Sports
Olympics: SWAN President Blames Stakeholders For Nigeria’s Poor Outing
The President, Sports
Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Honour Sirawoo says every stakeholder should be blamed for Nigeria’s poor showing at the just concluded Rio 2016 Olympic where the country won just a bronze medal in the male football event.
Sirawoo, who spoke with journalists shortly on arrival from Brazil at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos stressed that rather than just heaping blames on the Minister of Youth and Sports, stakeholders including sports administrators, National Assembly Committees on Sports and Sports Journalists should also share part of the blame.
“We should all share part of the blame. I guess if we had all raised our voices about Nigeria’s preparation especially judging from our performances at the London Olympics in 2012, though some sports writers did, which were overlooked, am sure we would have had better preparations for the Rio Olympic,” the nation’s number one sports writer stressed.
He recalled that shortly after Nigeria’s poor performance at the London 2012 Olympic, committees were set up to examine the country’s performance and prescribe workable way forward in ensuring better representations in subsequent competitions, emphasizing that if those submissions were followed, Nigeria could have been better positioned at the Games, Sirawoo said.
The SWAN boss argued further that had the National Assembly Sports Committees in the course of their oversight functions inquired about the athletes’ preparations for the games and waded into the delay in the release of funds, perhaps we may have had a better outing.
“We can’t continue with this blame game attitude when there were ample opportunities for us to fix the process; for years, we have been shouting after failure without shouting about the process before the failure,” he stated
While commending the Dream Team VI for salvaging some pride for the country through the male football event, the SWAN President enjoined Sports Writers to be alive to their responsibilities of being the watchdogs and report appropriately lapses in the various sports sectors.
“Rio Olympic has just ended. Many countries have started preparations for the 2020 Olympic in Japan. We have no reason not to start preparing from now. As Sports journalists, let me assure you that our members will be on the trail of the sporting federations and to consistently find out what they are doing towards talents’ hunt and moves to keep athletes in shape for future challenges.
Sirawoo expressed reservations that the National Sports Festival which has been a veritable platform for the discovery of talents has been in abeyance for nearly four years and called on the Federal Ministry of Sports and Government of Cross River to urgently resolve pending issues and ensure that the games hold soon.
“Unless we urgently define the place of sports in national development, employment opportunities and international public relations, sports may die a natural death. If that happens, we have to bear with the attendant effects of increase in social vices and youth restiveness. Sports is a wonderful avenue to engage our teeming youths, earn foreign exchange and boost tourism which will in turn benefit the economy of the country,” he summed up.
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.
-
Editorial3 days agoDomesticate FG’s Exit Benefit Scheme
-
News3 days agoRSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
-
News3 days agoDHQ Confirms Deaths Of Terrorists, Soldiers In Borno Attack
-
News3 days agoTinubu Commissions Bayelsa Gas Turbine, Other Projects Today
-
Business3 days ago
Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs
-
Nation3 days ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Rivers3 days ago
Dep Gov Seeks Collaboration, Transparency Between RIVCHPP, PHCMB
-
Sports3 days ago
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON