA’s immediate past president, Engineer Toke Aka, who is also a leading administrator of the sport in Nigeria.

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While affirming total support for the new president, who hails from Ghana, Aka urged Adamu to prioritise engagement with national federations, while strengthening PANASA’s secretariat and expanding the impact of Scrabble across Africa.

Aka, who is also a founding member and executive official of World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA), added that Adamu must identify various challenges that are facing national bodies and help them develop strategies to increase participation in competitions.

The immediate past president of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) declared: “I wish him well, and I must tell him that it is what he dreams and that will work. He is leading, and he must be the one to say or ask around to be able to say that this should be.

“If he does not take a step, nothing is going to happen. Nobody is going to push him. So all I say to him is that, as much as I have, I got in the position, he should also strive to take us beyond where we are.”

Aka further stressed what he described as a culture of timidity and limited engagement among some Scrabble administrators across Africa as an obstacle to the sport’s growth, then urged Adamu to note that challenges facing each country can be addressed through better planning, early preparation and support from PANASA, rather than be treated as huge obstacles.

“I don’t see them as problems. I just see them as bad planning. One man can’t do it alone. You need a team. So once your secretariat is up and doing, then what do you do for development? You engage, you ask, you talk.

“Even in countries where they don’t have, talk with the leadership in sports in such countries,” Aka asserted, while advocating persuasion, engagement and proper development efforts as strategies that will help PANASA face challenges facing different countries and provide solutions.

Aka posited that Adamu will succeed through effective leadership, a proactive secretariat and helping national associations overcome their challenges, while building on progress already made and extending Scrabble’s reach to more African countries.

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Nigerian FIFA futsal referee Ojeleye John Tope has continued to strengthen his reputation on the continental stage following his participation in the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he successfully passed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fitness assessment and received officiating appointments.

Sports247 reports that Ojeleye’s involvement in the tournament represents another milestone in his international refereeing career, highlighting Nigeria’s growing presence in African futsal officiating.

The Nigerian official was among the referees selected for the continental championship, with his appointments demonstrating the opportunities available to match officials who meet CAF’s professional requirements.

Ojeleye reportedly received his first tournament assignment on October 15, officiating during the encounter between Tanzania and Angola. Angola secured an emphatic 6-0 victory, with the fixture providing the Nigerian referee an opportunity to gain further experience at continental level.

His participation followed his successful completion of CAF’s mandatory fitness assessment, an important requirement for officials selected to handle international competitions.

Ojeleye subsequently received another assignment for Mozambique’s encounter against Tanzania on October 17. The Nigerian was listed as the second referee alongside Senegalese official Elhadji Dieme.

Mozambique emerged 4-0 winners, completing their campaign with a convincing performance. The appointment further strengthened Ojeleye’s tournament experience and added another continental fixture to his officiating record.

Before his involvement in the Futsal AFCON, Ojeleye had already gained experience handling international fixtures.

In January 2026, he was appointed for the Africa Cup of Nations futsal qualifying encounter between Cape Verde and Senegal. His progression from qualifying matches to the continental championship reflects his continued involvement in CAF-organised competitions.

Ojeleye’s participation represents an encouraging development for Nigerian refereeing, particularly in futsal, where opportunities for international exposure remain important to officials’ professional growth.

His successful fitness assessment and subsequent appointments underline the importance of physical preparation, technical knowledge and consistency in officiating.

As African futsal continues to develop, Nigerian officials will be hoping to secure greater representation at major continental and international competitions.

For Ojeleye John Tope, the 2026 Futsal AFCON has provided another platform to build experience, strengthen his professional credentials and represent Nigeria in continental football officiating.

The post Nigeria’s FIFA Futsal Referee Ojeleye John Tope Shines at 2026 AFCON in Morocco, Handles Key Matches appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Former Super Eagles striker Eddie Dombraye has acknowledged the financial reasons behind Nigerian footballers’ decisions to pursue opportunities abroad, drawing from his own experience playing outside the country.

Speaking on Sports247’s Inside Naija Sports, Dombraye discussed the choices players face when foreign clubs offer salaries that may be more attractive than what they earn in Nigeria.

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The former striker explained that he also moved abroad during his playing career, including a spell in Poland. His experience has given him an understanding of why footballers may accept offers from leagues that do not always receive the same attention as Europe’s biggest competitions.

For many players, the decision to move abroad is not based only on the reputation of a league. Financial security, career development and the opportunity to earn a better living can also influence their choices.

Dombraye acknowledged that he could not simply blame players for accepting such offers, having made a similar decision during his own career.

His position highlights the difficult balance between a player’s financial interests and the desire to remain in a competitive environment that supports long-term development.

While moving abroad can provide valuable experience, the quality of opportunities available differs from one club and country to another. Players must consider factors such as regular playing time, coaching standards, contract security and their prospects of progressing to stronger leagues.

For Nigerian clubs, the movement of players abroad also creates a challenge. When important members of a squad leave, teams may struggle to maintain their previous level of performance and coaches may have to rebuild their plans.

Dombraye’s comments also return attention to the conditions within the domestic league. Better financial structures and improved club management could help Nigerian teams compete more effectively for players’ services.

However, retaining talent requires more than persuading players to stay. Clubs must also provide reliable contracts, professional working conditions and opportunities for footballers to develop.

The former international’s experience offers a useful perspective on a familiar issue in Nigerian football: how to balance players’ financial ambitions with the growth and competitiveness of the domestic game.

His comments suggest that understanding players’ decisions is an important starting point in addressing the challenges facing Nigerian clubs.

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