Sports
Weightlifting Coaches Decry Age-Cheating At NYG
Allegations of age falsification are casting a shadow over performances in the weightlifting event at the ongoing 3rd National Youth Games (NYG) at the University of Ilorin Sports Complex.
Coach Mike Kama of Anambra said the purpose of the NYG was being defeated as over-aged athletes were allowed to compete with younger talents.
Kama said it was clear that those who won on Monday were above the 17 years maximum age limit for athletes at the Games even when they weighed 48kg.
He urged the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation to save the game by ensuring that there was fair and equitable screening.
On her part, Coach Angel Rich of Bayelsa deplored the organisation of the Games, saying that had made it to lack competitiveness.
She said results from the National Youth Games were now looking like those of the National Sports Festival because the rules on age-limit were not observed.
“This under-48kg is rubbish, as far as I am concerned. How can we catch them young like this?
“When the first group (Group B) competed, you will know that the weightlifters are under 17, but the Group A is filled with mature athletes.
“They (the organisers) said this is a Youth Games, but how can the results we are getting here be almost the same with those of the National Sports Festival?
“We cannot catch them young like this, and this is just too bad for the weightlifting sport because they are not allowing fair play,’’ she said.
Responding, Louis Okoro, a member of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation and its Head of Publicity Unit, said those aggrieved and with valid proof of infractions should petition the Games secretariat.
Okoro said the Federation was confident that all athletes passed through thorough screening at the Main Organising Committee (MOC) level and the Federation level.
“However, the results would be revisited if the complainants channelled their grievances through the appropriate means,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, competition in the sport’s 48kg female category was concluded on Monday at the Faculty of Arts and Culture’s Lecture Theatre.
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.