Sports
NSF: Delay In Updating Medal Table Frustrates Journalists
With over 500 medals up for grabs at the ongoing 21st National Sports Festival, there is a need for a regularly updated medal table, but that has not been the case at the championship in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
As at Day 3 of the festival, there was no table for journalists to back up their reports and the fans, who have been yearning to know how their states have fared.
From the fourth day, a medals table began to circulate, but different states contingents complained about the table, saying it wasn’t updated to reflect their medal haul.
On Sunday, the 5pm table was shared to the National Sports Festival media platform at 10:22pm.
“It’s unfortunate that we have no idea of the medal table The Tidesports source a reports.
“Yes, I know that it can be sometimes late before the table is out because of some events that may be held late, but by now we should have seen something. The table I saw on Tuesday is the one of yesterday (Monday) and we have seen more athletes win more medals.”
The absence of a working collation centre caused the delay in releasing the updated medals table.
“There is no way we can see all the results from one place, except there is a collation centre, but unfortunately the collation centre is not functioning at the moment. They need to work on that, they are a little bit slow and thus not giving the journalists the statistics to effectively do their jobs and give the right information to the public.”
Another journalist, Faith Omozokpia, who works for Titan Sports, added, “I’m not very pleased with the fact that the medals table has not been regularly updated since the event started. We are having little hitches in our reports because of this.
When our correspondent visited the office of the Secretary of Games Services, Austin Balewa, at 9am on Monday, he shed light on what caused the delay in releasing the medals table.
“After we receive the results of the events, we have to tally them. The chairman of the festival will have to sign them, so if we cannot reach the chairman to sign off on the late games, as he might have closed for the day, those results will not be put into the medal table. This is because without his authentication, those results will not be valid.
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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