By Olanrewaju Akojede

In an epic final at the 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics, a 22-year-old Brazilian, Jonathan Matias, on Saturday, defeated Pablo Abian of Spain, to clinch the Men’s Single’s final title.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the final matches of the 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics were played at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

The final between Matias and Abian was so tense with the Brazilian capitalising on a few mistakes by the Spaniard.

Matias who defeated Nigeria’s Anu Opeyori in the quarter-final enroute the final, in an interview with NAN, said he was happy to win his first major international title.

“This title means a lot to me, this is my first time of winning an international classic tournament in my career.

“I love the atmosphere here and the fans didn’t bother me. I just focused on what I want to do and put everything behind.

“The hall was quiet in my mind as I was playing my game and wasn’t thinking about the crowd.

“I worked hard and trained for this event and here I am as the champion. I hope to continue from this to other medals, especially at the Olympics,” he said.

NAN reports that Fabio Caponio of Italy and Dmtny Panarin of Kazakhstan were joint third.

For the Women’s Single, Ines Lucia Castilo-Salazar of Peru defeated Lauren Lam of USA for the title, while Rachel Darragh of Ireland and Juliana Vaiana Viera of Brazil were joint third.

In the Men’s Double, PS Ravikshra and Sankar Prasad Udayakumar of India defeated the duo of Algerian, Koceila Mammey and Youcef Sabri to emerge winners, while Nigeria’s Abduhamid Waheed Musa and Daniel Philip with Jose Guevara and Diego Mini of Peru were joint third.

For the Women’s Double, the duo of Sirran Singhi and Ritika Thaker of India walked over the USA duo of Lauren Lam and Paula Lynn, while the Indian duo of Rutaparma Panda and Swetapana Panda with Amy Ackerman and Deidre Laurens were joint third.

In the Mixed Doubles category, Jose Guevara and Ines Lucia Castilo of Peru defeated Mina Ivanocic and Petra Polanc of Slovenia to emerge winners, while Musa Morroh and Ramatu Yakubu alongside, Dinna Miri and Paula la Torre-Regal of Peru shared the third position.

The final had in attendance various dignitaries and stakeholders of the badminton in Nigeria in the likes of the Chairman of Lagos. State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr Sola Aiyepeku, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) Francis Orbih, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Olanrewaju Akojede

The Minister of Sports Development Sen. John Owan-Enoh has assured of equal attention to para-sports to encourage athletes with physical and intellectual challenges.

Owan-Enoh, who made this known when he inspected facilities at the National Stadium Surulere, commended the athletes’ selfless contributions by winning laurels for Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to assess the state of major sports facilities in Nigeria.

He also visited the National Institute of Sports, the boxing complex, main bowl of the stadium, sports medical centre, indoor sports hall and other facilities.

He inspected the Games Village hostels, Legacy Pitch, Power House, as well as the courts for different sports.

The minister also demanded to see the Para-athletes gym and held a meeting with representatives of the Para-athletes.

A representative of the Para-athletes, who told the minister their plight, also alleged that para-sports that won international medals for the country had been neglected and uncared for.

“We need an estate for the physically challenged; we will like the minister to use his good office to achieve this for us.

“We also need more gym equipment because the ones here are not good again,” she said.

The representative of Para-athletes said they were still waiting for the ministry to release funds for athletes that would be in Ghana for the African Para-athletes Olympics Qualifiers.

“We are yet to have funds released for the trip to Ghana; our athletes are still in Nigeria. The ministry said they didn’t have funds for our trip to Ghana.

“Those participating in the Ghana qualifiers are: Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair basketball, para-table tennis and others,” she said

Responding, Owan-Enoh said he would look into the matter to provide the interventions required.

“Since coming into this facility, I have witnessed a lot of excitements and enthusiasm from the para-sports who have been following my convoy and I am aware of their plight.

“If there are some groups of athletes that have won laurels for Nigeria, anytime they compete, it has to be you people.

