Sports
Minister pledges strong Olympic showing for Nigeria
The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has assured Nigeria will have a good outing in France when the Paris 2024 Olympics begins.
The Games will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Enoh stated that the ministry was putting the final touches on Team Nigeria’s preparation plans for the upcoming Olympics, alongside the Nigerian Olympic Committee and other relevant federations.
In a statement signed by Diana-Mary Nsan, Special Adviser on media to the minister, Enoh highlighted the extensive efforts being made to ensure Team Nigeria is well-prepared to compete for honours at the prestigious global e“Different sports are already embarking on the foreign leg of their preparations.
The Super Falcons are currently in Spain, and the Basketball team has also opened foreign camps. Other teams will follow suit in the new week,” the minister stated.vent.
“The Ministerial Podium Performance Committee has continued to give me reports, and teams are also working with them to ensure we return with medals from Paris. We are confident it will be a good outing for our nation” he added.
While emphasising the importance of pre-Olympic camping for athletes to achieve focus, fine-tuning, and a serene environment devoid of distractions, Enoh also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for Team Nigeria’s Olympic preparations.
“I want to use this medium to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all the support he has given Team Nigeria in preparation for the Olympics. He has always shown he has sports in his heart and we are more than glad to have him lead our nation at a time like this,” Enoh said.
Ahead of their participation in the women’s football event of the 2024 Paris Olympics Games, the Super Falcons, who have been paired in the tough group that has Brazil, Spain and Japan, held their first training session in their Seville camp on Sunday.
Also, the country’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have arrived in Germany to formally begin preparation for the women’s basketball tournament at the Olympics. The Nigerian side is placed in a difficult group alongside Canada, Australia and host France.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
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,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
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.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
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.
-
Editorial13 hours agoEnough Of Xenophobic Attacks On Nigerians
-
Nation12 hours agoRSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Hold Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
-
Environment14 hours agoMOSOP – Tinubu Not Sincere With Ogoni People For Oil Resumption
-
News18 hours agoFubara, Wife Hail Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative …As Over 6,800 Families Benefit From Largesse In Rivers
-
Oil & Energy13 hours agoRivers PETROAN Elects 12-Member Executive
-
Maritime16 hours agoProducts, Others, To Arrive Lagos Ports Today — MPA
-
Politics14 hours ago
APC Group Protests Ex–Presidential Aspirant’s Disqualification From Rivers Senatorial Race
-
Education13 hours agoUNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students
