Sports
Registry Dethrones School At ISL’s 31st Sports Meet
Registry (Red House) deposed Bursary (White House) to win the 31st Inter-House Athletics Competition International School, University of Lagos (ISL), held at the International School Sports Ground, University of Lagos.
Registry garnered 14 gold, seven silver and four bronze medals to come tops, as Congregation (Purple House) came second with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.
Tidesports source reports that Chancellery (Yellow House) finished third with seven gold, four silver and two bronze medals, while Senate (Blue), placed fourth with four gold, 15 silver and eight bronze medals.
Bursary (White House) occupied fifth position with four gold, five silver and 11 bronze medals, however, the defending champion, School (Green House), came sixth place on the log after registering three gold, three silver and six bronze medals.
In the march past, Senate came tops with 93 points, Bursary was second with 89 points, while School had 88 points to get the third position, Registry fourth with 83 points, Congregation fifth with 78 points and Chancellery sixth with 76 points.
Mohammed Femisola was adjudged the best athlete after winning four gold medals in the 800 metres, 1500 metres, 400 metres and 4×100 metres.
Speaking at the event, the school’s Acting Principal, K.O. Amusan, said the competition was part of the school’s extra-curricular activities that encourage healthy living and exposed hiding talents among students.
“We are here to celebrate our 31st inter-house sports competition. It is a special one because our school just turned 40 years and it is our 40th Founder’s Day edition. This year’s competition is a very unique one as we are using our own field for the first time as against the University of Lagos Sports Centre, we used in the past.
“When we talk about a school’s setting, school is not just about academics as they say that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The inter-house sports competition is very important because it allows for healthy competitions among students and even the staff. The health benefits are numerous,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of occasion and Group Managing Director of Vita Foam Nigeria Plc, Mr Taiwo Ayodele Adeniyi, who was represented by Mr. Owabamidele Sola, said the event was a celebration of youth, adding that they occupy a very important place in the country.
“For any country to grow, we must encourage them to show the full potential God has deposited in them. The contest is also an opportunity for the students to develop their talents aside from academics. And the corporate bodies have the duties to support sports at the grassroots and anything that is good.
That is what Vita Foam is known for, because we are a brand that supports talents when we see where talents are being developed and we encourage them,” he stated.
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”
Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.
Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.
Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.
Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.
The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.
“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.
The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.
“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.
At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.
The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.
The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.
In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’
“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.
“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”
They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.
They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.
-
Politics2 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News2 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
Sports2 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics2 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics2 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Sports2 days agoStakeholders Laud GTI On NPFL Partnership
-
Sports2 days agoNPFL: Rivers United Finishes Second, Secures Continental Ticket
-
Politics2 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators