Sports
Olympics, African Games: Sports Ministry Releases Names Of Qualified Federations, Athletes
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Ministry of Sports has released the list of sports the country will participate in at the 13th African Games scheduled to hold in Ghana, from March 8 to March 23.
The ministry also released names of athletes and sports that have so far qualified for the Olympics billed for Paris, France, from July 26 to Aug. 11.
Amaka Ashiofu, Acting Director, Federation, Elites and Athletes Development (FEAD), announced this in Abuja on Thursday at a meeting with various sports federations.
He said the country would participate in 23 sports.
Ashiofu listed the sports as Athletics, Badminton, Cycling, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, And Wrestling
Others are Arm Wrestling, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Rugby, Taekwondo, Volleyball And Weightlifting.
“The African Games are open and as such, we have 23 sports to participate in,” she said.
Ashiofu said that Nigeria would also be attending the African Games with three demonstration sports they are Mixed Martial Arts, Scrabble, and Teqball.
In preparation for the Olympics in Paris, France, Ashiofu said that the country would participate in 12 sports and that efforts were being made to ensure a podium finish.
The sports are Athletics, Boxing, Canoeing, Wrestling, Basketball Women, Badminton, Football Women, Rowing, Swimming, Taekwondo, Table Tennis and Weightlifting.
Also speaking on the preparation for the Paralympics. Acting Director, Para Sports, Thecla Opara, said that Nigeria would participate in five sports at the Paralympics, immediately after the Olympics.
She listed the sports as Para athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Table Tennis, Para-Badminton and Para Canoeing.
Sports
No crisis in NAWIS ahead of AFN elections on Monday
Joel Ajayi
The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), known for its orderliness since its establishment in 1990, continues to uphold its standards ahead of the upcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.
With members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, NAWIS has consistently operated without external interference.
Over the years, its members have been nominated to various boards of national sports federations after meeting established criteria, including the payment of annual dues.
The association has attracted a strong base of respected sportswomen who have served the country with distinction, both during and after their active careers.
In preparation for the AFN elections, zonal elections were conducted on June 2 and 3, producing representatives for the national exercise.
While NAWIS initially planned to hold its election in Zaria, Kaduna State, the association’s headquarters, it was later rescheduled for Abuja on Monday, June 9, following directives from higher authorities.
Importantly, NAWIS has a set of strict guidelines that govern its electoral process, particularly the requirement for timely payment of annual dues. Failure to meet this condition results in automatic disqualification.
This guideline was the basis for the disqualification of Maria Wophil, who has reportedly not paid her annual dues since 2017. Her attempt to hurriedly settle outstanding debts just before the election was deemed non-compliant with NAWIS regulations.
Who is Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju?
Commonwealth gold medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju is one of the leading contenders for the NAWIS representative position in the AFN.
She made history as the first African woman to run the 400m in under 50 seconds and brought glory to Nigeria by winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
Yusuf-Olukoju also claimed gold in the 400m at the 1991 All-Africa Games and silver in the 200m.
Based on nominations and her track record, Yusuf-Olukoju is considered the most qualified candidate. However, three other contenders have also shown interest, and the final decision will be made in the election slated for Monday, June 9, in Abuja.
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