Excitement as Chinese-NUJ Table Tennis tourney commence in Abuja

Published

6 years ago

August 3, 2019

Joel Ajayi

No fewer than 62 Journalists are currently taken part in the 2019 edition of the Chinese-NUJ Table Tennis Tournament has commenced as members trooped out in their number to cheer their players.

The events include men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and doubles categories.

The tournament is organized by the FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with support from the Embassy of the PRC in Nigeria and Leadership newspaper.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3^rd edition in Abuja, the FCT NUJ Chairman Emmanuel Ogbeche, charged players to compete fairly and use the opportunity to network and relax.

He commended the China Cultural Centre for the support it has been rendering to the union since the tournament started in 2017.

In the Game played for far, Tunde Oguntola defeated Albert Alkota of people’s daily 2-0 while Wale Ayeni of leadership equally beat Ikechukwu from people daily to progress to the next round.

Also, the Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Nigeria, Li Xuda, thanked Nigerians for the cordial relationship between Nigeria and China.

“This cordial relationship has helped both countries in many ways, and we should all be commended and also be grateful for this,” he said.

However, the event will no doubt help the Journalist to keep, socialize and to relax.

Meanwhile, at the end of the day, medals, trophies and cash prizes were presented to players who finished overall first, second and third in all the four categories.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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