Sports
Group Targets N10bn In Four Years For Talents Dev
Chief Executive Officer of
a private initiative, Nigeria Olympic Fund, Olajide Fashikun has said that the organisation will raise N10 billion in four years to develop young talents.
Fashikun disclosed this recently in Abuja, during a courtesy visit to the Managing-Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Fashikun, an ex-international, said that the project initiated seven years ago by 11outstanding individuals from the sports world was aimed at raising the standard of sports in the country.
He said that 16 million Nigerians were expected to identify with the initiative by committing a token of N100 through lottery.
“We are trying to bring 16 million Nigerians to identify with this project and each of them upon signing off will have to choose one of 10 Olympic icons.
“These 16 million Nigerians are expected to commit N100 to that Olympic Icon and we are also going to use the lottery as a process of raising funds.
“At the end of the day, our target is, we can raise about N10 billion between now and the next four years, which we shall deploy in raising new, young athletes.”
Fashikun said that the group would deploy N35 million of the funds to prepare 90 athletes from five different sports for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“As for Tokyo 2020 Olympics, we are going to take 90 athletes from five different sports.
“Each of these athletes, we are going to invest N35 million on them to prepare between now and Tokyo.
“We are already late in terms of preparations for Tokyo because you need six years, so we are already two years late.”
“But despite that, we are going to go ahead and work in a planned manner for the remaining four years that we have.
“Such that we want to get to Tokyo and bring back to this country no matter the colour of medals, but we want to surpass the total number of medals Nigeria has ever had in Olympics.’’
He said that the initiative was a creation of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Nigeria Sports Development Fund Incorporated (NSDFI).
He said that interested Nigerians who wish to participate in the initiative could visit the group’s website onwww.nigeriaolympicfund.com
In his response, Onanuga, appreciated the efforts of the group in sports development.
“Government generally should be disengaged from funding sports.
“It should be a private affair also getting support from other Nigerians, we will succeed in sports.
“We need to also create the right atmosphere for talents to develop themselves,’’ he said.
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
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