Sports

FG Makes a U-turn, Re-list Paralympic Sports to 2022 NSF

Published

4 years ago

October 24, 2022

Joel Ajayi
Federal Government has Relist Paralympic Sports to the forthcoming 2022 National Sports Festival NSF slated for Asaba Delta state, South-South Nigeria.

Sequel to the Virtual Meeting of the held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, where
It will be recalled that, National Council on Sports during the emergency meeting last week removed Para Sports from the 21st NSF, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

In a press Release on Monday in Abuja by the Director, Press & Public Relations of the Ministry of Sports Mohammed Manga revealed that after many consultation with Stakeholders in Sports, the NCS relists the following Para Sports to the National Sports Festival in Delta State: Para Athletics, Para Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting and Deaf Sports of (Athletics aubnd Table Tennis).

According to the statement, the Ministry wishes to state that their events will be limited to where Nigeria has competitive advantages.

“This decision was taken in the overall interest of Sports Development in Nigeria, as the National Sports Festival has become the Flagship Games for the discovery, grooming and empowerment of our youth athletes.

“The Ministry condemns the behaviour of some misguided athletes who engaged in unwarranted acts of protests and blackmail without recourse to due process.

“These actions which led to the disturbance of public peace and the good image of Sportsmen and women, especially with the recent public acceptance of the superlative performance of Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is a breach of our Sports Ethical Code.

“The Ministry wishes to state further that it will apply the rules in dealing with such acts in due course. Athletes must learn to follow the due process laid down for resolving issues.

“The facts about this administration’s commitment to the upliftment of the Para Athletes and Parasports are in the public domain, well documented.

“Para Athletes are therefore, advised to henceforth exhaust the channels of communication and processes laid down for airing grievances, rather than resort to public disturbance.”

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Sports

First Lady Tinubu Tees Off AACT 2026, Calls for African Women’s Unity

Published

20 mins ago

November 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged participating African Ladies golfers to uphold sportsmanship, integrity, and African unity.

She spoke at the ceremonial tee-off of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Tinubu noted that the championship’s theme, “Uniting Africa Through the Greens”, reflected golf’s ability to transcend national and cultural boundaries while promoting friendship, sisterhood and a shared African identity.

She urged the participating golfers to compete with passion and integrity, adding: “To our remarkable female golfers, you are an inspiration to women everywhere. Play with passion, compete with integrity and let sportsmanship guide every stroke.”

The First Lady welcomed foreign delegates and participants, encouraging them to explore Nigeria’s landmarks, culture and hospitality during their stay.

Senator Tinubu commended LGAN President and Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, 2026 AACT, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, the Association’s executive council, and local Organising Committee for their efforts in bringing the continental championship to Nigeria.

She also commended the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) for its initiative to introduce 300 girls to golf as part of AACT programmes.

Tinubu said the Girls in Golf initiative Legacy Project would create opportunities for young girls to participate in the sport and develop the next generation of female golfers.

“As a mother and advocate for women and girls, I commend the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, which will introduce 300 young girls to golf across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and open new opportunities for the next generation,” she said.

She subsequently declared the championship open and performed the ceremonial tee-off.
Earlier, Lami Ahmed said hosting the championship for the third time was both an honour and a responsibility for Nigeria.

She said the tournament provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships among African countries through golf, despite differences in nationalities, languages and cultures.

“Though we compete under different flags, we remain united as one African family,” she said.
Ahmed described the Girls in Golf initiative Legacy Project as a major part of the association’s long-term commitment to growing the sport, saying it would expose 300 girls across the six geopolitical zones to the opportunities and values of golf.

She added that while the championship would produce winners, its lasting significance would lie in the friendships established, unity strengthened, and young girls inspired.

“As we begin this historic championship, let us remember the trophies will find their winners, but the friendships we build, the unity we strengthen and the young girls we inspire will remain our greatest victory,” she said.

Nigeria is hosting the continental women’s golf championship for the third time, bringing together female golfers from across 20 African countries to compete and promote the development of the sport.

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