“It just appeared that para-sports which is a generic name that you come under has given us more laurels and we will try to make sure that this ministry under my watch will help you.

“We will not treat para-sport differently from others, we will give you that recognition that you deserve, just keep doing your best. I have found out that you have achieved all these because of your commitments,” he said.

Owan-Enoh added that rather than take the commitment of the para-athletes for granted, the ministry would continue to encourage them.

The minister also lauded the organisers of Louis Edem International Basketball Championships after watching part of the ongoing game ongoing at the time of his visit.

He restated that the ministry of sports development would partner with individuals and corporate organisations to promote sports.

“I commend the organisers of this Louis Edem International Basketball Championships for a good job of promoting sports.

“I am here in this facility tour of the National Stadium and I did not plan for this opportunity and to witness a live game of basketball, this is a good one and I am delighted about it.

“It is exciting to watch the game live. I was told that this tournament takes place twice every year and this is the second one.

“This is one of the best private initiatives, an individual’s effort with passion. We appreciate such commitment,” he said.

He further stressed that individuals and corporate bodies with passion for sports would be encouraged to be part of efforts to grow sports in his tenure.

“Fortunately, we have a president who has shown much passion and interest to grow sports to the extent of creating a separate ministry for sports.

“I see no reason that we are not having a running league in basketball in Nigeria. I understand the problem with basketball; how it has been riddled with problems and not just that of federation,” he said.

Owan-Enoh also restated that the ministry would ensure that the running and progress of sports remained orderly, peaceful and conflict-free in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=================
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Salif Atojoko

By Olanrewaju Akojede

 The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, on Thursday could not hide his emotion over the sorry state of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, saying, “I weep for this place, I earnestly weep.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  Minister was on a facility tour of the stadium to have a first hand information on the iconic sports centre built in 1973.

NAN also reports that it took the minister almost three hours to go round every facility in the stadium; from the entrance to the mainbowl, the hostel, boxing, wrestling, para and athletics gyms.

The minister also visited the tennis court, swimming pool arena, media room where a programme was ongoing, indoor sports hall, table tennis hall, among others.

Enoh, after the inspection, addressed the media at the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) Boardroom where he expressed his reservations and decried the parlous state of the 55-seater capacity stadium.

“Today, I am here at National Stadium, Surulere. The facility, I weep for; I earnestly weep for this place.

“I have gone round and have seen different sports and I have had the chance to watch a live game of basketball at the indoor sports hall sponsored by an individual.

“I made a brief comment and said that private sector is the way to grow sports, while government only needs to give direction.

“This country is greatly indebted to personalities like Alhaji Aliko Dangote for using his personal funds to fix MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, and Sir Kessington Adebutu’s efforts to fix National Stadium, Surulere,” he said.

Enoh added: “I can imagine how it would have been if I found this place in a mess without the electronic scoreboard, tartan track and the field of the stadium not fixed.

“The state of the stadium would have been worse, and I could have wept more. This facility is the one used for the All African Games in 1973, but it has gone through a lot.

“This state of the stadium shouldn’t be a symbol of our sport, especially in a city referred to as ‘Sport City.’

“I am glad that the process towards the eventual concessioning of this facility has gone far, and if that is what is going to take this facility back to its lost glory, I will endorse it 100 per cent.

“I was also told about the botched maintenance of MKO Abiola Stadium agreement with Julius Berger and if we are not careful, and do something quickly, Abuja Stadium will suffer the same fate with Lagos.”

Enoh said the reason for having a stand alone ministry of sports by President Bola Tinubu was to give the sector the attention it required as a base for social inclusion.

“I thank God that President Tinubu provided for the Ministry of Sports, so that matters affecting the sector can be discussed more directly and specifically.

“I have come to this job with a passion that characterised my person and I think what this ministry needs is leadership. Perhaps, I don’t necessarily need to be a sportsman to be a minister in charge of sports.

“What I need is passion and commitment to provide leadership and I have no doubt that I am going to get support from the president because he personally insisted that I be made minister of sport.

