TheNewsGuru

Tag: Team Nigeria

  • AFN Boss, Okowa, showers praises on Team Nigeria athIetes for winning CAA Region 2 championship

    AFN Boss, Okowa, showers praises on Team Nigeria athIetes for winning CAA Region 2 championship

    The 22 man contingent of Team Nigeria Athletics topped the medal table at the end of the Two Day event with 13 gold, 4 silver and a bronze medal ahead of host Ghana and Burkina Faso.
    The President of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa was very excited and equally encouraged with the out put of the team of home grown athletes that engraved their names in gold as well as making history for themselves and Nigeria.
    “Nigeria’s AthIetics will offer more to the World if encouragement comes from all and sundry to assist them. I am elated and and proud of our young athIetes, we as a Federation will continue to try our very best to encourage the athIetes to help them succeed,” Okowa who is also the President of CAA Region 2 stated.
    Similarly the Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria ,(AFN), Samuel Onikeku, is also full of praises for the youthful Team Nigeria Athletics that is dominating the regional block for the second year in a row.
    Former President of AFN, Chief Solomon Ogba, who is also a Vice President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as well as a board member of AFN representing South West Zone Dr. Solomon Alao were also appreciative of the athletes’ prowess and achievement in Ghana.
    They extolled the performance of the athIetes and assured them of the Federation’s continuous assistance and support, stating that their future is brighter than they think.
    The highlights of their sterling performance on Wednesday night was in mix 4×400m relay which Team Nigeria won in style at the expense of their noisy host – Ghana
    Another heart warming result came from the hand of Nigeria’s emerging Javelin thrower Samuel Adams Kure, he kept spectators on their feet when he won the gold after throwing 70.23m.
    Kure said, “There is more in the tank.”
    It will interest you to know that Team Nigeria Athletics has been recording back to back to back successes in the last four months.
    ★ Top the medal table at 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana in March
    ★ Qualify four out of five relay teams at the World Relay Championship in Bahamas in May
    ★ Won the CAA Region 2 championship in Accra, Ghana in June
    Besides these team efforts, individual members of Team Nigeria Athletics have been posting excellent results in all major competitions since April this year.
    Nigeria’s contingent is back in the country to face the National Trials in Benin in a week’s time. The Trials will be used to select Team Nigeria to the Africa Seniors Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon and the Olympic Games in Paris, France.
  • Elo Joseph, Eyakpobeyan, Osamuyi, Ojeli mine gold in style

    Elo Joseph, Eyakpobeyan, Osamuyi, Ojeli mine gold in style

    Team Nigeria Athletes competing at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region 2 Championship in Accra, the Ghanaian capital have started mining the precious matel – gold.
    Four members of Team Nigeria Athletics were decked with gold medals on Day 1 of the Championship taking place at the Sports Complex of the University of Ghana, Legon.
    In the women’s 100m, Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyan battled a headwind of -3.4 to finish at 11.52 seconds ahead of another teammate Olayinka Olajide who returned a time of 11.58 seconds and Hor Halutie of Ghana who clocked 11.62seconds.
    The men’s race was plagued by a false start, Adekalu Fakorede was pushed to the second position by Gadayi Edwin and Nigerians athletics officials considering lodging a protest of an infraction committed by the Ghanaian.
    Nigeria dominated the men and women 400m races. In the women’s event, there was no stopping of Elo Esther Joseph, she posted 51.79 seconds, she was chased down by compatriot Patience Okon George who finished 52.10 seconds. Burkina Faso’s Sita Sibiri was third with 53.14 seconds.
    The men’s crown went to Emmanuel Ojeli.
    Faith Osamuyi who failed to make the podium in the women’s 100m hurdles at the African Games, rose to the occasion and posted a 13.66 seconds run to win her first international gold.
    “I’m delighted with my performance, I came here with the mind to finish well and I’m glad I did it,” said the 16 year old.
    The championship continues Wednesday with Nigerian athIetes competing in the women long jump, and relays.
    Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Tonobok Okowa, who is also CAA Region 2 president praised the performances of Nigerian athletes, adding that the number of countries participate was unprecedented.
    “This is the highest number of entries we had so far, we have 10 countries and over 400 athletes.” Okowa stated.
  • Paris Olympics: Team Nigeria opens camps in Bayelsa, Lagos, others

    Paris Olympics: Team Nigeria opens camps in Bayelsa, Lagos, others

    Team Nigeria will officially open domestic camping in three states and the FCT, as the Federal Ministry of Sports Development intensifies preparation of athletes for the Paris Olympics.

