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NSF Edo 2020: A Blend of Sports And Culture

Published

4 years ago

April 7, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Edo state is renowned for her rich culture and sports pedigree which had resulted in the discovery of superstars in sports, arts, culture and music.

The host state lived up to her reputation during the opening ceremony of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival with a blend of cultural performances at the opening ceremony on Tuesday 6th April 2021. The rich cultural heritage of Edo and all the states of the Federation came alive with dances, music and cultural displays which symbolize unity in diversity.

The rich culture and sports record was captured by the Minister who represented the President with a message that sports can unify and be used as a capsule for Youth empowerment, creating jobs and arresting drifting from the tenets of grassroots sports Development.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki echoed the fact that sports had come back to its roots with the assertion: Sport is back home.

According to the Minister Chief Sunday Dare, in pursuit of unity and development of Nigerian youth, the National sports festival #NSF2020 offers a unique opportunity to explore Sports development beyond more than a game.

“Nigerians will have the opportunity to see some of our best young talents compete in 32 sports events amongst 36 states plus the FCT.”

“You have seen the performance this evening and for the next twelve days we will see our young talents compete. We hope that from this competition and Festival, we can find some stars that will eventually represent this country.”

“I just want to say that Sports promotes peace and employs millions of our youth.”

While affirming President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to sports development, the Minister reiterated: “Like the president promised, he will continue to support sports development so that our youth can be engaged productively and to have a career in sports.”

The Minister further said This Festival signposts the future when athletes discovered here would be able to compete with the best in the world. I look forward to this Festival producing notable superstars as we have had in the past. It is also a unique opportunity to invest in our sports infrastructure to create the right mix.”

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

Published

1 week 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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