Sports
ANOCA ZONE III GAMES: Gold Rush for Team Nigeria in Ouagadougou as Nigeria sweeps 12 Gold medals in Weightlifting and Badminton
Joel Ajayi
It was a Gold rush for team Nigeria on Thursday at the ANOCA ZONE III Games in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, after a dominant performance in both Weightlifting and Badminton saw Nigeria winning a total of 12 Gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal to round off its campaign at the regional competition.
In Weightlifting, it was a case of Gold medal spree for the three Nigerian athletes that represented the country.
It all began with Emmanuel Inakedor who is the current African Champion in the 71kg, as he wasted no time sweeping aside his opponents in the snatch event, clean and jack event and the total event.
In the 79kg category, Ibrahim Rabiu who also doubles as the team’s coach, also won the entire 3 Gold medals available in both the Snatch, Jark and Total events.
In the 110kg, Adeyemi Vincent who is also an African Champion completed the hattrick Gold medal performance for Team Nigeria with his own 3 Gold medals in the three categories of Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Total events.
In Badminton, Team Nigeria continued from where it left off, by adding 3 more Gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze to the 2 Gold medals it won on Tuesday in the men’s and women’s double events.
Shehu Aliyu defeated Fano Dosh from Benin Republic to win the men’s single 2-0 while Joseph Abel claimed the bronze medal. In the Women’s singles event, It was an all Nigeria final when Dorcas Adedokan defeated Deborah Ukeh to the Gold medal.
In the mixed doubles, Shehu Aliyu and Deborah Ukeh defeated host Burkina Faso in the semi-final before beating fellow country duo of Joseph Abel and Dorcas Adesokan to the Gold in the final.
Team Nigeria however finished Thursday’s event with a total of 12 Gold medals,1 silver and 1 bronze medal as a clear sign of its regional dominance.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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