From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (MON), General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has praised beach soccer stakeholders for their strong support of the sport in Nigeria. The 2025 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL), now in its fifth season, began with Round One games on Monday, 31 March, in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital. Eight teams are competing to win the title this year. They include defending champions Kebbi Fishers BSC, Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors, Kebbi United BSC, Kada BSC from Kaduna State, Nmanko Patigi BSC from Kwara State, Jigawa Golden Star BSC, Ibom BSC from Akwa Ibom State, and Niger BSC. Sanusi, who attended the opening round, thanked the League Management, led by Mahmud Hadejia, for their great work. He also recognised the NFF Beach Soccer and Futsal Committee, the Kebbi State Government, and the Kebbi State Football Association for their backing. He said, “It has been very glamorous, and we give glory to God for that. Alhaji Mahmud Hadejia, who is the President of the African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) and Coordinator of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL), has done very well and is doing very well. “In fact, we are very proud of him in Kebbi State and Nigeria in general. We are very grateful to the Governor of Kebbi State for the support he has given them, and we urge that he continue to give them the necessary support. Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan, who is the Chairman Kebbi State Football Association, has been very supportive of football activities right from the time when we were playing football and till the present.” He added, “What we are saying is that the Government of Kebbi State should give him the maximum support to succeed. We are grateful to the people of Kebbi State for all the support they are giving to beach soccer and the Kebbi State Football Association. We are equally grateful to the members of the media for their support. Football, beach soccer and sporting activities generally are no more mere recreation. We use them to fight social vices and create employment. We urge youths to embrace sports instead of indulging in social vices.” The teams are split into two groups of four. Group A has Kebbi Fishers BSC, winners of three titles, plus Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors, Nmanko Patigi BSC, and Ibom BSC. Group B includes 2022 champions Kada BSC, alongside Kebbi United BSC, Niger BSC, and Jigawa Golden Star BSC. The season will run through three rounds in Kebbi, Kaduna, and Anambra States. The top three teams from each group will move to the Super Six Finals in Akwa Ibom in December to decide the champion.