Sports
Open Championship: Group Partners ODSG To Scout For Talented Youth
The Cyclox Technology Nigeria Ltd. is to partner with the Ondo State Government in its bid to discover talented youths ahead of the International Marathon Race slated for April 2018.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Adelekun David of the group, made this disclosure on Monday in Akure during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Sports and Youths Development.
The CEO, who said that his company had concluded plans to host the 2018 marathon race in the state, called on organisations within and outside the country to support the Marathon Race.
“All over the state, we have youths with talents, who are hidden and whose talents are not recognised. We want to use this open championship to bring them out;
“And we believe it is going to boost business activities as well as promote the image of the state.
“We are expecting not less than 2,000 participants, whose age should be between 18 and 35 years, for the international race, which will take off from Idanre Hills down to the stadium in Akure,” he said.
Also, David said that his group was warming up to sponsor the December Open Athletic championship in the state and called for the people’ support for the event.
According to him, the partnership with the state will help the state in scouting for those who are very good in athletic games across the state.
Adelekun explained that the December open athletics competition would include all track events, field events and other sporting activities, saying that the competition would last for one week.
He stated that a website had been opened for assessment and registration of athletes, adding that sponsors could make their intentions known from the website.
Responding, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, appreciated the management of the group, saying its plan to partner with the state would move sports forward.
Yusuf-Ogunleye promised that government would give the group all the necessary support to make the stay of the athletes safe, crisis-free as well as ensure the success of the project.
“We all know that government alone cannot sponsor or finance sports in the state, and even the country at large, without sponsorship from corporate bodies and individuals.
“And we must not concentrate on football alone while swimming, table tennis, wrestling, marathon race are being abandoned.
“I think the most important thing is for us to ensure that other sporting activities are not neglected,” the commissioner said.
According to him, sport, today, is already a career and youths will gain a lot from the championship event when it kicks off this month.
He, therefore, called on individuals, businessmen and women, corporate bodies, union and organisations in the state to support the sporting activities by sponsoring some of the events.
“We have no doubt in our mind that when this sporting event kicks off it will serve as an advantage to our youths and sports lovers to showcase their talents and the stuff they are made of,” he said.
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.
-
Sports27 minutes ago
NFF Reacts As Flying Eagles Laments Unpaid N1.5bn Bonuses
-
Business23 minutes ago
IGR Firm Applauds Akpe’s Appointment As New D’Gov
-
Niger Delta21 minutes ago
Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River
-
Niger Delta23 minutes ago
Tinubu Set To Unveil Projects In Bayelsa, Today
-
Niger Delta22 minutes ago
Okpebholo Urges Edo Youths To Join Nigerian Army Recruitment
-
Niger Delta21 minutes ago
Edo Defends 18-month Record, Cites Gains In Other Sectors
-
Entertainment10 minutes ago“AI Is About To Retire Music Producers’ – DJ Neptune Predicts
-
Entertainment12 minutes agoNigerian DJ Association Bans Burna Boy’s Songs