Sports
Proprietress Wants Youths Participation In Sports
Proprietress of Premier International School, Wuse 2, Abuja, Ruth Garba, has called on parents to encourage their children to participate in sports for moral and intellectual development.
Garba made the call over the weekend in Abuja during the school’s inter-house sports event.
She said that the call became necessary because most parents do not see sports as an important factor in their child’s development.
She said that the children needed to be encouraged so that they would show interest in sports and eventually grow up to like and participate in it.
“I want to urge the parents to encourage the students to participate more in sports.
“After this event, we will compile the list of the outstanding athletes and encourage the parents to support and promote them.
“This is to ensure that they show interest in sports from this stage of their life and they will grow up with it.
“The problem is that most parents don’t see sports as an important thing in our children’s lives, so with the awareness they will be encouraged,” Mrs Garba said.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman said that the essence of sports in school curriculum was to among other things instil discipline in the children which invariably affects their daily life.
“The essence of sports for children in school is to give them opportunity to excel in whatever field they choose because it takes a disciplined person to do sports.
“And once you are disciplined in the sporting arena, you are expected to take that discipline to the outside world and in your everyday lives,’’ Abubakar said.
A JSS one student of the school, Zubaida Galadima, who won two medals at the event, said that she was encouraged to participate in sports by her parents.
She won gold medal in the 800 metres race and won silver medal in the 400 metres race.
“My parents have been giving me support to take part in sports although I will like to be a veterinary Doctor, but sports is one of my hobbies and I will proudly represent Nigeria if called upon in the nearest future,” Galadima said.
She said that the facilities in the school contributed to her performance, according to her, “I train every time whenever it is time for physical education in school.”
Another student of the school, Ahmed Alhassan in JSS 3, who won gold medals in the 100 metres and 200 metres race, attributed his success to the confidence given him by his coach.
“I feel happy and proud and I want to show appreciation to my coach, Mr Bolarinwa Babatunde, who gave me confidence to do what I did today because it was not easy at all,” he said.
The event, which is the second edition featured sports in march past, 100metres, 200metres, 400metres, 800metres, sack and relay race events.
The students were divided into six colours of houses with each house representing each of the Area Councils in the FCT.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.
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