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Continental Basketball League To Promote Lagos Culture – Organisers

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Organisers of the ongoing Continental Basketball League (CBL), which dunked off on Friday in Lagos, Ugo Udueze, has said that he was interested more in promoting the culture of the state through basketball.
The competition which is ongoing at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, is tagged “May Madness Tournament” in celebration of Lagos State at 50.
Udueze told newsmen that the CBL would bring more awareness about the state as a sports hub for the nation and Africa.
The opening game was a spectacle as fans were treated to an awesome ambience which was a scintillating experience.
Younde Giants of Cameroon set the ball rolling as they dismissed Lagos Warriors 104-66 in the opening game of the tournament that was watched by a capacity crowd at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Udueze described the experience as “beautiful”, and said that the league promised to bring the best exposure to Lagos State as sports hub of the nation and for Africa.
“This and many other good things coming are what we planned and sincerely the best is yet to come when the whole teams settle down to play quality basketball under good and conducive atmosphere.
“It is about us creating an opportunity where we provide a better atmosphere and service with proper logistics and basically creating something for Africans by Africans.
“This is about us trying to create job opportunities for our youths so that they can earn something and basically creating that opportunity for everybody.
“It is also about creating that sports industry which is very capital intensive and given other business individuals the opportunity to invest and believe in the success that can be achieved.
“We believe in the sports industry and we are in it because it is from an African perspective and not just doing it like the Europeans or like the Americans is in investing in sports, especially sports tourism,” Udueze said.
Godwin Owinjie, the head coach of City Stars, one of the teams that will feature in the competition, said that it was the best thing happening to Lagos and Africa as a whole.
“The best is yet to come and looking at the ambience, the quality of the sports hall, indeed this is what we want to see just as it is done in the U.S. and in Europe,” Owinjie said.
Babatunde Ogunade, the Chairman, Lagos state Basketball Association (LSBBA), said the CBL is structured to project basketball and Lagos State as whole in a positive light.
He said that the league had set the tone of how quality basketball is organised to the delight and comfort of fans and the business community.
“Lagos State has always been in support of individuals’ development that will bring progress to the state and the youth.
“The CBL is a great initiative that seeks to showcase the quality side of the state to the rest of the world and indeed we are proudly backing the innovation,” Ogunade said.
Rawane Ndiaye, a U.S. citizen who plays for Lagos Warriors, told newsmen that coming to play basketball in Nigeria is a great experience for him and that he was looking forward to the whole exercise.
“The atmosphere is beautiful, we are having fun and I am loving every minute of it.

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Amusan places third in Diamond League opener

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World record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles as the 2026 Diamond League season opened in Shanghai on Saturday, Tidesports source reports.

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,”

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Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Senegal in a double-header international friendly during the June FIFA women’s international window as the African champions step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tidesports source reports. 

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.

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Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye

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The organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced the appointment of Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye as the head of the medical unit for the 11th edition of the prestigious event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

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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