By Muhyideen Jimoh

No fewer than 3,000 athletes have registered and set to take part in the 2024 Anti-Corruption half marathon slated for Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fifth edition of the race is geared towards raising awareness on the scourge of corruption and how to collectively tackle the menace.

The National Coordinator of the marathon, Jacob Onu, who disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja, said the event is symbolic in the fight against corruption and substance abuse by athletes.

“The fight against corruption is not a one-off battle, rather a continuous one that requires perseverance and endurance.

“This is the reason behind this initiative. The marathon is symbolic in that without perseverance and endurance one can’t start and finish a marathon,” he said.

According to him, the star prize winner for both male and female will smile to the bank with N1million, while the first and second runners-up will get N700, 000 and N500, 000 each.

Earlier, President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Maikano, said OSMA will fully participate in the all important marathon because it is a noble cause.

“In my capacity as the president of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa, I will make sure that the African military participates in the marathon race.

“We will use the upcoming African Military Games in Abuja to create awareness for the race and invite our colleagues from Niger, Ghana, Mali and other African countries for the marathon,” Maikano said.

Also the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, called on all stakeholders to support and key in to the goal of the marathon

Gumel, who was represented by President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Abdul Ibrahim, said such events would go a long way in discovering talents for the country.

The 21.25km half marathon is scheduled to start at the Eagles Square and pass through the National Stadium and terminate at the Unity Fountain.

Top government officials, members of the National Assembly Anti-Corruption committee, business leaders and host of other eminent Nigerians are expected to flag-off the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Muhyideen Jimoh

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Nigeria has secured Africa’s sole ticket to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia 2025.

Nigeria was declared the winner of the Under 19 Africa Qualifiers on Sunday after the final match against Zimbabwe was washed out due to a heavy downpour in the second innings.

The final game played at Gahanga International Stadium in Kigali, saw Nigeria win the toss and opted to bat, scoring 77 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

In the chase, Zimbabwe started strong scoring 19/1 in 2.3 overs but was halted by the rain and play could no longer proceed.

However, ICC officials present adjudged Nigeria the winner for being the only participant unbeaten at the qualifier and had also topped its group.

Meanwhile Uyi Akpata, President of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), in his reaction to the victory, said that the qualification is a reward for the hard work and tenacity of everyone involved.

“First, I must thank the players, for their boldness and dedication to this project. The board members too have been very supportive, and I will not forget the coaches and the technical team behind them.

“The World Cup is a bigger task; we need more resources and a robust plan to run a successful campaign. All hands must be on deck, and it starts now,” Akpata noted.

Nigeria’s run to victory began with beating Tanzania by four wickets, Zimbabwe by one wicket, and overrunning Malawi by 86 runs to top Group B.

In the semi-final, Nigeria beat host Rwanda by 62 runs to set up the second encounter with Zimbabwe in the finals encounter that was washed out.

The 2025 World Cup in Malaysia is scheduled for Jan. 18 to Feb. 2, 2025 with Nigeria in Group C alongside New Zealand, South Africa, and Samoa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Nigeria’s U-19 Women’s Cricket team, on Wednesday, defeated Malawi by 86 runs to finish top in Group B of the ongoing Africa U-19 World Cup qualifiers in Rwanda.

The win for Nigeria makes it three wins in three games and sets a mouth-watering semifinal clash with Rwanda, who finished second in Group A.

In the game played at Gahanga B cricket oval, Nigeria won the toss and opted to bat first.

Opening batters Victory Igbinedion, scored 66 runs off 72 balls and Promise Eguakun contributing 27 runs of 20 balls to help Nigeria reach a total score of 147 runs for the loss of four wickets.

In defence of their score, Nigeria limited the East Africans to 61 runs all out in 18.1 overs.
Nigeria win by 86 runs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of eight teams are currently taking part in the tournament, with only the top team gaining ticket to the World Cup in Malaysia 2025. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Ijeoma Okigbo

No fewer that 1000 school girls are expected to take part in the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC)/Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s Criio Festival.

Uyi Akpata, president of the NCF, said this on Tuesday at a media briefing aimed at analysing activities by the federation in recent years.

Akpata spoke on the backdrop of the federation’s partnership with the world governing body, ICC, and the opportunities the country has gained.

“We are going to have a launch of a super female involvement in cricket through a modified format. It is the women’s criio festival.

“We are bringing between 600 to 1000 school girls in Abuja to come and have fun and it is going to be on the back of the National Women Championship.

“We are going to have best female cricketers around and we will be inviting ICC women representative as well, and the criio template will be replicated to other parts of the country.

“ICC identified two countries in Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda to champion this initiative and this is because of what we have done in women’s cricket.

“We have won global and continental awards and accolade in the cause of women’s cricket and we can as this investment is bearing fruits already,’’ Akpata added.

On the federation’s achievements so far, Akpata said leadership and good governance structure played a key role.

“When we were riding on the back of serious misgivings about our leadership and governance, we revamped our leadership structure.

“At the time, it was led by Prof. Yahaya Ukwenya, a surgeon and myself, who was the vice president, though having a pedigree as one of the senior members of Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) at the time.

“It was not about credentials but about implementation.

“So, we put up that structure and the rest of the board came along and saw how deliberate we were in terms of transparency and they keyed in.

“This was to the extent that when the template of effective governance structure was given to associate countries in Africa by the ICC, they had to tell us to review and see whether it was consistent with best practices.

