Sports
Nigeria Will Not Accept Tainted Medals – FG
The Federal Government yesterday warned athletes to the London 2012 Olympics that it would not accept any medals won that are tainted by drugs.
President Goodluck Jonathan gave the warning in Lagos at the hand-over of “Team Nigeria’’ to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Jonathan, who was represented by Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the Sports Minister, said though Nigerians expected the athletes to do the country proud, the government would not accept any medal won dubiously.
“I expect you to do us proud but we do not want any medal tainted by drugs,” he said.
The president added that the games were a great opportunity for the athletes to raise the profile of their sports to be better considered for subsequent championships.
“It is a great opportunity for you (athletes) to raise the profile of your sport so that it would no longer be treated as second fiddle,” he said.
Jonathan advised Nigerians to stop being concerned about not featuring in football at the Olympics and concentrate on how the other sports can succeed at the Games.
“We should stop being concerned about missing out in football because the sport cannot give the country more than one medal,” he said.
Also speaking on the occasion, NOC President Sani Ndanusa warned the athletes to shun acts capable of tarnishing the country’s image at the Games.
He particularly cautioned the athletes against taking performance enhancing drugs, noting that the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) were very strict about doping.
“The position of the IOC and WADA on the use of banned substances has become more stringent and pronounced through the deployment of high-tech scientific detectors.
“This has further narrowed the chances of escape for drug cheats. I will therefore enjoin all athletes to be wary of any medication that could endanger their chances at the games,” he said.
Ndanusa also appealed to the medical team to take proactive steps in monitoring the athletes’ nutrition and medication.
According to him, 30 athletes had qualified in Track and Field, three in boxing, one in Canoe Kayak, four table tennis players, two in Taekwondo, four wrestlers and two weightlifters.
The president also expressed optimism that the country’s Men Basketball team will qualify for the Games in their final qualification encounter in Venezuela.
He noted that seven Nigerian athletes were currently on IOC Olympics Scholarships and would participate in the Games.
“I am happy that some of our athletes are currently on IOC Olympics scholarships,” he said.
They are Blessing Okagbare, Ajoke Odumosu, Oluwatosin Oke, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Jonathan Akinyemi, Chika Chukwumerije and Maryam Usman.
He wished Team Nigeria well and urged them to go for Gold, saying they can make it.
Team Nigeria departed Nigeria for London last night.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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