Sports

Weightlifting Federation President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul Applauds NSC’s Leadership in Championing Sports Development in Nigeria

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2025

Joel Bisi

President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, has credited Nigeria’s triumphs so far at the African Senior Weightlifting Championship to the deliberate and strategic approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in revitalizing the nation’s sports sector by appointing technocrats to head the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Dr. Abdul made this statement on Thursday morning, in an interview in Moka, Mauritius, where Nigeria is currently competing in the African Senior Weightlifting Championship. As of Thursday evening, Nigeria sits on top of the medal standings with 10 Gold, 4 silver and one bronze.

Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele’s impressive showing on Thursday evening helped to increase Nigeria’s medal haul after winning three Gold medals to underline her dominance in her weight category.

“President Tinubu knew exactly what he wanted and was intentional in his selection of leaders for the National Sports Commission,” Dr. Abdul said. “By appointing proven technocrats like Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, he laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity for Nigerian sports.”

Mallam Shehu Dikko, a former Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), first appointed on December 26, 2014a, has also served in various capacities at FIFA and CAF. He has been at the forefront of key reforms within African and global sports governance, bringing his wealth of experience to the Commission.

Dr. Abdul also highlighted the immense impact of the NSC’s Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade—a two-time Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State—who has overseen numerous thriving sports projects across the country and internationally.

Speaking on Team Nigeria’s success so far in Mauritius, he said “this is no coincidence. The NSC gave us all the support we needed to succeed,” Abdul emphasized.

“When the DG announced thousands of dollars in financial incentives, sat with the athletes, shared meals, and took pictures with them—it wasn’t just symbolic. It was a powerful morale boost for all of them.”

According to him, “Our athletes felt truly seen, valued, and supported. Today, they competed like warriors—ready to give their all for the nation. That is the spirit this administration has ignited in Nigerian sports.”

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Sports

Senegal become first African team to beat England with 3-1 win in friendly

Published

11 hours ago

June 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Senegal became the first African team to beat England in 22 games on Tuesday, winning 3-1 in a friendly at the City Ground thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly.

Senegal stretched their unbeaten streak to 24 games, while England’s loss, which included a disallowed late goal from Jude Bellingham for a handball in the build-up, was their first defeat in four games under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

“Not good enough,” captain Harry Kane told ITV. “We had moments, but with and without the ball things aren’t clicking, we’re not finding the right tempo.

We’ve lost that aggressive nature that we had.”England — with 10 changes from Saturday’s 1-0 lacklustre World Cup qualifying win over Andorra took the lead when Kane struck in the seventh minute after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Anthony Gordon’s shot but spilled the ball into the striker’s path.T

he hosts conceded for the first time under Tuchel when Sarr caught Kyle Walker napping to poke in Nicolas Jackson’s cross in the 40th minute.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 62nd when Diarra latched onto a ball over the top then fired through goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s legs. Sabaly struck deep into stoppage time, prompting boos from England fans after the final whistle.

We’re not going to panic but we know we need to be better,” Kane said. “New ideas, there’s new players coming into the team that don’t have experience at international level.

“It’s a mixture of things but no excuses. We need to find it quick, the World Cup is going to come around really fast so every camp is really important right now.

“Senegal peppered Henderson with nine shots on target to England’s four, including an early header from Sarr that the goalkeeper pushed wide of the post.

Gordon squandered a glorious chance to give England a two-goal lead in the first half when he mis-hit Walker’s cross from close range.

Mendy made a great late save to deny England what would have been an equaliser from Bukayo Saka before Senegal added their third.

“Disappointing result, not sure if maybe didn’t deserve a little bit more result-wise,” Tuchel said. “But felt again a bit frozen, not active enough for a long time of the match.

“We conceded the first two goals, very easy goals, that we needed to defend better.

The reaction was good after we were down, suddenly more active, more free, more fluid, more aggressive towards the opponent’s goals. We had then big chances to equalise.”

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