Sports

Chinese Embassy seeks better Collaboration with the National Sports Commission

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2025

…Commit to establishing a dedicated China-Nigeria Sports communication channel

Joel Ajayi

The Chinese Government has intensified bilateral relationships with the Nigerian Government through the National Sports Commission, NSC, following the visa glitch that led to Team Nigeria withdrawing from the World relays in Guangzhou, China.

This landmark feat was achieved when officials of the Chinese Embassy paid a diplomatic visit to the leadership of the National Sports Commission.
Culture Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Yang Jian Xing expressed regrets over the visa challenges that prompted Nigeria to withdraw from the World relays and pledged China’s commitments to the country’s vision for Sports Development.

” I want to describe what has happened as an accident and we are sorry and we regret it in its entirety. We are here to let the Sports Commission know that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria of high esteem”.

” We are open to better collaboration with the National Sports Commission to boost diplomatic ties of both China and Nigeria in terms of Sports Training and Exchange programmes”.

” Once again I want to assure you that from next time we will try our best for this not to repeat itself again and we will also like to create a special channel for a China and Nigeria Sports Communication”, he added.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the Commission has accepted the gestures of regrets by the Chinese Government and are ready to foster better collaboration for the future.

” We are very happy to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy in our office today and it shows the Chinese Government genuine disappointment for what happened which for us is a huge sign of better things to come between both countries especially in Sports”.

” We should at all times try to create positives out of things like this and we are happy that this has further strengthened our relationship with the Chinese Embassy”.

The Director General of the NSC Hon. Bukola Olopade reiterated the Commission’s desire to build stronger sporting ties with China and allowed the incident of the visa glitch to serve as a springboard to a robust working relationship.

” Your humility and diplomacy is the best I have seen anywhere and I am very grateful that you best described the incident between the AFN, the Commission and your embassy as an accident and we have all agreed to take it as such and move forward to better things”.

” I want to thank you for everything and for the request for exchange programmes and training for our media and Sports men and women.This is truly worthy of note . We are looking forward to a bigger and better relationship between Nigeria and China”, he concluded.

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Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

1 day ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

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