Sports
Sports Journalists Bemoan 1OC Accreditation
The International Sports
Press (AIPS) has asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its accreditation procedures to accommodate more independent journalists.
This is contained in a communiqué released by Evelyn Watta, AIPS Executive Committee member as part of the 77th Congress held in Baku, Azerbaijan recently.
The body urged the IOC to amend its Charter if need be to effect necessary changes in the accreditation processes for its Games..
It said that members of the AIPS had raised concerns over discriminate and punitive accreditation process by some National Olympic Committees (NOC).
The resolution also followed calls by the IOC president, Thomas Bach, for contributions toward the debate on Olympic Agenda 2020 in March this year.
It noted that during the 126th IOC Session in Sochi, members discussed a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement structured in these five themes:
The uniqueness of the Olympic Games, Athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement, Olympism in action and keeping Olympism alive 365 days a year.
And the IOC’s role: unity in diversity and the structure and organisation.
The process will culminate in Monaco between December 6 and 7, when proposals for Olympic Agenda 2020 would be presented for approval to an IOC Extraordinary Session.
It added that the resolutions passed by the AIPS Congress were unanimously adopted.
The communique noted that the accreditation procedures for journalists at major sports events such as the Olympic Games were a matter of concern.
It said that issues relating to such procedures might be better resolved if there was cooperation between the National Sports Press Associations and the concerned National Sports Organisation.
The congress also resolved that the IOC be asked to determine within its agenda 2020 project, improved accreditation procedures for journalists, implying full cooperation between national sports and the press.
“The AIPS is prepared to fully collaborate to achieve such improvements within the relevant international sports organisations, in particular with the IOC,’’ it 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
PH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
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.
-
News2 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
Politics1 day agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
Sports1 day agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics1 day agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics1 day agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Sports1 day agoNPFL: Rivers United Finishes Second, Secures Continental Ticket
-
Sports1 day agoStakeholders Laud GTI On NPFL Partnership
-
News2 days agoGroup Hails Tinubu, Chinda Emergence
