Beach Volleyball: Nigeria teams win gold at Zone 3 U21 Championship

 

Nigeria have emerged champions of the just concluded Zone 3 U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in the Boys’ and Girls’ category on Sunday.

Nigeria defeated host, Benin Republic I 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in the boys’ final while Nigeria pummeled the first team of Benin Republic 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) in the Girls’ category.

The duo of Emenike Ezike and Emmanuel Udah represented Nigeria in the boys’ event while Happy Wushiland and Esther Mbah wore the colours of the country in the girls’ event.

An elated Emmanuel Udah said he is looking forward to other international outings after winning his first international medal in 2022.

Udah said, “I want to thank God for the victory in Benin Republic and the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod for ensuring the teams participated in Zone 3 despite the late invitation given to the country. It was a good outing and it feels great to win the first international trophy in 2022 for the country. We are looking forward to subsequent competitions and the teams will not let the country down.”

The head coach of Nigeria Beach Volleyball Team, John Iwerima applauded the Chairman of Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, Engineer Musa Nimrod for always creating the platform for junior players to showcase their God given talents.

Iwerima said, “My sincere appreciation goes to Almighty God for doing this great thing for us and to the President of NVBF, Engineer Musa Nimrod for supporting us. He has always provided the platform for us to showcase the talent at the junior level.

“It projects a bright future for Nigeria as we prepare for other international engagements like the commonwealth games qualifiers and other international tours that come up later in the year. This is a rehearsal for greater things to come for volleyball, especially beach volleyball; thank you all for your constant prayers for the success of the teams.”

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod lauded the players and the coaching crew for landing the federation her first international gold medals.

He said, “This victory indicates that it is going to be a successful outing for Nigeria in 2022. The Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission are excited about this development and it is our belief that the indoor will also bring glory to the country.”

In the semifinals, Nigeria beat Ghana 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) in the boys’ category while Nigeria defeated Benin Republic II 2-0 (21-12, 21-15) in the girls’ category.

Nigeria U21 team secures Beach Volleyball semifinals

 

Nigeria U21 teams have qualified for the semifinals of the ongoing Zone 3 U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The duo of Emenike Ezike and Emmanuel Udah (Nigeria boys), schooled Benin Republic 2-0 (21-4, 21-6) in their first match before taking Niger Republic to the cleaners 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) in their second match on Friday.

The Nigeria girls team, Happy Wushiland and Esther Mbah did not waste time to dispatch Benin Republic 2-0 (21-10, 21-9) in their first match and won their second match convincingly against Ghana 2-0 (21-14, 21-8).

The coach of Nigeria U21 beach volleyball team, John Iwerima expressed satisfaction over the performances of the team at the championship.

Iwerima said the players exhibited a high level of technicalities in each of their matches.

He said, “I am happy over the performances of each of the players; they are hungry for wins and have shown to the world that they want to win the championship.

“If you look at the matches, you will see that players did not give their opponent chances to express themselves. The players showed a high level of technicality in their two matches. I strongly believe that if these players are given more playing time together, we will have a formidable beach volleyball junior team.”

Speaking from Cotonou, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod praised the team for making Nigeria proud in the group stages.

The Secretary General of Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 said, “I watched the team play and I must confess that they have shown much promise. We are not going to put pressure on the team and the coaches; I believe that they will emerge victorious.”

The Nigeria boys and girls team will face Liberia in their last group stage matches on Saturday.

2021 Paralympics Games: NAWIS praise Para Athletes for their outstanding performance in Tokyo

The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS) has celebrated Nigeria Para Para Athletes for their great performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics games.

In a press release by the President of NAWIS, Professor Florence Adeyanju who was also a former President of Nigeria Paralympic Committee, lauded the para powerlifting, Para Athletics and Para Table Tennis team for putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

Professor Adeyanju stated that the Para Athletes always come to rescue of the country whenever there are shortage of medals at the Olympic proper.

She said

, "The Association is very proud of your performance bringing all the Medals for the country as a follow up to the wonderful performances of Blessing Oduduru and Ese Brume in the main Olympic. 

