Sports

Bar Seyi Akinwunmi Promises To Reposition Nigerian Football For Better

Published

4 years ago

August 30, 2022

Joel Ajayi

First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi on Tuesday formally declared his intention to vie for the Presidency position of the football body come September 30 in Benin City the Edo State capital.

Akinwumi who is the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association made the declaration at an elaborate ceremony held at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.He said his board will be an all inclusive one pointing out that his mission is to reposition the game in the country and return it to the enviable position it enjoyed in the past on the continent and the world.

According to him, I want to bring my experience as NFF Vice President for 8 years to play as I settle into office.I am coming in to restore those glorious days when Nigeria used to be respected in the comity of football playing nations in Africa and the world.

“I will give priority to grassroots development so as to find replacement for the ageing players so that no gap will be left in the process of growing the sport again,” he said.

He also said he will also focus on a good marketing drive to support the various national teams as well as clubsides in their activities both locally and on the international scene.

Almost all the FA chairmen were in attendance. Former President Galadima, past secretaries Tijani Yusuf, Fanny Amun, Co aspirants Sheu Dikko, lbrahim Guasu,Musa Amadu and Peterside ldah.Others are Danladi Bako, all current NFF board members, Supporters Club President General Rafiu Ladipo and others.
Akinwunmi was later endorsed by Danladi Bako who said if the north can be in charge of the federation for a stretch of 12 years that during the Galadima era to Aminu Maigari time there is nothing wrong for South to be in charge for the next 4 years.
He said he is confident that Akinwunmi has the capacity to guide the federation to safety.

Speaking the aspirant Akinwunmi said he wants to bring his experience of the last 8 years as Vice President to play by repositioning the sport from the grassroots to highest level.

He pointed out that come September 30 he would be sworn in as the next President.

Share on Facebook

Sports

CityRoxx Targets Sustainable Table Tennis Ecosystem for Nigerian Players

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Chief Executive Officer and founder of CityRoxx Table Tennis, Giwa Lukman, says his organisation is committed to building a sustainable ecosystem that will provide Nigerian table tennis players with opportunities for talent discovery, development, exposure and career progression.

Lukman made this known during the opening ceremony of the maiden CityRoxx City Smash Open Table Tennis Championship in Abuja, where he outlined his vision of creating a connected sporting community that supports players beyond competitions.

The six-day championship, holding at the Mo Arena Basketball Court in the Federal Capital Territory, has attracted more than 200 players from 33 clubs and over 27 states across the country.

According to Lukman, CityRoxx is not merely interested in organising tournaments but seeks to establish a structure that will support players at every stage of their sporting careers.

“We understand that the future of table tennis cannot depend on competitions alone. We need a structure that supports players before, during and after competitions.

“We want a system where a young player can be discovered, trained, registered, tracked and given opportunities to grow.

“We want players to have proper profiles, competition records and rankings. We want clubs to have a stronger network, while coaches, schools, sponsors and organisers become part of one connected sporting community,” he said.

He said that CityRoxx was developing a digital platform through its website, www.cityroxtabletennis.com, which would serve as a central hub for players, clubs and other stakeholders.

He explained that the platform would enable players to register, build their profiles, follow competitions, access rankings and remain connected to opportunities within the sport.

Lukman added that the organisation was also committed to expanding table tennis through school programmes, grassroots development, tournaments, media engagement and strategic partnerships.

He emphasised the importance of giving Nigerian players greater visibility, noting that their performances and achievements deserved wider recognition.

The CityRoxx founder also called on corporate organisations and private investors to support the development of table tennis, stressing that sponsorship should go beyond branding and become an investment in a growing sporting ecosystem.

He expressed appreciation to the championship sponsors, Kingfem and FCMB, for believing in the vision and supporting the maiden edition.

According to him, their commitment demonstrates the importance of private-sector participation in sports development.

Lukman further encouraged participating athletes to embrace discipline, respect their opponents and officials, and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout the competition.

He described the championship as an important milestone for Nigerian table tennis, adding that the vision was to build stronger competitions, expand school programmes, strengthen club networks and establish a functional ranking system.

Declaring the championship open on behalf of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) the Vice President, Hon. Salisu Malantariki, represented by Adamu Usman Ahmed, commended the organisers for their initiative and commitment to the growth of table tennis in Nigeria

Ahmed said the future of Nigerian table tennis depended on collective commitment to grassroots development, improved infrastructure, stronger clubs and regular competitive opportunities.

He urged government institutions, corporate organisations, private investors and sporting communities to support initiatives capable of discovering and nurturing young talents.

The opening ceremony also featured exhibition matches, with Abdulmalik Taofeek defeating his father, Hamzat Taofeek, 2-1 in an entertaining father-and-son encounter.

In the women’s exhibition match, one of Nigeria’s leading players, Ajoke Ojomu, defeated Aminat Sani 2-0.

Lukman expressed optimism that the maiden championship would mark the beginning of a bigger initiative capable of transforming the table tennis landscape and creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian players.

Share on Facebook