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National Principal’s Cup: Sports Ministry Partners Melon Production Ltd

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2021

The Ministry of Youth and sports Development has gone into a partnership agreement with Melon Production Ltd for the organisation of the second edition of the National Principal’s Cup.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare last year revived the tournament with FOSLA Academy, Karshi, Abuja emerging as champions.

Melon Production Ltd emerged headline partner following their success in the organisation of the just concluded Maltina Schools Games.

According to the Director of Grassroot Development of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Alhaji Bode Durotoye “The National Principal’s Cup is a baby of the Ministry aimed at producing young talents that will do Nigeria proud in the future. The Last edition was abridged because we just revived it, but this edition is scaling up to accommodate more schools for a longer duration.”

While Commending Melon Production Ltd, the Director said: “This partnership is a very good opportunity for us to work together following their success in handling the Maltina school games. We hope to achieve our goals in the forthcoming National Principal’s Cup which we are hoping to start by September.”

In his response, Director of Melon Production Ltd. Chief S. O Alabi affirmed “This is a development that will bring improvement to grass root sports and football in particular. We are confident by next year, alot of talents would have been discovered and this partnership would be seen as a blessing not only to the Ministry but to the Nation at large.”

“We want to re-awaken sleeping, Young talents by catching them young because Nigeria has talents in abundance, but the problem has been discovering them “, Alabi concluded.

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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