Sports

We Are Silently Preparing For Tokyo Olympics – Dare

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2021

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, yesterday in Akure said Team Nigeria to the Tokyo Olympics had been “silently” preparing for the Games. Dare told newsmen at the two-day meet organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) that not all preparatory processes were being publicised.
“Preparations are ongoing at various levels, but some of these will not make it to the pages of the newspapers and the media and it’s deliberate too.
“We have several plans running almost concurrently too, for our foreign-based athletes and home-based athletes. But not all of these will be in the newspapers.
“And just this last week, eight other Olympic-bound athletes were adopted too and you know what that means.
“That’s a plus. We had five or six adopted before COVID-19 last year. It became a bit difficult after COVID-19, because it took so long because people lost a lot of money and revenue.
“But just last week we had about eight adopted, bringing the total to about 15. We hope that we can adopt about 40 of them to make a difference,” he said.
Tidesports source gathered that the 2020 Olympics have been rescheduled for July 23 to Aug. 8.
Dare, who hailed the performance of athletes at the AFN event, assured that the country ‘s sports authorities were working day and night ahead of the Olympics.
He noted that the two-day meet was impressive as momentum was being gained ahead of the Olympics.
The minister added that he was happy that young athletes were setting personal best records with excitement and a higher spirit of competitiveness.
“I think the two-day meet we have had in Akure is good. I followed what happened yesterday (Saturday), and I think we are gaining momentum as regards the Olympics.
“But what gladdens my heart is the young athletes setting personal records. One can see the excitement, the competitiveness, and I think the future of Nigeria in the track and field event is great.”
He added that it would be his greatest moment for the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) holds.
Dare said it would be in the interest of the country’s sports development and would be a great factor for the Olympics in July.
The President of AFN, Olamide George, said the body would continue to assess the readiness of home-based athletes ahead of the Olympics through competitions, while also discovering new talents.
Goerge said several athletes have continued with their blistering form by posting good times, especially Enoch Adegoke who recorded an impressive 10.38 seconds in the 100 metres.
Speaking to newsmen, Adegoke who is currently the fastest man in the country said he was not under any form of pressure of his record being broken by another sprinter.
“I am not under pressure to beat anybody. I am just under pressure to beat my own record. I trust my coaches on ground and I believe in God,” he said.

Sports

Tinubu Declares Para Games Open… Expresses Commitment To Continually Develop Sports

Published

9 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

It was another colorful opening ceremony at the third edition of the National Para Games, holding in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

The Moshoodi Abiola National Stadium was colorfully decorated to suit the event; there were cultural dances and acrobatic displays to activate the spirit of sportsmanship, love, and unity.

Again, the match past event expresses that there is ability in disability; it rekindled friendship and hope in them.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu expressed commitment to support sports in all ramifications continually.

According to him, the aim of the competition is to promote unity and discover talents that can represent the country at an international level.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasised that every sport will be given adequate attention.

“This administration’s commitment is to ensure equal opportunities for all sports in the country.

” We urged participating states to use the event to demonstrate the spirit of togetherness, mutual respect, and service to humanity,” Tinubu said.

Also speaking, Rivers State Director of Sports Obia Inyingikabo used the forum to express her profound gratitude to the Governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for graciously approving and releasing funds to enable the state para team to attend the games.

She stated that the governor has made a significant impact on sports development in the state and also expressed confidence that the team would make a statement in the competition.

By: Tonye Orabere

Sports

Red House shines At CSS Obete Ndoki 10th Interhouse sports

Published

9 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Community Junior Secondary School, Obete, Ndoki in Obigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State last week held their 10th edition of the school’s Annual Inter-House Sports Competition. It was a display of variety of sporting engagement and competition that saw the Red House emerging winners at the end of proceedings.

Green House came second, while the Yellow house finished third.

Meanwhile, the Principal of the school Obete Ndoki Mr Amaechi Ifeanyi has decried the poor infrastructural facilities at the school.

Speaking with newsmen,he said the school with a total student population of 170 has no classrooms, science laboratories and teachers.

The principal listed the challenges of the school to include, poor learning environment classrooms, office and staff room, lack of sports equipment, lack of school bus and others.

He listed some achievements of the school to include reconstruction of 30 pieces of desks, and reconstruction of staff office.

The principal stressed the need for the government to come to the aide of the school, adding students sit under dilapidation roof and trees to learn.

Speaking on the interhouse sports, Ifeanyi said the school has produced a lot of sports men and women in the past, stressing that the school is talented future footballers and Athletes who will one day make the nation proud of discover early.

“Today we are here to celebrate our illustrious children the builders of tomorrow, this competition is to create awareness to our children to understand the society requirements to sustain their future living

“I will also draw the minds of parents to the spirit of sportsmanship in their respective houses by forgiving one another to help all grow better in our community irrespective of the degree of offence and challenges “he said.

The event also featured awards to distinguish personalities who retired from the school.

Sports

Yellow House Wins Dinada Academy Inter-House Sports Competiton

Published

9 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The yellow house on Thursday scored 182 points to emerge as champions of the first annual inter-house sports competition of the Dinada Academy Nursery and Primary School in Port Harcourt.

The competition, which was held at the number six field of Old Port Harcourt Township, saw the Blue house come second with 164 points, as the Green house occupied the third position with 158 points.

In his opening address, the chairman of the occasion

Alalibo Kingsley encourages the children to use the inter-house competition as a means of developing different sporting activities.

Kingsley, who was represented by Frank Kabolo, said sport is currently one of the best ways of earning income, adding that it is important to key into sports at an early age.

The chairman commended the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Ibiene Josiah, and the staff of the academy for organising its first annual inter-house.

“Today I want to commend the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Josiah, and the staff for the knowledge they have imparted to the children.

“As you can see, the children are very happy, as sports bring joy unity, and love to the society,” Alalibo said.

Also speaking was the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Josiah, who thanked the staff and management of Dinada Academy and also expressed her profound gratitude to parents and guardians for their contributions and cooperation towards the successful inter-house competition.

“It is indeed a day to remember in the history of Dinada Academy.” We started the journey together, and God, in his provision, supplied all that was required in achieving our desired goals.

“I appreciate the management, parents, and guardians for giving us a day like this to remember in years to come.

“We pray as you journey back to your respective destinations God will grant you journey mercy,” she prayed.

By: Kiadum Edookor