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AfricanGames2024: Sports Minister Charges Team Nigeria To Go For Gold, as Five States Host Pre-Games Camp

Published

6 months ago

February 7, 2024

…Nigeria to participate in 25 sports, 8 Olympic qualifiers.

Joel Ajayi
Team Nigeria’s contingent to the 2024 African Games will open camp on February 15, 2024, in five states across the Federation, as preparation hits second gear for the Games, which will take place in Accra, Ghana from March 8 – 23, 2023.

In a statement Signed by the S.A. MediaTo the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Diana-Mary Nsan on Wednesday in Abuja revealed that, during a meeting with presidents of various sports federations on Monday, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan, addressed critical issues pertaining to the nation’s preparation and participation in the upcoming event.

Nigeria’s participation will span 25 sports, with eight serving as Olympic qualifiers including athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, and wrestling. Additionally, the country will compete in 15 non-Olympic qualifying sports such as arm wrestling, basketball (3×3), beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cricket, football, and handball.

Furthermore, two sports, mixed martial arts, and scrabble, will be demonstrated by Nigerian athletes.

Senator Enoh, during the meeting, urged federation presidents to strive for a superior performance compared to the previous African Games held in Morocco.
“I urge you all to give your utmost effort and guide your federations towards achieving exceptional results in Ghana. We bear the responsibility of upholding our nation’s flag and bringing pride to our people.”

The camping sites have been designated in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, and Bayelsa. Abuja will accommodate athletes participating in athletics, arm wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, rugby, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, and volleyball.

Lagos will serve as the campsite for beach volleyball, cricket, handball, table tennis, mixed martial arts, and triathlon. Ibadan will host boxing, chess, scrabble, judo, and karate. Bayelsa will cater to the wrestling team, while Gombe will provide facilities for the cycling team.

Nigeria remains the second most-successful nation in the history of the Games with a total of 1326 medals won across 12 editions of the Games held every four years.

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NPFL Youth League kicks off Feb 1 in Five Centres

Published

6 months ago

January 30, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
Youth teams of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) would be arriving their designated centres for the zonal qualifiers from tomorrow, January 30 for kick-off on February 1.

Chairman of the NPFL Youth League Committee, Pastor Emeka Inyama disclosed that the start of the tournament will be preceded by the screening exercise on January 31 to ensure proper documentation of players.

The 20 NPFL Clubs have been zoned on regional basis for preliminary qualifying matches in five centres. The centres are Lafia for clubs in North Central, Kaduna will host clubs from the Nortgwest and Northeast, Ekiti is the centre for Southwest clubs while Enugu is host to Southeast clubs and Port Harcourt for South South clubs.

According to fixtures sighted by MPFL Media, matches at each centre will commence at 8am and concluded at noon.

In the words of Inyama, “we want to get it right at building a stronger NPFL through setting up a proper Youth League culture which is the future of elite leagues all over the world”.

He commended the Chairman of the NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and the Board members for the foresight in setting up Youth League and the support to his committee’s work.
“I can tell you that we are all set for the start of the Youth League season and are looking forward to a very healthy competition.

“It must be reiterated that participation is compulsory for all 20 NPFL Clubs as there would serious consequences for any club that fails to be part of this”, Inyama emphasised.

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