"Bose Omolayo, Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Latifat Tijani announced to the world that Nigeria is still a power house in the Para Powerlifting event. They always rescue the country whenever all hope are lost after every Olympics".

Professor Adeyanju said NAWIS is proud of their representative, Dr Joy Mayaki who put down her wealth of experience in piloting the affairs of the Federation as Technical Director.

She said, "We are proud of our Representative on the Board of Para Power Lifting Federation Dr Joy Mayaki, what a great way to celebrate your new status".

Nigeria won 3 gold (Bose Omolayo, Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Latifat Tijani), 1 Silver (Loveline Obiji) and 2 bronze medal (Lucy Ejike and Ibrahim Olaitan) all from women.

Meanwhile, Flora Ugunnwa won gold medal in the javelin, Njideaka Iyiazi won bronze medal in the women F57 Shot Put and Lauretta Onye won bronze medal in the shot put

Team Nigeria finished  33rd position on the medals table of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with a total number of ten medals won which include four gold, 1 silver and five bronze.

Team Nigeria finishes 33rd, 4th in Africa as Tokyo 2020 Paralympics end

Team Nigeria have finished in the 33rd position on the medals table of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and 4th in Africa. 

With a total number of ten medals won which include four gold, a silver and five bronze, Team Nigeria were the 4th best African team behind Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

Represented by only 22 athletes, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics had one of Team Nigeria's smallest contingents to an international competition and yet her ten medals were just two short of twelve, her record number of medals won at a Paralympic Games.

According to Team Nigeria's Chef de Mission, Mr. Peter Nelson who is also the Director of Planning, Monitoring and Information in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the athletes did Nigeria proud, considering their number.

"It is awesome and quite remarkable what we have achieved at this Paralympic Games," Nelson remarked.

"We want to use this medium to appreciate the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, for his enormous support, in making sure that Team Nigeria recorded huge successes. Our dreams and plans came to reality.

"Also, i want to thank the Permanent Secretary, Mr  Nebolisa Anako, for his giant strides too, in making sure that everything went to plan.

"In all, I give glory to God and specially appreciate the athletes, who are the gladiators, not forgetting their coaches and support staff. They all made it possible for the Nigerian anthem to be heard ten good times at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games," the Chef de Mission concluded.

Tokyo 2020: Ambassador Abubakar Moriki thumbs up Team Nigeria performance

Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Alhaji Husaaini Abubakar Moriki bare his mind to www.ckdmedia.ng expressing his delight on the impressive performance of Team Nigeria at the ongoing Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.

“I’m delighted that we have just won a Gold medal in the Paralifting and not only that but I’m happy to know that a lady set up a world record of lifting about 152kg and her second opponent had about 10kg behind. That record as far as I know, as far as the officials have been saying is a world record. So, Nigeria has set up a world record and indeed this world record is set for Nigerians, so I’m glad”.

What does this project for Nigeria and how do you feel about it?

“It means that we are really into sport, we are really into Paralympic and that we are really into winning Gold at any event of this nature. Nigeria is not a country to be taken loosely but we can compete in all International tournaments, competitions of this nature and that we’re going to win Gold, not just there to participate and come back, No. 

"In a way we normally come rehearsed, we normally come to win Gold and I’m happy that we have been winning Gold and that may not be the end of it, many more Golds are likely to come. They just concluded Olympics, we won only two, 1 Silver and 1 Gold but we came to win many but unfortunately we won only 2. To the delight, the name Nigeria was registered on the Gold medal table and the National anthem of the country was also sang and the ones who won Gold medals were secured. So this itself is a great huge success which I myself as an ambassador of Nigeria, I’m delighted for this to happen while I’m serving”.

What’s your message to the Paralympians who have made Nigeria proud?

“Like I said, I visited the Paralympians when they were at their camping hotel and I was delighted to meet them in high spirit. That time my message to them was that to go for Gold, to go for Medals and I can see how they responded. I was charging them not to go below what we used to get, 4 medals. In the previous events we used to get 4-5, so I said we expected expect atleast 4 from them and they promised that they are going to secure more than 4 and with the progress so far achieved, I have no doubt in my mind that they will be able to achieve more than 4 Golds. So let me congratulate them at least those who won the medals and let me send a message to those who are yet to compete or who are yet to finalize their competition to make sure that they win Golds, they win medals so that we can increase from the tally and the name Nigeria will be there many more times”.

