Sports
$75,000 For Grab At Abuja ITF Tennis Tour
The ITF World Tennis Tour – M25 events for 2019 will begin on Monday in Abuja with the tombim Abuja Open, the Tournament’s Director, Ikani Agabi, Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Ikani Agabi, said last Friday.
The three events — Tombim Abuja Open, Dayak Tennis Championship, and the GSL Open — hold at the Abuja National Stadium and go with 25,000 US dollars prize money each.
Agabi said the three tournaments’ sponsorship was in collaboration with the NTF and other sponsors . Tombim Nigeria Limited, Dayak Nigeria Limited and Gladiators Systems Limited.
He added that the tournaments, which are male-only events, would feature singles and doubles matches.
“The finals of the singles events are scheduled for April 14, April 21 and April 28, while the doubles’ finals will be on April 13, April 20 and April 28.’’
Agabi disclosed also that the competition was borne out of a desire to provide opportunities for Nigeria’s players to collect vital ATP points.
“It is also to help attract some of the best up-and-coming players in the world to play in Nigeria.
“The organizers also want to use the competition to show that Nigeria is not as bad as it is portrayed around the world.
“The firm belief of the organizers is that events of this nature will contribute positively to building the structure of Nigerian tennis and the images of Nigeria internationally’’.
Meanwhile, Dayo Akindoju, MD/CEO of Dayak Nigeria Limited and president of NTF, also said the tour would promote further development in the sport.
“The NTF is taking Nigeria to the next level in tennis through these events, and the World Tour, Challenger Series and others are coming up very soon in Abuja”.
He assured that all facilities were in place for a successful tournament, with a lot of renovation done in the past few days.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.
-
Featured4 days agoWorkers’ Audits Not Meant For Downsizing – Walson Jack
-
Nation4 days ago
Union Petitions EFCC, ICPC Over Tax Fraud Allegations Against Daewoo, Saipem
-
Politics4 days agoSenate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman
-
Nation4 days agoHYPREP Remains Steadfast In Adhering To International Standards—Zabbey …As Regulators, Asset Owners Hail Project
-
News4 days agoNERC Approves N28bn For Procurement Of Meters For Band A Customers
-
News4 days agoFubara Reassures Rivers People Of Completion Of PH Ring Road Project
-
Rivers4 days agoWorld Food Day: Farmers Urge Collaboration For Improved Productivity
-
Nation4 days agoMOSIEND Hails Benibo Anabraba Appointment As Rivers SSG