Sports

Olympics, African Games: Sports Ministry Releases Names Of Qualified Federations, Athletes

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

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.

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Sports

FAME Foundation to the World: Para Athletes Need Empowerment, Not Sympathy

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
The founder of FAME Foundation (Female Advocacy, Mentoring, and Empowerment), Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, has called on the global community to support, not pity, para athletes.

Speaking at the recently concluded Play the Game 2025 Conference held in Tampere, Finland, Atoyebi emphasized that athletes with physical challenges require empowerment, policy support, and inclusion not sympathy.

Aderonke, a fearless journalist and lifelong advocate for women and girls in sports, has consistently championed the rights of marginalized groups through her foundation.

Known for her bold and passionate advocacy, she reiterated that para athletes deserve the same opportunities and resources as their able-bodied counterparts.

The international conference, held from October 5th to 8th, brought together journalists, policymakers, and global stakeholders to discuss pressing issues under the theme: “Breaking Barriers in Sports: Integration of Marginalized Groups and Persons with Disabilities.”

Delivering a powerful and interactive lecture, Atoyebi stated: “I want to conclude by saying that para athletes around the globe need our support, policy reviews, and implementation—not our pity. They don’t need sympathy; what they truly need is empowerment.”

Her impactful contribution at the event further amplified Africa’s voice in the global call for inclusion, equality, and policy-driven change in the world of sports.

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