Sports
Olympian, Uche Eke gives Scholarship To Two TIG Gymnasts in USA, Donate Equipments
Joel Ajayi
Despite not growing up in the country, the Olympian who represented Nigeria at the Gymnastics event in Tokyo 2020 Uche Eke has given out scholarships to two Members of Tony Asuquo Gymnastic TIG Club to pursue their career in sports in the United States of America.
Uche who is now a Software Engineer in the state promised to donate gymnastics equipment to his childhood club to help the children have better training.
Softspoken Eke, the trailblazing Nigerian Olympian who made history by representing the country at the Tokyo 2022 Olympics, is presently in Nigeria on holiday, seizing the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of gymnastics in the nation.
Addressing a gathering during a training session at Moshood Abiola Stadium’s gymnasium hall, Eke articulated his post-retirement commitment to establishing a robust platform for the flourishing of young Nigerian gymnasts. Reflecting on the profound opportunities he presented by representing his country, he underscored the importance of creating avenues for the next generation of Nigerian talent.
Recalling his own experiences while preparing for Tokyo 2020, Eke recognized the abundance of untapped talent among aspiring gymnasts, hindered only by the lack of appropriate environments and equipment. Now, he is determined to make a difference by providing scholarships for two promising gymnasts to pursue training in the United States, ensuring access to cutting-edge facilities and participation in top-tier competitions.
Expanding on his philanthropic endeavors, Eke announced plans to support the Tony International Gymnastics Club (TIG) by providing essential equipment. His goal is to empower young athletes, enabling them to hone their skills and potentially secure podium finishes at future Olympic Games.
He expressed that he desires to see many Nigerian Gymnasts succeed and surpass what he has done, saying that he desires to see the next person that will go to the Olympics for Nigeria to win a medal not just go.
When asked if he is going to participate in this year’s Olympics in Paris? Uche expressed: “It makes me sad to say that I will not be participating. But you know, we are doing some other things such as trying to sponsor two gymnasts, and take them, somewhere in the United States and have them trained up with great equipment.
“That is why I am here, the idea of picking some children from Nigeria, taking them abroad, we have raw talents, looking at them they are strong but the only disadvantage is equipment, it’s bad for their safety, and it slows down the pace of their learning process. Everyone here is determined, they have the Nigerian blood flowing through them that is why I decided to give scholarships to two of them every year to enable them to have better equipment.”
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Sports
Customs CG Increases Prize Money as 2025 Volleyball League Final Phase Serves Off in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
As the final phase of the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) National Volleyball Premier League for men and women commenced, with organisers reaffirming their commitment to improving player welfare, competition standards, and overall development of the sport in Nigeria.
Speaking at the press conference to mark the start of the final phase, the Customs Director General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was represented at the event by the Secretary of Sports Nigeria Customs Service Samuel Onikeku expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the league’s debut last year.
According to the organisers, the CGC has insisted that players remain at the centre of the project, noting that 70% of last year’s budget went directly to athletes. Based on lessons from the maiden edition, several adjustments were made in 2025 to enhance welfare and fairness.
“One of the key improvements was the increase in team subsidies, which rose from ₦300,000 per team to ₦500,000.
“During the first phase of the 2025 league, a total of ₦24 million was disbursed—₦12 million to players and another ₦12 million to teams.
“The same amount will be released for the final phase, bringing the total subsidy for the season to ₦48 million.”
Onileku stressed that the Comptroller-General is particularly passionate about ensuring that players—“the main characters everyone comes to watch”—receive adequate compensation for their sacrifice and commitment. Beyond volleyball, the Customs CG is reportedly extending similar support to wrestling, football, and soon, athletics.
The prize money structure remains unchanged from last year, after the CG increased it from the initial ₦3m–₦2m–₦1m format to ₦5 million for the champions, ₦3 million for second place, and ₦2 million for third place.
He hinted that the prizes could still rise before the end of the tournament, noting that volleyball currently offers some of the highest rewards among team sports in Nigeria outside football.
Individual awards, each valued at ₦100,000, also remain intact.
In addition, the CG introduced a new category this year: the Most Disciplined Team Award for both men and women, reflecting his strong emphasis on discipline and sportsmanship.
Onikeku who is also an AFN Board Member expressed gratitude to members of the press for what they described as “100% support” during the African Clubs Championship, noting that widespread coverage—both English and French—helped elevate the sport’s visibility. They added that this was one of the reasons the CG of Customs was recently honoured as a grand patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Onikeku thanked all stakeholders, expressing confidence that by the final, the league would once again record a successful outing.
Speaking also, the Representatives of Nigeria Volleyball NVBF the 2nd Vice President Arch Adamu Tenimu thanked the Nigeria Customs for the supports reaffirming that the Service remain as the sole sponsor of the league and a core partner in the sport’s broader development.
He praised the Customs Service for its continued commitment, noting that their involvement has been instrumental in elevating the Premier League to internationally acceptable standards.
“Customs has played a key role in bringing us to this level, and we will continue to appreciate and seek this kind of partnership,” he added.
Beyond the ongoing competition, the Federation announced a major structural shift in its calendar. Beginning next year, the NVBF will no longer conclude all major local competitions at the end of the year—when many athletes and officials are often preparing for holidays.
While giving Vote of Thanked, the NVBF board Member, Mrs Chinedu Odozor Onikeku expressed gratitude to the CGC Adeniyi, President, Board, and all stakeholders for their support and commitment throughout the season.
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