By Mohammed Baba Busu/Bashir Rabe Mani

The Hope Renewed 1st Year International Horse Racing Derby opened on Wednesday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria ends on Saturday.

The derby with the theme: ‘Hope Renewed 1st Anniversary Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race’. was organised to commemorate the first year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.

The breeds of contestants included thorough-bred horses originating from Great Britain And Sudan.

Others are Talon-horses originating from Chad and Naija breed, born, bred and trained in Nigeria.

Similarly, there are the Arewa-Local Arewa Horses from Nigeria and Niger Republic.

There are also trophies and car races to be competed for, in the finals on Saturday.

They trophies are: President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Cup and the Sen. Uba Sani, Governor’s Cup, and the Sultan’s Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar Horse Amirul Muminin Cup.

They also include Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau’s Cup and Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe’s Cup.

Speaking at the event, the Life Patron of the federation, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said it has worked tirelessly to promote horse racing in the country.

He said, “Today’s event is a testament to our dedication.

“We have witnessed growth, excitement and passion from our participants and spectators alike.

“As we celebrate this anniversary, we also remember those who have supported us along the way.

“We pay tribute to the horses and riders who have entertained us with their skills and process.

“Sadly, we so take a moment to mourn those who were involved in an accident on their way to this tournament.”

The royal father also commiserated the families of the deceased, adding that, “but even in the face of adversity, we have strength in our shared passion for horse racing.

“We will continue to work together to ensure the sport’s growth and success”.

The National Coordinator, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, said the derby was organised to bolster unity across Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.

According to him, there are participants from across Nigeria and other African countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroun, among others.

“This historic event is aimed at reviving horse racing as an age-long event that started in the 1960’s and with Kaduna as its hub, “he said.

The event was graced by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Bamalli, the Emir of Machina in Yobe, Dr Bashir Bukar, the Madakin Zazzau, Alhaji Munnir Ja’afaru and the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Liman, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashr Rabe Mani

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dismissed speculations about a cancellation or postponement of the upcoming Paris Games due to the political situation in France.

It said it was part of a disinformation campaign.

Reports had suggested that IOC president Thomas Bach was concerned after France’s far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, topped the first round of voting for a new parliament.

The second round of voting is set for Sunday.

Magazine Le Point had suggested that Bach had given a mid-July deadline, whether the Games would go ahead as planned for July 26 to Aug. 11.

But the IOC was quick to dismiss this.

“This is obviously part of the ongoing disinformation campaign against France, the IOC, and its president, and the Olympic Games.

“It has no factual basis whatsoever,” the IOC said late Wednesday on platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

“The IOC president and the entire Olympic Movement are looking forward with great anticipation to an excellent Olympic Games Paris 2024,” he said.

French organisers said they would investigate the origin of the reports, and sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra dismissed them as “indecent fake news” on X.

“Our Games will indeed be held in Paris, on the scheduled dates. We have been preparing for them for years.

”They will bring happiness to the whole world and pride to our country,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Habu Gumel, President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), addressing weightlifting coaches during the Olympic Solidarity sponsored Level 2 coaching course in Abuja. Seated behind him is Abdul Ibrahim, President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) and International Weightlifting Instructor, Pierce Kyle.

By Emmanuel Afonne

The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, has tasked the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) to nurture talents that would take over from the current weightlifters.

Gumel gave the charge when he declared open the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Level 2 Coaching Course for weightlifting coaches, at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that weightlifting coaches from the 36 states of the federation are participating in the coaching course organised by the NWF in collaboration with the NOC.

Gumel said the weightlifting federation needed to do everything possible to replace its aging athletes to ensure that the country continued its dominance in Africa.

He said the Olympic Solidarity and the International Olympic Committee approved the course because of the performance of Nigerian weightlifters at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 2024 African Games in Ghana.

“It is important for us to get the support of the International Olympic Solidarity for this coaching course.

“We have been moving around the country organising women commission seminars, administrative seminars in the six geopolitical zones and this one is another one but for weightlifting.

