Featured

Sports Minister Sunday Dare: A Square Peg in Square Hole

Published

5 years ago

January 18, 2020

Before the announcement of the members of his Federal cabinet by President Muhammadu Buhari on August, the 22nd 2019, there were a number of Ministries Nigerians were worried the President might not make a good pick for. One of those Ministries was the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

With the announcement of the Ministers and their various portfolios, many of the Ministers made pronouncements on that day. One of them was Mr. Sunday Dare. Hearing the Minister speak, erased a lot of doubts to begin with. One of the headlines on the dailies gave hope that all would go hand in hand. “I Am not a Football Minister, ” he said. That gave hope particularly to other Sports and he has since kept to his words, giving attention to the various other Sports. He has practically touched all the various Sports Federation in the country with one form of innovation or the other.

A tireless man with results to show for it. He has make good on his promise to not also focus on Sports at the expense of Youth Development. This he has started with the provision of digital skills for youth empowerment amongst other laudable programs being unveiled by the Ministry with each passing day.

Charismatic and intelligent, driven by passion, I make bold to say that this is the first time the youth have been carried along by a Sports Minister.

He is truly an advocate of the Youth, a game with a clear sense of direction.

A man with sound mind who has never claimed to have all the answers but continues to give his best. He also has a sparkling sense of humour which is a rare commodity in present day leaders in the country.

Above all, a leader who walks the talk. He is surrounded by a retinue of vibrant young aides.

Spot on Mr. Sunday Dare. Rise and take a bow

Share on Facebook

Featured

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

Published

2 weeks 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.

Share on Facebook