Tag: Nigeria

Bolaji’s decisive victory, her fourth win over Kozyna in their last five meetings, reinforces her dominance in the WS SL3 category and propels her closer to the coveted world No. 1 ranking.

In a tournament defined by fierce competition and remarkable talent, Nigeria’s para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji, emerged as the undeniable force at the 2025 Spanish Para-Badminton International.

With every match, Bolaji’s blend of skill, determination, and brilliance captivated audiences, resulting in a stunning gold medal performance on Sunday.

Her journey through the tournament, marked by decisive victories and a relentless pursuit of excellence, solidifies her status as a para-badminton powerhouse and elevates Nigeria’s global profile.

Bolaji delivered a breathtaking performance at the 2025 Spanish Para-Badminton International, claiming gold with an emphatic 21-15, 21-15 victory over Ukraine’s world No. 4 Oksana Kozyna in the final on Sunday.

Currently ranked world No. 2, Bolaji demonstrated her supremacy throughout the tournament in the fiercely competitive WS SL3 category.

Her path to gold was paved with challenging matches, each displaying her exceptional talent and mental strength.

In the semifinals, Bolaji further asserted her dominance by sweeping past India’s Neeraj in a flawless 2-0 victory.

This commanding performance set the stage for the much-anticipated clash with Kozyna, a matchup Bolaji decisively won in straight sets, further cementing her status as one of the top para-badminton players globally.

The rising superstar’s triumph in Spain is not an isolated success.

It marks her fourth win over Kozyna in their last five encounters, reinforcing her superiority over the Ukrainian rival.

With each win not only advancing her career but also strengthening her bid for the world No. 1 ranking, highlighting her growing confidence as she prepares for upcoming international tournaments.

Beyond the accolades and rankings, Bolaji’s gold medal is a beacon of inspiration.

Her remarkable achievement contributes significantly to Nigeria’s growing prominence in para-badminton, inspiring aspiring athletes across the nation and around the world to pursue excellence in the sport.

Abuja — A strong contingent of 5,000 local and international runners will battle for $71,000 prize money at the 3rd edition 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon billed for March 1.

The male and female winners of the 21 km half-marathon race and the 5km fun run will cash $10,000.

The second-place finisher will earn $500, while the third, fourth, and fifth-place runners will receive $400, $250, and $200, respectively.

The fourth and 10th placed winners will also receive prize money, while all participants will receive a special certificate of participation signed by the President ECOWAS Commission.

Also, all the first 200 runners to cross the line will receive specific bronze medals to show they participated.

The Race Director, Gabriel Okon, said at a media briefing yesterday, that the defending champion, Gabriel Sellasie of Ethiopia will defend his title.

He said although Nigeria has 60 per cent of the field, competitors are expected from USA, Japan, Ethiopia, China, Kenya, Cameroon, Switzerland, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani, noted that the event will also be used to commemorate ECOWAS at 50.

He said runners, representing their countries from 12 ECOWAS member states, will attend.

Njoaguani stated that PLthe initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent.

He noted that the goal is to achieve the World Athletics Gold Label status within the next four years, positioning the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon among the most prestigious road races globally.

The 21km race will begin and end at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters, while the 5km race will start at Independence Drive by Sahad Stores and CDB and conclude at the ECOWAS Commission.

Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organiser of the historic Okpekpe international 10km Road Race, has congratulated Nilayo Sports Management, Access Bank, and Lagos State Government on the successful organisation of the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Zack Amodu, the Okpekpe international 10km road race Director, is thrilled organisers of the Lagos Marathon have been steadfast and focused on delivering an event that grew from bronze to a gold label race. “We at Okpekpe international 10km race can only be happy that organisers of Lagos City Marathon have been able to successfully navigate the path we cleared as the first road running event in West Africa to have its race course measured by a World Athletics certified course measurer.

“We are also the first to be officially recognised as a world-class event by World Athletics with the granting of a bronze label status in 2015, eight years after the world governing body started classifying road races,” said Amodu. Okpekpe race organisers celebrated 10 years of organising the label race in 2024, and Amodu stressed that he understands how organisers of the event in Lagos must be feeling after delivering another successful race on Saturday. Amodu believes organisers of road races in Nigeria have helped in laying a solid foundation in Nigeria and want the appropriate authorities to take it a step further.

“Distance running in Nigeria is the most lucrative among the athletics disciplines, and the earlier government makes a deliberate attempt at growing it, the better for the country. If our athletes are trained and encouraged to achieve times that will qualify them to run across the globe like the east Africans are doing now, the impact it will have on alleviating poverty, provide employment and contribute positively to our GDP will be massive. “It will also arrest the negative tendencies of our youths who are being used by the devil to perpetuate criminality,” added Amodu who is thrilled as many as 20 road races courses have measured and certified by World Athletics certified course measurers.

