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FCT Agog As Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Athletics Championship Holds Nov 26

Published

3 years ago

November 22, 2022

The first edition of Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Athletics Championship will hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital on Saturday, November 26, 2022, organisers have announced.

The championship will hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja training pitch.

Making the announcement on Tuesday in a media parley, the founder, Chief Executive Officer CEO and Chairman, Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Foundation, a Non-governmental Organisation based in Germany, Mr Richard Agbonifo, said that the one-day athletics competition will hold in the FCT with over 150 athletes expected to participate.

Mr Agbonifo who also spoke on the mission of the championship, disclosed that the Foundation is organising the competition as a channel for providing awareness campaign “against child labour, child hawking/trafficking and the neglect of children by the Nigerian system”

“This competition is an awareness campaign against child labour, child hawking and the neglect of children by the Nigerian system. Children are not labourers and they need guidance and encouragement in sports and education.

“The competition is not only to seek out new talents in the world of track and field but to encourage young kids to go into sports. The competition is aimed at supporting the young athletes and creating continuous training exercise for them,” he said.

On the age category and prizes to be won, Mr Agbonifo stated that the athletes will be below 15 years of age adding that various incentives such as training shoes, jerseys, and more will be giving to the athletes.

“The categories are generally between the ages 5 and 15. The plan is to make the competition an annual tournament and as time goes on expand beyond FCT. Then, talented athletes from other states will participate.

“We will be putting our concentration on only track this time around. We are using this to create awareness to the main cause of the foundation which is ‘helping kids to do sports and fighting against hawking, child labour and lack of attention be paid to our children in Nigeria.

“We are going to give the kids training shoes and jerseys, not just the winners but we will try to compensate all competitors with something, not cash rewards.”

While noting that the first edition is solely sponsored by the foundation, he stated that the organisers are open for partnership with corporate organisations, governments and individuals in the quest to create a better future for the Nigerian child.

“Right now Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Foundation is the sole sponsor of this tournament. Hopefully in the future, we can get more to join the cause.

“We also use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians in governments and in diaspora; parents and family, friends and colleagues to join hand in this programme. We expect so much respect and discipline from our children and we forget that the best way to teach that is to lead by example and also let them know that they are respected and worth more than they know.

“The best resources any country has are not the things in the ground or natural resources, but its people and if we don’t educate them, someone else will,” he concluded.

Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Sports Foundation promotes and supports youth and children from Nigeria and other developing countries in the areas of sports and education. The foundation was founded by Richard Agbonifo, a German professional handball player from Nigeria in March 2022.

The Foundation also supports the financially disadvantaged children and youths through education-related scholarships, thus giving them a perspective for the future. Here, even small amounts can and always makes a big difference.

Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Foundation is registered under the German and Nigerian laws

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

7 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

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.

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