Sports
Nigeria Shines in All Africa Para-Badminton Championship
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria continued its dominance of the Para Games as the Nation’s Athletes won a total of thirteen medals at the just concluded All Africa Para-Badminton Championship held in Kampala to top the medals table.
Nigeria represented by highly rated Athletes clinched eight gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the championship held at MTN Arena, Lugogo stadium, Kampala, Uganda.
Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie and Bolaji Mariam Eniola won three gold medals each to replicate their performance at the Uganda International Para-Badminton Championship held at the same venue last week.
Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie/Bolaji Mariam Eniola subdued the pairs of Mohammed Ismail (EGY)/Martha Cheve (ZAM) 21-8, 21-5(2-0) to clinch gold in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5.
In the Women’s doubles SL3-SU5 final, Eniola paired Okoro Chiyere to beat Sumini Mutesi-Rose Nansereko (UGD) in two straight sets, 21-5, 21-8.
The golden girl, Eniola sent home girl Elizabeth Mwesigwa of Uganda packing in the Women’s Singles SL3 21-9, 21-4 (2-0) while Chiyere Okoro edged out Morenike Oloutou of Benin Republic 21-11, 19-21, 21-16 (2-1) in the final of Women’s Singles SL4+SU5.
Nanna Chigozie exercised his dominance on Hassan Muniru of Ugandan 21-14, 21-5(2-0) in the Men’s singles SL4 final while the combination of Olanipekun Gbenga and Akpan James recorded another gold for Nigeria in the men’s doubles SL3-SL4 beating Hassan Muniru and David Mukisa 21-9, 21-9(2-0).
Ijeoma Gift lost to Shaimaa Abdelatif of Egypt 14-21, 10-21(0-2) in the Women’s Singles WH2 final while it was all Nigerians affairs in the SL3 Men’s singles final as Chukwuebuka Eze defeated Olanipekun Gbenga 21-19, 14-21, 21-17 (2-1).
Nnanna Chigozie and Bolaji Mariam Eniola won Gold in the Mixed doubles SL3-SU5 while Okoro Chiyere clinched gold in the Women’s Singles SL4+SU5 Combine.
Sports
Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches
…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy
By Joel Ajayi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.
“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.
He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.
Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.
Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.
“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.
“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.
The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.
In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.
Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.
The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.
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