Sports
TotalEnergies Football Tournament Is To Promote Peace Among Communities
TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited says the decision of the NNPC/TENG Joint Venture OML58 football tournament is to promote football as a way of galvanizing cordial relationship and promoting peace and harmony in it’s host community.
The Deputy Managing Director JV Asset, Mr. Guillaume Dulout who stated this on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the 2023 OML58 host community football tournament at Okah Memorial Secondary School Elele Okinali in Ikwerre Local Government Area expressed delight that the tournament has become the greatest annual sporting event in the OML58 area
Dulout who was represented by the Manager Capacity Development and Enterprise Mr Jacob Olege commended the communities for sustaining peace among themselves as community and the Total Energies Nigeria Limited.
He noted that Total Energies Nigeria Limited is determined to identify with football competition as a demonstration of her commitment to engage the Youths in the positive ventures that could promote sustainable socio economic development as well as empowerment.
He said through the competition, talents could be identify and nurture that could make the community proud at the State level as well as the national level competition.
According to him, ” the huge success recorded at the 18 and 19 editions of the tournament and the sustained peace in her area of operation is a delight and welcome development”.
” Total Energies Limited has retained the theme for the two previous edition, ” Playing for Peace”, for this edition to further emphasize her message of peace as well a driver of community development and prosperity”, he said
Dulout explained that the theme has continue to resonate throughout the year in all her dealing with the youth and the entire population, adding that the 19th edition, minor changes made to the rules of the tournament in order to bring beneficial improvement
On of those changes he said was the inclusion of young players (Under 20), adding that this was targeted towards the discovery of young talents who could be further developed and projected for a career in football
” Women were also included in the officiating team and girls in the ball boys. This we did to demonstrate her her commitment to the SDG 5 ( Gender Equality). These changes are sustained in this current edition”, he said he
Earlier, the Chairman of Central Organizing Committee (COC) of the tournament, Saheed Ogunsanya said this year, the committee has introduced fair play trophy for the best behave team, stating that last year, the committee made some changes by the introduction of Under age players.
Ogunsanya noted that the idea for the introduction of Under age players is for the under age players to take over from the aging players, explaining that this will opportunity for the younger players to explore their talents.
The COC Chairman expressed optimistic that this year competition will bring a level of discipline among the participating teams, noted that last year edition, more yellow cards were recorded.
According to him,” this year edition, there will be less caution on the field with the introduction of the best behave team and fair play trophy”.
He encourage the players to expose their talents and at their best as their are scots, assuring that the tournament will be taken to the next level.
18 teams from four local Government Areas of Rivers State are participating in the tournament. The 18 teams are placed in 6 groups.
By: Ike Wigodo
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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