“There must a purpose for my being in sports because there is no sector that can galvanise the grassroots of this country more than sports, and as a platform for social inclusion for the downtrodden,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Muhyideen Jimoh

President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Benjamin, has called for unity and professionalism among sports writers in the country.

Benjamin made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with sports stakeholders and members of the association.

He assured that his leadership would embark on a drive to ensure genuine reconciliation to bring all its registered members back on board.

The SWAN president stressed the need to engage with former EXCOs and senior members of the association in order to tap from their wealth of experience.

He said the present executive would

leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all members are carried along and the association contributes to the growth of sports in the country.

“I want to assure you that my leadership will ensure genuine reconciliation among all our members.

“We must work together to contribute to the development of sports in the country,” he said.

In his response, the immediate past Secretary-General of the association, Jude Opara, said with the conclusion of the SWAN national election, all hands must be on deck to reposition the association.

“I have invested a lot in SWAN and remain committed to its growth. They approached me for a parallel election, but I told them no.

“So we need to work together to achieve success,” he said.

Another former Secretary-General, Andrew Abah emphasised the importance of unity of purpose, going forward.

“You are the president, there is no faction. There is one thing I keep saying, we are one. For you to come to my house, it is an honour.

” I have told you we want SWAN as a united front. Before we spoke with one voice. We have fought so many battles and won. In politics, forget about whoever and whatever, carry everybody along,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new national SWAN executive had paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Sports Development, John Owan-Enoh and Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon. Ekene Adams, as part of a familiarisation tour. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Oluwaseun Nubi

As the maiden African Paralympics Games draw near, Team Nigeria says preparations are in top gear for the games.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the games will hold from Sept. 3 to Sept. 12 in Accra, Ghana.

NAN also reports that the games will prelude the All Africa Games to hold in Ghana in 2024.

Sunday Odebode, President, Paralympic Committee Nigeria (PCN),  said in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos that the athletes had been training for the Games.

He added that they were fully prepared to make the country proud, and would participate in different sporting events in the Paralympics.

“The athletes will participate in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and amputee athletics, all in both the male and female category.

“I can state categorically that the team is fully ready and well prepared for the Games.

“Though it is not going to be easy ride but with the level of preparation adequately put in place, our athletes are fully in top gear.

“They are also well equipped and prepared for the games”, he said.

Also,the PCN Secretary, Isah Suleiman, assured that all hands were on deck to ensure a successful outing for the team.

He said that the athletes were  in good frame of mind to make the country proud. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Victor Okoye

Nigeria’s representatives in the 2023/2024 CAF Champions League, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba and Remo Stars FC of Ikenne have crashed out of the competition on home soil.

This was after both sides failed to take advantage of playing at home in their preliminary stage, second leg encounters at Aba and Ikenne respectively.

Enyimba were held to a 0-0 draw by Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi in Aba, Abia, while Remo Stars lost by 3-2 on penalties to Medeama SC of Ghana at Ikenne, Ogun.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars restored parity on 1-1 aggregate when Medeama SC goalkeeper Felix Kyei spilled a corner into his own net.

Remo thought they had got the go-ahead goal in the closing minutes of the return leg tie, only to see their effort chalked off for offside as the match went into the lottery of penalty shootout.

In the ensuing shootout, the visitors netted three of their kicks to advance to the first round of the competition.

While, Enyimba, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions lost 4-3 on aggregate.

Finidi George’s side dominated the game but were let down by their poor marksmanship.

The visitors sat back and put up a spirited display to thwart Enyimba’s attack ending the encounter goalless to the disappointment of Aba fans and Enyimba officials led by newly appointed chairman, Kanu Nwankwo.

The home fans were left with nothing to cheer at the end as a 1-0 win would have seen Enyimba scale through to the second round.

Both the People’s Elephant and Remo Stars will now shift attention to their preparations for the new NPFL season, which is expected to kick off next month. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko