Sports
Commonwealth Games 2022: We want podium performance from athletes-Sports Minister
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria’s Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare has revealed that Nigerian are demanding podium performance from the athletes that will represent the country in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
Minister stressed that Nigeria went through an exhaustive process to scientifically analyse and determine the nine sports that would fly the flag of the country at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
In a chat with newsmen in Abuja, the Minister said, “We are putting our best foot forward and we decided that based on limited resources and very scientific analysis, we would want to leverage on the sports in which we have our sports men and women amongst the top 10 or 15 in the world.
“If in a particular sport we are 128th in the world and the goal of going to the Commonwealth Games is for podium performance and not rehearsals, we won’t go where we are ranked that low. We brought out all the statistics and crunched the numbers to pick the sports we are strong in, so we are going with a smaller team, but to compete in a big way”.
Nigeria will be competing in Athletics, Wrestling, Boxing, Karate, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Para-athletics, Para-powerlifting and Para-table tennis.
Amongst others, medal prospects include World no. 11 in Table Tennis Aruna Quadri, reigning African Games Table Tennis champion, Omotayo Olajide alongside 2022 African Table Tennis Cup finalist, Fatima Bello, Esther Oribamise and Ajoke Ojomu.
In Athletics, African 100m Wowen’s hurdle record holder, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, National 100m champion, Favour Ashe, Africa’s second fastest women’s 200m sprinter Favour Ofili, World U-20 200m Champion, Udodi Onwuzurike are a few of the medal prospects for the country.
In Wrestling, Commonwealth champions, Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuoroye represent huge threats to opponents in their different weight classes.
These amongst other immensely talented athletes will be vying to do Nigeria proud in Birmingham from July 28th to August 8th 2022.
Sports
14 DAYS TO GO: Abuja Prepares for the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon
In 14 days, the Federal Capital Territory will host one of the most anticipated sporting events on the African athletics calendar, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon.
This event is more than just a race, it represents a convergence of sport, tourism, community and national pride.
Thousands of runners, elite athletes, professional clubs, corporate teams, fitness enthusiasts and first-time participants will take to the streets of Abuja for a 21.1km test of endurance, discipline and determination.
The marathon race is designed to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of the city, will wind through its major districts, offering participants and spectators a unique view of Nigeria’s capital at its finest, orderly, energetic and alive.
Nilayo Sports Limited, the organizer of the marathon, says its partnership reflects a deeper commitment beyond organizing a race, a commitment to wellness, youth empowerment, and the promotion of Nigeria as a destination for world-class sporting events.
“We believe in building excellence, and there is no better symbol of excellence than the marathon where consistency, preparation and resilience meet,” Nilayo Sports Limited noted.
As the countdown continues, organizers have intensified preparations from route safety and medical support to logistics, timing systems and volunteer mobilization to ensure a seamless experience for athletes and spectators alike.
The marathon offers prize money and global ranking points for elite runners. While it offers something far more valuable for everyday runners, the opportunity to be part of history.
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