By Victor Okoye

Team Nigeria on Sunday emerged as the overall winner of the maiden African Admiral Porbeni Canoe Race championships in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championships which also served as an Olympics pre-qualifier event began on Thursday ended on Sunday at the Jabi Boat Club, Abuja.

No fewer than 100 athletes from five African countries including, Ghana, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo and host Nigeria took part in the four-day event.

Team Nigeria amassed a total of 34 medals, including 21 gold gold, 11 silver and two bronze to emerge as the overall winners of the event.

Sao Tome and Principe with a total of 20 medals, including three gold, 11 silver and six bronze finished in the second position.

While, Senegal with a total of 16 medals, including one gold, three silver and 12 bronze settled for the third position.

Ghana with three bronze and Togo with two bronze medals finished in the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

The various race events competed for include; 500m KL3 women, 200m KL3 men, 1,000m K1 men, 1,000m K1 women, 1,000 C1 men, 1,000 C1 women, 5,000m K2 men and 200m K1 women.

Others were; 500m C2 men, 200m C1 women, 500m KL2 men, 200m KL2 men, 200m C1 men, 200m K1 men, 500m C1 women and 500m K1 women.

Nigeria’s Ayomide Bello finished as the overall best female athlete, winning three gold medals in all the three events she competed for including the 1,000m C1 women (5mins.06secs.50ms), 200m C1 women (55secs.57ms) and 500m C1 women(2mins.55secs..88ms)

Bello was ranked 13th in the 2019 World Championships in Hungary and also won four gold medals from four events as rower at the Admiral Porbeni Boat Race in 2021.

Also Nigeria’s youngest athlete Yinlayefa Godhelp won gold in two events which she competed for, including the 1000m K1 women (5mins. 16secs.54ms.) and 500m K1 women (3mins.01secs.50ms.) respectively.

Godhelp only discovered within the last 12 months has proven herself as a young sensation from the National Sports Festival, winning 500m C1 race.

She went on to represent Nigeria at the second Africa Beach Games in Tunisia 2023 where she finished an impressive fourth position in what was her first ever international event.

Other gold medalists were Temitope Olasupo in 200m(15secs.21ms) and 500m KL2 men ( 2mins.45secs.62ms) Pere Paghamotei in 200m C1 men (48secs.49ms), Blessing Amusan in 200m K1 women ( 1min.56secs.), Ayoola Amusan/Endurance Godhelp in 500m K2 men (2mins.06secs.21ms) and Joseph/Michael Moses in 500m C2 men (2mins.23secs.27ms)

Team Nigeria smiled home with a 3,000 dollars prize money, while Sao Tome and Principe pocketed 2,000 dollars with Senegal settling for 1,000 dollars.

Moses Michael, Team Nigeria’s Captain expressed joy at the team’s victory, adding that it wasn’t an easy feat even though everyone had high expectations for the team.

“Everyone expected us to win and the team spirit was very high.

“Our sport is not like football where you see pitches everywhere where you can train. Even if you see water, you won’t easily have access to the boat.

“So, it is very difficult to train and stay fit and if somebody is out of the sport for a month or two, there is no way you can get your fitness right within a week.

“But, we thank God that we did our best and the victory for us is a very good one,” he said.

On preparation of the team for the Olympics qualifiers in November and Paris 2024, Michael stressed on the need to open training camp early for the athletes, adding that the Olympics was already around the corner.

“We have already discussed as a team about what we want and are ready to present our request to the federation president.

“We are already planning to travel to Germany for another pre-qualifying event next month, so as to enable us amass enough points before the Olympic qualifiers in November.

“We also want to appeal to the Federal Government to assist us because November is around the corner and Olympics training is expected to commence immediately.

“Some athletes in other countries start preparing for the Olympics a year ahead of the event. So, it is very important we resume camp immediately,” he said.

NAN also reports that dignitaries at the event were Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff and Thomas Konietzko, the President, International Canoe Federation (ICF) and and Festus Porbeni, President of the Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation.

Others are Joao Afonso, the 1st Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and Habu Gumel, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Babatunde Ogunrinde

D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women national basketball team, on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda advanced into the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2023 AfroBasket Championship after defeating their Egyptian foes 83-65.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian team were in their usual devastating form in the Group D game, after having won their opening game.

They took the lead from the first quarter (18-10) and consolidated on it in the second quarter (24-13).

Egypt did not lie lie though, and they fought back in the third quarter to claim it 19-14.

But the resolute D’Tigress came back fired up in the final quarter, winning 27-23.

Star player Amy Okonkwo had a wonderful game again, recording 29 points, 13 rebounds four assists, three steals in her 36 minutes of play.

The victory has now put D’Tigress in the quarter-finals where they will face either Mozambique or Côte d’Ivoire. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Aderonke Ojediran

Zion FC of Agege have emerged winners of the inaugural Nigeria Health Champions Cup football tournament, organised by Green Sports Africa.

