Sports

First of its kind’ — Dare hails FCT SWAN for Easter, Sallah gifts

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2022

Despite coming under attack in recent weeks, over Nigeria’s withdrawal from participating in international basketball, the minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare has described the industry as one big family.

The minister was on Monday presented bags of rice by the Sports Writer Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, as part of their Easter and Eid-El-Fitr gifts which were also extended to members.

FCT SWAN Chairman, Bunmi Haruna, who was in the company of some members said they see the minister as part of the SWAN family and will continue to support him to succeed in office.

“We don’t have much, but from the little we have as an association, we have come to share with you.

“We know you don’t lack such things, but we see you as part of us and whatever we have we share,” Haruna said.

“We appreciate your huge strides in the sports industry in the last three years and want to let you know we will continue to support you to achieve even more.”

The minister, while responding, described the gesture as the first of its kind.

“This has never happened before and I’m going to tell my wife when I get home.

“This shows we are one big family, I thank SWAN for this gesture.”

The minister also spoke on the withdrawal of Nigerian teams from participating in international basketball for two years.

“The true basketball stakeholders know that the ministry is not the problem, they know where the problem Is,” Dare said.

The SWAN, FCT chapter had last month shared close to 100 bags of rice to members as Easter and Sallah packages.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Visits Team Nigeria in Camp Ahead of All-African Senior Badminton Championship

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says NSC is determined to encourage all Sports Federations
Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has revealed that the Commission’s leadership is determined to support and encourage all sports federations to excel.

The 2025 edition of the All-African Senior Badminton Championship is set to take place from February 10th to 16th in Douala, Cameroon. Team Nigeria, consisting of 10 players—5 males and 5 females—will compete in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles categories. The men’s team includes Nigeria’s number one player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori.

Olopade visited the team’s camp in Abuja on Wednesday to encourage them and bid the Nigerian Badminton Team farewell ahead of their participation in the championship. He extended a goodwill message from the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, assuring the team of the Commission’s support and encouraging them to make the country proud.

He expressed confidence in the team, urging them to perform at their best. “My message was very clear. I conveyed the message from the chairman of the sports commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, and it was a clear one: we are determined to continue supporting all sports,” Olopade said.

“Moreover, when you look at the development and growth of Nigerian badminton, it is our responsibility, as leaders of the sports commission, to ensure that these athletes are encouraged to keep up the good work they have been doing for the country. They are the defending champions, and I’m not just here to encourage them. I have come to show our love, our support, and to ensure they are ready. They are well taken care of, and the confidence for them to excel is there. It’s all up to them to do well.”

In his remarks, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbi, stated that the Nigerian team is ready for the championships and that all the players understand the importance of the tournament.

“I’m confident that they will perform very well. We have a lot of potential, and the Director General’s visit to encourage the players will further boost their courage and determination. We are grateful for that.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s badminton star, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, is aiming for a consecutive title at the 2025 All-African Senior Badminton Championship in Douala, Cameroon. Opeyori won the singles event last year and is now targeting another title in Cameroon.

At the previous edition of the tournament in Cairo, Nigeria won one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.

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