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Taekwondo: Harun, Osagie win Poomsae event at President Cup

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2023

Usman Harun and Ruth Osagie has won the Poomsae event in the male and female categories of the ongoing National President Cup Open Championship. USA
The three-day event organized by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja saw 34 athletes compete in the event, out of the 192 entries for the competition.
A total of 20 athletes took part in the male event while 14 competed in the women’s category.

The event which saw participants move from preliminary stages to quarter finals, semi finals and then finals, earned Harun, from Oyo state, the gold medal with 19 points.

His closest rival was Salaudeen Abdulhafeez from Lagos with 18 points win the silver medal while the bronze medal was given to the duo of Eniola Aramide of Ondo and Stanley Osagie of Lagos, both with 16 points.

The women’s category, saw Osagie of Bayelsa win gold with 18 points while Kudirat Harun of Bayelsa as well claimed the silver medal with 17 points.

Harun’s sibling, Habibat, also representing Bayelsa won bronze medal alongside Beauty Ditu of Lagos, both with 16 points.
Now, three Harun siblings won medals in the event with the older sibling, Usman, saying his motivation was his sisters.

“I am proud with what we have achieved today, although I believe that we can do better.

“My biggest motivation is my sisters because I am their coach and I want them to see me as a role model, so I try to put my best in whatever am doing,” Harun said.
Speaking on the competition, the black belt holder, said it was challenging competing with other athletes.

“I think that the standard of the game is high. Competing against other tough athletes can be challenging but I thank God I won.

“I had also undergone a few training and courses recently before I came for the competition, maybe that help to put me ahead of my opponents,” he said.

On her part, Osagie, winner of the women’s event, was excited with her performance and hopeful of replicating same feat in future competitions.

The tournament ends on Sunday.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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