TheNewsGuru

Tag: Asaba 2022

  • Asaba 2022: Five major talking points of the National Sports Festival

    Asaba 2022: Five major talking points of the National Sports Festival

    The 21st National Sports Festival has come and gone but the two-week event  leaves some unforgettable moments in the minds of sports loving Nigerians.

    Adjudged as one of the best sports festival ever, Asaba the Delta state capital provided some savoury moments, during the course of the games, writes Abimbola Fabunmi.

    Delta State hosted to win

    Apart from being the host, Delta  state had the capacity and the wherewithal to host and also win. The preparation and the resources (Human and Material) put together before and during the competition put them in good stead to win.

    They had already won the previous 6 editions in a row but none was as successful as the Asaba 2022 edition where they ammased a total of 648 medals comprising of 320 gold, 200 silver, and 128 Bronze medal.

    Bayelsa finished a distant second with 132 gold, 115 silver, and 90 Bronze medal while Edo state finished in third place with 78 gold medal, 94 silver, and 167 bronze medal.

    According to the commissioner of information in Delta state, Charles Aniagwu, Delta state is an indigene of sports while others are visitors, saying that explains why they always win whether as host or visiting team.

    Aniagwu revealed that the amount of resources pumped into sports in the state will always put it miles ahead of others.

    Meanwhile, Delta state has always produced top athletes who has gone ahead to give the country great representation in international competitions. The likes of Ese Brume, Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru among many others.

    Hospitality at its best

    Delta state is among the very peaceful state in the country and this also helped in the successful hosting of the competition.

    The  near perfect transportation system in the city and the hotels situated  in Asaba and environs also contributed to the success of the event.

    There are no bikes plying the road and as such reduced the level of crime in the city. Blue and white buses and tricycles were seen plying their roads with comportment and coordination. Meanwhile, transportation was also readily available and affordable.

    The people of Asaba are very accommodating and hospitable, they also have good food and embraced everyone who came for the event.

    The death of an Imo  boxer

    Late Imo boxer, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo  died representing his state at the event. The boxer died a patriotic hero.

    According to the Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, the boxer was tested  days before his match by the medics and was diagnosed of high Blood pressure, he was told to come back days after for another round of check-up and he had stabilized and certified fit to fight.

    But in the course of his fight, the medics noticed that he wasn’t coordinated and asked that  the match be stopped but he insisted on representing his state with the assurance that he could carry on but unfortunately he slumped and died, while rushing him to the Federal Medical Centre Asaba.

    Massive Media Coverage

    The Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival enjoyed massive media coverage, and the practitioners on ground did a yeoman’s job.

    Journalists came from all the nooks and crannies of the country and did justice to the assignment with their pen.

    Africa Independent Television ran  live coverage of the event in conjunction with 33 productions another media company that won the bid to cover the event.

    Other media houses like, TheNewsGuru (TNG), Punch, DailyTrust, NAN, Vanguard, Channels, TVC  and many others were ably represented at the event.

    In all, about 400 journalists from across the country came to give the event a massive coverage.

    Colourful opening & closing ceremony  

    Asaba, came alive on Wednesday December 1st  when the curtain was raised for the 2022 National Sports Festival (NSF) with a colourful opening ceremony performances at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

    The performers thrilled the spectators with dance, music, calisthenics display, and fireworks in what could be described as one of the best spots festival opening ceremonies in recent times.

    Meanwhile, Delta state ended the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival with a powerful and colourful colourful closing ceremony too at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Saturday, December 10th.

     

    The 10-day event saw athletes from different states of the federation competing for honour in different events from athletics to boxing to weightlifting among other sports.

    The Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare thanked everyone and most especially the Governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa for putting up a good showing as the number one host.

    Apart from the established stars who have dominated the festival for years, new stars emerged among which were Stella Ayanleke in the women 400m race and Tima Godbless, who won three medals also in athletics.

    Indigenous rap artiste Erigga and singer Zlatan thrilled fans to fun-filled atmosphere at the stadium.

    Ogun state was declared the host of the 22nd edition in 2024, However, Oyo state was put on standby incase Ogun state  will not be able to host.

  • Asaba 2022: National Sports Festival ends amid glitz, glamour

    Asaba 2022: National Sports Festival ends amid glitz, glamour

    The 21st National Sports Festival reached its climax yesterday with a very colourful closing ceremony at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    The two-week event saw athletes from all the states of the federation compete for honours in different games at the competition.

    Team Delta topped the medals after amassing a total of 648 medals, comprising of 320 gold, 200 silver, 128 bronze, Team Bayelsa came second with 132 gold, 115 silver, and 90 bronze, while, Team Edo finished third with 78 gold, 94 silver, and 167 bronze.

