Sports
Japan Ambassador Gifts Lagos Grassroots Teams Football Jerseys, Balls, praise Nigerian footballers
By Akeem Busari
Japan Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency, Mr. Kazuyoshi Matsunaga yesterday spoke glowingly of Nigerian football, describing the average Nigerian athlete as some of the physically endowed and gifted talents in world sports.
He made these remarks while donating football kits and balls courtesy of some J-League club sides to four grassroots teams namely, Gunners Link FC, Stars To Be FC, Iganmu Tigers FC, and Saidad Football Academy, at the final of the FiredJiro U16 football tournament held on Sunday, at the Legacy pitch at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Which saw Iganmu Tigers FC defeat Stars ToBe FC 3-0.
His Excellency Matsunaga also stated that it is one of his policies to use sports to further foster socio-economic collaborations between Japan and Nigeria.
“Since I assumed the office as Japan Ambassador to Nigeria in May 2021, I have always focused on sports as a veritable for socio-economic empowerment amongst the people of both countries. Today, we have many Nigerian footballers playing in top Japanese club sides,” he remarked.
The twin event also served as a sent-forth ceremony for Iganmu Tigers FC who are set to participate in an international youth tournament slated for Italy in October, this year.
Sports
Kukkiwon President Hails Popoola’s Impact on Nigerian Taekwondo, NTF Boss Celebrates One Year of Progress
The President of the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Grand Master Tayo Popoola has received a letter of commendation from the president of Kukkiwon, Yun Ung- Suk, for her outstanding contribution to the development of the sport.
Grand Master Popoola was hailed for her consistent drive improving the game within a short time of her stewardship in the NTF and the dissemination of Taekwondo activities in Nigeria to the global space.
The commendation letter dated October 25, 2026, was personally signed by Kukkiwon President, Ung-Suk.
Popoola said the commendation came to her as a pleasant surprise.
“I did not see that coming but It is a good one not only for me but the entire federation. I did not do it alone and it is also a challenge to do much more in the days, weeks and months ahead. I thank all the board members and I am optimistic that we will do more for the athletes,” Popoola said.
Incidentally, it is just about one year in office for Grand Master Popoola who has recorded a string of successes in the federation including the National Open Trials in Abeokuta, the Africa Taekwondo Championship 2026 in Bamako Mali where Nigeria won several Medals, the first ever Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele National Taekwondo Championship which took place last month in Lagos and the recently held Korean Ambassador Cup in Abuja which also had in attendance the World Kukkiwon Demonstration team.
The demonstration team dazzled fans in Abuja with spectacular display only last weekend just as the para-athletes in taekwondo were duly classified by experts from the world body in preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
“I want to thank the National Sports Commission for the support given to me and the entire NTF. Things can only get better,” Popoola stressed.
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