Lotus 10km race: Winners got motivated, says CEO Nord Automobile

 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nord motors, Oluwatobi Ajayi has said winners of the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km race were properly motivated.

Ajayi stated this during an interview with newsmen at the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race in Abeokuta, Ogun state on Saturday.

The astute entrepreneur who hailed the organisers for a hitch-free race, said all the winners were deserving.

He said, “I take sports very seriously; there is no bigger motivation than money. You could see both the foreign and home grown athletes were given prizes as motivation. This will make people train harder for the next edition and it makes people healthier. I believe there might be upcoming long distance clubs which can make the society fitter.

"The winners of the race were deserving and I promise to be a part of the 10km race in subsequent editions. This has been a fantastic event; the organisers have done a very good job and I am impressed. This has shown that when we do things right in Nigeria, they can come out nicely.”

Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for supporting the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km race and Nilayo Sports Management Limited for promoting healthy living in the country.

He revealed that Nord Automobile will be a part of the 2024 National Sports Festival coming up in Ogun state.

He said, “I want to thank the Ogun State Government for allowing us to organise the 10km race and appreciate the youths for showing positivity towards sports in the state and country at large. There was no record of violence and I am proud to be associated with the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km race.

“NORD are part of the sponsors for Lagos Marathon and other sporting events. I am sure you are aware of the 2024 National Sports Festival and we are going to be part of the event.”

Doping ban: House Committee on Sports invites NOC, NADO over WADA threat to ban Nigeria

 

The Federal House Committee on Sports has invited the leadership of Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) over World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) threat to ban all Nigerian from participating in all sports.

This follows Nigeria's inability to comply with international standard as laid down in the World Anti-Doping code.

After lifting ban on Nigeria in November 2018, WADA is furious that the country has not fulfill the promises made to comply with international Anti-Doping regulations. 

To this end, WADA has concluded plans to ban Nigeria from participating in all sports if nothing is done before the end of August, 2023. 

To save Nigeria from the international embarrassment, the Chairman, House Committee On Sports, Hon. Ekene Adams has invited the leadership of Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) as well leadership of National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) to a Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 22nd August, 2023. This is to put heads together and come up with plans to stop WADA from the imminent suspension capable of putting the country's image in bad light.

"Anti-doping has become very important in sports that athletes and countries alike can be banned  from participating in sports if they do not comply with international anti-doping regulations." Honourable Ekene said.

He added, "To save innocent athletes and Nigeria from the embarrassment, the House Committee On Sports has mapped out plans to stop the imminent suspension by inviting the leadership of NOC and NADO to appear before it.

"Due lack of time, we need to act as quickly as possible to forestall WADA ban pronouncement at the end of August. Sports is a very important tool for addressing youth restiveness and engaging youth for meaning achievement in life. 

"Nigeria has huge population of youth and the benefit this group gain from sports can not be overemphasized and must not be taken away from them. 

"If Nigeria is banned again, it is the innocent Nigerian athletes that will suffer from it. This Government does not need the distraction and embarrassment the issue of anti-doping will generate for the country nationally and internationally." He concluded. 

Sunday Dare congratulates Tonobok Okowa on African Athletics Regional Presidential victory

 

Sports Minister Sunday Dare has joined millions of compatriots to congratulate the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa on his election as the president of African Athletics Region 2, West Africa on Saturday.

Consequently, the election victory also means Okowa has become one of the vice presidents of the Confederation African Athletics (CAA).

Dare expressed his delight at the victory of the Delta state-born sports administrator, stating that it comes as good news to Nigeria.

“I’m glad at this victory and I’m also not surprised that Okowa has ascended to the level of international leadership in athletics. He has paid his dues from the grassroots, in Delta State and now he is performing creditably at the national level.

“He has performed well since he emerged president of the AFN. Nigeria had a good outing at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, our athletes were incredibly fantastic at the Commonwealth Games and even at the African Youth Athletics Championship. Without doubt, his role in these successes were major.”

Okowa, who is also the chairman of Delta State Sports Commission claimed the victory in Ghana, contesting against Vierin DeGon of the Benin Republic, Togo’s Tchanile Salifuo Falilatou and Oually Sara of Senegal in the first round. He clinched his victory at the second round against DeGon with nine votes to six.

He will now become one of the vice presidents to Cameroon’s Hamad Malboum, who heads the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).

Eventual winners of Abeokuta 10KM Race will receive prize money in record time - Organizers

The organizers of Abeokuta 10 kilometre race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), have revealed that eventual winners at the 2021 edition scheduled for November 13 will be paid 48 hours after the race.

Managing Director of NSML, Hon. Bukola Olopade said it's a record time of crediting winners, a development he described as a step in the right direction.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race with the theme, "Naija, Race For Homeland" is restricted to indigenous runners, the first time of having such in the history of races put together by the foremost sports marketing company.

In his words, Hon. Olopade, a former sports commissioner in the Gateway state said measures are already in place to ensure a hitch free race, he added that the City of Abeokuta is extremely ready to host the indigenous athletes coming from different part of the country.

He said "Winners will get their prizes 48 hours after the race, it's a record time of payment, the history is there for all to see"

"We are extremely glad to put up ideas that will add quality to what we have put in place, come November 13, the indigenous athletes will witness a top notch road race which is strictly for Naija, our Homeland"

"With the support we have from our sponsors and the Ogun State government, we are ready for the great Abeokuta 10KM Race"

At stake is a two thousand dollars ($2,000) prize money for the eventual winner, while the second and third to reach the finish line will go home with one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500), and one thousand dollars ($1000) in that order.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race will also have a Wheelchair category where the top three runners will receive five hundred thousand naira, three hundred thousand naira and two hundred thousand naira respectively.

The take off point for the race is the Ake Palace, it will terminate at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

President Buhari hails outstanding achievement of Nigeria's U20 athletes

 

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Nigerian athletes on their outstanding achievements at the just concluded World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

The President commends the team and their handlers for showcasing to the world that Nigeria is blessed with some of the best talents in the world of sport who by dint of hardwork and perseverance can dazzle anytime and anywhere.

 

With four gold and three bronze medals to finish third on the final medals table, the President believes that our sports ambassadors in Nairobi and the entire contingent have every reason to celebrate their well-deserved laurels, while putting the track and field world on notice of their intentions to surpass their achievements in the nearest future.

 

President Buhari thanks the victorious athletes for flying the country’s flag high at the competition, breaking new records from personal bests and national records all the way to championship record.

The President joins all Nigerians in celebrating our patriots for reinforcing the can-do and resilient spirit of the Nigerian at the Championships.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President  

(Media & Publicity)

August 23, 2021

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*

GDSS Lokoja wins maiden GYB Inter-School Athletics Championships

By Wale Mustapha 

Government Day Secondary School, GDSS Lokoja has emerged champions of the 2018 'GYB Inter-School Athletics Championships' held at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on Friday.

Sahara Reporters’ publisher to midwife marriage between Lagos and New York Marathon

The publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has promised to midwife a fruitful marriage between the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and the New York Marathon.

Sports Ministry dissolves sports Federation boards, postpone election

The ministry of youth and sports development has announced the dissolution of the boards of all national sports federations.

'Lagos City Marathon, a blessing to Special Athletes' - Sefiu Ojeleye

One of the titles hopeful of Saturday's second edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in the Wheel Chair Male Category, Sefiu Ojeleye is hopeful of claiming the prize money of One million naira.