Sports
Kalu Laments Nigeria’s Failure In CAF Election
A former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu, has described as “unfortunate’’ Nigeria’s failure to clinch the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive seat for West Africa zone 2.
Kalu, who is the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Pillar of Sports, made this known in Abuja last week.
He told journalists that Nigeria lost in the election because both the government and the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) did not take some of the stakeholders into confidence.
“If Isa Hayatou must be President of CAF, then Nigeria should have produced an executive committee member going by the contribution of the country to football development in Africa.
“We understand CAF and FIFA politics; government and the NFA should have relied on us for advice because this is the type of politics our people don’t understand.
“There is no way a country like Nigeria should lose to another country in the region to be executive member of CAF; it is unfortunate.
“If NFA and the sports minister consulted me, we would have found a way to handle Isa Hayatou.
“We know the language to speak to the delegates and they will abandon Hayatou.
“It happened in Tunis when the South Africans almost edged him out but I later came and bargained Amos Adamu with him and we played the politics and he got it.
“The two times Hayatou was elected, I bargained with Adamu.
“I told him that Nigeria is a powerful country and that as the governor of a state, I was going to scuttle his plans if he did not give us a chance.
“He later made us a promise in writing that he will support Adamu and that was how we got it,’’ Kalu explained.
The former governor noted that Nigerian Government had turned a blind eye to issues concerning sports development in the country.
He said to make sports thrive, government had to stop giving support to the mediocres that had nothing for the country.
“Nigerians are playing politics of bitterness and until sports stakeholders begin to pick those that can deliver, Nigerian sports will not move forward.
“I know most people don’t like Adamu but he is a great goal getter; I worked with him and I know him.
“When I was in the National Sports Commission and Chief S.B Williams was directly in charge of the NFA with Tony Ikhazobor as the chairman of NFA, Adamu was there also and he had answers to every situation.
“We must be able to see what is good in somebody; every bad thing has a good part to it and every good thing has a bad part to it.
“Nobody is a saint and leaders must possess the good, bad and ugly character; that is how to go,’’ he added.
Kalu has promised to build a befitting secretariat for FCT SWAN as part of his contribution to the development of sports in the country.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, has approved a parcel of land inside the Abuja National Stadium Package ‘B’ for the construction of FCT SWAN secretariat.
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.
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