The team defeated Dia Light FC of Alagbado 2-0 in a thrilling final match played at the Alade Sports Centre, Ajasa Command, Ipaja, Lagos.

Messiah FC of Ifako finished in third place in the one day Under-21 Seven Aside competition played among 32 youth teams on Saturday.

The captain of the victorious Zion FC team, Dayo Oyedele commended the organisers for the opportunity given to them to express their talents.

“I am happy that my team emerged victorious. It was not an easy competition as every game was a battle.

“I also want to appreciate the organisers for giving us this opportunity to express our talents.”

Medals and cash prizes were presented to the top three teams.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Green Sports Africa, organisers of the competition in collaboration with MasterCard Foundation launched the pan African initiative to create health awareness for young players.

The aim is to provide them with opportunities to fulfill their career dreams and aspirations.

The tournament is expected to move to Ghana, Senegal and Tanzania after the successful completion of the Kenyan, Ugandan and Nigerian editions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Ismail Abdulaziz

The Nigeria’s national e-sports team will be making its maiden appearance at the prestigious Afro-Arab e-sports league championship taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mr Agbor Clinton, president of the Nigerian e-sports Federation (NESFED), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the Nigeria national flag would feature in both the male and female categories at the e-sports world championship coming up between Aug. 18 and Aug. 22.

‘’I am glad to let you know that our country has qualified for the male and female e-football competition in Saudi Arabia next month. To this end, our team has since commenced preparation.

‘’We shall send a solid team to the 2023 Afro-Arab esports league and making Nigeria proud is our main objective.

‘’Let me also commend the organizer of the Afro-Arab League competitions for allowing the youths of Nigeria to compete in the international arena.

‘’We are also grateful to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for assisting the team with Jersey for the championship in Saudi Arabia,’’ Agbor told NAN.

The president of NESFED said that the NFF has also been supportive of the participation of the country in the tourney, adding that ‘’indeed they are the big brothers when it comes to the promotion and development of e-football’’.

eFootball is an association football simulation video game developed and published by Konami.

It is a free-to-play game after being completely rebranded from the original Pro Evolution Soccer (known as Winning Eleven in Japan) series to the eFootball series.

The game’s first year, entitled eFootball 2022, was released on Sept. 30, 2021 and was later changed to the game’s second year, eFootball 2023, on Aug. 25, 2022.

This game is part of the International Esports Federation’s World Championship and North and Eastern Europa League (NEEC).

Agbor said that the NESFED has lined up a series of activities to keep the players in good shape ahead of the event taking place at the Riyadh Boulevard Challenge Arena.

‘’We have started talks with play box in Abuja to host the national team of the esports federation ahead of the international engagement.

‘’The facilities at the play box Abuja are good enough to serve as a preparation ground for the Nigeria esports federation team for the championship.’’(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 27-member Committee to immediately commence work on the 2019-2023 National Youth Policy.

A statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Mohammed Manga, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development stated that inauguration was in accordance with the timeline for the review.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar while inaugurating the Committee said that the aim was to ensure that the Ministry had a befitting Policy Document that would serve as a guide for the development of the nation’s teeming youth.

“The National Youth Policy, like other government policies, is the handbook of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s guide on youth development as it represents the declaration of the Nigerian Government to the practical support it intends to give to its youth.”

He stated further that the 2019-2023 Edition of the National Youth Policy was in the last lap of its journey, especially as the policy itself stipulates a 5-year periodic review, hence the need for the commencement of the process.

Abubakar said that part of the successes recorded in the implementation of the 2019-2023 Edition of the NYP by the Federal Government includes Youth inclusion, participation, and access to information, which enables them to know their rights.

He said the ministry, in partnership with the Civil Society Organisations, Private Sector and International Agencies, had taken National Youth Policy to the grassroots through enlightenment and publicity.

He added that various programmes and projects were also implemented across the six geo-political zones in line with the policy thrust of government.

Ismaila explained that the periodic review of the NYP guidelines had become imperative, particularly due to the dynamic nature of human endeavour, which he emphasised was not static.

“It is the dynamic nature that has prompted the review of the guidelines in human activities in order to get better results,” he added.

The permanent secretary observed that, there have been a lot of changes in the perception and actions of Nigerian youth towards government policies in the last five years, especially in the era of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Besides, he said, “the age range of youth (15-29) in the current edition of the NYP had generated a lot of debate and controversy, as it appeared to fall short of Nigeria and Africa youth age reality.”

This he said was the justification for the review to address the current situation.

“It is in view of these that the government approved the commencement of the review process with the formation and inauguration of the Committee, which is expected to work from now to February 2024.

“I charge you (the Committee) to bring your wealth of experience to bear in ensuring that we produce a one stop shop Policy Document for implementation by government.

