Sports
Pillars Confident Of Defending B’ball Title
A player with Kano Pillars
Basketball Club, Adeolu Olaiya-Ojo, has on Tuesday expressed confidence in the team’s capacity to defend their title as the 2015 DStv Basketball Playoffs begins in Lagos.
Pillars, who are seeking a third consecutive championship title, defeated the Union Bank of Lagos, 67- 51 in their opening game to signal to other contenders that they would not relinquish the title easily.
Olaiya-Ojo told newsmen that the team was in shape and would take one game at a time, having worked hard to reach the final playoffs.
“We are happy to be at the final playoffs once again, it’s going to be tough but we are confident of emerging victorious at the end.
“We are here to defend our title, we have the experience, we know it’s a different ball game with different teams, so we are prepared for the task ahead,” he said.
Coach Ahmed Sanni said that winning their opening match against a very tough opponent was good for the team, but added that the players would not allow the victory to make them complacent.
“It’s a good result, we are happy to get our first win over a very competitive side, but we will not allow that to distract our focus.
“We are here to defend our title and we are confident of being victorious at the end, however this will be done with great cautious and firm concentration,” Sanni said.
Pillars took a slim lead in the first and second quarter recording, 15-13 and 29-27 but resumed the third quarter in a blistering form outscoring Union Bank, 50-35.
The team never looked back in the fourth quarter as they exploited the poor defensive play of the Union Bank team with aggressive play which gave them the victory.
Coach Rotimi Savage of the Union Bank told newsmen that the team lost concentration and made mistakes especially in the third and final quarters of the contest.
“We started well but lost concentration at the third quarter which Pillars capitalised on, it was a good contest, we will bounce back with a win in our second match,” Savage said.
In other matches played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Mark Mentors of Abuja defeated Lagos Islanders, 78-68 to record their first victory in the championship.
First timers in the final Playoffs, Customs Basketball Club of Lagos was able to scale through the hard marking Gombe Bulls with a slim victory of 63-60 in a tension soaked match.
High flying Dodan Warriors Club of Lagos on their own part was merciless against Kada Stars of Kaduna, outscoring the Kaduna team, 78-53 in a match that was seemingly a one-sided encounter.
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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