    This victory marks Team Delta’s seventh consecutive NSF triumph.,

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who represented the President, Muhammadu Buhari  praised hosts Delta State for the manner in which they hosted the festival and asked that the next state that would host maintain the same level of consistency.

    Ogun state won the bid to host the 22nd edition of the event in 2024.

    Indigenous rap artiste, Erigga and Lagos based singer, Zlatan closed the show after thrilling fans to a fun filled atmostphere with their songs.

     

     

  • Discontent as Ogun emerges host of 2024 National Sports Festival

    Discontent as Ogun emerges host of 2024 National Sports Festival

    Sabina Chikere, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Edo Sports Commission has called for a review of the criteria for awarding the hosting rights of a National Sports Festival (NSF).

    Chikere, who made the call in Asaba on the sidelines of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), said so many things were wrong with “Delta 2022” that came to a close on Saturday.

    At the close of the 21st NSF, Ogun emerged as the next host of the sports festival, their second hosting after their first in 2006.

    Chikere, expressed dissatisfaction with the logistics arrangement at the festival, noting that the Edo sports authorities were not comfortable with where their contingent was kept.

    “The tournament is just a charade. A lot of things are not just right. I am sure that, as you are coming in from the gate, you can see it for yourself. You really don’t need anybody to tell you what all this is about.

    “From the gate up to this place, you can see where we are all kept. You can see the environment. You can see everything. We came in here. As we speak now, there is no light. That is how we stay most of the time.

    “But we give the glory at least, that we have come this far. We can now only hope for the best,” Chikere said.

    She added that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development needed to insist on putting in place certain rules and regulations.

    ”The Ministry needs to make sure that whichever state is hosting has a guide on what is expected. It should be able to give guidelines on what they expect from the hosting state.

    ”The Ministry should make sure the state meets up with the requirements so that, at the end of the day, there will be a semblance of a National Sports Festival,” the Permanent Secretary said.

    On the performance of Edo at the festival, Chikere assured that the state’s athletes would strive in line with the promises made to the people of Edo.

    “So far so good. We are hoping for the best like we promised our Edo people before we left. We are doing our best to be part of those at the top of the table, and we are working towards it.

    “The games are still on and it is not over until it is over. There is still hope. We will put up a very good performance,” the Edo sports commission official said.

    Meanwhile, announcing Ogun State as the next of the NSF, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare disclosed that for the first time the competition’s hosting right would have a first runner-up in Oyo State.

    He explained that the essence of placing a willing state on stand-by was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen state failed to meet up.

    Dare said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival billed for 2024.

  • Asaba 2022: How accident led me into para-sports – Gold medalist

    Asaba 2022: How accident led me into para-sports – Gold medalist

    Kudirat Imam-Fulani, a gold medallist in para-table tennis at the ongoing 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta on Saturday said auto-crash led her into para-sports.

    Imam-Fulani, who disclosed this in Asaba, said when she thought it was over, the sports rescued her from a neck deep depression.

    The athlete, who won the first gold for Team Kwara at Delta 2022, said she had no regret since she had been involved in the sporting activities.

    “I started para-table tennis in 2006 and since then, I have been winning gold medal for the state.

    “I was at home when my coach came to pick me that I should not kill myself with depression. He said I could still engage in more meaningful things; that I should not lose  hope.

    “This has really been helping and I am now good for it. There is hardly any competition I go for that I do not win medal.

    “I am even preparing to go for ValueJet (para-table tennis open) in Lagos, which will hold between Dec. 13 and 17,” she said.

    The gold medallist, who is in her late 30s, said she was involved in a fatal motor accident which crippled her leg.

    “I look forward to be wealthy in this sport; to build house, buy cars and take care of my parents from it.

    “Since, I started the game, I am always happy, so depression has no place in my mind again.

    “In fact, if I do not go for training, I would not be happy, except I go to see my colleagues even if in the end, I did not train,” said the para-athlete.

    The NSF gold medallist advised whoever had children with disabilities at home to bring them out, and allow them to engage in sports.

    “They should not lose hope in them that they cannot become successful in life. Rather, they should encourage them and allow them to participate in sports.

    “We make ourselves happy through sporting and my family is happy too anytime they see me,” she said.

  • Asaba 2022: Allegation of poaching mars 21st National Sports Festival

    Asaba 2022: Allegation of poaching mars 21st National Sports Festival

    Team Delta on Saturday emerged as the overall winner of the 21st National Sports Festival the State government hosted in the capital city of Asaba.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Delta won a total of 320 gold medals, 200 silver medals and 128 bronze medals to emerge overall winner of the sports festival.

    The final medals table shows that Delta’s neighbours, Bayelsa, came second with 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze medals.

    Edo, which hosted the festival’s 20th edition, came third with 78 gold, 94 silver and 167 bronze medals to make it a South-South affair in the top-three ranking.