“Other terms of reference are amongst others to oversee the entire review process of the National Youth Policy 2024-2027 until its launching and ensure integration of youth concerns from each geo-political zone into the final policy document.

“Ensure that the new policy is in tune with global trends, supervise the various consultations with stakeholders during the review process, and bring up any other activity that will add value to the process,” the statement quoted Abubakar as saying.

Abubakar commended all relevant stakeholders for their support in ensuring the success of previous reviews as well as implementation of the editions.

He therefore called on development partners and other relevant stakeholders to put all hands on deck to ensure youth issues were mainstreamed into National Agenda.

He assured that the Ministry would continue to maintain open doors to partnerships and collaborations.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the committee to live up to its task of producing a new Policy for Nigerian Youth in line with the policy thrust of President Bola Tinubu-led Administration.

The Chairman of the committee, who is also the Director of Education and Youth Development (EYD), in the Ministry, Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed gave the assurance that members would work tirelessly to provide Nigeria with the best policy document, in line with global best practice. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Emmanuel Afonne

A total of 32 youth teams have registered to be part of the inaugural Nigerian edition of the Health Champions Cup competition taking place in Lagos on Saturday.

A statement by Kassim Ismaily, Director at Green Sports Africa, organisers of the tournament, said the event is strictly for Under-21 boys.

Ismaily said the tournament would be played in the 7 Aside format at the Alade Sports Centre, Ajasa Command, Ipaja, Lagos.

The pan African tourney had been held successfully in Uganda and Kenya.

The initiative, organised in partnership with MasterCard Foundation, provides a platform for young footballers to compete while also getting trained to be health champions.

According to Ismaily, the players and coaches of participating teams will receive training in hygiene, disease prevention, mental wellbeing and reproductive health before Saturday’s competition,

“The eventual winners of the tournament will take home a trophy, gold medals and a cash prize of 600 dollars, while the runners up will receive silver medals and a cash prize of 200 dollars,” he said.

Outstanding performers identified at the one-day competition will have opportunities to advance their football careers through the Green Sports Africa network. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Super Falcons to continue to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria in their quest to conquer the FIFA Women World Cup.

The Super Falcons are in Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 world cup and would be playing Australia in their second group match at the tourney.

In a statement by Mr Dele Alake, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Tinubu urged  the players to put in their best efforts as they did in the match against Canada at the opening match.

‘’I take immense pride in the Super Falcons impressive performance in the opening match against Canada, a formidable opponent and the reigning Olympic Champion.

‘’I firmly believe that the upcoming match on Thursday will be a thrilling encounter that will culminate in victory for the Nigerian team,’’ he said.

Tinubu acknowledged the Super Falcons’ remarkable achievements as a dominant force in women’s football in Africa.

The President expressed confidence that the blending of new talents with seasoned veterans would propel Nigeria’s success in women’s football to even greater heights in the tournament.

He assured the players and the coaching crew of the enthusiastic support of all Nigerians, urging the team to continue exemplifying Nigeria’s spirit of determination and excellence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Ruth Oketunde

Julie Okah-Donli, a former Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Tuesday decried the dearth of professionals golfers in the country.

She said this on the sideline of the 2023 Children’s Golf Development Clinic, organised by the ladies section of the IBB Golf Club for over 200 children in Abuja.

Okah-Donli, who is also the Vice-Lady Captain, Ladies section of the club, said the idea was conceived to make the children grow up into golf-loving and golf-playing adults.

“We realise that it is easier to play good golf when you start early, as it is easier to be a professional when you start playing golf early.

“We do not have enough pros in Nigeria that can compete with other professionals all over the world.

“So we are trying to grow as many children as possible into professionals, if they so desire,” she said.

Okah-Donli said aside from golf playing, the programme would feature etiquette learning, physical exercise, among other developmental skills, which would be useful to the children’s intellectual development.

Also speaking, Comfort Olateju, Lady Captain, IBB International Golf and Country Club, said the event was targeted at children who had interest in playing the game.

“We are doing this to encourage children and to teach them what the game is all about. We will also select some of them to play the junior open game coming up soon.

“We want them to develop interest in golfing, just like Tiger Woods, who started from a young age and has become great in golf playing,” she said.

Lauretta Okolo, a parent, said the golf clinic does not only help the children to develop intellectually, but it also provided an opportunity for them to make new friends during the holidays.

“This game is a complete game as it does not only help with their physical wellbeing, it also helps the children intellectually.

“They socialise and make new friends, and it is good that the ladies section of the IBB Golf Club has started early with the children.

“This will help them to decide early if they want to play for leisure or professionally in the future,” she said.

One of the children, Jude Chukwu, appreciated the group for organising the golf clinic, adding that the training had exposed him to new skills of playing the game and making new friends.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long event is tagged “Swinging into Greatness.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Oluyinka Fadare