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

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Attom Foundation, an NGO in collaboration with some football legends will on Saturday play a Charity Champions Cup to raise awareness and funds for the eye treatment of  over 10, 000 Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the much anticipated match is billed for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Reigning African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen and some Super Eagles stars will join African legends like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Eboue among others.

Yahaya Attom, the Founder/CEO of Attom Foundation, disclosed this at a pre-match news conference  on Friday in Abuja.

He said the charity match will go a long way in raising awareness about the plight of Nigerians in need of eye treatment.

He said the goal is to raise awareness and ultimately provide medical assistance to over 10,000 indigent Nigerians.

Attom who was represented by Emmanuel Ugonna, a comedian popularly known as Craze Clown,  said the foundation has offered free surgery to over 2,000 Nigerians in Maiduguri as part of it’s outreach.

He said going forward, the foundation plans to have mobile eye clinics in each of the 36 states of the country in line with international best practices.

‘Our plan is to have 36 mobile eye clinics across all states in the country where you can have eye tests, cataract surgeries and so on.

“Each of the mobile clinics costs 250,000 dollars   so you can see what we are talking about, we have four already at the Lagos port,” he said.

“When the foundation contacted me, I had no hesitation because am also involved in charity, especially as it involves the blind, my foundation is also supporting some schools.

“Abuja is also my city, so am proud to be part of this project, we have Jay Jay here, Kanu is here and a lot of other legends,” he said.

Dr Ozy Okonokhua, a public health optometrist and partner for the charity match decried the the lack of access to eye care/ treatment for most Nigerians, especially in the rural areas.

Okonokhua said about 84 per cent of blindness in Nigeria are preventable/ avoidable with early checkup, treatment or surgery.

He said the north-east and northern part of Nigeria has the highest number of people with blindness/visual impairment, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck to reverse this trend.

According to him, HMC is partnering with the Attom Foundation to raise awareness and give some intervention and free consultation to Nigerians in this regard.

Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, a dance instructor/fitness coach, who is the Project Director for the Foundation assured of a world class event on Saturday.

NAN reports that the event was graced by ex-internationals and celebrities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Aderonke Ojo

No fewer than 188 cyclists have registered to participate in the 3rd edition of the Abuja Capital City Championship top prize, slated for Saturday.

Bashiru Mohammed, Technical Director, Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the event is being organised in conjunction with CHENUEL Mobility Solution Limited.

Mohammed said that the championship was earlier scheduled for June 1, but was postponed due to the inauguration of road projects within the FCT.

“This year’s championship will features Men Elite 140km,Women Elite 80km, Men Veteran 60km and Women veteran 30km,” he said.

The technical director said that the amateur category for schools in the FCT would feature the Male 20km and Female 15 km race.

He said that cyclists are expected to arrive on June 14, while the championship will start on June 15 and end on June 16.

“The starting and finishing point will be the Federal Secretariat, Ahmadu Bello way behind Eagle Square, by 7 a.m.

“The Championships will be completed in both male and female categories in the elite class, veterans and amateurs’ class from secondary schools within the FCT.

“The State Cycling Association/Clubs will have six males and six females in the elite class, while the veterans will have four male, four female and two officials.

“At the end of the event, there will be medals and certificate presentation to all the winners as well as traveling subsidies for all the external participants coming from states,” he said.

Mohammed urged Abuja residents to come out and encourage the cyclists.

He said that the championship would foster good working relationship amongst the participating cyclists.

“The more the cyclists race the more they will improve on their standards, both at domestic and international level.

“I am aware of the crucial role the media play in shaping mind-set and facilitating policy direction towards achieving set objectives, so we call on the media to help publicise our activities,” he said.

According to him, 109 cyclists will compete in the 140km and 60km, while 38 cyclists will compete in the 80km and 30km in the female elite class and veterans.

He said all necessary logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free championship. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Muhyideen Jimoh

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has commended Nigeria’s female golf sensation, Georgia Oboh, on her recent victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational in Michigan, U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 23-year-old Oboh, on Wednesday, captured the 2024 John Shippen Women’s Invitational and earned exemptions to compete in two LPGA tournaments – the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Championship.

Oboh will tee it up alongside the world’s best female golfers at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give starting June 13, after shooting 69-70—139 on the same course Tuesday and Wednesday to earn a three-stroke victory at the SHIPPEN event.

Runsewe, who gave the commendation in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that Oboh’s victory was an inspiration to other children back home and a testament to the fact that hard work pays

“Congratulations to our very own Georgia Oboh on your well-deserved victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan

“Your victory is indeed a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“We believe in you to keep the Nigerian flag flying high and keep doing your very best, to ensure that you represent our dear country as a good ambassador of the game of golf,” he said.

NAN also reports that another Nigerian female pro golfer, Anita Uwadia, tied for third position with Ashley Shaw of U.S. in the same tournament, making it the first time in an international professional ladies’ golf tournament where two Nigerians made the top three.

The NGF president noted that the performance of the girls was a very rare one and not a mean feat.

He added that they had both distinguished themselves as the very first Nigerians and one of the few black professional female golfers on the top stage.

He said that the federation would continue to support the golfers, to ensure that they reach their full potential as they continue to make the country proud and showcase themselves to the world.

He also advised parents to always support and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age, adding that it was a sport they could be engaged in for the rest of their lives.

“Hand your child a golf club, and you might be surprised what happens.

“Your child might not be the next Tiger Woods, but golf can make a big impact in a young life.

“Kids can benefit from the sport mentally, physically, and emotionally. The sport can set them up for success as they get older.

“Many of the skills learned on the course translate to real life,” he said.

NAN also reports that Oboh and her chosen partner will compete in the Dow Championship starting June 27 in Midland, Michigan.

The John Shippen Women’s Invitational which Oboh and Uwadia were part of is a series of competitions created to provide playing opportunities on the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour for the top Black amateur and professional women and men golfers.

The events are named after John Shippen, Jr., who was both the first American-born golf professional and the country’s first Black golf professional. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru