Sports

We‘ll Not Relent Until Sports Takes Its Pride Of Place – Minister

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2022

By Joel Ajayi

Blueprint Newspapers Sports Icon of the Year , winner, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has revealed that he will not relent on its effort to work on the initiative and plan to bring more growth and development to the sports sector in the country and beyond.

He gave this assurance shortly after he bagged the award yesterday in Abuja for his outstanding leadership during the annual lecture and award presentation to many Nigerians who do excellently in their various sectors.

According to him, I am pleased to be counted worthy to be awarded the Blueprint Sports Icon of the Year. It is an indication that somewhere, somehow, people recognize the hard work I and my team put in on a daily basis.

“This award will only spur me to do more, because a proverbial saying postulates that the reward for hard work is more work. I have picked up numerous awards, with the help of God and of course, hard work but I see the beauty in this, in that we are still basking in the euphoria of our remarkable achievements at the just concluded 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the country posted its best ever performance.

“We would continually work hard relentlessly, until we reach enviable heights.

“It’s a validation of our commitment, it’s a validation of our committed athletes who have been patriotic, and they make sacrifices.

“In three years, we have been able to shake the table, we have been able to take bold initiative, we kept our eye on the ball, we will just keep with our programs, we will remain focused, and we are going to play for more podium performance” , he vowed.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Visits Team Nigeria in Camp Ahead of All-African Senior Badminton Championship

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says NSC is determined to encourage all Sports Federations
Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has revealed that the Commission’s leadership is determined to support and encourage all sports federations to excel.

The 2025 edition of the All-African Senior Badminton Championship is set to take place from February 10th to 16th in Douala, Cameroon. Team Nigeria, consisting of 10 players—5 males and 5 females—will compete in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles categories. The men’s team includes Nigeria’s number one player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori.

Olopade visited the team’s camp in Abuja on Wednesday to encourage them and bid the Nigerian Badminton Team farewell ahead of their participation in the championship. He extended a goodwill message from the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, assuring the team of the Commission’s support and encouraging them to make the country proud.

He expressed confidence in the team, urging them to perform at their best. “My message was very clear. I conveyed the message from the chairman of the sports commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, and it was a clear one: we are determined to continue supporting all sports,” Olopade said.

“Moreover, when you look at the development and growth of Nigerian badminton, it is our responsibility, as leaders of the sports commission, to ensure that these athletes are encouraged to keep up the good work they have been doing for the country. They are the defending champions, and I’m not just here to encourage them. I have come to show our love, our support, and to ensure they are ready. They are well taken care of, and the confidence for them to excel is there. It’s all up to them to do well.”

In his remarks, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbi, stated that the Nigerian team is ready for the championships and that all the players understand the importance of the tournament.

“I’m confident that they will perform very well. We have a lot of potential, and the Director General’s visit to encourage the players will further boost their courage and determination. We are grateful for that.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s badminton star, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, is aiming for a consecutive title at the 2025 All-African Senior Badminton Championship in Douala, Cameroon. Opeyori won the singles event last year and is now targeting another title in Cameroon.

At the previous edition of the tournament in Cairo, Nigeria won one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.

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