“It is for weightlifting coaches all over the country and we are lucky that the Olympics Solidarity through the International Federation of Weightlifting deemed it fit to get us an international instructor to come and train our coaches.

“They must listen and learn so that they can impact the knowledge when they go back to their states to teach other people.

“Weightlifting is very important and the athletes are doing well; we know their records during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the African Games in Ghana and we believe that they will excel at the Paris Olympics.

“There is going to be another coaching course for shooting, swimming and others, to train their coaches, referees and administrators,” Gumel said.

The President of NWF, Abdul Ibrahim, said the course would be administered in two parts – theory and practical, on the best practices to adopt in developing the game.

“There is so much happening in sports that the weightlifting coaches needed to know which would be made known to them by a U.S. Weightlifting Instructor, Pierce Kyle.

“This programme is for six days and it is important to develop our coaches for it to cascade down to the athletes to achieve a positive result.

“If we don’t get good results from the states, then we have failed but if we get it right, we will develop our game.

“So, the task before us is to be able to develop new athletes that will take over from the old ones in the next one year, after this programme; we also want to see a general improvement as a result of this course,” Ibrahim added.

Emeka Ajei, Chairman, Weightlifting Coaches Association, said the course would improve their knowledge ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Weightlifting did so well in the last African Games and I believe that this course will improve our capability, tactical and technical performance because there is no knowledge that is lost.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Georgina Adegbie

Her Game Sporting Foundation football tournament for girls has kicked-off in Abuja, with 16 teams battling for honours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden edition of the grassroots tournament got underway on Thursday at the Area 3 FIFA Goal Project astro pitch.

Mrs Pat Ayegba, Chairman, Female Football Committee, FCT FA told NAN, shortly after the kick-off that the tournament is meant to showcase and empower young female footballers in the FCT.

Ayegba who is the sponsor of the tournament, said that  the foundation decided to partner with the FCT Football Association (FCT FA) so as to make much impact.

“The Her Game Foundation is not just a tournament, but a movement, a movement that empowers women and girls to embrace their strength, passion and potential.

“Football is not just a game, it’s a platform for growth, for learning and breaking barriers.

“It teaches us team work, discipline and resilience, it shows us that with hard work and determination, we can achieve greatness,” she said.

NAN reports that the kick-off was preceded with a march-past by participating teams, and presentation of branded jerseys and balls by the sponsor to each of the teams.

Football stakeholders and board members of the FCT FA were also present at the entertaining opening ceremony.

The tournament which has female secondary schools and football academies participating will end on July 7. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) said on Tuesday that it has put everything on ground to surpass the achievements of the country at previous Olympics.

President of NOC, Habu Gumel, said this while receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure especially at Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos.

Gumel said that 80 athletes had so far qualified for the Olympics while additional five athletes were expected to join the team if they eventually qualify.

“We are calling this meeting to update Nigerians on our preparation for the Olympics scheduled to hold from July 26 to August 11 in Paris and to receive the reports of two committees set up for the progress of NOC.

“On the constitution review, NOC executive committee, the board, general assembly and the International Olympic Committee will look at the report before we say this is our final constitution.

“Those outside the country are already training and sports federations like boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and canoeing have started local trainings too.

“Some are in Germany, while some are in America; so, arrangement is on for us to achieve podium success; the Ministry of Sports Development and the NOC are collaborating seriously to achieve success in Paris.

“The last time we won two gold medals was in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, by Chioma Ajunwa, in long jump and the U-23 Dream Team, so, we are working so hard to break the jinx in Paris,” Gumel said.

According to him, winning silver or bronze has never been a challenge to the country’s athletes, but getting gold.

This, he said, was the reason behind the robust preparation designed for Team Nigeria ahead of the Olympics.

The Secretary-General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, on his part, pleaded with the Federal Government to release enough funds on time to enable the country to achieve the desired result at the Olympics.

“Our preparation is fair enough going by the understanding between the NOC and the Ministry of Sports. NOC is in charge of the Olympics and the Ministry is their partner, unlike in the past when there used to be a discretional kind of arrangement.

