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Puma, Persianas Retail And The National Sports Commission Launch The Puma Afrobeat House For Team Nigeria At The 2026 Commonwealth Games
Persianas Retail Limited (PRL), PUMA’s official partner in Nigeria and one of the country’s leading sports and lifestyle retailers, has opened the doors of the PUMA Afrobeat House in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC). The dedicated hospitality and cultural hub was created for Team Nigeria at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The PUMA Afrobeat House opened on Friday, July 24th and will be open for 10 days. Throughout this period, it has served, and will continue to serve, as a rallying point where athletes, delegates, guests, families and friends can connect and celebrate, with DJ sets, entertainment, Nigerian food, drinks and hospitality.
The House also hosted a World Press Conference on Wednesday July 30th, where the NSC, PUMA and PRL celebrated Team Nigeria’s strong showing at the Commonwealth Games and recognised some of the country’s medal-winning athletes for their outstanding performances. Currently, Team Nigeria sits 5th on the Glasgow 2026 medal table with 14 medals.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended PUMA for supporting Team Nigeria’s preparations.
“The impressive preparations Team Nigeria enjoyed ahead of these Games would not have been possible without partners like PUMA. We are happy to have PUMA by our side because they believed in our vision, and together we can achieve even more for Nigerian sports as we build towards future international competitions, including the Olympic Games.”
He added that under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission remains committed to improving athlete welfare, ensuring timely support and building sustainable systems that will strengthen Nigerian sport well beyond the Commonwealth Games.
Speaking at the event, Ayo Amusan, the CEO of PRL said the partnership with the NSC means a great deal to PRL.
“Sport has always had the power to unite people, inspire communities and showcase the very best of a nation. At PRL, that’s exactly what we look for, identifying talent and championing people who are truly passionate about what they do, and Team Nigeria’s athletes embody that.”
Mrs Amusan added
“Working alongside the NSC to support Team Nigeria means the athletes can focus on what matters most, which is performing and giving their all in competition. Through our partnership with the NSC, we’ve created a space that celebrates Nigerian culture, brings people together and gives athletes and supporters a place to share in the excitement of the Games. At PRL, we’re proud to help bring that vision to life with PUMA and we are looking forward to what the future will hold for both brands.”
Also speaking at the event, Bastien De Toledo, Head of Team Sport at PUMA, described the collaboration as the beginning of an exciting journey and is positive about the future of Nigerian sports under the current NSC leadership.
As Team Nigeria continues its winning streak in Glasgow, the PUMA Afrobeat House will remain open throughout the Games until August 2nd, welcoming athletes, delegates, supporters and guests to experience the culture and community, and to celebrate Nigerian excellence both on and off the field.
About Persianas Retail Limited (PRL)
Persianas Retail Limited (PRL) is Nigeria’s premium sports and lifestyle retailer, and the official partner of PUMA, Lacoste, and GUESS in the region, offering a wide range of sportswear and apparel through 14 stores nationwide.
Beyond the physical stores across the country, PRL has expanded its reach through its online platform, The Mix.Ng. This digital destination allows customers to conveniently shop for their favorite brands from the comfort of their homes, offering a seamless shopping experience
About PUMA
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, and selling footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1948, PUMA helps the world’s best athletes and teams perform at their best with its innovative products. Known for its iconic cat logo and the Formstrip, the company offers performance products in categories such as Football, Running and Training.
The company distributes its products in over 120 countries, employs more than 20,000 people and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has dismissed allegations questioning his political neutrality following claims that his phone number was associated with a controversial account on X, formerly Twitter.
Amupitan insisted that he had never owned or operated an account on a social media platform, adding that an independent forensic examination had been conducted to investigate the claims.
He disclosed that the matter had also been referred to the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Inspector-General of Police for further investigation.
The INEC chairman made this known on Thursday while speaking at a high-level event hosted by Chatham House in London in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI.
Addressing concerns about his previous involvement in politically sensitive court cases and whether such engagements could affect his impartiality as electoral umpire, Amupitan explained that his participation in those matters was strictly based on his professional responsibilities as a lawyer before assuming office.
He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the country's Constitution and electoral laws, insisting that his decisions as INEC chairman would not be influenced by political interests.
“My loyalty is solely to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act,” he affirmed.
“Every constitutional institution—including the Presidency, the National Assembly, and state governors—owes its primary loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The electoral commission chairman also addressed allegations of irregularities in the national voter register, including reports claiming that the number of registered voters in a ward in Ebonyi State had increased by 85 per cent.
He said INEC had looked into the complaint and taken steps to resolve the matter in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Amupitan further explained that the Electoral Act gives Nigerians the right to raise objections, submit claims and request certified true copies of the voter register as part of measures to promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Amupitan, while speaking on the importance of youth participation in democracy, urged young Nigerians to become actively involved in shaping the country's political future.
He stressed that the responsibility of building a better Nigeria rests partly on the younger generation, warning that the circulation of false information and digital disinformation could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
“This country belongs to young Nigerians, and they must continue working toward the Nigeria they want,” he said.
“Misinformation is among the greatest dangers facing our democracy. Citizens should verify information before acting on it or sharing it, and allow our democracy the opportunity to succeed.”
Nigeria is expected to hold its 2027 general elections in two phases, beginning with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are subsequently scheduled for February 6, 2027.
2027: Amupitan clarifies alleged bias, ownership of X account, voter register manipulation
Nigeria U-17 captain Harmony Chidi has shared the personal challenges she faced while pursuing her football career, revealing that her mother initially opposed her decision to play the sport and wanted her to get married instead.
Speaking about her early journey in football, Chidi explained that her grandmother was the only person who encouraged her to keep pursuing her dream despite the lack of support at home, Sports247 gathered.
“When I started football, my mama didn’t allow me play. She didn’t want me playing football; she wanted me to get married. Only my grandma encouraged me, and now my grandma is no more. It’s just me and my mum now,” Chidi said.
Her revelation highlights the personal obstacles she had to overcome in order to pursue a career in football, with her grandmother playing a significant role in encouraging her ambition.
Despite the challenges, the young Nigerian captain remains determined to make her mark in the game and has set herself an ambitious target.
Chidi declared that she hopes to surpass the achievements of Super Falcons legend and former African Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala.
“My dream is to be greater than Asisat Oshoala,” she said.
Her ambition reflects the confidence and determination she carries as she continues her development in the game. Oshoala’s achievements have made her a reference point for aspiring Nigerian female footballers, and Chidi now hopes to carve out a legacy of her own.
For the U-17 captain, the journey is about more than playing football; it is also about pursuing a dream that was not initially supported by those closest to her.
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