    The states for the domestic camping include; Lagos, Bayelsa, Ibadan and the FCT.

    Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a ministerial strategic technical meeting.

    He said that the meeting is aimed at preparing Team Nigeria for the Olympic/ Paralympic Games

    The meeting had in attendance presidents, secretaries, and technical directors of the 11 Olympic-bound sports federations.

    The minister who stressed the importance of proper preparations for the Games,  assured that  foreign training tours for  athletes will commence immediately after the domestic camp.

    He said some countries with proximity to France such as Germany, Spain, Italy and even U.S has been penciled down for the foreign tours for the Paris bound athletes.

    Enoh assured that no stone would  be left unturned in ensuring Team Nigeria does well at the Games.

    “The combination of domestic camping and foreign training tours is essential. It ensures our athletes are well-prepared and ready to compete at the highest level,” he said.

    The minister said the ministry was working round the clock to surpass Nigeria’s best outing at the Olympics, which was achieved at the Atlanta 1996 Games.

    “Surpassing our best Olympic performance is a goal that we should target to meet. We must build on our past successes and strive for excellence in Paris 2024,” Enoh said.

    A stakeholders meeting mapped out a comprehensive roadmap and technical training programme for Team Nigeria ahead of the Games.

    The programme will be meticulously analysed by the Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD),  and the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee to ensure that Team Nigeria is on the right path to winning medals.

    The minister said that the roadmap is designed to provide athletes with the best possible preparation, leveraging on the state-of-the-art facilities and expert coaching both locally and internationally.

    So far, 88 athletes have qualified for the Olympics, as some others are still in the qualification process.

    The Paris Olympics is slated for July 26 to Aug. 11.

  • Team Nigeria Athletics heads to Accra for last Olympic Games relay slot

    Team Nigeria Athletics heads to Accra for last Olympic Games relay slot

    Team Nigeria Athletics dominated by home-based stars who are seeking to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will hit Accra, the Ghanaian capital on June 1st to run for honours at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Championship.
    The event runs from the 3rd to 6th of June at the Sports Complex of the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
    The CAA Region II Athletics Championship in Accra is one of the three competitions in Africa that has the blessing and seal of World Athletics (WA) for athletes across the globe to pick qualification tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
    The other two are the Athletics Sonelgaz International Meeting slated for Stade Souk, Ethnine, Bejaia, Algeria, on June 1, and the 6th Challenge Meeting holding on June 6 at the Olympic Center for Training National Team in Cairo, Egypt.
    In a desperate bid and moves to deceive some athIetes and the athletics fraternity a handful of uninformed media have been trying hard to discredited the CAA Region 2 Athletics Championship in Accra, claiming it is not recognized by World Athletics.
    However, their falsehood has fell flat as World Athletics (WA), confirmed to the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa, that the CAA Region 2 event next month is authentic and has their approval as an Olympic Games Qualifiers.
    The Making of Champions (MoC) Grand Prix fixed to hold in Lagos as an Olympic Games Qualifiers has not been granted approval  according to reports from FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST.
    To this effect, the Organizers of the 4th MoC Grand Prix in Lagos have abandoned the event since the World Athletics, refused it as Qualifiers for the Paris Olympics Games.
    The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, confirmed to AFN media today, that Team Nigeria would depart for Accra on June 1 for the CAA Region 2 Athletics Championship.
    “Our athletes and officials will leave Lagos on June 1 for the Region 2 event,” he said.
    Okowa, who is President of Africa Region 2 and a Vice President of CAA, said:
    “The AFN will have to pay for their accommodation for one night in Accra before the official Championship home for athletes opens on June 3 for the competition.
    “I am sure some of our athletes will use the opportunity of attending this competition in Accra to either seal their tickets to Paris or put finishing touches to their preparations for our National Trials in Benin City, where we will pick athletes for the 2024 Africa Senior Athletics Championships holding in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, and the Paris Olympics,” Okowa stated.
    Over 450 athletes from 15 countries are expected to grace the CAA Region 2 Athletics Championship.
    There will be a rematch of the heart-stopping moments witnessed during the African Games at the venue earlier this year, with record-breaking performances, and unforgettable displays of speed, strength, and agility expected.
    The crème de la crème of athletes from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, The Gambia, Niger, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and other countries in the region will converge on the Legon Stadium, each fueled by a burning desire to emerge victorious and claim the coveted title of Regional Champion.
    The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with fans from across the region cheering on their heroes and heroines as they battle for supremacy.
    Ghana, renowned for its rich athletic heritage, has spared no effort in ensuring a world-class experience for athletes, officials, and spectators alike.
    The Local Organizing Committee (LOC), inaugurated a few weeks ago has promised a well organized event
    “We are proud to host this prestigious event and showcase the best of Ghanaian hospitality,” Chairman of the LOC, Dr. Kwame Baah-Nuakoh stated.
    “Our team has worked tirelessly to create an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to witness the region’s best athletes in action.”
    The championships will feature sprint and distance races, hurdles and relays, jumps, and throws.
  • Paris 2024 Olympics: How Team Nigeria fared in World Athletics Relay qualifying events in Bahamas

