Sports
Dalung Promises Drug-Free Sports In Nigeria
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has promised to deliver a sports sector that is free of doping.
Tolu Makinde, the Director of Press in the ministry, said in a statement that the ministry would hold a seminar for Presidents and Secretaries of Sports Federations in Nigeria.
“This will be in collaboration with the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC),” he quoted the Minister as saying in the statement in Abuja.
Dalung was quoted as saying the seminar was an integral part of the ministry’s efforts to evolve a sustainable and pragmatic anti-doping regime capable of achieving drug-free sports for Nigeria.
He said also that the seminar would raise the federations’ level of awareness and prepare them for meeting the challenges of anti-doping roles and responsibilities.
The minister said the seminar was to promote clean sports in Nigeria and ensure a sports sector that was free from drug scandals.
The statement showed that Dalung would be the Special Guest of Honour and he was expected to declare open the seminar tagged “Anti-Doping Seminar for Presidents and Secretaries of Sports Federations.”
“The event which is billed to hold in Abuja from December 5 to December 6 is aimed at equipping Federation Presidents and Secretaries with relevant information and anti-doping regulations, especially compliance with relevant articles of the world regulatory body.
“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prescribed primary goals and guidelines, and information and education programmes for drug-free sports.
“The seminar is the first anti-doping information-education and specialised orientation activity to be organised for Presidents and Secretaries of Federations.
“It has the objective of inculcating strong anti-doping culture in the participants.
“It will also promote the virtue of fair play with a view to positively help in influencing attitudes and behaviours of athletes,” the statement read.
It added that the seminar would cover areas like History of Doping, Health Consequences of Doping, Athletes Whereabouts and Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Other areas are: Anti-Doping Roles and Responsibilities, Doping Control Process and Testing, Anti-Doping Rules Violations and Results Management and Sources and Control Mechanisms on Illicit Drugs.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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