Sports
NSC Applauds Team Nigeria on Success at ITTF Word Para Future Tourney in Jordan
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has lauded the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the recently concluded ITTF World Para Future tournament in Amman, Jordan, where the nation displayed its dominance in para table tennis by finishing among the top three teams globally.
Over the three-day championship, Nigeria amassed a remarkable haul of five gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals. Competing against powerhouses such as Germany, Iran, and host nation Jordan, Nigeria stood tall as one of only three African nations in attendance, alongside Egypt and South Africa.
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko described the achievement as a “testament to what is possible when vision meets preparation and belief.”
He added: “Our para-athletes have continued to inspire the entire nation. Their performance in Jordan shows that with the right support, Nigerian sports can soar on any global stage.”
NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the resilience and brilliance of the athletes, as well as the technical team and leadership of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN). “This is a proud moment for Nigeria,” Olopade said.
“I must commend the dedication of the team, especially the leadership of PCN President Sunday Odebode, who has remained committed to excellence and inclusion in Nigerian sports.”
The medals came in fast for Nigeria: Olufemi Alabi won the country’s first gold in the Men’s Class 10 singles, beating Iraq’s Shafeeq Hikmat. Faith Obazuaye clinched gold in the Women’s Class 9-10.
Bolawa Akingbemisilu earned gold in the Men’s Class 4-5, defeating compatriot Kehinde Lawal.
Abiola Adesope and Tajudeen Agunbiade captured gold in the Men’s Doubles Classes 14-18.
Alabi and Obazuaye closed Nigeria’s campaign in style by taking gold in the Mixed Doubles Classes 17-18.
Sports
President Tinubu’s Commitment to Sports Development Delivering Results at the Grassroots Level — NSC Chief Olopade
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for transformative grassroots sports development is already yielding tangible results, citing the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) at the National Sports Festival as a prime example.
Hon. Olopade stated that grassroots sports development is a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), with the President giving full backing to the Commission’s efforts.
“We understand that the foundation of our sports renaissance is an intentional priority to the grassroots cadre of our sports pyramid, and this is why the IJA project is very dear to the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and myself,” he said.
He noted that the inclusion of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) as the “38th state” at the National Sports Festival in Ogun State is set to be a game changer, aimed at building a steady pipeline of top talent for major international competitions.
“The Commission has also been able to send about 19 different national teams out for various international competitions thanks to the kind of financial backing and support we are getting from Mr President,” he added.
“Fortunately, many of these teams have returned to the country excelling—boosting the image and bragging rights of our country on the international stage.”
The Director General highlighted impressive breakthroughs in sports where Nigeria previously had little visibility.
“We are now also beginning to excel in sports that Nigeria was never known for before, like the performance of the Nigeria U19 Cricket team at the World Cup in Malaysia where Nigeria finished 5th in the world.”
“And just recently, Nigeria’s young swimmer Abdul Tabur Adama shone at the Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Egypt where he won gold and set two new records in the 50 meters. We also had successes in sports like badminton with Eniola Bolaji at the World Para-Tournament in Spain, wrestling in Morocco, weightlifting in Mauritius, just to mention but a few.”
The two time Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development concluded by reaffirming that these achievements are only possible due to the humongous support from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who remains deliberate about the vital role sports plays in delivering the broader Renewed Hope Mandate for the country.
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