Sports

Queen’s Baton Relay To Visit Nigeria

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2021

Joel Ajayi

As member nations prepare for the Common Wealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay, an iconic event has started with a special event at Buckingham Palace in London as part of the city’s Commonwealth Day festivities.

The Queen’s Baton Relay which is similar to the Olympic Torch is a relay around the world and the Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II.

Nigeria will be the third nation to receive the Queen’s Baton Relay on October 16 after which it will tour 15 other African countries before moving to Asia.

The 15 other African Countries are: Gambia (October 16), Sierra Leone (October 23), Ghana (October 26), Cameroon (October 29), Kenya (November 2), Uganda (November 5), Rwanda (November 10), Tanzania (November 13), Malawi (November 17) and Zambia (November 20).

Also, Mozambique (November 23), Mauritius (November 27), Botswana (November 30), St. Helena (December 5), South Africa (December 8), Namibia (December 14), Eswatini (December 17), Lesotho (December 20) Seychelles (December 23).

The Baton is expected to travel for 294 days, visiting all 72 nations and territories as well as connecting communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories while at the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held in the United Kingdom from 28 July to 8 August, 2022.

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Sports

35 Days to Go: Nigeria Set to Host African Junior Athletics Championship in Abeokuta

Published

2 hours ago

June 9, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just 35 days to go, Nigeria is revving up preparations to host the 3rd edition of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Junior Athletics Championship, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 20, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Returning to Nigerian soil, the prestigious biennial event will welcome the continent’s most promising Under-18 and Under-20 athletes to the newly refurbished MKO Abiola International Stadium, which recently played host to the 22nd National Sports Festival.

Over 500 athletes from more than 50 African nations are expected to compete in this year’s championship, making it one of the largest gatherings of young athletic talent on the continent.

South Africa, the reigning overall champions, will be looking to defend their title, but Nigeria’s young stars are also eager to make a strong statement on home soil.

“This is not just a competition; it is a celebration of Africa’s future in track and field,” Hon. Bukola Olopade, DG of the National Sports Commission said.

“Nigeria is honored to host once again and to demonstrate its world-class capacity in organizing major sporting events,” he added.

The choice of Abeokuta—also known as the Gateway City—underscores the state’s growing reputation as a hub for sports development, alongside other Nigerian cities. With its state-of-the-art facilities and strategic location, the city is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes, officials, and fans alike.

The CAA African Junior Championships is widely regarded as the breeding ground for the continent’s future Olympic and world champions.

As the countdown continues, all eyes will be on Nigeria to once again rise to the occasion and reinforce its status as Africa’s true sporting giant.

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