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2020 NSF: Stakeholders Call For Early Release Of Fund For Team FCT

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2020

2020 NSF: Stakeholders Call For Early Release Of Fund For Team FCT

Joel Ajayi

Stakeholders in Federal Capital Territory have commended the FCT Minister,Musa Bello on timely approval of fund for team FCT ahead of National Sports Festival scheduled for Edo state.

Some stakeholders who have been following trends in FCT sports said it is unprecedented in the history of sports in Abuja to have approval for a sporting event as big as the national sports festival few months before the competition

Former FCT FA chairman and major stakeholders in FCT politics,Musa Talle said ‘preparation is the key for any state hoping to make appreciable impact at the forthcoming National Sports Festival and he is happy to hear that FCT minister has taken a bold step by approving the fund needed for the competition .

He,however calls for early release of fund to aid preparation of the team though he is aware that Director of sports and acting Secretary,Social Development Secretariat has already kick started open camping ahead of the festival which is a good one but he wants them to back it up with early release of fund so that FCT can give states like Delta,Edo, Rivers and Lagos a run for their money.

Director of sports,Abia aarriors football club and former Vice Chairman FCT FA, Patrick Ngwaogu said timely release of fund would go a long way in boosting the morale of the athletes and with the recent change in attitude to sports by FCT minister more athletes would start returning to FCT

Vice Chairman,Sports Writers Association ,FCT chapter Tolulope Oguntimehin said he is marvelled at the way things are gradually turning around in FCT as it relates to sports because for the first time the administration seems to be responding to the yearning of teeming fct youth who sees sports as a means of empowerment and for the FCT minister to have approved fund few months ahead of the games is heavenly.

He, however wants them to ensure that the money is released on time so that the athletes can go into closed camping fee weeks before the festival.

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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