Sports

Heroes’ Welcome for Victorious Para-Powerlifting Athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport as They Extol Awodi’s Philanthropic Support

Published

5 months ago

May 28, 2026

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria’s victorious para-powerlifting team received a heroic welcome on Wednesday night at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following their impressive performance at the 2026 African Open Para-Powerlifting Championship in Oran, Algeria.

The athletes returned home with an outstanding haul of 49 medals, comprising 32 gold, 12 silver, and five bronze medals, finishing second overall behind Egypt and once again affirming Nigeria’s dominance in para sports on the African continent.

The reception was led by renowned philanthropist and sports stakeholder, Kingsley Awodi, whose sustained support for sports development and para-athletes in Nigeria has continued to earn admiration across the sporting community.

Awodi, who previously facilitated the re-grassing of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, during the tenure of former Sports Minister Sunday Dare, has consistently invested in athletes’ welfare and sports growth initiatives in the country.

Earlier this year, he sponsored the Kingsley Awodi Para-Powerlifting Championship in Abuja, a competition that served as a major preparatory platform for the team ahead of the Algeria championship.

Welcoming the athletes, Awodi praised their resilience, discipline, courage, and determination in making the nation proud.

“I am deeply honoured to welcome home our victorious Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Team from the 2026 African Open Para-Powerlifting Championship in Algeria. You have once again shown the world the strength, resilience, discipline, and fighting spirit Nigerians are known for,” Awodi stated.

“Your performances have brought pride, joy, and honour to our nation, and I celebrate every athlete, coach, and official who contributed to this remarkable success.”

He also emphasized the critical role of private sector participation in sports development, noting that government alone cannot adequately fund Nigerian sports.

“While I sincerely appreciate the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for their efforts in repositioning sports in Nigeria, government cannot do it alone. This is the time for the private sector to step in and actively support our athletes and sporting institutions,” he added.

As part of his continued support, Awodi announced cash rewards for the medal-winning athletes ahead of future international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and Paralympics.

According to him, each gold medalist will receive ₦1.5 million, silver medalists ₦1 million, while bronze medalists will go home with ₦500,000 each.

“This is not just about financial rewards, but about appreciating sacrifice, dedication, and the courage to represent Nigeria with pride,” he said.
Awodi further expressed optimism about the future of Nigerian para sports, insisting that more private support would help athletes achieve greater success globally.

“I am very proud of these athletes. They have sacrificed a lot and shown the true strength Nigerians are known for. If more private individuals and corporate organisations support sports, our athletes will do even better on the global stage,” he noted.

Technical Director of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation, Ruel Isiaku, also applauded Awodi’s intervention, describing it as timely and impactful.

“For years we have always said that with the right support, Nigerian para-athletes can make the country proud. What we are seeing today is the result of that support,” Isiaku said.

“These athletes are like soldiers. Anytime they are called upon, they are always ready to deliver despite the challenges. Their performances in Algeria have given us more confidence ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Paralympics.”

He added that increased sponsorship and support would further improve the welfare, preparation, and performance of para-athletes.

“If we have more supporters and sponsors like Kingsley Awodi, Nigerian para sports will rise to greater heights. Other countries may intimidate us with facilities and equipment, but our athletes continue to display strength, determination, and excellence,” he added.

One of the team’s standout performers, four-time gold medalist Oluwafemiayo Folashade, also praised Awodi for his unwavering support and commitment to the team.

“We are very happy with our performance in Algeria. We broke records and won many medals for Nigeria. Nobody returned home empty-handed,” she said.

Describing Awodi as a father figure to the athletes, Folashade expressed appreciation for his continuous encouragement and support.
“He has always been there for us whenever we need support. He carries us along and encourages us. We pray God continues to bless him. We love him and appreciate everything he has done for the team,” she stated.

The atmosphere at the airport was filled with excitement as athletes proudly displayed their medals while posing for photographs with officials, supporters, and well-wishers.

The team’s remarkable outing in Algeria has once again reinforced Nigeria’s status as a continental powerhouse in para-powerlifting while renewing calls for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector in supporting sports development across the country.

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Sports

CityRoxx Targets Sustainable Table Tennis Ecosystem for Nigerian Players

Published

3 hours ago

October 31, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Chief Executive Officer and founder of CityRoxx Table Tennis, Giwa Lukman, says his organisation is committed to building a sustainable ecosystem that will provide Nigerian table tennis players with opportunities for talent discovery, development, exposure and career progression.

Lukman made this known during the opening ceremony of the maiden CityRoxx City Smash Open Table Tennis Championship in Abuja, where he outlined his vision of creating a connected sporting community that supports players beyond competitions.

The six-day championship, holding at the Mo Arena Basketball Court in the Federal Capital Territory, has attracted more than 200 players from 33 clubs and over 27 states across the country.

According to Lukman, CityRoxx is not merely interested in organising tournaments but seeks to establish a structure that will support players at every stage of their sporting careers.

“We understand that the future of table tennis cannot depend on competitions alone. We need a structure that supports players before, during and after competitions.

“We want a system where a young player can be discovered, trained, registered, tracked and given opportunities to grow.

“We want players to have proper profiles, competition records and rankings. We want clubs to have a stronger network, while coaches, schools, sponsors and organisers become part of one connected sporting community,” he said.

He said that CityRoxx was developing a digital platform through its website, www.cityroxtabletennis.com, which would serve as a central hub for players, clubs and other stakeholders.

He explained that the platform would enable players to register, build their profiles, follow competitions, access rankings and remain connected to opportunities within the sport.

Lukman added that the organisation was also committed to expanding table tennis through school programmes, grassroots development, tournaments, media engagement and strategic partnerships.

He emphasised the importance of giving Nigerian players greater visibility, noting that their performances and achievements deserved wider recognition.

The CityRoxx founder also called on corporate organisations and private investors to support the development of table tennis, stressing that sponsorship should go beyond branding and become an investment in a growing sporting ecosystem.

He expressed appreciation to the championship sponsors, Kingfem and FCMB, for believing in the vision and supporting the maiden edition.

According to him, their commitment demonstrates the importance of private-sector participation in sports development.

Lukman further encouraged participating athletes to embrace discipline, respect their opponents and officials, and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout the competition.

He described the championship as an important milestone for Nigerian table tennis, adding that the vision was to build stronger competitions, expand school programmes, strengthen club networks and establish a functional ranking system.

Declaring the championship open on behalf of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) the Vice President, Hon. Salisu Malantariki, represented by Adamu Usman Ahmed, commended the organisers for their initiative and commitment to the growth of table tennis in Nigeria

Ahmed said the future of Nigerian table tennis depended on collective commitment to grassroots development, improved infrastructure, stronger clubs and regular competitive opportunities.

He urged government institutions, corporate organisations, private investors and sporting communities to support initiatives capable of discovering and nurturing young talents.

The opening ceremony also featured exhibition matches, with Abdulmalik Taofeek defeating his father, Hamzat Taofeek, 2-1 in an entertaining father-and-son encounter.

In the women’s exhibition match, one of Nigeria’s leading players, Ajoke Ojomu, defeated Aminat Sani 2-0.

Lukman expressed optimism that the maiden championship would mark the beginning of a bigger initiative capable of transforming the table tennis landscape and creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian players.

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