Featured

CSP Yakubu Plans Big For Kickboxing in Nigeria

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2021

Outlines developmental programmes
By Akeem Busari
The outgoing Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KBFN), CSP Abubakar Yakubu, has outlined his plans to take martial arts, particularly, kickboxing to greater heights.

In a chat with journalists in Lagos, the police officer, while restating his desire to be reelected as president of KBFN, was quick to reel out his achievements.

Yakubu gleefully recall how his administration ensured that kickboxing was restored into the National Sports Festival after it was suspended in 2012.

During his tenure, KBFN held the National Kickboxing championship in Yenagoa, in 2018, including the National Championship and Referees Seminar in Asaba, 2021.

KBFN also participated in African Kickboxing in Cameroon, 2018; World Championships, Turkey in 2019. Importantly, it also achieved recognition as Olympic sport.

Moving forward, the former versatile athlete and awards-winning administrator, hinged his reelection ambition on his articulated developmental plans to take the sport to greater heights and make it better accepted.

Yakubu promised to lead KBFN to successfully host the next African championship in Nigeria having reached agreement with the African body.

He revealed that Nigeria currently ranks as first and second in the sport in West Africa and Africa, respectively. And it is a part of his plans to make kickboxing the best in Africa.

There are plans to also make kickboxing a household sport in Nigeria through youth programs in secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as, the introduction of diverse disciplines, especially, Tatami (points fighting) which will particularly appeal to a broad spectrum of interests.

Conclusively, there are plans to create a standardized pathway for amateur athletes to turn professional. And make KBFN financially self-reliant and able to cater for the welfare of athletes and officials for the betterment of the sport in Nigeria.

Share on Facebook

Featured

NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

Share on Facebook