Given its regular involvement and participation in all national competitions, it would be an understatement to say that Kano State is a sports-loving state.
This is because the state has never been invited to or qualified for any sporting event, conference, workshop, or even symposium and never fulfilled those obligations.
More so, anytime a sporting event is held or organised, individuals from all walks of life leave their jobs to attend, demonstrating the state’s love and passion for sports.
That is why Kano state is one of the few northern states where every available vacant piece of land, whether in urban or rural areas, has been turned into a football or other sports venue.
Read on: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kano_State
It is also a state where people’s passion for sports is evident, as seen by the fact that Sani Abacha Stadium and Kano Pillars Stadium used to be packed with spectators whenever a game was scheduled to take place there.
Furthermore, the north, and Kano state in particular, was recognized as a sports activity hotspot more than thirty years ago since it hosted regional and sub-regional athletic events in addition to some national competitions.
I recalled that Kano has hosted a number of subregional, regional, and international contests in the past, including the ones mentioned below.
It is on record that during FIFA U-20 World Cup (then “World Youth Championship”) 1999 which was hosted in Kano, the state hosted multiple matches, including group games (e.g., England–USA, Japan–USA) and a Round-of-16 tie, all at Sani Abacha Stadium.
Similarly, during AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) 2000 in which Ghana and Nigeria co-hosted, Kano hosted several group-stage fixtures at Sani Abacha Stadium (e.g., Egypt–Senegal; Tunisia–Congo; Zambia–Burkina Faso).
Read on: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Region,_Nigeria
During the FIFA U-17 World Cup – 2009, Kano was one of the eight host cities; group matches were played at Sani Abacha Stadium (e.g., Nigeria–Spain in Kano on 5 Nov 2009).
Kano residents were able to enjoy CAF Champions League home legs matches in a number of years when Kano Pillars Football Club went continental and all of their home games were held in Kano.
Sani Abacha Stadium had previously hosted CAF games on a regular basis, such as in 2009 (against Al-Merrikh, Al-Hilal, and Zesco), 2011, 2013, and 2019 (against Asante Kotoko; Kano, 3-2).
Other recurring national events hosted in Kano, Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship (Kano Club): Long-running national tournament with 30+ editions—e.g., 33rd edition (2019), 36th edition (Nov 10–18, 2023).
Kano also hosted International Polo Tournament: One of Nigeria’s marquee polo events, hosted annually; in 2024 it staged the first all-Nigerian women’s exhibition game at the tournament.
The state equally hosted several sporting events like African basketball, West African volleyball, and the National Basketball Competition many years ago.
But sadly, as of today (Aug 25, 2025), Kano has not hosted the National Sports Festival, National Youth Games and National Para Games even for once not to talk any international event.
Kano and most northern states have lagged behind their southern counterparts in hosting national contests, let alone advancing to regional or subregional competitions, which is regrettable.
Recent events have made it clear that the southern states have dominated the hosting of all the three national competitions namely: the National Youth Games (NYG), the National Sports Festival (NYF), and the National Para Games (NPG).
The 2028 National Sports Festival will be held in Bayelsa State, which the National Sports Commission recently approved as the host state.
Don’t forget that Ogun state hosted the recently concluded edition of the 2024 National Sports Festival while Enugu State will host the 2026 edition of the festival.
Lagos State has already informed the National Sports Commission that it is prepared to host the 2026 National Youth Games, and the commission has dispatched a team to inspect the facilities.
It could be recalled that the first National Youth Games took place in Abuja from December 5–15, 2013, and the second edition took place in Ilorin, Kwara state from September 21–30, 2016.
Kwara state hosted the event in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, consecutively, as a result of the popularity of the 2016 event, which was held in Ilorin.
According to reports, a five-year memorandum of understanding was signed by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development and the University of Ilorin to organize the games there.
The seventh edition of the event was originally planned to take place in Delta State, from February 8–18, 2023.