    See final medals table below:

    Asaba 2022: Allegation of poaching mars 21st National Sports Festival
    Asaba 2022: Final medals table of 21st National Sports Festival

    TNG reports no fewer than 14,000 athletes participated in 38 sports at the festival. However, allegation of poaching trailed the 21st National Sports Festival.

    National Sports Festival now looking like trading post – Rivers Sports Commissioner

    Christopher Green, the Rivers Commissioner for Sports had said the situation the National Sports Festival (NSF) has found itself now is lamentable.

    Speaking in Asaba on Friday on the sidelines of the 21st NSF, Green disclosed that the national competition could now be likened to “a trading post”.

    ”The NSF is supposed to be a platform to raise and groom talents, and to develop them into international athletes. But what we now have is like a trading post,” he said.

    The Commissioner said the way athletes were being lured by some states to compete for them was unbecoming and not good for sports.

    ”An athlete can be with one state now, and the next day he or she will be competing at the festival for another state.

    ”It is so painful when you spend a lot of time and other resources to raise an athlete, only for another state to come and lure that athlete away with money.

    ”This has made the festival to become like an event for the highest bidder.

    ”The fact that the NSF organisers, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, are not curtailing it makes it a big problem for sports development,” he said.

    Green then called for an amendment of the residency rule for athletes competing at the festival.

    ”The rule should make the number of years such athletes have to be with their new states five years, so as to curtail the movement of athletes just before festivals,” he said.

    Ogun State to host 2024 National Sports Festival

    Meanwhile, Ogun State has been officially announced as the next host of the National Sports Festival (NSF), their second hosting after their first one in 2006.

    Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare, made the announcement   on Saturday in Asaba during the closing ceremony of the 21st NSF.

    Dare said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival, billed for 2024.

    He however said for the first time the competition’s hosting right would have a first runners-up in Oyo State.

    “Following the evaluation of the bids and physical evaluation to the states, the runners-up will be on stand-by,” the minister said.

    He said the essence of placing a willing state on stand-by was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen state failed to meet up.

  • Buhari hails Delta’s performance at 21st National Sports Festival

    Buhari hails Delta’s performance at 21st National Sports Festival

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said Team Delta’s clear dominance of the National Sports Festival (NSF) has further underlined the fact they are the country’s number one sports state.

    Buhari, represented by Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, at the closing ceremony of the 21st NSF, commended Team Delta’s athletes and officials for doing the state proud.

    The 2022 NSF ended at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Saturday with President Buhari handing the overall winners trophy to Team Delta.

    Team Delta won a total of 320 gold, 200 silver and 128 bronze medals to emerge champions of the competition, emerging winners for a third consecutive time since 2018.

    In his address at the event, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta thanked their athletes and officials who laboured day and night to bring them the glory.

    Okowa, represented by his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro also commended the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for organising a successful event.

    “And for all the rest 35 states and the FCT which have come here to compete for honour, I thank you all for giving your best for the development of sports in our nation.

    “I know that records have been broken, and new ones have also been set. That is the spirit of the game of sports.

    “It is our belief that the experience you have garnered here at the sports festival will no doubt help lay a solid foundation for your future sports career,” Okowa said.

    Team Bayelsa emerged second at the festival, with a total of 337 medals comprising 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze medals.

    Team Edo took the third position with 339 medals, comprising 78 gold, 94 silver and 167 bronze medals.

  • Asaba 2022: Team Kaduna male team wins gold in volleyball

    Asaba 2022: Team Kaduna male team wins gold in volleyball

    Kaduna state defeated Ogun state 3-2 (25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 15-13) to win gold in the Men’s volleyball event of the men’s volleyball at the Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival on Friday evening.
    Team Kaduna was very outstanding in the final event as they put up a spirited performance against team Ogun at the Men’s final.
    Kaduna surprisingly took the first set by 25 to 21 points in a set that saw the Ogun players struggle to get their rhythm. The second set produced a spectacular display from both sides as Ogun won by 26 to 24 points.
    The young Kaduna players held Ogun state ransom in the third set 25 to 23 points before Ogun came back from behind to win the fourth set by 25-17. Kaduna finally cruised to victory in the fifth set winning by 15 to 13 points.
    The Coach of Kaduna men’s team, Adamu Nitte expressed delight over the win against highly rated Ogun state.
    Nitte revealed that most pundits did not give Kaduna state the chance of winning the finals adding that the Ogun team crushed all their opponents before entering into the finals.
    He said 10 players out of the squad are making their debut at the National Sports Festival.
    He said, “I am overwhelmed and cannot express myself because I am overfilled with joy. Kaduna was not the favourite to win the National Sports Festival but God is our strength and fortress.
    “Ogun state is a very good side looking at their statistics but my boys did not respect them. 10 of my players are playing the National Sports Festival for the first time and this win will further boost their profile”.
    He commended the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association, Engineer Musa Nimrod for believing in the team.
    Meanwhile, Rivers State beat Kano state to win the men’s bronze at the 2022 National Sports Festival.
  • Asaba 2022: Dare commends Delta state over successful hosting

    Asaba 2022: Dare commends Delta state over successful hosting

    Sports Minister Sunday Dare has thanked everyone that was involved in the organization and hosting of the 21st national sports festival, saying they all gave their all.