    Paris 2024 Olympics: How Team Nigeria fared in World Athletics Relay qualifying events in Bahamas

    Team Nigeria made some significant impact at the  World Athletics Relay,  serving as 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers in Bahamas.

    Nigeria have  qualified for the 4x100m men and women’s event and 4x400m mixed relay and other relay event except for 4×400 women where the country failed to show up.

    TheNewsGuru takes a look at the relay events that team Nigeria have qualified for

    4x100m men

    Despite missing key members, the men’s quartet of Udodi Onwuzurike, Ekanem Emmanuel, Alaba Akintola, and Karlington Anunagba (replacing Seye Ogunlewe) grabbed qualification ticket.

    They secured second place (38.57s) behind Ghana (38.29s), claiming the second automatic qualification spot for Paris on their second attempt.

    United States, Italy, Canada, Japan, China, France, Britain, Jamaica, South Africa, Ghana, Australia, Germany, Nigeria, Liberia

    4x100m women

    The women’s 4x100m team, led by Nigeria’s 200m indoor and outdoor record holder, Favour Ofili, secured their passage to Paris first.

    The quartet of Justina Eyakpobeyan, Ofili, Olayinka Olajide, and Tima Godbless displayed impressive teamwork, storming to victory in a time of 42.71s, booking their spot in the 2024 Olympics.

    United States, Poland, Britain, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Canada, France, Italy, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Jamaica, Switzerland, Trinidada and Tobago.

    4x400m men

    The team secured qualification on their first attempt where they finished second behind American team

    Botswana, South Africa, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Italy, Nigeria, Britain, United States, India, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago.

    4x400m mixed

    The Nigerian men’s 4x400m quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Dubem Amene, Sikiru Adeyemi, and Chidi Okezie clocked a remarkable time of 3:01.70 to secure qualification to the Paris Games.

    The achievement marks the fastest time by any Nigerian male 4x400m team since the bronze-winning team of James Godday, Musa Audu, Saul Weigopwa, and Enefiok Udo-Obong at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

    Netherlands, Dominican Republic, United States, Ireland, Belgium, Poland, Nigeria, France, Bahamas, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Jamaica, Ukraine

    4x400m women

    Only the 4x400m women’s team, hampered by visa glitches and injuries, is yet to secure their place at the Olympics.