Ado Ekiti — The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed the lawmaker representing Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency, Akin Rotimi, as the Chairman of Ekiti Para Athletics Association.

The appointment was conveyed in a letter through his Technical Adviser on Sports Development, Olusola Osetoba and made available to journalists by the lawmaker’s spokesperson, Sunkanmi Bamigboye.

According to the statement, the appointment underscored the Governor’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and sports development in Ekiti State in order to develop the state’s potential in para athletics.

The formal inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the association’s board members took place in Ado-Ekiti, with stakeholders and advocates of para athletics in attendance.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker, during the maiden meeting of the committee in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, pledged to prioritize the welfare of athletes with disabilities, focus on new talents discovery by fostering a thriving para athletics sector in the state.

Rotimi, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, urged the committee members to collaborate with him to elevate Ekiti State’s para athletics, aligning with the efforts of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to promote sports activities.

He also emphasized that the action is a testament to the inclusion of para athletes in the government’s shared prosperity agenda, while also expressing his commitment to working with all board members and stakeholders to fulfill the association’s mandate.

His words, “I am honored by this appointment and the trust placed in me to lead the Ekiti State Para Athletics Association. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting our athletes and creating pathways for success.

“I’m charging you today to work with me in lifting Ekiti State para athletics to another level.

Other members of the newly inaugurated committee include: Toyin Ojo (Vice Chairman), Ojo Peter (Athlete Coach), Oluwafemi Blessing (Secretary General), Blessing Akinyemi (Media Director), Rotawo Olusegun (Athlete Representative), Patrick Oyeniyi, Yaquob Popoola, and Olaota Adediji as members.

The Founder of Samkay Athletics Club, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, has encouraged students of Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, to embrace sports in order to build a more robust career in addition to their academic pursuits.

Dr. Oredipe, who is also the Vice-Chairman, Bayelsa State Athletics Association, was accompanied by the Head Coach of Athletics in the State Sports Council, Mr. Pius Bazigha, Technical Director of Samkay Athletics, Mr. Maurice Terimoh, and Secretary of Samkay Athletics, Mr. Priye Roberts, to the mock 100 metres race organised for the students in three categories of junior, intermediate and senior cadre at the school.

Principal of Ijaw National Academy, Mr. Desmond Tamgbe, was on ground alongside his staff to facilitate the brief orientation into athletics.

The athletic club also presented four pairs of running canvasses to four outstanding athletes- Victor Smart, Tubotamuno Godwill, Rejoice Akono and Emmanuella Amabebe.

Speaking after the programme, Dr. Oredipe stated that the kits were given to help harness their talents, advising the students to take their studies seriously.

He stated that Bayelsa State is blessed with abundant talents that can be sourced from primary and secondary schools across the state, explaining that such talents when properly discovered and groomed will excel and become successful national and international sports men and women who will make the state and nation proud.

Oredipe also thanked administrators of the school for their efforts in bringing up the younger generation to excel in both sports and academics.

Nigeria only had two athletes at the tournament, but they won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.

Anthony Asuquo, the head coach of Tony International Gymnastics Club (TIG), has praised his young gymnasts for making Nigeria proud at the just concluded International Continental Cup 2024 (Artistic Gymnastics) in Anadia, Portugal.

Asuquo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that only two female gymnasts eventually represented Nigeria at the competition.

Angela Marinoni (Category D) and Desire Enahoro-Agbi (Category E) represented Nigeria in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) event, securing gold, silver, and bronze medals.

He commended the athletes’ resilience and determination to make Nigeria proud at the global stage.

“I am incredibly proud of Angela [Marinoni] and Desire [Enahoro-Agbi] for their conduct, routine execution, and medal wins.

“This major competition not only allows athletes to earn points towards Olympic qualification but also serves as an invaluable platform for gymnasts to showcase their skills and gain critical points for international tournaments,” he said.

He said TIG had planned to send an eight-member team to the competition but had visa and financial challenges.

“However, due to visa and financial challenges, only Marinoni and Ehnahoro were able to travel, even though the full team had been registered,” he added.

Asuquo emphasised TIG’s dedication to providing international exposure to young gymnasts despite the challenges.

“At TIG, we strive to give our athletes opportunities. Although we wished to bring more athletes, the current situation made it difficult.

“Raising the nation’s flag high at the competition is a testament to our athletes’ hard work and dedication,” he said.

NAN reports that the International Continental Cup 2024 (Artistic Gymnastics) took place from 8 to 10 November in Anadia, Portugal, with 19 clubs jostling for honours and points.

NAN