Sports
Lagos, Oyo Win Big At Cycling Tourney
Lagos and Oyo States were big winners at the 3rd edition of Cycling Lagos, an initiative organised by BrandEscort Communications in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Cycling Association.
The competition themed ‘Sustainable Healthcare’ was kicked off by the Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Grassroots Sports Development, Adebanji Atewogboye, in a celebrity race that started from Teslim Balogun Stadium and proceeded along Alhaji Marshal Road and back to the stadium.
Atewogboye emphasised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is committed to providing a solid platform for athletes in the state to succeed, saying, “The event is fantastic for the young athletes participating, and our focus is on partnering with and promoting talented athletes from the grassroots. We appreciate the organisers, Cycling Lagos.”
The event, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and supported by Stanbic IBTC Bank, Cway, Nutrify, Nestle Nigeria Plc, McVitie’s, ADVAN, and NNPC, saw Lagos State pro cyclist Tijani Quwam emerge as the winner in the male category after riding for 56 minutes, 29 seconds.
Agbo Francis from Ogun State came in second with 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds. Moshood Garuba, also from Ogun State, came in 3rd after riding for 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds.
In the professional female race, Lagos State’s Patricia Nunachi came in first after racing for 56 minutes, 38.44 seconds, while Angulum Doris from Lagos came in second with a time of 58 minutes, 22.58 seconds. Kate Oyewole, also from Lagos, finished third with a time of 58 minutes, 28.47 seconds.
celebrity race that started from Teslim Balogun Stadium and proceeded along Alhaji Marshal Road and back to the stadium.
Atewogboye emphasised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is committed to providing a solid platform for athletes in the state to succeed, saying, “The event is fantastic for the young athletes participating, and our focus is on partnering with and promoting talented athletes from the grassroots. We appreciate the organisers, Cycling Lagos.”
The event, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and supported by Stanbic IBTC Bank, Cway, Nutrify, Nestle Nigeria Plc, McVitie’s, ADVAN, and NNPC, saw Lagos State pro cyclist Tijani Quwam emerge as the winner in the male category after riding for 56 minutes, 29 seconds.
Agbo Francis from Ogun State came in second with 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds. Moshood Garuba, also from Ogun State, came in 3rd after riding for 56 minutes, 34.24 seconds.
In the professional female race, Lagos State’s Patricia Nunachi came in first after racing for 56 minutes, 38.44 seconds, while Angulum Doris from Lagos came in second with a time of 58 minutes, 22.58 seconds. Kate Oyewole, also from Lagos, finished third with a time of 58 minutes, 28.47 seconds.
In the amateur male category, Isiaka Ibrahim from Lagos State came first after riding for 15 minutes, 22.11 seconds, followed by Ajibade Ibrahim from Oyo State in second with 15 minutes, 22.13 seconds, and Sagiru Ibrahim in third with 15 minutes, 28.08 seconds.
In the amateur female category, Olawale Peace from Oyo State was the winner after racing for 16 minutes, 48.88 seconds, while Lilian Odumegwu from Lagos came in second with a time of 16 minutes, 48.88 seconds, and Ejima Peter from Lagos State came in third with 17 minutes, 25.50 seconds.
The children’s demographic was not left out of the competition, with Mukadan Isiaq from Oyo State coming in first with a time of three minutes and 41.10 seconds in the U-15 male category, while Babatunde Ramadan from Lagos State came in second with three minutes and 41.11 seconds, and Emmanuel Unimna of Lagos State came in third with three minutes and 41.15 seconds.
In the U-15 female category, Aminu Olamiposi, from Oyo State, won with a time of three minutes and 46.22 seconds, followed by fellow Oyo indigenes Adeola Olabisi, second with three minutes and 47.12 seconds, and Mukadan Rodia, third with three minutes and 47.14 seconds.
The male U-10 category saw Akinola Destiny from Oyo State come in first with a time of two minutes and 35.22 seconds, while Emmanuel Popoola from Lagos came in second with a time of two minutes and 35.24 seconds, and Adesola Opeoluwa, also from Lagos, came in third with a time of two minutes and 35.25 seconds.
In the female U-10 category, Odebiyi Hikimat from Oyo State came in first with a time of two minutes and 36.25 seconds, while Aminu Olamiposi, also from Oyo State, came in second with a time of two minutes and 36.27 seconds, and Victoria Kalejaiye from Lagos came in third with a time of two minutes and 36.29
seconds.
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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