Sports
I won’t bow to blackmail – Commission Chairman
Oborevwori, who spoke with Tidesports source on Friday, alleged that some coaches were being used by a former chairman of the Commission to cause disunity among the athletes and management staff in the build up to the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu.
His claim followed allegations that he was involved in a physical assault of a Kickboxing coach, Steve Momah, over a reimbursement of money.
Oborevwori said: “Some people are bent on tarnishing my image by circulating false story that I beat up coach Momah in my office. In the first place, where do I have the energy to beat up a kickboxing coach? It is mere blackmail, and I won’t bow to it.”
Narrating what transpired between he and coach Momoh, Oborevwo said: “I led Delta Sports contingent to the last National Sports Festival, which we won in Abeokuta. Shortly after the Games ended, I left for Portugal for an international assignment. While I was waiting to catch my flight in Lagos, I got a call from the Acting Director General that there was the need to hire more buses to take all the athletes to Asaba at once. I gave the approval and everyone left for Asaba happily. I returned from Portugal a few days later to pursue the monetary reward for our athletes and officials, which they got. The festival in Abeokuta took place more than 10 months ago.
It became so intense, and I waded in. Momoh did not stop, rather, he started insulting me, calling me all sorts of bad names. I was confused because as far as I am concerned, everything concerning transportation and payment of allowances for the Gateway Games was sorted out over 10 months ago.
“I called the Chief Security Officer (CSO), telling him that a coach wants to beat me up in my office. The CSO immediately contacted the police. But before the police arrived in my office, Momoh had apologized to us, pleading for forgiveness. When the police eventually came, I told them that the man is my staff, and that he had apologised. The matter ended, and I left the office to attend to some other issues. I was shocked to see messages being circulated that I beat up the kickboxing coach in my office. That is not true. These are cheap blackmail, and I see the hand of a former chairman of the Sports Commission in all these. He has been looking for a way to pull me down. I won’t fall to it. We are one united family, and I won’t allow anyone to cause division in our midst, particularly now that we have three major events before us,” Oborevwori stated.
Meanwhile, the kickboxing coach, Momoh, has petitioned multiple government authorities, alleging that he was beaten and threatened by Oborevwori in his office in Asaba.
According a letter made available to The Guardian, Momoh claimed the incident occurred on March 10, 2026.
He said that he visited the chairman’s office to demand repayment of personal funds he spent during the 2025 Ogun State Sports Festival.
In the petition signed by his legal counsel, Mr. K.C. Chibo of Watchers Chamber, Momah alleged that the situation degenerated into violence, adding that the chairman “resorted to beating and rough handling” him.
“One of the chairman’s personal aides, called “ONE BELLE,” also assaulted me in the process,” Momoh stated.
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,”
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.
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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