Sports
NSF: Taekwondo Official Wants Improved Time Management
President, Nigeria Taekwondo Referees Association (NTRA), Ferguson Oluigbo has called for improvement in time management in subsequent editions of the National Sports Festival (NSF).
Oluigbo told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that there was poor time management in the taekwondo event of the the just-concluded 19th National Sports Festival (NSF).
He said that the situation had psychological and physical effects on athletes and officials.
The Tide reports that the 19th NSF tagged, ‘Abuja 2018 World Series Edition’, was held in Abuja from December. 6 to December 16.
It featured 37 sports.
Oluigbo said: “Expectations were high in taekwondo event after six years of waiting; athletes were hungry for festival action but they were again subjected to long waiting before the fights.
“Most of the protocols were not necessary at that point in time because they resulted in starting the event as late as 5.00p.m., making athletes and officials to stay till 4.00a.m.
“The weighing-in exercise was not carried out in time, and athletes had to wait for long.
“That was bad and needed to be pointed out because it was not in the best interest of the practitioners and even the fans; the five-day event stretched to six days.”
He hailed the athletes and the officials who participated in the event for their patience and understanding, expressing satisfaction that, in spite of the lapses, some states still proved their mettle.
The association president noted that the just-concluded festival went a long way to restore lost hope of athletes and spurred them to commit themselves in training for improved performances.
“For six years, athletes were training, waiting and suffering postponements of this particular festival.
“However, the consolation is that the festival is back and will be observed biennially; athletes will be inspired to improve their skills,” he said.
Oluigbo noted that the festival had Rivers as the overall winner in taekwondo event with seven gold medals, while Kano got five and Lagos, two.
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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