Any plan for the Ambassador to host the team immediately after the tournament?

“ We hosted the just concluded Olympics and then the Honourable Minister was here and if it is necessary and we deem it fit, we have also the intention to honour them. We have been honouring participants in the Olympics and so what reason do we have not to honour the Paralympians”,

Tokyo 2020: Igali wants private sector investment in sports, says 'there are no shortcuts to success

 

By Akin Bolarinwa 

Bayelsa state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Daniel Igali has called for private sector to invest more in sports development. 

The Caretaker boss of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation advocates for a private driven sports environment because government alone can not fund sports. 

"I only wish the private sector will be more motivated and involved in our Olympic preparations and multi sport games and the preparation of our athletes". 

The Former Olympian stated that, Nigerians must also provide the needed manpower to support the federations both in administration and on the technical level ground.

 

"Why can’t we individually and collectively donate to support these athletes all through the 4 years," Igali asked rhetorically? Adding that "if we do then we should be expecting medals at every Olympics."

The former member of the Bayelsa state house of assembly declared that, there are no shortcuts to success except provision of sufficient funds and proper planning and that should be our main focus immediately after the conclusion of this event.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: 'You are indeed a blessing to Nigeria', Sports Minister hails Oborodudu

Blessing Oborodudu's feat of qualifying for the final of the  68 kg female wrestling  event of the 2020 Olympic  has been  described  as a blessing that  wiped away the pain of the near misses in other events.

Minister  of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday said " This is Real Blessing to  Nigeria. Thank you blessing for wiping  away the pain of the near misses  recorded in other events. 

Nigerians are proud of you. The display is typical  of the never say die Nigerian  spirit. Keep the tempo going until we reach the ultimate  which is the gold. Dont give up the fight until you re-write Nigerian Olympics  history  with a gold medal in the kitty"

Blessing becomes Nigeria's first medalist in Wrestling.

 Her  qualification for the finals  guarantees a  gold medal or silver. 

 Odunayo Adekuoroye , Ese Brume and Grace Nwokocha are still in the running for medals.

Oborodudu defeated Azerbaijan's  Elis Manolova  and  Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan to advance to her first Olympic semi finals.

Signed

*Media Office of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development*

Video: Blessing becomes Nigeria's first medalist in Wrestling

 

Oborodudu has indeed brought blessing for Team Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Blessing who defeated her opponent in the Semi final category of wrestling where she won convincely to the delight of the coach and as well the scanty spectators. 

She has qualified for the finals she will either pick up the gold medal or silver which means Team Nigeria has finally secured the first medal in Tokyo2020 Olympics while waiting for the likes of Adekuoroye Odunayo, Ese Brume and host of medals to do the magic by picking up medals for Team Nigeria and Grace Nwokocha is not left out.

She beat Azerbaijani Elis Manolova & Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan to advance to her first Olympic semi finals.

Tokyo 2020: Nigeria's Mixed 4x400m team excited by African Record set on debut

Although they would have been hoping to at least make the final of their event at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, Nigeria's Mixed 4x400m quartet comprising Emmanuel Ojeli, Imaobong Nse Uko, Samson Nathaniel and Patience Okon-George will leave the competition with their heads held high after storming to a new African Record of 3:13.60 to finish 5th in their semi final race.

Speaking after the race, Okon-George revealed that the squad is consoled by the African Record they set while competing at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. 

She said, "The last race we ran back in June was 3:14.09 and the 3:13.60 we ran today is good. We are happy with the new African Record. It was not easy running with 43second runners on the anchor leg. Now that we haven't made it to the final, I'm just going to be focused and get ready for the 400m. I think I'm good to go". 

Teammate Emmanuel Ojeli also revelled in the fact that the quartet made history by becoming the first African team to qualify for and compete at the Olympics. 

"We have been trying so hard to qualify in the 4x400m men and women so when we heard that the Mixed Relays was going to hold, we just needed to put ourselves together to qualify for the event. We are the first African team to qualify for the event at the Olympics and ran an African Record as well", he said.