However, because of the general elections in Nigeria on February 25, 2023, the event was rescheduled. Additionally, Delta State will host the 2025 Youth Games as well as two other editions.
The first edition of the National Para Games was held in Abuja in Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and the same Abuja hosted the second edition of the National Para Games.
The dominance of the southern states in hosting national contests is evident from the situation above.
The one million naira question is, is the southern states are more aware of the importance of hosting national tournaments than our northern states.
The fact that all of the states participating in the marathon for the hosting of the national sporting event are southern states honestly makes me feel depressed and hopeless.
It causes me to wonder repeatedly: Are our state’s governors overlook anything worthwhile in sports?
If not, why, in spite of the significance of national sporting events to their states and citizens, have they given them up to the southern states alone?
Since sports are a tool that, when utilized properly, may eradicate banditry, phone snatching, and many other vices that are preventing our society from progressing, I believe that northern states should take hosting national sports more seriously.
The states will benefit greatly from hosting a national sporting event since it will, first and foremost, witness the quick construction of facilities throughout the states, bringing less popular sports closer to the general public.
The construction of new facilities throughout the states will make it simple to popularize all athletic activities that the public has not previously been aware of because of their unavailability.
In order to host national and international athletic events, our northern states—Kano state in particular—need to wake up from their lethargy and emulate Delta, Bayelsa Ogun, and Lagos states.
What our governments in the north are forgetting is that hosting sporting events has many advantages and importance which is ranged from personnel, facilities, and competitions.
- Under Personnel and its importance to the People of Kano.
Skilled Workforce: Hosting events creates demand for referees, coaches, stewards, medics, and volunteers, giving locals jobs and experience.
Youth Motivation: Seeing homegrown stars (like Ahmed Musa from Kano) and local officials at major events inspires young people.
Capacity Building: Training opportunities arise for event managers, journalists, and security personnel, leaving lasting expertise in the community.
Hosting sporting events has its importance to the Kano State Government too
Employment & Skills Development: Hosting tournaments trains a pool of sports professionals who can serve future events.
Policy Leverage: Having qualified personnel strengthens Kano’s case when bidding to host national or international competitions.
Reputation: Producing respected coaches, referees, and administrators enhances Kano’s credibility in Nigerian and African sports bodies.
Hosting sporting events has its importance to Nigeria
Human Capital Export: Personnel from Kano can serve in national teams and continental organizations (CAF, FIFA).
National Prestige: Nigeria will gain global recognition for producing world-class players, coaches, and officials.
Sports Diplomacy: Personnel networks create bridges with other countries during international events.
- Facilities and its Importance to the People of Kano
Access to World-Class Venues: Residents benefit from upgraded stadiums, training centers, and recreation grounds after events.
Community Use: Facilities serve for schools, clubs, and fitness activities beyond major tournaments.
Pride & Identity: Venues like Sani Abacha Stadium symbolize Kano’s place on the global sports map.
Importance to Kano State Government
Event Hosting Power: Modern facilities make Kano a viable candidate for hosting AFCON, FIFA youth tournaments, and national festivals.
Economic Boost: Facilities attract tourism, sponsorship, and media coverage.
Urban Development: Investments in roads, hotels, and transport systems around facilities improve city infrastructure.
Importance to Nigeria
Hosting Capacity: Kano’s facilities reduce pressure on Lagos/Abuja, spreading event-hosting opportunities.
Global Recognition: Standard facilities allow Nigeria to confidently host CAF/FIFA events.
Sports Development: Upgraded pitches, courts, and arenas prepare Nigerian athletes to perform at international standards.
- Competitions and its importance to the People of Kano
Entertainment & Engagement: Residents enjoy live access to national and global events without traveling out of the state.
Local Talent Exposure: Young Kano athletes get the chance to showcase themselves when competitions are hosted at home.
Social Unity: Competitions bring people of diverse backgrounds together, fostering peace and community bonding.
Importance to Kano State Government
Revenue & Investment: Ticket sales, sponsorship deals, and broadcast rights benefit Kano’s economy.
