Featured
Okowa Vows More Medals For Nigeria After World Athletics U-20 Championships Success
… As victorious athletes arrive
Joel Ajayi
President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN, Tonobok Okowa has vowed not to relax the oars but continue raising the bar to win more medals for Nigeria.
Following their exploits at the just concluded 8 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya had a total of 7 medals; four (4) gold and three (3) bronze medals to finish third on the final medals table.
He gave this assurance on Tuesday, when victorious Team Nigeria arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport Abuja, to a welcome by government officials, Athletics enthusiasts, as well as joyous fans.
While addressing journalists, the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission expressed that, the federation will not leave any stone unturned, to ensure that athletes win more medals for the country.
According to her, “of course we have a programme that will keep these athletes, don’t forget that what we did to attain this level was just under one month, we ensured we camped our athletes, we made sure they were doing well before we left for Tokyo, we put all in place for their betterment and today, we can see the effect. We are going to do more to ensure they win more medals.
Now that we have come to this level, we thank God for what He has done but I think we can do more, the little mistake here and there will be corrected.
“Our plan is to start up programmes early enough so that we can achieve better. When we start up in very short period, you can’t get the best because in sports, there is always build up stages until you hit fitness, I don’t think they actually got their fitness before we traveled but they were able to do this feat so, we are going to keep our eyes on them, we are going to have programmes that we will use to monitor them especially those outside the country, to make sure that they are fit.
Next year, there are a lot of events, the Commonwealth, African Athletics Championship; we have about 5 event so, we must keep preparing them , we must have perfect build up stage that would prepare them.
He however, pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure most of the planned programmmes are achieved.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News9 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