The quartet will now set their sights towards qualifying for next year's World Championships in Oregon. 

Tokyo 2020: Sunday Dare raising the bar with special attention on Team Nigeria

It is not by coincidence that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Mr Sunday Akin Dare as the Minister of Youth Sports in his second term administration.

The President may have seen what we didn't see and its now manifesting with how the minister has been taking care of happenings that concern youth and sports in Nigeria. 

Sunday Dare's immense focus, attention and support to the Team Nigeria that will be hoisting the country's flag in Tokyo, Japan for the Olympics is another first of its kind. 

The minister did not only provided the needed logistics for the Team Nigeria, he made himself available to inspire the athletes and officials.

He will be seen around the team at the training grounds, preparatory tourneys as well as well adopting many of them to his 'adopt an athlete' initiative.

The Minister having a breakfast with Nigerian athletes preparing to go to Tokyo 2020 Olympics is another of his passion for sports and zeal to achieve greatness with the Team Nigeria.

It is a also a prove that Mr Sunday is a Minister with vigour, zeal, passion and one with the interest of the gladiators at heart.

It is no doubt that, with the kind of motivation, moral and financial supports he's made available to the Team Nigeria, the country is bound to record more success in Tokyo.

61 Athletes to fly Team Nigeria Flag in Tokyo

Team Nigeria will depart for the Tokyo  2020 Olympics  in two batches with 61 athletes flying the country's flag, says Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare.

The  Minister  made this  disclosure on Monday while  addressing the plenary meeting with National Sports Federations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

According to the Minister,
"The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020  affected the organisational structures of both the Olympic and Paralympic  Games. This consequently pushed International Federations (IFs) to review their international sporting calendar and qualification pathway for athletes in their quest to participate at the Games.

These challenges, no doubt were difficult to overcome, but could not stop us as a great nation in ensuring that our athletes are strongly supported and motivated to achieve this milestone.

"I must sincerely commend each and every one of you for your commitment and for standing together in this journey. Specifically, I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support in approving and ensuring that funds were released to enable our athletes attend series of
qualification tournaments.

As at today, Nigeria has qualified 61 athletes across 9 Sports for the
Olympics, and 22 athletes in 4 Sports for the Paralympic Games, which are: Athletics-22, Badminton-3,  Basketball-24, Canoe sprint-1, Gymnastic-1, Rowing-1, Taekwondo-1, TableTennis-1,  Wrestling-1 which sums up to 61 and for Paralympic Games we have;
Para Athletics-5, Para Powerlifting-10, power rowing-1, Para Table Tennis-6 summing up to 22."

The Minister further  said "The recent qualification of Nigeria for the Women’s 4x100m, Women’s 4x400m and 4x400m Mixed Relays was a significant achievement for the country, while still awaiting the World Athletics (WA) to ratify the slots in a  few days.

The Ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian Olympic Committee has
scheduled a 14-day Pre-Games Training Camp (PGTC) for the athletes in
Kisarazu , Japan. This move is to further expose the athletes to adequate
preparations ahead of their events as well as to give them ample time to adjust to the Japanese time zone. It is also strategic to meet with COVID-19
regulations. For the Olympic Games, the first batch of the athletes are scheduled to depart for Kisarazu on 6th July, 2021 while the second batch depart on 13th July, 2021. The paralympic Teams will depart in one batch on 8th August, 2021.

The Minister said  in order to ensure a hitch-free participation  in Tokyo, the Ministry had engaged four (4) Travel Agencies to handle flight tickets of Team Nigeria Contingents.

"As the Games are gradually approaching, I feel it would be necessary for us to finalize on our strategies towards ensuring podium success at both the Olympics and the  Paralympic Games",the Minister concluded.

Signed

*Media office of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development*

Nigeria Set for Medal Haul at African Gymnastics Tourney

 A feast of gymnastics entertainment and artistry will be on display at the African Level 16, Junior Gymnastics Championship at the High Performance Center in Pretoria South Africa and Nigeria is being represented by 17 gymnastics athletes led by Coach Tony Asuquo the first and only gymnastics coach in Nigeria to be certified  by the world gymnastics body.