Sports
FG Plans Repositioning Of NIS, Sports Dev
Supervising Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that government plans to re-position the National Institute for Sports (NIS) for Nigeria to enhance its sports development.
The minister who was speaking at the Ministerial Platform said the NIS had been established since 1972 but Nigeria has had no outstanding sports development profile to show for it.
“If we must be taken seriously as a sporting country, we must do something about the NIS. We must re-position it as the centre of excellence for the promotion and development of sports in Nigeria.
“Unless we do that, we will continue to do a patchwork of three months’ preparation ahead of international competitions, hoping that a miracle will happen,’’ he said.
Abdullahi said the situation was what led to his not being sure of the number of medals Nigeria would win at the 2012 Olympic Games.
“Though it is only a competition, but I cannot stand and say this is the number of medals we will win. But I can only speak about the efforts we have made and the efforts we are still making.
“I believe that these efforts should be good enough to ensure that we have a very good outing at the Olympics,’’ he said.
The minister also noted that the NSC was not happy that Nigeria was not featuring in football at the Olympics, but he said it had served as an opportunity to improve other sports.
“Everyone has lamented the fact that Nigerian football is not going to the Olympics in 2012. We at the commission are not happy, but it gives us ample opportunity to focus on other sports.
“Though we don’t need to diminish football to improve the fortunes of other sports, but it’s possible to carry them together and as a ministry we are not going to be jack of all trade.
“As a country we can’t just afford to take all the sports, we don’t have the resources or the capacity.
“We’re going to specialise and support the sports that have the best strategic initiatives,’’ Abdullahi who is also the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) said.
The minister also spoke about the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in the last one year, reeling off a long list of successes.
He noted specifically the restoration of peace in the Nigerian football family, as well as according high premium to athletes’ welfare.
Abdullahi however listed inadequate funding and sponsorship and lack of suitable environment as some of the challenges faced.
He said the NSC was nonetheless looking forward to re-positioning the Nigerian Premier League, saying “Nigerian football will continue to decline if we don’t do this.
“We must do the hard work. We must go back to the drawing board and pursue a systematic development of talents,’’ the minister said.
Sports
NBF eyes Commonwealth Games redemption
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”
Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.
Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.
Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.
Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.
The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.
“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.
The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.
“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.
At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Sports
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Sports
Remo To rebuild After NPFL Relegation
Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.
The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.
The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.
In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’
“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.
“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”
They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.
They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.
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