Sports
Fans Laud Ultimate Commander For Reviving Wrestling
Wrestling fans in Lagos applauded the Africa Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Osita Offor, aka De Ultimate Commander, for reviving professional wrestling in Nigeria.
In separate interviews with newsmen some of the thrilled fans said they enjoyed every minute of the fights at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, tagged “Gathering of Champions.’’.
The seven fights last weekend were a prelude to De Ultimate Commander’s World Heavyweight Wrestling title defence against Shelton Benjamin scheduled to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Some of the fans said that hitherto they had thought that professional wrestling bouts were staged to entertain the audience, but watching the fights live had changed their views.
They urged other wrestlers, who had benefited from the country, to emulate Ultimate Commander and support the revival of professional wrestling.
A banker, Abraham Gbadamosi, who said he had been a wrestling fan since his youth, told Tidesport soruce that because he could not get live wrestling to watch, he had resorted to watching them on television.
According to him, watching wrestling live gives him a lot of pleasure and this prompted him to bring his children to experience what they watch on television.
He urged governments and corporate bodies to rally round professional wrestlers like De Ultimate Commander to revive the sport. “I think we should commend Ultimate Commander for bringing world wrestlers to Nigeria in his bid to bring back the good old days of professional wrestling; others should emulate him,’’ Gbadamosi said.
Bukola Arowojobe, a fashion designer, said that when she heard about the championship, she thought it was a hoax.
“Until I got here and saw all these world wrestlers, I did not believe,’’ Arowojobe said.
She, however, wondered why no female wrestlers were featured in the championship, saying that female wrestlers should be given equal opportunity to exhibit their talents.
Kareem Salami, a sports lover, said that sports generally was on the decline in the country, adding that a lot more needed to be done to improve all sports.
He appealed to governments at all levels to shift focus from football and give other sports adequate attention.
“Sport is a lucrative business in other countries but people administering sports in Nigeria do not see it that way and that is why we are not reaping from the gold mine,’’ he said.
About 15 foreign and 13 African wrestlers took part in the championship, which was promoted by Universal Promotional Wrestling Federations (UPWF) in conjunction with The Ultimate Wrestling and Charity Organisation (TUWCO).
In one of the bouts, Reinforcer of USA, weighing 131.9 kg, defeated compatriot, Maximus Fury, 83.91kg; while Jimmy Palm (85 kg) of Nigeria also defeated his Nigerian counterpart, Black Heritage (85 kg).
In the tag team matches, Golden Twins of Congo DR (400 kg) defeated Nigerian Ring Riders (400 kg), while Shelton Benjamin and Val Venis (113.3 kg) USA, defeated Nigeria’s Ultimate Commander and Slam Shady (113.8 kg) of the USA.
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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