By Olawale Alabi

Purity Akuh, head coach of Nigeria’s female wrestling team, says there is no cause for alarm regarding Team Nigeria’s medal prospects at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two of the five Nigerian female wrestlers are already out of reckoning for a medal at the Games.

But Akuh told NAN on Wednesday in Paris at the Olympic Games Village that the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) had already done all that was necessary for success.

”There is no cause for alarm. So far, we are on course. There is nothing to worry about.

”We did all we needed to do in terms of preparations before the Games,” he said.

NAN reports that Christianah Ogunsanya on Wednesday crashed out of the women’s freestyle 53 kilogramme event of the wrestling competition at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Ogunsanya lost 1-3 to Khulan Batkhuyag of Mongolia in her round of 16 bout at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, making her the team’s second casualty in the competition.

Blessing Oborududu had earlier failed in Nigeria’s opening quest to win medals in the sport at the Games.

She got to the semi-finals though, but then lost in the bronze medal match.

But Akuh said there was going to be moments of happiness and celebrations very soon.

”We will soon be having cause to smile. What we are seeing now is normal in sports, whereby what you prepared for may not be what you will see.

”While we tried as much as possible to take care of all ends, but we cannot say it was going to be a smooth sail all the way.

”Some things will definitely change, and we are now taking care of that to forestall more losses,” the coach said.

He assured that the team’s handlers were already working on ensuring that the remaining members of the wrestling group in Team Nigeria end up with medals.

”Starting from Thursday morning, when Chaimaa Alg Aouissi will face Odunayo Adekuoroye in the women’s freestyle 57kg event at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, we are going to see something better.

”We are determined, and ready, and we shall succeed,” Akuh said.(NAN)

By Angela Atabo

Dr Charles Osasuwa, Chairman/CEO of Hilltop Global Oil and Gas Solutions International Ltd, has advocated  the use of sports to drive child development in Nigeria.

Osasuwa made the call when the executive committee members of the IBB International Golf and Country Club , Ladies section led by Lady Captain, Julie Okah-Donli, paid him a visit in Abuja on Friday.

He said that his passion for tennis was birthed when he went for a medical checkup and was advised to do exercise to keep fit.

“I have really invested in table tennis, because I believe in human development and I am one of the best when it comes to playing tennis in Nigeria.

“If you do your research, you will know I sponsor table tennis tournaments yearly in this country.

”The next time I am  looking at  doing  it within west Africa where players will come from different African  nations  in Benin,”he said

Osasuwa pledged his commitment to supporting  the  IBB international golf and country club ladies golf session, for the Junior Open starting on Aug.15  to 19  at the Club.

“I pledge my readiness to support the team   in sports development and also join the golfers.

“I want to join the golfers because of the energy, the enthusiasm and the fact that they want to make a difference,” he said.

Earlier,  Okah-Donli, said the aim of the visit was to  intimate the CEO with  activities of the club and seek his  support especially for the  children’s golf day.

She explained that the tournament was one of the pragmatic approaches to golf talent discovery in the country.

Okah-Donli said that the aim was to catch children young and develop them using sports.

“I thought it was right for us to come and invite you as the father of the day for the junior open coming up  at the IBB International Golf and Country Club,  starting on Aug. 15 to Aug. 19.

“The visit came out very positive as expected, and my team and I are very happy with the result of the meeting,“ he said.

Okah-Donli said that the children’s clinic would take off with about 120 children, while 150 children from the ages of to 16 across Nigeria would participate in the Junior open competition.

Also speaking, the Competition Secretary of the club, Ememe Thompson said that the club organises championship programmes annually .

Thompson said that for this year, the club was looking forward to something better than 2023. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Mohammed Baba Busu

President Bola Tinubu’s horse named ‘Renewed Hope’ has won the Hope Renewed 1st Year Anniversary Horse Racing Derby that ended on Saturday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day epochal sports that opened on Thursday was organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN).

NAN also reports that Tinubu’s winning horse emerged victorious in the ‘Division 1 ThoroughBreed’, 10 furlongs or 2,000 metres race.

The horse won a car, a cup and N100,000 prize.

The second position under the division was clinched by a horse named ‘Sarauinya’ and it got N1million.

A horse christened: ‘Holiday Parade’ emerged 3rd clinching N700,000 prize.

Also, the fourth position under the division was clinched by a horse called: ‘Nawal’with a N500,000 prize.

The closing ceremony was graced by the Life Patron of the federation and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Ilyasu Bashar was represented by the Sarkin Borgun Ka’oje, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland among others.

The event was successfully coordinated by the President of the federation, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida,the ‘Sarkin Dawakin Nupe.’ (NAN)(www.nannewsngr.com)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Bashir Rabe Mani

The National President, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, says a world cup for the sport will soon be organised in Nigeria.

Mustapha-Bida told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on the sidelines of the ongoing four-day of maiden edition of the International Horse Racing Derby.

He said the derby would featured contestants from across the globe just like it has been done in Dubai.

The theme of the derby is: ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race’.

The epochal sport meet was organised by the federation as part of the one year anniversary celebration of President Bola Tinubu administration.

Mustapha-Bida, also the ‘Sarkin Dawakin Nupe’, said that horse racing, like other sports, was a key unifying factor in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

According to him, such an event organised at the global stage will bolster the image of the country as well as add tremendous value to the nation’s economy.

On the ongoing derby, he described Kaduna as the hub of horse racing, adding that, “Kaduna is the centre of the North.

“Horse racing has a very strong history in Kaduna from time immemorial from the time of our grandfather, the late Sardaunan Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

“Kaduna has hosted the annual Northern Derby since 1961. It has a lot of lovers of horse racing.

“Kaduna is the centre and the starting point. So, we will revive and sustain this lost glory and feat.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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