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2020 Olympics: Ministry Of Sports Initiative Bags Another Sponsor

Published

5 years ago

February 6, 2020

2020 Olympics: Ministry Of Sports Initiative Bags Another Sponsor

Joel Ajayi

As Nigeria’s preparations towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gathers steam, another would-be Olympian has been ‘adopted’ by a businessman under the ‘Adopt-an-Athelete’ initiative being promoted by Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare.

On Tuesday, the Chairman of Dakinda Football for Every Home Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Akpakwu, signed an agreement to pay Twenty Thousand Dollars (about 7.2 Million Naira) towards the podium performance of Miss Ruth Usoro at the upcoming Olympics. The documents were in the Minister’s office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

Ms. Usoro is a foreign-based track and field athlete that has won medals in 100m, 200m, Long Jump and Triple Jump events across the globe. The money being donated is to ensure she is in top condition when the Olympics come around.

In a letter of appreciation, the Minister wrote; “On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, I would at this moment like to thank you for choosing to assist in the development of the Nigerian Sports industry by adopting our budding athlete Ms Ruth Usoro.

“We commend you for your contributions, as this is the right time to make this positive move and make your support available as our Team Nigeria embark upon the voyage of Tokyo 2020 Olympics to strive to make Nigeria proud.”

According to records, 14 athletes have been adopted by various organisations and individuals.

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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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