Sports
FCTA Harps On Regular Exercise
The Management of Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) says exercising the body regularly helps in reducing health challenges and increases human productivity.
The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Babatope Ajakaiye, represented by Amina Abubakar, Director, Human Resources, made the assertion on Saturday at the third inauguration of Steering Committee of the authority’s Jogging Exercise in Abuja.
According to him, a physically fit workforce hardly slumps and dies.
“Most times you hear that people fall and die in their offices or at airports, you hear of people slumping and dying all the time.
“It is because many people don’t exercise their bodies and take care of themselves medically, that is why FCTA has decided to be organising this monthly exercise for all its members of staff.
“The management is very much interested in the exercise because the aim is to encourage the entire staff to keep fit and know their health status by exercising,” he said.
Ajakaiye said the FCTA management had promised to sustain the exercise through the committee.
Similarly, Acting Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Mathew Ashikeni, said the significance of exercise to the workforce in the territory was enormous.
“For civil servants to be productive and be at their best, they have to be physically fit. It is not only the military or para-military that need exercise.
“Civil servants put in a lot of energy and time in their work, so, an exercise like this will put them in the right frame of mind at work.
“Jogging and other related exercises also help someone physically, psychologically and socially so that when you go to your office, you’ll put in your best without stress,” he said.
“Physical exercises help against diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetics and obesity. They will be things of the past with regular exercise.
“Workers in FCT will be healthier and give the best of services to the people in the territory and Nigeria as a whole.
“As a medical doctor, I recommend this for everybody. In fact, there should be more of this type of exercise monthly so that we can be physically fit,” he said.
Also, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Acting Director of Sports, FCTA, said the Minister, Muhammad Bello and the Permanent Secretary were passionate about a fit and strong workforce in the territory.
“The current FCTA management, headed by the minister felt that the workforce needs to be strong.
“It is for that reason that they are using sports to have a strong and healthy FCTA so that staff can deliver and be able to do what they are supposed to do effectively.
“With sick people, you can’t get a good result from any task given to them. We want to maintain productive workforce and that is what we are working towards,” she said.
Onyedinma added that participating in sports was not only for healthy living but could also help people economically.
“Sport does not stop at making one healthy. Exercise can help one to be economically empowered in terms of competition, it also helps in self-defence against physical attack.’
The director added that given the necessary support of the minister, the authority’s staff would start participating in annual Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA).
“Now, we are asking for that because the FCTA staff is now interested in taking part in FEPSGA. And as we have asked, may be the minister will grant us,” he said.
Tidesports source gathered new Chairman of the new Steering Committee of FCTA Jogging Exercise, is Dr Funsho Oba, supported by representatives of departments and agencies in the territory is Dr. Funsho Oba.
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
-
Sports3 days ago
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
-
Nation3 days ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Rivers3 days ago
Dep Gov Seeks Collaboration, Transparency Between RIVCHPP, PHCMB