Sports
Nigerian Athletes Receive Training Grants, Allowances
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has disclosed that Nigeria’s local and foreign-based athletes have received training grants and allowances.
This, the Minister said, was a testament to the Ministry’s concerns for the welfare of the country’s athletes.
Enoh, tweeting as #OwanEnoh, noted yesterday via his X.com handle, that this would be the “first time ever” that home-based athletes representing the country would receive training grants.
His tweets read, “In ensuring that all local, foreign and Olympics allowances are paid to all Team Nigeria athletes, I had another interactive session with the athletes at the games village in Paris as follow up on their welfare.
“Home-based athletes complained of never receiving training grants, as this has only been a privilege for their foreign-based counterparts representing the country.
“We have ensured for the first time ever, home-based athletes representing the country also receive training grants. Foreign and home-based athletes have now received training grants in addition to all other allowances already paid.”
The Minister stated that all athletes who represent the country “deserve training grants, as they all put in efforts and passion to represent the country. They are all deserving.
“There’s a lot of excitement at the games village and the athletes are greatly enthused for podium appearances.”
Nigerian athlete, Favour Ofili, qualified on Monday night for the final of the women’s 200 metres at the Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Paris, France.
She ran a season-best 22.05 seconds to place behind new women’s 100m champion, Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia in heat 1 of the semi-finals.
She joins seven others in yesterday evening’s final of the event, ranking third among the crowd.
In other sports, Nigerian wrestler, Blessing Oborududu, secured her place in the semi-finals of the women’s 68kg wrestling event at the Games as the world-ranked number 6 dominated her Canadian opponent, Linda Morais, with an 8-2 victory in the quarter-final match.
Also, the nation’s women’s senior basketball team, D’Tigress made it to the quarter-final of the event after being drawn against the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
D’Tigress made history by securing Nigeria’s first-ever berth in the last eight of the Olympics basketball tournament after their impressive 79-70 victory over Canada in their final group game on Sunday.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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