Sports
260 Participants For 21st IBB Ladies Golf Championship
Chairperson of the 21st IBB Ladies Golf Championship, Maryrose Richard-Obioha, on Wednesday said no fewer than 260 participants would compete for honours at this year’s edition of the tournament.
Tidesports source reports that the championship holding at the IBB Golf and Country Club in Abuja would feature players from six African and one European countries.
The countries are Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Sweden, as well as hosts Nigeria.
Richard-Obioha, who disclosed this at a news conference held at the club, said the event would be a three-day gross tournament and would tee off today and end on Sunday.
“So far we have no fewer than 160 lady golfers who have registered for the championship with 120 of them within the 0 to 28 handicap level.
“We also expect our men to participate as well as our foreign players. So, on the whole we have no fewer than 260 players taking part in the championship.
“We will be having a ceremonial tee-off on Thursday (yesterday), and the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, will be the guest of honour at the event,” she said.
Richard-Obioha explained that the competition will have Friday and Saturday as qualifying days, “and at the end of day two, there will be a cut”.
“A total of 45 players are expected to make the cut and they will proceed to the final where the champion is expected to emerge on Sunday,” she added.
The official further said the main event of the championship was for lady amateur golfers within handicap 0 to 28, with players of other handicap levels participating in other draws.
“Lady golfers within the 0 to 28 handicap credit will qualify to participate in the main draw/event.
“The Ladies Open is also listed on the World Amateur Golf (WAG) ranking calendar and the golfers will be playing to improve their ranks.
“At the end of the championship, the scores of the players will be collated and sent to WAG.
“They will be analysed and the players will be ranked according to their performance level,” she said.
Speaking also, the Lady Captain of IBB Golf and Country Club, Julie Acholonu, said the championship promises to be exciting and very competitive.
“Players of the host golf club have been working very hard to ensure that the title of the main event and other major honours are won by the home players.”
She disclosed that there were several prizes to be won and that there were about 10 gross prizes available.
“We also have guest prizes for those between handicap 29 to 36 as well as nett and sponsors prizes.
“By the grace of God, at least one Nigerian player will be on the WAG rankings this year,” Acholonu said.
She thanked the sponsors of the event for their support, noting that without them the championship would not have taken place.
“We use this opportunity to appreciate the NNPC, who are our major sponsors, for the continued support we have enjoyed over the years.
“We also thank our other sponsors who have ensured that the championship has continued to grow from strength to strength,” the lady captain said.
The Chairperson, Media and Publicity for the championship, Olu Usim-Wilson, thanked the event’s Organising Committee for preparations made so far.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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