Sports
HB Academy emerges champions of 2nd edition of Turf Arena 11-Aside Tourney
Joel Ajayi
HB Academy FCT defeated their rival Olympic Hybrid 3-1 on a penalty to emerge winner of the 2022 edition of Turf Arena 11-Aside League.
The titanic battle between the two was full of entertainment, and intrigue as the two finalists displayed their skills to the fullest.
Both teams could not find the back of their net at the 90 minutes of the final as the game went to a penalty shootout but the goalkeeper of Olympic hybrid went on to save two penalties as the HB Academy emerged the winner 3-1 after the penalty.
The 12-team league competition is the brainchild of Turf Arena Sports Centre owner Mr. Mohammed Kamal-deen whose full-sized pitch has been a “Holy Grail” for a good number of grassroots matches in the city and also the league venue for all the matches played this season.
Earlier in the third-place game played, the pride FC also showed its supremacy over Turf Arena academy 5-3 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes to emerge the winner.
Speaking shortly after the match HB Academy coach Daniel Itodo expressed happiness and promised to leave no stone unturned to ensure the club did not relent in discovering more talent for the country.
“Our team is full of quality and talented players, we even have foreigners in our team, and we want to build a solid number one academy in the country, Africa, and in the world.”
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Visits Team Nigeria in Camp Ahead of All-African Senior Badminton Championship
…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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