Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Commends Cricket Federation, as Nigeria Wins ICC Men’s T20 Sub-Regional Tourney

Published

10 months ago

November 29, 2024

Nigeria’s men’s cricket team has emerged victorious in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier C, defeating Botswana in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash on Thursday to seal their spot.

Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, was on hand to support the team at the event, as he hailed the cricket family.

Speaking after the victory, he praised the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) and its president, Uyi Akpata, for their transformative efforts in advancing the sport in Nigeria.

“I’m extremely proud, not just of the victory recorded today, but also of what my senior brother, Uyi Akpata, and his team have achieved with the Nigerian Cricket Federation,” Olopade said.

“When you look at this Oval and hear the story of how it became an ICC-standard facility, you marvel at the effort and passion they’ve put in. This aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of bringing the private sector on board to drive sports development.”

He also highlighted the rapid progress cricket has made in Nigeria, pointing to the recent success of the Nigeria U-19 women’s cricket team, which secured Africa’s sole ticket to the ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup, set to be held in Malaysia in 2025.

“Already, I’ve promised to be present to support the U-19 female team,” he added.

Olopade stressed the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s sports focus:
“We need to de-emphasize the pedagogy of one sport being bigger than others. Cricket is massive globally, and it is gratifying to see Nigeria making inroads in the sport. The NSC will support the federation, just as we do with others. Beyond growing participation, we want to build a sustainable economy around the sports ecosystem.”

Nigeria dominated the tournament with an unbeaten record, securing five wins out of five. Other participating teams included Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Côte d’Ivoire, and St. Helena.

Hon. Olopade concluded that the victory underscores the growing prominence of cricket in Nigeria, thanks to strategic investments and the dedication of stakeholders, positioning the country as a rising force in the global cricket scene.

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Sports

FAME Foundation to the World: Para Athletes Need Empowerment, Not Sympathy

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
The founder of FAME Foundation (Female Advocacy, Mentoring, and Empowerment), Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, has called on the global community to support, not pity, para athletes.

Speaking at the recently concluded Play the Game 2025 Conference held in Tampere, Finland, Atoyebi emphasized that athletes with physical challenges require empowerment, policy support, and inclusion not sympathy.

Aderonke, a fearless journalist and lifelong advocate for women and girls in sports, has consistently championed the rights of marginalized groups through her foundation.

Known for her bold and passionate advocacy, she reiterated that para athletes deserve the same opportunities and resources as their able-bodied counterparts.

The international conference, held from October 5th to 8th, brought together journalists, policymakers, and global stakeholders to discuss pressing issues under the theme: “Breaking Barriers in Sports: Integration of Marginalized Groups and Persons with Disabilities.”

Delivering a powerful and interactive lecture, Atoyebi stated: “I want to conclude by saying that para athletes around the globe need our support, policy reviews, and implementation—not our pity. They don’t need sympathy; what they truly need is empowerment.”

Her impactful contribution at the event further amplified Africa’s voice in the global call for inclusion, equality, and policy-driven change in the world of sports.

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