Sports
Stakeholders’ Responsibility, Key To Sports Transformation -NCC
The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has identified stakeholders’ collective responsibility as the critical key toward achieving the desired transformation in the nation’s sports sector.
Mr Oluwatoyin Asaju, Deputy Director with NCC, said this while interacting with newsmen on the sideline of the ongoing NCC Lawn tennis Nationwide League taking place at the Kwara Stadium Sports Complex, Ilorin.
Tidesports source reports that the group stage preliminaries of the 4th edition of the league is taking place in eleven other venues simultaneously across the country.
The 2017 edition of the league which attracted a cash prize of N7 million was won by the Civil Defence team.
Asaju, the Team Leader for the event in Kwara, said the nation could only be ranked among the top contenders in international sporting event if the sector was fully developed.
He said the commission also had the desire to promote the nation’s sports, adding that the public and private sectors must leverage on the army of talents in the country.
He said that the commission’s participation in sports development, especially as regard lawn tennis, was an integral part of its corporate social responsibility.
According to him, the NCC’s involvement is informed by the need to discover new and younger talents that could fly the nation’s flag in both national and international sports meets.
He said the overall essence and desire was to assist and support government in its sports developmental drive.
Asaju said the choice of lawn tennis was to ensure that the game was fully developed and monitored by the commission.
He, therefore, urged other corporate organisations and individuals to key into promoting different sports to achieve the desired results of the country competing in variety of sports at global level.
“All of us have to come together, the public and private sector, to contribute our quota to the development of sports.
“On our own, we have chosen lawn tennis, other corporate bodies or individuals can pick other sports apart from football whether in partnership to grow promote and develop them to full capacity.
“So, that at the end of the day, the entire sport sector will be generally developed,” he said.
Asaju, who expressed delight at the commission’s involvement in sports development, however, urged the government to further boost the sector’s financial and infrastructure capabilities.
“With more enlightenment being fostered through the games, I think the objective of our participation is being achieved,” he said.
He expressed the commission’s readiness to expand the scope of its sponsorship of the game if more funds were available.
Mr Bola Amurawaye, the Team Manager for Team Goshen, praised the NCC management for its foresight in organising the tennis tournament for talents hunt.
“This is our third year of participating in the league and as more awareness and talents are being discovered there is the need for more corporate sponsorship,” he said.
Tidesports source also reports that the league has attracted scores of lawn tennis armatures and raw talents from all the centers.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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