Sports

Japanese Embassy Donates over 100 Kendama Sports Kits to children in Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Japanese embassy to Nigeria has donated Kendama Sports equipment to over 100 Nigeria’s children as a way of promoting the game in the country.

Over the weekend, Tony International Gymnastics TIG Club of Nigeria in conjunction with Japan Embassy in Nigeria, introduced another brand new creative Sports called “Kendama Toothed Sport” to the country.

The first ever Kendama toothed Sports games took place at Moshood Abiola National stadium Gymnastic hall where children and parents in numbers learn how to play Kendama for the first time.

At the exhibition of the game, the Japanese Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi highlighted the importance of the kendama sports game.

He expressed that the game will help to build the physical, mental and social benefits including good aerobic exercise and development of concentration of children.

“By donating Kendama kits to children and their parents, I hope it will build family bonds and build children’s confidence. Playing kendama together can be fun and engaging activities, it will allow children to progress and achieve at their own pace.

“We hope this donation will give children in Nigeria the opportunity to learn and play Kendama and experience the benefit that comes with it.

“We also hope that this donation will help to strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries and highlight the potential of kendama for social impact in Nigeria.

An elated Founder of TIG Club coach Anthony Asuoqo thanked the Japanese embassy for counting TIG Club worthy, saying the club is going to its best to promote the game in Nigeria and beyond.

According to him, the new game is about their mental alertness, it’s about techniques, and coordination.

“It’s a thing of joy for me that this game was introduced to Nigeria through TIG Club, today we have over 100 children and their parents.

“We will be working with the Japanese embassy to spread the game. We have determined to take this game to all the states, the game has to go round the country as well as all the gymnastics clubs and federations.”

It will be recalled that Japan Embassy and TIG Club of Abuja over the years had partnered with the aim of prospering sports in Nigeria.

There is no doubt the partner is now contributing to the growth and development of sports such as gymnastic, Karate, Taekwondo and now Kendama sports

However, The Kendama game is a traditional Japanese skill toy that consists of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected together by a string.

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Sports

Customs Names First Lady Remi Tinubu As ‘Grand Patron’ For 2025 African Volleyball Championship

Published

13 mins ago

March 17, 2025

The Gleamer

…As CGC Adeniyi champions gender inclusion in Nigeria Customs Service

Joel Ajayi

Following the preparation to commence the long-awaited African Volleyball Tournament in April 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service has named the First Lady and wife of the President of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as the Grand Patron of the upcoming female volleyball tournament.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this announcement on Friday, when he officially visited the First Lady at her office in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.During the engagement, CGC Adeniyi lauded the First Lady’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, citing her Renewed Hope Initiative, which has positively impacted education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for women, youth, and vulnerable groups. He noted that her leadership has inspired institutional reforms across various sectors, including the Nigeria Customs Service.

The CGC highlighted the Service’s investment in women’s sports, noting that its volleyball team has won the Volleyball Premier League in 2018, 2022, and 2024, as well as the Confederation of Africa Zone 3 Volleyball Championship in 2018 and 2019. He expressed confidence that the First Lady’s presence at the championship would boost athletes’ morale.

“Your Excellency, in recognition of your exemplary leadership and advocacy for women’s advancement, we humbly request that you honour us by serving as the Grand Patron of this momentous event.

Your presence at the official opening ceremony would immeasurably elevate the significance of this championship and inspire our athletes to even greater heights”, CGC Adeniyi said.

Beyond sports, the CGC emphasised the Service’s commitment to gender balance, highlighting the appointment of women to strategic leadership positions, including Excise and Free Trade Zones, Tariff and Trade, and ICT/Modernization Departments.

He further acknowledged the contributions of female officers leading critical initiatives such as the Corporate Social Responsibility ,CSR, Programme, Single Window project, and Authorised Economic Operator Programme, which have significantly modernised Customs operations.

“Following Your Excellency’s inspiring example, we are actively implementing policies that provide equal opportunities for women to express themselves and excel in our Service. Today, women hold critical leadership positions and drive key modernisation efforts”, CGC Adeniyi added.

However, he reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in leadership and sports, pledging continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the First Lady’s vision for gender inclusion in national development.

Responding, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu accepted the offer, emphasising that women must continue to take up spaces in all spheres of life.

“I accepted this offer and I keep telling women, there’s always a space for you. There’s a space for you. Nobody’s asking you not to amount to anything. You just have to work more”, the First Lady said.

She further called on Nigerian female star athletes who have made names abroad to return home and inspire the next generation, urging figures like Tobi Amusan and others to actively mentor young girls in sports.

“These are role models for our girls, but don’t go out and just be popular there. They should come and encourage other girls. I want them to do that because it matters a lot. When God gives you a platform, you are not just standing for yourself, you are standing for millions of other women”, Senator Oluremi added.

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