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Efforts ongoing to deliver 4 football pitches soon – Sunday Dare

Published

5 years ago

January 2, 2020

Efforts ongoing to deliver 4 football pitches soon – Sunday Dare

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has intimated the public of some of his plans for the Youth and Sports sector this year.

In a series of tweets in the early hours of the first day of 2020, the Minister outlined some of the plans of the Ministry to ensure Sports and the Youth of Nigeria are taken to the next level in line with the agenda of the Buhari administration.

“Talks are ongoing concerning the renovation of the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, formerly, Liberty Stadium with government and a few private individuals. Our goal is to deliver four FiFA standard pitches by the first quarter of 2020 by God’s Grace,” he wrote.

“Our short term Sports Development Plan for the next 2 years gradually unfolds. It is focused on Infrastructure, Athletes Welfare, Grassroot Sports and Sports as a viable business. Abuja Stadium is on its way back, National Stadium Lagos is set for concession not forgetting the Ahmadu Bello Stadium,” he added.

The Minister also disclosed that talks are ongoing for the renovation of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium with government and a few private individuals.

“Our goal, he wrote, is to deliver four FIFA standard pitches by the first quarter of 2020 by God’s Grace.

“The ministry will in 2020 monitor and ensure the completion of about 20 mini-stadiums across the country. The Imo-model of one mini-Stadium per Local government by each state will be marketed.

On plans for the teeming Nigerian youth, the Minister wrote, “the government will provide and open up more opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition working with strategic implementation partners. In this regard, this government is in a hurry to ratchet up the numbers of engaged Youth.

The Minister promised to do all within the Ministry’s powers to ensure that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan counts for Nigeria and Nigerians. “Our athletes will be exposed to the best training, competitions and camping possible. The process is already ongoing- and will be sustained.”

On plans to boost grassroots sports development, the Minister hinted that the Headmasters’ Cup for primary Schools and Principals Cup are making comeback, along with a new Talent Hunt Program, THP, which he said is being finalized.

“Adoption Initiative is birthed and the policy to turn sports into business are being pursued among other things.”

He further assured of the Federal Government’s commitment towards increasing the level of investment in the youth as the slew of new youth engagements unfold and the previous ones are strengthened and consolidated through partnership with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

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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.

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