Sports
NOC Calls For Peace At Olympic Day Celebration
President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Ahmed Gumel, at the weekend, at a ceremony to mark this year’s Olympic Day Celebration, joined the rest of the world to call for peace in Nigeria, just as the International Olympics Committee President, Thomas Bach, appealed to member nations to give peace a chance.
Gumel, who spoke at the event to flag off the Celebration held at the National Stadium, Surulere, also highlighted various activities that included, the Olympic Day Run, aerobic exercise, demonstration of sports, and distribution of certificates to participants to mark the occasion.
The NOC president, who read a ‘Message For Olympic Day 2022’ on behalf of the IOC President, said: “When our founder, Pierre de Coubertin, revived the Olympic Games in 1894, he saw it as a way to promote peace among nations and people.
“Always the visionary, he said: ‘Should the institution of the Olympic Games proper, it can become a potent factor in securing universal peace’.
“Therefore, the purpose of the Olympic Movement was always to promote peace through sport.
“This Olympic Day, when we celebrate the creation of the Olympic Movement, is, therefore, the perfect moment to remind ourselves of this peace mission.”
The message added, “Sports always builds bridges and brings people together in peace and solidarity. In these difficult times we are living through, with conflicts and division on the rise, we need this unifying power of sports more than ever before.
“This Olympic spirit guides us as we strive to go faster, aim higher, become stronger, by standing together — for a peaceful world.
“On this Olympic Day, please join us as we call on everyone around the world: ‘Give Peace a Chance’.”
Corroborating Bach’s message, Gumel seized the occasion to also call on every Nigerian to allow peace to reign for everyone to have rest of mind.
“This message was sent to the rest of the world to make sure that this celebration is done properly. My appeal is that we should please let us work together; unite together to bring peace to our country, and to the whole world.
“We need to exercise peace in everything we do so that we can have rest of mind. Because without peace, you cannot have rest of mind. Let us continue to pray to God Almighty for Him to continue to guide us, and protect us, so that whatever we do, it will be in the best interest of our country and ourselves so that everybody can be happy.
“And on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, and Nigeria Olympic Committee, I hereby flag off the Olympic Day, today June 25, 2022; May God bless us,” he stated.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-General of the NOC, Olabanji Oladapo, thanked the IOC boss for sustaining the values of the body, while also commending the participants.
“Sports is an ingredient by all the system and once you get involved in sports, it is sure that you’re fulfilling one of the essentials of health requirement of this world.
“I want to thank the president of IOC for continuing to carry the banner and ensure that Olympic Day is celebrated all over the world. And also want to thank all the participants for taking part in the celebration because, without you, the celebration won’t be a colourful one,” he said.
At the event were dignitaries that included the Lagos State Sports Commission Director of Sports Development, Moses Olusegun Kolawole, Olympian, Henry Amike and others.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
One of the greatest strikers of the past 15 years, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, is among the big names who will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals for his country, was not able to inspire his side as they lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.
Lewandowski, who won the German Bundesliga title on 10 occasions, twice with Borussia Dortmund and then in eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich, before winning La Liga twice with Barca, may have played in his last major international tournament.
Lewandowski captained Poland at the World Cup in 2018, but did not score in Russia as his country came bottom of the group. He had a better tournament four years later in Qatar, scoring twice as Poland reached the last 16 before losing to France.
He netted four times in Group G in 2026 qualifying only for Poland to finish three points behind the Netherlands, before losing to Sweden on Tuesday.
Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)
Another star that will be missing in action at the mundial is Gialuigui Donnarumma of Italy.
Italy lost in the World Cup play-offs for a third successive qualifying tournament
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.
Despite being player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship, he misses out on a World Cup again after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy is Fourth in the list of Bundesliga top scorers this season
Serhou Guirassy has established himself as one of most prolific strikers playing in Europe, with 62 goals in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, while no player scored more than his 13 goals in the Champions League in 2024-25.
But he will not be at the World Cup as his country Guinea went out in the first round of African qualifying, finishing fourth in their group, with only four wins and three draws from their 10 matches.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and PSG)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Paris St-Germain become European champions last season, scoring in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan, and he came 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
But Georgia had a miserable campaign in World Cup qualifying as they only picked up three points from a group that contained Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray and Nigeria)
Victor Osimhen has scored 26 goals for club and country this season
Victor Osimhen helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before moving to Galatasaray, where he grabbed 26 goals in 30 games to take them to the Turkish title last season.
Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.
With Osimhen already substituted, Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo to miss out on the World Cup.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool and Hungary)
Dominik Szoboszlai has scored 12 goals for Liverpool this season
Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.
But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.
Female wrestlers in action at Governor Diri Wrestling Classics.
Ondo State wrestlers dominated the women’s events on Day six of the fourth Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa on Monday, claiming gold medals in two of the four women’s freestyle categories.
African champion Khadijat Idris of Ondo State led the charge in the 55kg division, defeating rising talent Mary Ayeloh of Bayelsa State by technical superiority to claim gold. Happiness Soso of Delta State and Augustine Rhoda of Lagos State took bronze medals in the category.
Damola Ojo also flew the Ondo flag proudly in the 76kg event, retaining her title after defeating all opponents in a round-robin format. Nigeria Army wrestler Laide Ojo settled for silver, while Juliet Ogo of Bayelsa State and Mercy Alison of Abia State each claimed bronze.
In the 62kg category, Patience Kakanda of Bayelsa State produced the upset of the day, defeating Nigeria Army’s Precious Tieberi 3-1 in the final to be crowned the new champion. Isioma Abojei of Delta State and Blessing Apah of Dynamite Club won bronze medals.
Rivers State’s Esther Asaolu also retained her title in the 59kg division, overcoming all her opponents in the round-robin format, with Patience Opuene of Bayelsa State finishing as runner-up.
In the men’s events, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa State claimed gold in the 79kg category, with Kpum Ayibasisei of Edo State taking silver and Rasheed Saliu of Ondo State and Ebisindei Okorie of Dynamite Club winning bronze. NewLife Ebikeme of Bayelsa State won the 92kg gold, ahead of Perezidei Obaze of Edo State in silver position, while Tobechukwu Udeh of the Nigeria Army and Timilehin Adekanmi of Ondo State claimed bronze medals.