Sports
Weightlifting: Yinka Ayenuwa Eyes Podium Finish At Paris 2024 Olympics
2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Yinka Ayenuwa said his target is to win a medal for Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the weightlifting event.
The 2015 All African Games silver told said that preparations for the forthcoming Olympics started in 2019.
The Nigeria Weightlifting Champion said with modern weightlifting facilities at his disposal in the United States of America, the 2024 Africa Games will serve as a training tour.
He said, “I am seriously preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics and I want to tell you that the journey began in 2019. I won three gold medals at the 2018 Southern California Weightlifting Championships in the US before winning 2 gold and 1 silver medals for Team Delta at the 2019 National Sports Festival in Abuja.
“My first target was to represent Nigeria at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, but it suffered postponement till 2024. I have access to modern weightlifting training facilities here in the US and this has assisted me greatly. I believe I have what it takes to land a medal for Nigeria in Paris next year.”
The former African silver medallist said his wealth of experience gathered over the last 15 years will prove effective in upcoming International Championships.
Yinka Ayenuwa has won the following Laurel for Nigeria: 1 gold and 1 silver at the 2007 All African Games in Algeria1 silver at the 2007 African Weightlifting Championship in South Africa, 1 , bronze medal at the 2013 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Malaysia, 1 silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland amongst others.
He was Ranked 16th at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championship
Sports
Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.
Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.
In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.
“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.
The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.
The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.
Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.
She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.
According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.
“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.
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