Brand Promotion: Regularly hosting competitions positions Kano as the sports capital of Northern Nigeria.
Policy Fulfilment: Competitions support government goals in youth development, sports promotion, and cultural tourism.
Importance to Nigeria
National Unity: Inter-state and international competitions hosted in Kano strengthen unity across regions.
International Reputation: Successful hosting demonstrates Nigeria’s organizational capability.
Athlete Discovery: Competitions in Kano provide a platform for spotting future national team stars.
The ways forward for the Kano State Government if it intends to successfully host national and international sporting events. Three parameters (personnel, facilities, competitions) are to be seriously taken care about and lessons from past hosting in Kano.
- Strengthen Personnel Capacity
Talent Development Programs: Train and certify coaches, referees, sports administrators, medical staff, and event managers in partnership with NFF, CAF, FIFA, ITF, and Polo Federation.
Youth Engagement: Establish a Sports Academy/High-Performance Centre in Kano to groom young athletes and technical experts.
Volunteer Corps: Develop a Kano Sports Volunteer Scheme to mobilize students and youth for crowd management, logistics, and media roles during events.
Partnerships with Tertiary Institutions: Leverage Bayero University Kano and Northwest University for research and training in sports science, psychology, and event management.
- Upgrade and Expand Facilities
Modernization of Sani Abacha Stadium: Renovate seating, digital scoreboards, media centers, and floodlights to meet CAF/FIFA standards.
Multipurpose Sports Complex: Build/upgrade facilities for tennis, basketball, polo, athletics, swimming, and para-sports to diversify Kano’s hosting ability.
Accommodation & Hospitality: Encourage investment in hotels, guest houses, and transport services to support large influx of visitors.
Community Facilities: Develop mini-stadiums and training pitches in LGAs to spread benefits beyond Kano city.
- Enhance Competitions Framework
Regular State Championships: Institutionalize annual Kano State Sports Festival to prepare athletes and test facilities.
Attract National Tournaments: Bid to host National Sports Festival (NSF), NFF Aiteo Cup finals, and National Polo/Tennis Championships.
International Friendlies: Partner with NFF and CAF to host Super Eagles/U-20/U-17 matches in Kano for visibility.
School & Youth Competitions: Revive inter-school and inter-collegiate games to build grassroots pipelines.
- Institutional and Policy Support
Kano State Sports Hosting Committee: Establish a standing body responsible for event bidding, planning, and execution.
Public–Private Partnerships (PPP): Involve banks, telecoms, oil & gas firms, and local businesses as sponsors.
Sports Tourism Strategy: Market Kano’s cultural heritage (dye pits, museums, polo) alongside sports to attract visitors.
Security & Safety Assurance: Collaborate with security agencies to ensure safe and peaceful hosting environments.
- Leverage Technology & Media
Digital Promotion: Launch online platforms for ticketing, live streaming, and promotion of events.
Broadcast Partnerships: Work with local and international media houses to showcase Kano-hosted events globally.
Sports Data Systems: Use digital tools for athlete tracking, fan engagement, and event logistics.
- Long-Term Legacy Planning
Post-Event Utilization: Ensure facilities serve schools, clubs, and communities after tournaments.
Employment & Business Growth: Create small business opportunities (vendors, transporters, media workers) linked to events.
International Bidding Roadmap: Develop a 10-year plan where Kano targets hosting of NSF, continental youth tournaments, and eventually another FIFA age-grade World Cup.
Summary (Linking Hosting to Development):
Personnel ensure events are well managed, athletes are developed, and legacies endure.
Facilities make hosting possible and leave behind infrastructure that benefits people long-term. And we must all know that competitions are the platforms that showcase talent, drive economic activity, and promote unity.
An all these put together will form the foundation for Kano’s role as a major Nigerian sports hub—benefiting its people, strengthening state governance, and enhancing Nigeria’s global sporting reputation.
