Sports

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

Published

3 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

Tangerine APT Pension Crowned New Kings of PFA Games 2025

Published

11 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
Joel Ajayi Tangerine APT Pension stormed the 2025 Pension Fund Administrators Games and snatched the crown with a commanding 66 points—ending FCMB’s reign and announcing themselves as the new champions of corporate sporting excellence.

From the first whistle to the final scoreboard, Tangerine APT played like an organisation possessed. They dominated volleyball and snooker, showcased brilliant tactical depth to finish second in chess behind Norrenberger, secured second place in team bonding behind Premium Pension, and held their own across the board—fourth in football, sixth in table tennis, fifth in scrabble, and eighth in e-sports, press conference, discipline and grooming. Every point mattered, and Tangerine APT grabbed them with fire.

Defending champions FCMB, despite flashes of brilliance, simply could not summon last year’s magic.

They finished second overall with 63 points—just three points behind the new champions. FCMB were first in scrabble, second in football, third in table tennis and e-sports, fourth in snooker and team bonding, and fifth in volleyball, chess, and press conference/discipline/grooming. A brave defence, but not enough to stop the Tangerine wave.

Rounding off the podium is NPF Pension, finishing third with 57 points after a spirited campaign. They claimed gold in football, second in table tennis and e-sports, third in volleyball, fourth in scrabble, sixth in press conference/discipline/fanfare/most coordinated, seventh in chess, and eighth in snooker and team bonding.

The rest of the table saw fierce competition:4th – Norrenberger Pension: 52 points, 5th – Premium Pension: 47 points, 6th – NNPC Pension: 45 points, 7th – Access Arm: 41 points
In Others position 8th – Trustfund Pension: 29 points 9th – PENCOM: 28 points and 10th – NUPEMCO: 25 points.

With the dust settled and the cheers still echoing, one truth stands tall:Tangerine APT Pension has ushered in a new era—bold, dominant, and unforgettable.

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