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Abuja 2020: Focus Solely On Winning, Minister Charges Athletes

Published

5 years ago

February 4, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has tasked the Nigeria Team for the Abuja 2020 Para-Powerlifting World Cup to focus on making the country proud and avoid all distractions. He said this Tuesday, when he visited the team at the camp at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The Minister expressed commitment to athletes welfare and said he will not allow the politics of sports stop him from giving the most important stakeholders – athletes – the best government can offer.
The Minister also said he was not unaware of the immediate and remote challenges faced by Nigerian athletes but is ready to shield them from the effects.

Mr. Dare took the time to explain the Ministry’s ‘Adopt-an-Athelete’ programme, which he said is designed to connect individual athletes to corporate institutions and private individuals for sponsorship of the athletes’ training.

“Once the link is done, you will be connected to the person or company and the money comes directly to you. It doesn’t come to the Ministry or anyone else.

“The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports has a responsibility to you and no Federation or President of any Federation is bigger than the Ministry,” he continued.

“The Ministry takes the lead and that has been the rule. I am not going to change it. The Ministry is the government and we have your best interest at heart. No matter whatever else is happening, ultimately the Ministry is responsible for you.

“I want to thank you sincerely for your service and sacrifice. Whatever has happened, let’s put it all behind us and do Nigeria proud.”

He promised the team bonuses for qualifying to represent Nigeria and for winning medals.

The Minister added that the upcoming Tokyo Olympics promises to be the best in Nigeria’s history because, “For the first time,” he said, “we are directly supporting and working on the welfare of the athletes because they are the most important. If I have to reduce the team that will travel from the Ministry to get extra money to support the athletes, I will do it because you are the most important stakeholders. So, keep your eyes on the goal. Whatever happens, let us on this side deal with it.”

The Para-Powerlifting World Cup competitions kick off on Wednesday in Abuja. Nigeria is presenting two teams, Senior and Junior categories. The teams has many world record holders and is expected pick up many medals at the tournament.

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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