Sports
Abuja Agog As FCT U-12/U-15 Inter-Area Council Handball Championship Begins May 4
The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja will be a beehive of activities as the 2022 FCT U-12/U-15 male and female Inter-Area Council Handball Championship begins on May 4, 2022.
The 5-day competition which targets students and pupils in Secondary and primary schools, will last from 4th to 8th May.
The six Area Councils in the FCT, Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC will take part in the competition.
The Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC are the defending champions after they emerged winners of the U-15 Male and female as well as U-12 female in the previous edition.
Abaji Area Council were the U-12 male champions.
Speaking ahead of the championship, the Chairman, FCT Handball Association, Ambassador (Dr) Edward Olutoke said the board is determined to change handball narrative in the FCT.
Amb. Olutoke who said that the board remodeled the FCT Handball Court at Old Parade Ground, Garki as part of plans to give the Championship a facelift, said his board will be committed to the welfare of players and grassroots handball development in the Nigeria’s Seat of Power.
“This is the first major competition the board is organising and for those who have been following our programmes, we are very much determined to change handball for better in Abuja. Handball in the FCT have been giving back seat for ages but under this new board, it will take front seat.
“This competition is coming after few months of our inauguration and we are very much happy that we have this platform to contribute to the growth of handball. We have two premium missions to achieve as a board and these missions include utmost priority will be given to the welfare of the players and consistently organising grassroots competitions through which we can discover and nurture stars in the sport,” he said.
He lauded members of his board for their great support and also sharing in his vision to rebrand handball in the federal capital.
“Of course, no one is an island. We are a board and my greatest joy is working with people.of like minds, who understand and share similar philosophy. My board members are absolutely a crop of wonderful people who have been the pillar in all that we plan to do. I really want to use this medium to appreciate them for their sacrifices and support.”
On her part, the Secretary, FCT Handball Association, Mrs Hulda Nkwocha, said the U-12/U-15 Inter-Area Handball Championship has been holding for the past years.
She noted that the championship will serve as camping and trial for players to be selected to represent the FCT at the 2022 national U-12/U-15 Championship coming up later in the year in Kano State.
Each Area Council is expected to present 4 teams for the championship – two teams each for, male and female for the U-12 and the U-15 categories.
Prizes such as cash and trophies will be presented to the winners.
The championship which is open for sponsorship is supported by Poverty Fighters Squad, World Changers and Amity Kids Concept.
Meanwhile, the AMAC team to the competition is sponsored by Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Sports Foundation. The sponsorship takes care of all the team’s need during the competition such as balls, jerseys, accommodation, etc.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.
Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.
The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.
“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”
Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.
He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.
Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.
“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.
He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.
On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.
“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.
“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.
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