    Dare mentioned this while hosting journalist at the Cyson hotel in Asaba on Friday afternoon.

    The minister revealed that the Asaba 2022 tournament was hurriedly put together in order for  the calendar to be adjusted and return to it’s original format after the delay in 2020 by Covid.

    “We were able to sustain momentum after the festival in Edo. We made sure we did this festival in 18 months to adjust the calendar and after then, we will return to our calendar in April,” he said.

    The minister was glad that all the athletes got to participate at the festival and displayed skills that puts them in contention to represent the nation.

    “More importantly, I think that 14,000 athletes getting the opportunity to compete, notwithstanding some of the challenges, is important. They will go from here, getting better, getting recognised and making up a part of our Team Nigeria that will go forth from here,” he said.

    “Overall, we have seen all stakeholders come together to make this happen. In sports, nothing is a hundred percent, but you try to make it as close to a hundred percent as it can get and when you see your challenges, you try and fix it,” he said.

    “My impression is that this by and large, has been a commendable effort. The athletes have kept their eye at the tip of the sphere, the journalists have focused more on the essence of being here. The Delta State government have provided the resources neccessary for this to happen. We thank all the 36 states, their governors, and the FCT.” he said.

    The minister then promised that the ministry will try to get things better the next time the festival comes into town.

  • Asaba 2022: Zlatan, Erigga to perform at closing ceremony

    Asaba 2022: Zlatan, Erigga to perform at closing ceremony

    Nigerian artistes, Zlatan, Erigga and many others have been penciled down to thrill audience at the sports festival come Saturday 10th of December.

    Patrick Ukah, Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival, (NSF) has said that the world should expect to see a world class closing ceremony on Saturday in the state.

    Ukah noted that the closing ceremony will be highly entertaining and interesting.

    He added that the hosts has been preparing for this ceremony a long time ago and cannot help but deliver a delightful one.

    He noted that the target was to stage a world-class ceremony that would be enjoyed by all participants and lovers of sports worldwide.

    Ukah, who is also the Secretary to the Delta State Government, said, “We started preparation for the closing ceremony just same time with the opening and we are happy the opening was a huge success.

    “The closing is more significant to us because we want people to go back to their respective states with good memories of the closing ceremony.

    “We have schoolchildren preparing for another round of amazing calisthenics display, just as they did at the opening, while some notable artistes will also perform to thrill the audience.”

    Recall that  music stars Ruger, Bella Shmurda and Harrysong all entertained the crowd at the opening ceremony of the event.

    On Saturday, it will be the turn of Zoro, Erigga and Zlatan to thrill the audience at the same sporting arena in Asaba.

    “We are very proud that the Games are going on well; our target is to end it well with the closing ceremony. So, much work has been put in for this event to run smoothly and we intend to put the icing on the cake on Saturday with the closing display,” Ukah added.

  • Asaba 2022: Idowu claims first boxing gold for Lagos state

    Asaba 2022: Idowu claims first boxing gold for Lagos state

    Lagos state female boxer, Mistura Idowu claimed the first boxing gold medal for the state on Thursday at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

    Idowu was already headed for bronze medal  after the judges wrongly ruled that she lost her semi-final encounter in the 48kg category against her opponent, but a protest forced a rematch on Wednesday which she won and grabbed the ticket for the final.

    Idowu eventually won her bout in the final to claim Lagos state first gold medal in boxing.

    According to the female fighter, she was already in tears when the judges declared that she lost in the semi-final bout.

    “I was not okay, I wanted to cry, I was not happy at all because I had promised my mum, my dad and everyone that supported me that I was going to come back with a gold medal, so, when I heard that I had lost, I was very sad,” she said.

    Idowu’s joy knew no bound after being declared winner in the final bout on Thursday in Asaba.

    “Now, I feel so happy and amazed, the real winner has taken the gold medal now. I can’t believe my journey, because in 2020, I went for the National Youth Games and I won a gold medal, now I have won in the sports festival and I am really happy. My next target is to make it to the National Trials,” the 16-year-old said.

    Idowu’s proud father and coach, Monsuru Idowu, encouraged her to remain consistent.

    “I am really happy and I thank God for this achievement. I hope for more in the future. The step forward now is to ensure she can be better than those who are ahead of her now,” he said.