“But this time around, we have a strong synergy between NOC and the Ministry, and that has made a lot of things work better.

“For the athletes, they have done so well in the various international meets, breaking and creating records; the only thing we need to do now is to sustain it through positive media reports,” Popoola said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sani Garun-Gabbas, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NOC constitution review committee, had earlier said the committee gathered a lot of experience while discharging their duty in the last four months.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Ex-International, Kanu Nwankwo has called for support for Attom Foundation’s awareness and fund raising charity geared towards eye treatment of over  10, 000 Nigerians.

The football legend told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines of a Charity Champions Cup match organised by the  Foundation in Abuja on Saturday to raise funds for the project.

Kanu, who coached Team Attom to a 4-1 win over Team Celebrities in the well attended match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, said he was proud to be part of such a noble cause.

“It’s a football match to raise awareness for the Attom Foundation, which helps people with eye problems.

“Because it’s a good cause, you can see all these big names and players are here today to support and make sure the foundation succeeds” he said.

Kanu who is renowned for his charity work through his Kanu Heart Foundation, said there was need for more NGOs to support the needy in the society.

“The Attom Foundation is just starting, so we need to encourage them, because I love being involved in such initiatives,” he said.

NAN reports that  the carnival-like event at the  Moshood Abiola national Stadium, had Super Eagles players, legends  like Jay Jay Okocha, former Arsenal stars Robert Priest and Emmanuel Eboue.

Others included  former Chelsea legend Claude Makelele, Mark Fish and comedians, such as AY, Sabinus and Broda Shaggy among others.

Other notable music stars like Tiwa Savage, Wande Cool and several other top celebrities also graced the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Ghana’s Vincent Torgah has emerged overall winner of the maiden Rowland Adewumi Golf classic held at the prestigious IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Dr Rowland Adewumi, a golf enthusiast and promoter has pledged to invest more in the development of golf in Nigeria through his “Rowland Adewumi” golf classic tournament.

Adewumi stated this on Saturday at the tee-off of the tournament at the prestigious IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where both professional and amateur golfers are slugging it out for honours.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the inaugural tournament is meant to serve as a veritable platform for the development of amateur and professional Nigerian golfers to international standards.

The philanthropist stressed the need to have sustainable tournaments for golf development across the country, in line with international best practices.

“I think the game of golf has been lagging behind, so I just decided to make my own contribution to the develop the game better in Nigeria.

“This is the inaugural tournament and I intend to make it a yearly affair in the spirit of developing the sport further.

“So apart from the game, we intend doing charity today, so we are supporting about four charity homes/orphanages and widows, so it’s not all about the game but at the same time supporting charity,” he said.

Adewumi, who is a professional golfer Handicap 7 with the IBB Int golf and country club called on government and the private sector to show more commitment to the development of the sport in the country.

“We need to support the pros in the country,, because if you look at the ranking in the world, Nigerian pros are not performing better.

“So I think the private sector, the government and other stakeholders need to support the pros as well to lift up the game to a higher height,” he added.

He said the tournament was put together to celebrate his 50th birthday, but promised to make it an annual event that will serve as platform for grooming professional and amateur golfers.

Earlier, Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Ibrahim Babayo extolled the support of Adewumi to the growth of the sport in the country, while calling on others to emulator him.

“We have got talents that are not opportuned to be exposed to this game and this philanthropist, Dr Adewumi has created a platform for these talents.

“I can tell you what he has done for us in this club is unprecedented, so we wish him happy birthday.

“We thank him for deepening the game of golf in Nigeria, we thank him for the sponsorship he’s been doing in IBB golf club, he’s one of our biggest donors and he’s been supportive of all our programmes,” he said.

NAN reports that the three-day tournament featured more than 100 golfers competing in a stroke play format over the renowned 18-hole, lush green IBB golf course.

A total of N20 million prize money and other consolation prizes are up for grabs at the end of the classic. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza