Sports
Early Preparations, Key To Our Success -Medalist
World record-setter, Esther Oyema says early preparations and provision of facilities will keep Nigeria’s para-athletes ahead in every sport.
The paralympian, who smashed the world record in the women’s lightweight power lifting event at the just- concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, made the statement in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
Oyema surpassed her previous mark of 126 Kg set four years ago in Glasgow to win gold, lifting 131kg.
“Whatever challenge the able-bodied face, we the physically-challenged face it thrice.
“When we train, we do it with all our heart because some of us see sports as the only medium to express ourselves. So, we can be ahead of our counterparts in any tournament.
“We have done it before and will still do more. All we need is facilities, early preparations and support from all spheres of the society,” Oyema said.
The 36-year-old also commended Peak Milk for the world-class facility provided for para-powerlifting in Lagos, calling on corporate organisations and state governments to do same in their various locations.
For achieving her new feat, the ace power-lifter has God to thank, as well as the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation, adding that she hopes to break and set more records in future.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria returned from the Games on Wednesday with nine gold, nine silver and six bronze, finishing ninth place among 71 countries.
Six of the medals were won by six para-power lifters.
Sports
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
Sports
Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Sports
FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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