Sports
Sports Minister to Meet Sports Federations’ Presidents, Technical Directors and Secretaries Ahead of Olympics
…Says Ministry executing its strategies towards ensuring success in Paris
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh will meet with presidents, secretaries, and technical directors of Olympic-bound sports federations as the Ministry fine-tunes preparations towards Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The programme collaboratively involves notable bodies such as the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Paralympic Federation of Nigeria, and the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee, in order to foster synergy towards achieving Nigeria’s objectives at this year’s summer Olympics.
Senator Enoh stated that the training programme is one amongst the various strategies of the Ministry to ensure Team Nigeria achieves success at the forthcoming Games in Paris, France.
The programme is exclusively focused on working with federations that have qualified to participate at the Olympic Games, as deliberations will be laser-focused on how to achieve the Nigeria’s objectives set forth for this year’s Olympics.
Senator Enoh had mentioned that Nigeria deserves another run of gold medal haul at the Olympics, just as it did in Atlanta 1996, and the country must work to surpass the record it set 28 years ago in the United States of America.
The meeting comes as another timely catalyst to prepare the nation, federations, and athletes likewise, towards ultimate success in Paris.
The programme will take place on Thursday, May 30, at the Media Center of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Sports
Culture Comes Alive in Abuja as 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament Kicks Off in Grand Style
By Joel Ajayi
It was a spectacular showcase of culture and tradition at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja as the 13th edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) African Wrestling Tournament commenced in grand style.
A total of 55 athletes from 11 countries are competing for top honors, with each nation represented by five wrestlers and four technical officials.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Thursday, the Director of Youth and Sports Development for ECOWAS, Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, expressed his appreciation and highlighted the importance of the tournament in fostering cooperation and unity among the 12 ECOWAS member states.
Although Cape Verde is absent from this year’s event, Njoaguani stressed the significance of sports as a powerful tool for regional integration.
“This programme brings together wrestlers from all our member states,” Njoaguani said. “It strengthens collaboration among nations and showcases the unifying power of sports. We believe this will enhance the integration efforts that ECOWAS advocates.”
With young people making up 54% of the ECOWAS population, Njoaguani noted the vital role sports play in economic development and youth engagement.
“Sports not only connect participants but also drive economic growth,” he stated. “We aim to leverage sports to spread the message of ECOWAS regarding integration and youth development, which are essential to our goals of development and human capital enhancement.”
The tournament opened with team events, while individual bouts across weight categories of 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 100kg, and 120kg are scheduled to follow in an elimination format, leading to the semi-finals and finals.
Njoaguani also extended an invitation to the public to attend the tournament’s grand finale on Saturday, where medals and prizes will be awarded to the champions.
As excitement builds, the tournament aims not only to showcase athletic talent but also to foster regional camaraderie and development through the spirit of competition.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to using sports as a platform for youth empowerment, regional integration, and economic growth.
This year’s tournament also coincides with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, adding greater significance to the event.
Dikko praised the rich cultural heritage embedded in traditional wrestling, describing it as more than just a sport: “It embodies the spirit of resilience, strength, and discipline—qualities that define our great continent,” he said, as dignitaries, athletes, and fans gathered to celebrate this prestigious event.
Dikko further commended the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, noting his dedication to using sports as a vehicle for peace and regional cohesion.
“This tournament is a testament to our collective commitment to promoting cultural ties and strengthening the bonds that unite us,” he emphasized.
Hosting the tournament firmly positions Nigeria as a central figure in promoting and developing traditional sports across the region.
Dikko reiterated the National Sports Commission’s dedication to maximizing the power of sporting events for youth development, regional unity, and economic progress.
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