Sports
Asaba 2022’ll Re-Write History Of NSF-Okowa
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the 21st National Sports Festival, which the state is hosting next year, will re-write the history of the biannual sports fiesta.
For many followers of the National Sports Festival, Makurdi ’96 and Imo ’98 editions remain two of the best ever in terms of glamour and crowd.
Some feel that Garden City 2011 Games held in Rivers State also fall in that category. But unlike the situation in 2011, where the host, Rivers State, was accused of deploying ‘the host to win’ tactics, Makurdi ’96 and Imo ’98 were adjudged as athletes-friendly Games.
The 21st National Sports Festival will hold between November 2 and 15, 2022, but Okowa has declared that every participant, including athletes, coaches, accompanying officials and journalists will be proud of the state at the end of the Games.
Okowa spoke at the extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Sports at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
While reacting to a challenge by Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, that Delta must do everything possible to surpass the standard set by Edo State (immediate past host of the festival).
“In Delta, anything we want to do, we do it to the satisfaction of everyone. Asaba is ready, and we are going to set a high standard in terms of infrastructure and other facilities that will be in place in the next few months.” Okowa said.
Okowa, whose tenure as governor has won the National Sports Festival twice, at Abuja 2018 and Edo 2020, identified sports as a powerful medium to weld national unity when appropriately harnessed, funded and utilised.
He called for holistic approach to sports development and management in the country to maximise the contribution of sports to national development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), who is also Secretary to Delta State Government, Patrick Ukah, has assured that the 17-member committee won’t disappoint Nigerians.
“A great number of us in the LOC have participated in the National Sports Festival at one time and the other, and we know what the Games mean to Nigerians. We are going to deliver a bigger, better and athletes-friendly sports festival in November 2022,” he said.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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