“That is what we did. Now, we have become a positive reference point and we must always align ourselves with ICC and their templates,’’ Akpata added.

Also at the event, the NCF brand ambassador for women’s cricket, Adaora Sydney-Jack, said she would be using her experience in community journalism to drive awareness for the game.

“When I look at women’s cricket in the country, I see the future is near.

“If we begin to appraise women’s cricket in countries like India, South Africa, Australia and more, we see that they have done well for themselves due to strategic partnerships.

“As a brand ambassador, that is the area I will be looking at strategic partnerships and community development.

“This is where you see cricket playing a key role and I will be using my brand as a mainstay in community journalism, that is an area I will need to drive,’’ Sdyney-Jack said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Nigeria Natural Bodybuilding Association (NNBBA) says preparations are in full swing for Nigerian bodybuilders to excel in the upcoming African qualifiers for the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships billed for the United States.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) championships will be held in Boston, U. S. from Nov. 23 to Nov. 24.

While the Africa qualifiers for the world championships is scheduled for October 26 in Lagos.

NNBA President, Arinze Oraekwuotu, at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, stressed the need for Nigeria to secure a spot at the world championships.

“As we launch the NNBBA, we are also excited to announce Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming Africa Qualifiers for the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships in the USA.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our athletes to test their mettle against the best from across Africa and secure a spot at the world championships,” he said.

Oraekwuotu said  the association was committed to developing grassroots talent and athletic potential across the continent.

“The NNBBA is dedicated to promoting natural bodybuilding across Africa, and we are committed to enhancing Africa’s presence in international bodybuilding competitions,” he said.

The NNBA boss called on corporate organisations, government agencies and individuals to partner with the association in achieving its goals and fostering a fitness culture in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwesnse Moru

By Muhyideen Jimoh

By Victor Okoye

Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has dismissed rumours making the rounds that he has quit his role, following Tuesday’s barren draw against the Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rumours of Eguavoen’s resignation started making the rounds, following his post-match reaction in Kigali.

This was after Super Eagles 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match day two qualifying match against Rwanda, which ended 0-0 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

However, Eguavoen, who spoke to newsmen after the team touched down in Abuja, debunked the rumours as false and misleading, saying that he was misquoted.

He sais he was still in charge of the Super Eagles and would sit down with the federation’s hierarchy to evaluate the team’s performance, following the two matches played.

“It is quite unfortunate that people would just trigger something that is not correct, and at the situation that we are in now, we don’t need negative stories.

“I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games to see how we go about prosecuting the next games.

“But, when I saw that story, I was kind of really worried and concerned. Whatever people are reading out there is not correct, and I am still very much in charge.

“I am the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the Super Eagles at this moment, and that’s where we are,” he said.

NAN reports that the Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Victor Okoye

Olusegun Runsewe, President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), has commended Nigeria’s female teenage golfer, Iyene Essien, for her exploits at the St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational in Canton, New York, U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Essien, a first-year Electrical Engineering student of Union College, Schenectady, New York, had a record-setting weekend to start her collegiate career at the SLU Fall Invitational.

This was after she carded rounds of 70 and 81 to earn medalist honours with a programme-record two-day score of 151.

She smashed the school record by five strokes with her two-under 70 in her collegiate debut on Saturday, carding three birdies, an eagle, and no holes higher than bogey.

Facing incredibly difficult conditions, Essien carved up the course with the first sub-par round in Union golf history, surpassing the previous record of 75 set by current senior Liz Bentsianov on Sept. 17, 2022 at the tournament.

The 18-year-old carded an eagle on the par-five 11th to go with three birdies and three bogies in her collegiate debut, carding dual nines of 35 on the way to her record-setting score.

She followed up with an 81 on Sunday to break the school two-day scoring record and post a four-stroke victory.

It was only the third individual medalist honour in programme history and the first at an event with more than three teams.

Her effort ensured that she led the Union College women’s golf team to a third-place finish at the season-opening tournament, held on Saturday and Sunday at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course.

Her excellent performance also saw her earn the Union College Women’s Golf Performer of the Week award and three more earning spots on the weekly honour roll.

Runsewe, while commending Essien, a product of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, on Wednesday, described her accomplishments as an inspiration to the younger generation.

He added that she was an ambassador of Nigeria’s grassroots golf development.

He said her exploits, while in college, was a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The NGF President said the success story of Essien was the motivating factor behind his desire to ensure that more talents were discovered at the grassroots in the country.

“Under my leadership as the NGF President, I have always emphasised the need to concentrate on grassroots development of the sport.

“This is why we have been able to build the Golf and Health Signature, a hub for the growth and development of young talents in the country.

“This is the way other advanced countries grew the game,” he said.

He said other countries started well and early, “and that’s exactly what we are also trying to achieve here at the Golf and Health Signature.

“These young talents are the future of the sport, and in a few years to come, they will represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world.”

He also commended the efforts of Essien’s parents who committed their time, energy and resources to seeing her through the most crucial part of her golfing career, while also ensuring that she gets the best education.

He urged other parents to borrow a leaf from Essien’s story and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age.

He also assured of the NGF’s continued support for young golfers to enable them reach their full potential.

The NGF boss also called for more sponsorship by corporate bodies, private institutions and philanthropists to support grassroots development of the sport in the country. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko