Sports
NFSC Demands Yekini’s Immortalisation …As Ogun Donates N2m
The Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Yisau Olatunde, has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to immortalise the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and the late Rashidi Yekini.
Olatunde made the call in Ibadan in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of a novelty match to mark the 40-day Fidau prayer for the late Yekini.
Olatunde, who also urged ex-Super Eagles players to come together to honour Abiola and Yekini, noted that both men had contributed immensely to the growth of football in Nigeria.
The chairman said that great sports administrators like the late Abiola, the Pillar of Sports in Africa, should not be forgotten by CAF for his immense contributions to football and the organisation.
He added that great footballer such as Yekini should not also be forgotten by CAF and the Super Eagles for his superb soccer display that had attracted many youths to football.
According to him, the issue of immortalising Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 election, has been greatly politicised.
He said that Abiola deserved a federal sports complex to be named after him in Nigeria, to further buttress his contributions to the growth of football in particular and sports generally.
The chairman added that the Federal Government should also accord similar honour to other late sportsmen such as Sam Okwaraji.
He said Yekini and Okwaraji left a legacy of honouring national calls without gratification, adding that they were gentlemen to the core.
The chairman said that the late Yekini had on several occasions donated to the growth of the Supporters Club.
“He will be missed a lot. We members of the Supporters Club sympathise with his family while we also prayed that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss,” Olatunde said.
According to him, the NFSC will institute scholarship fund for Yekini’s children and will also honour him with a posthumous award during the next GLO CAF awards.
Mr Gboyega Okegbenro, General Manager, Gateway Football Club, at the event donated N2 million to the family of the late Yekini on behalf of the Ogun government.
“Rashidi represents a major loss to us and Nigeria as a whole,’’ Okegbenro said.
The match played at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, ended 1-0 in favour of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan against Gateway FC of Abeokuta.
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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