Sports

Africa Para Championships: Akwa Ibom Athletes Off To South Africa, Morocco

Published

3 weeks ago

March 3, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Two Akwa Ibom U-18 female athletes Ability Udoh and Maria-Patience Akpan are on their way to the International Para Athletics Championships in Morocco and South Africa slated for this month.

National Youth Games 100m record holder Ability Udoh is scheduled to compete in 100m, 200m and 400m as well as in Long and High Jump T-46 events in the competition in Morocco from 5-14 March 2023.

The competition will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Ability Udoh made history at the just concluded National Sports Festival in Delta State where she set a new national record in the High Jump event, clearing a height of 1.45m to emerge the champion.

Also in 2022 at the Para Games in Abuja, Ability stormed to victory winning three gold medals and three silver medals for Akwa Ibom State.

While Ability Udoh will be in Morocco, Maria-Patience Akpan who was discovered last year during an Inter-House Sports competition at Community Secondary Commercial School, Ibiaku Itam, will be making her debut at the international stage as she is scheduled to compete in 100m (CP) in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Cape Town, South Africa from 14-22 March, 2023.

Coach of the two athletes Elizabeth Akpan expressed optimism that the youngsters have what it takes to shine at the global stage but stressed that they need all the support they can get to ensure they succeed.

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Sports

Team Nigeria’s Impressive Medals Haul at Global Events & Stadium Infrastructure Policies Resonates as Sunday Dare Honoured in Maldives.

Published

8 hours ago

March 22, 2023

The Gleamer

Last weekend, in far away Male, capital of the Republic of Maldives, Nigeria was on the front burner; and with modesty and pride for the nation, the Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Chief Sunday Dare received a special recognition for his lofty contributions to Sports Development in Nigeria and the entire Africa, as a Region.

The award was presented to him by the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In his remarks, the Maldives President highlighted that the very essence of the award, was to appreciate and celebrate individuals for their support to the sport community.

The Maldives President continued “we are honoured to present this Special Recognition to the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare. During the outstanding tenure of Mr. Dare, he has made giant strides towards the development of sports infrastructure and Nigeria’s results at major international competitions have been phenomenal”.

Receiving the award, Chief Dare thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for the unveivering support he had always given the Sports Ministry.

“The intentional leadership of Mr. President has helped in pushing up sports development, during my watch to new heights. Without such support, this special recognition wouldn’t have been possible”

Chief Dare also thanked members of his team, at the Sports Ministry and every stakeholder he has worked with in the adios task of giving the sports sector the desired lift.

African football legend Nwankwo Kanu, who was also in Male was feted with a Sports Icon award, on a special night for Nigeria and two of her sports personalities who were given international recorgnision.

Mr. Sunday Dare had previously been bestowed with other prestigious awards, like the Highest Order of Sports Administrators by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Public Service Award of Excellence presented to him by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari.

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