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We are not in Tokyo for Show- Minister

Published

4 years ago

July 20, 2021

Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has affirmed that Team Nigeria was not in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for show, but to win laurels for the country by competing clean.

Speaking at a brief ceremony organised by the Ethiopian Airline to send the Minister and others forth, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister said ” We are grateful to the Federal Government , Corporate Nigeria and all those who supported Team Nigeria by adopting our athletes.

” I want Nigerians to wish team Nigeria the very best as we compete with the very best in the world at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 205 countries with over 11,000 Athletes from around the world validates the Olympics as the biggest sporting event in the world.
“The fact that we have a team of 58 athletes that qualified to participate, some of whom are the very best in their events shows that this country is going to Tokyo not just to show up but to compete clean and win medals”

The Minister further said ” We thank Ethiopian Airlines for successfully air lifting our Team and hope that we shall have cause to celebrate when we return with medals. So my message is: best wishes Team Nigeria, above all we need the prayers of Nigerians so that the athletes compete excellently, cleanly and win medals and bring glory to our Nation”.

In her remarks Ethiopian Airlines Abuja Manager Senait Ataklet said” We are proud to be associated with Team Nigeria as the official Airline. We wish the team best of luck and look forward to receiving you when you return from Tokyo with medals.

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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.

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