     

  • Team Lagos completes trophy haul in both the Asaph Zadok and the Inter-Club Challenge

    Team Lagos completes trophy haul in both the Asaph Zadok and the Inter-Club Challenge

    One week of scrabble festivities came to a befitting end on Sunday as the NSF Awards and Gala Night drew the curtain on the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), National Scrabble Festival – Gateway 2024, a 4 in 1 event, sponsored by the Ogun State Government.
    The Festival which included the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, the Federation’s Annual General Meeting, the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Finals and the Awards and Gala Night.
    The well attended Awards and Gala Night that had in attendance the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Honourable Isiaka Wasiu, the Head of the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Mr Gbolahun Okeowo, the President Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Toke Aka, the chairman Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA) Adekoyejo Adegbesan, the Technical Director of the Federation John Curtis, among others rewarded the best scrabble players in the last season and the winners at the Scrabble Festival.
    The star of the night was none other than the current African Scrabble Champion and winner of the 1st of the 4 events the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, Enoch Nwali, a UNILAG Health Education student.
    Enoch Nwali, who won the Asaph Zadok National Championship with 20 wins and a draw from 28 games with a + 1220 cumulative points was decorated by the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Isiaka Wasiu, the guest of honour at the Awards night with the NSF Green Jacket and became Nigeria’s National Champion.
    Enock Nwali, a student of Health Education from the University of Lagos and the winner of the 2023 Lekki Scrabble Classics, had kind words for the sponsors of the weeklong festival, hear him, “First of all, I want to thank Ogun State for their wonderful hosting, it was a lovely experience being in Ijebu-Ode, for the first time.”
    “Finally I want to thank God that I won this Cup, last year the title slipped out of my fingers and thank God we are here today.”
    To my teammates, those in Team Lagos and Team UNILAG, thank you for the support and God bless you all.”
    The 2nd title in the individual category went to Lagos State’ John Aiyedun, and the 3rd placed title was the property of Ogun State’ Oluwatimilehin Doko.
    In the Team event of the National Championship, Team Delta came 1st with Lagos State coming in second place.
    Host Ogun State finished a commendable 3rd on 93 victories and a +2684 points.
    The NSF Inter-Club Challenge title went to Pyramid Scrabble Club of Lagos, John Aiyedun, Dipo Akanbi, Ayomisipo Akinfemisoye, Olawole Ogedengbe, Adegboyegha Akintokun and Osaghaede Omijeh were the scrabble warriors that set their engines at just the right pace to sweep the top spot once again in style.
    Surulere SC who fielded a star-studded team with the likes of captain Olumide Oyejide, Hakeem Olaribighe, Opeyemi Oloro Joseph Okere, Olatunde Adigun and Sunday Ituah grabbed the 2nd position in the Inter-Club Finals.
    UNILAG SC who lead on Day 1 and 2 until Pyramids SC snatched the first spot, finished 3rd, stars like African Champion, Enoch Nwali, West Africa Champion, Oluwatimilehin Doko, winner of the 2023 Scrabble in the Jungle – Genz edition Musa Lateef, Africa Youth Scrabble Champion, David Ojih, winner of the 2023 Jubilee National Scrabble Championship, Tunde Saporu, Kareem Jamiu and Babajide Alagbada, were the backbone of the University scrabblers.
    Oluwatimilehin Doko of UNILAG Scrabble Club won the Most Valuable Player of the NSF Inter-Club Challenge, winning 24 of 30 points and also won the Award for the player who stayed longest in the number one spot of NSF National ratings for the 2023 season.
    The most improved male player – 2023, went to Sylvanus Ikpere.
    13th African Games gold medalist, Joy Ola, was named the most improved female player of the outgoing scrabble season.
    Tega Okiemute, from WordCrafts SC, played the most rated games in the 2023 season.
    All the winners were rewarded handsomely for their outstanding performances, in the 2023 season and the Scrabble Festival.
  • Team Nigeria Boxing heads to Thailand in search of Olympic Games tickets

