Sports
Rivers Hoopers Stay Unbeaten, Qualify For Next Stage
Nigerian Champions, Rivers Hoopers, made it three out of three at the ongoing Sahara Conference of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) with a commanding 21-point blowout of former BAL Champions US Monastir, as the KingsMen ran out with an 84-63 victory on Tuesday.
After much-needed rest last Monday, Rivers Hoopers, who had been impressive by notching up consecutive victories over Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR, started the game in rampant form, making back-to-back buckets, including consecutive threes by Will Perry.
Hoopers opened up a 12-point lead at 14-2 inside the first five minutes of the encounter and remained prolific in shooting to wrap up the first quarter with a 9-point advantage at 25-16.
Again, the Hoopers were quickest out of the block at the start of the second quarter, scoring points early to extend their lead, including a brilliant alley-oop finished off by BAL Elevate player David Ike from a fine Kelvin Amayo pass.
Amayo proved to be unplayable on the day, firing three straight 3s in the final four minutes of the second quarter to give the Kings Men a massive 20-point advantage with the scores 49-29 at halftime.
US Monastir, who had inflicted defeat on Rivers Hoopers when both teams met during the inaugural BAL season, came out desperately needing to reduce the deficit at the start of the third quarter and enjoyed a good scoring spell. But Hoopers were undeterred and responded with some big shots of their own, including a poster dunk by Kelvin Amayo with 2:30 left, as the scores stood at 67-51 to end the third quarter.
Amayo stayed hot, scoring more big points during the fourth to take his tally to 30 points, as the KingsMen completed a dominant performance to swat aside US Monastir by 21 points.
The win was a third straight victory for Rivers Hoopers, who remain the only unbeaten side at the Sahara Conference of the BAL season 4.
Hoopers were spurred by a massive game-high 30 points and 9 assists from Kelvin Amayo which earned him the game’s MVP award. Amayo fired home six 3-pointers, also a game-high figure.
The Hoopers trio of Will Perry, Peter Olisemeka, and Devine Eke also reached double figures in scoring, with Perry putting up 19 points along with 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Olisemeka had 13 points and 9 rebounds, and Devine Eke posted a double-double of 13 points plus a massive game-high 12 rebounds.
The Rivers Hoopers bench also came up big, with the quintet of captain Victor Koko, BAL Elevate player David Ike, Abel Offia, Onyebuchi Vincent, and Anaiye Johnson combining for 9 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
The result means the KingsMen remain top of the Sahara Conference standings as they head into Game 4 against AS Douanes, on Thursday, 9th May, by 8pm.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.
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