    Team Nigeria Boxing heads to Thailand in search of Olympic Games tickets

    Team Nigeria Boxing that recorded a massive success at the just concluded 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, will be heading to Thailand in May to compete for honours the Olympics Games Qualifiers.
    The Scribe of Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Dapo Akinyele, made this known to your authoritative news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG in Accra, Ghana, shortly after Team Nigeria Boxing secured 8 gold medals at Games.
    He explained that at least five pugilists will be going to the Olympic Games Qualifiers in May in search of tickets into the Paris Games scheduled to hold between July and August this year.
    “With our fine outing in Accra, we hope to box our way into the French capital come July for the biggest sporting feast on earth.” Akinyele stated.
    Ten members of the Nigeria boxing contingent to the 13th African Games reached the final of their different categories and eight of them won gold.
    “The coaches have been doing an excellent job and we hope to see more positive results in the days to come. We are elated with the Team’s outing at the African Games. The experienced administrator added.
    At the last Olympic Games Qualifiers in Italy, non of the sixty five African boxers could book a place in the Paris Games.
  • FG reacts over Team Nigeria’s performance at African Games

    FG reacts over Team Nigeria’s performance at African Games

    The Federal Government has hailed  the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria in the just concluded 13th African Games in Ghana.

    Team Nigeria finished second on the medals table behind Egypt with 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.

    The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s congratulatory message to the athletes on Sunday in Abuja described their performance as commendable.

    “On behalf of His Excellency Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu ,GCFR , I welcome you back to our dear country.

    “I congratulate you for your outstanding performance in the just concluded 13th African Games that held in the Republic of Ghana.

    “Our sports loving President and the vast majority of Nigerians warmly felicitate you for your gallantry and achievements in putting the country on the firm pedestal as a leading sports powerhouse on the continent of Africa,” Enoh said.

    Recall that 52 countries competed fiercely for honours in 29 sports, with Nigeria involved in 25.

    The minister, however , stressed the need to immediately start preparations for the 14th African Games scheduled for Egypt in 2027 to improve on the performance in Ghana.

    “While you bask in the euphoria of your exploits and worthy sense of achievement, let me quickly remind you that preparations for the 14th African Games built to hold in Egypt starts now.

    “As your Sports Development Minister, dubbed Nigeria’s GamesMaster General, I sure will be with you all the way, ” he said.

    The minister assured that the ministry would continue to prioritise the welfare of Nigerian sports men and women in line with international best practices.

  • 13th African Games: Impressive Egypt top medals table with wide margin, Nigeria on distant second position

    13th African Games: Impressive Egypt top medals table with wide margin, Nigeria on distant second position

    North African country, Egypt has led the medal standing at the ongoing All-African Games in Ghana from day 1.

    As of Friday afternoon, Egypt was still leading the medal standings through their impressive displays across various events, notably table tennis, swimming and wrestling.

    Egypt remain number one with a total of 175 medals (94 gold, 43 silver and 38 bronze) so far.

    Team Nigeria is placed a distant second behind Egypt with 98 medals (37 gold, 26 silver, and 35 bronze).

    Behind Nigeria is South Africa with 98 medals (29 gold, 30 silver and 39 bronze), Algeria with 99 medals (24 gold, 33 silver and 42 bronze) and Tunisia with 73 medals (18 gold, 22 silver and 33 bronze) are the countries that make up the top five.

    The host country Ghana presently occupy the sixth position with 50 medals (11 gold, 23 silver and 16 bronze).

    Morocco, Mauritius, Kenya and Eritrea complete the top 10 in the list so far.

    Others from 11-20 positions on the list are Ethiopia, Uganda, Madagascar, Niger, Cameroon, Senegal, Benin, Zimbabwe, Libya and Namibia.

    The African Games will end on Saturday March 23, 2024.

  • 13th African Games: How Nigerian male quartet won Gold in 4x100m

    13th African Games: How Nigerian male quartet won Gold in 4x100m

    Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay team comprising of  Israel Okon, Consider Ekanem, Alaba Akintola, and Usheoritse Itsekiri raced to Gold in the track and field event at the ongoing 13th African Games.

    The Nigerian quartet won Gold at the expense of the defending champions Ghana by finishing with an impressive time of 38.41s

    Host Ghana could only  settle for second in 38.43s, while Liberia also ran an outstanding race for a new National Record of 38.73s.

    The last time Nigeria won Gold in the 4x100m relay men was in Maputo 2011.

    Team Nigeria holds the record of the 4×100 m gold in both men and women category.