Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo of Anambra State has been crowned Nigeria’s fastest girl following a breathtaking performance at the National Youth Games in Asaba. Competing in the 100m sprint, the talented athlete stormed to victory, finishing in an impressive 12.24 seconds to secure the gold medal.

Nwankwo’s dominance in the race left her competitors trailing, reaffirming her as one of Nigeria’s rising stars in athletics. Her triumph has not only filled her home state with pride but has also ignited excitement across the country, with many touting her as a promising contender in future national and international sporting events.

With this achievement, Chigozie Nwankwo joins the ranks of young athletes driving the future of Nigerian athletics, becoming a symbol of hope and excellence for the sport.

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    In a spectacular display of strength and determination, Nigerian Para-powerlifter Folashade Oluwafemiayo has won the gold medal at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris, France. Competing in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting category, Oluwafemiayo not only secured the top podium position but also made history by setting a new world record. She became the first Para-athlete ever to successfully lift 166kg, shattering the previous world record and marking a new milestone in Para-sport.

    Oluwafemiayo’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and her position as one of the world’s leading athletes in her sport. Her achievement drew applause from spectators and fellow athletes, as she executed the record-breaking lift with confidence and precision, showcasing the power and skill that have defined her career.

    This victory marks another significant milestone for Team Nigeria at the Paralympics, further cementing the country’s reputation as a powerhouse in Para-powerlifting. Nigeria has historically excelled in the sport, with athletes frequently dominating the podium at international competitions. Oluwafemiayo’s gold medal adds to the growing list of accolades for the nation and is a testament to the rigorous training, dedication, and resilience of its athletes.

    Oluwafemiayo’s win has been celebrated widely across Nigeria and beyond, with fans and supporters praising her incredible feat on social media. She has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for many, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, barriers can be broken, and new heights achieved.

    Her world-record lift is expected to serve as a motivating force for aspiring athletes, especially those with disabilities, proving that physical limitations are no obstacle to achieving greatness in sports. As the Paralympics continue, Nigeria will look to build on this success, aiming for more medals and global recognition.

    Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s achievement is a proud moment for Nigeria and a historic event in the world of Para-sport, highlighting the power of perseverance, athletic excellence, and national pride.

    Anthony Emeka Nwosu

 

Flora Ugwunwa has made Nigeria proud by winning a Silver medal in the women’s Javelin F54 event at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris. Ugwunwa secured the second position with a remarkable throw of 19.26 meters, marking Nigeria’s first medal in Para-Athletics and the fourth medal overall at the Games.

Her exceptional performance on the global stage highlights the determination and strength of Nigerians with disabilities, proving that they can achieve great heights despite any challenges.

This victory has also prompted calls for the Federal and State Ministries of Sports and Youth Development to increase budgetary provisions for sports development among citizens with disabilities and ensure they have access to the necessary funding and resources.

Congratulations to Flora Ugwunwa on her well-deserved achievement. Nigeria celebrates her success and stands proud of her inspiring contribution to the country’s sporting history.

*#Paralympics #FloraUgwunwa #SilverMedal #ParaAthletics #Inspiration*

 

 

Winfred Yavi, once a promising Kenyan athlete, made headlines when she switched her nationality to Bahrain in 2016. After years of striving to secure a spot on Kenya’s highly competitive athletics team, Yavi made the difficult decision to represent Bahrain, a choice that has now culminated in her first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Yavi’s journey to the podium has been anything but straightforward. Despite her undeniable talent, the fierce competition in Kenya’s athletics scene, particularly in the long-distance and steeplechase events, left her with limited opportunities to showcase her abilities on the global stage. Frustrated but determined to pursue her dreams, Yavi opted to change her allegiance, a move that allowed her to compete at the highest level and fulfill her potential.

Representing Bahrain in the 3000m steeplechase final, Yavi delivered a stunning performance that saw her outpace two of Kenya’s top runners to claim the gold. Her victory is not just a personal triumph but also a significant moment in her athletic career, symbolizing the rewards of perseverance and strategic decision-making.

The win also adds to Bahrain’s growing reputation in the athletics world, as the Gulf nation continues to attract talented athletes from across the globe. For Yavi, the gold medal is a testament to her resilience and her ability to rise above the challenges that once held her back. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities, even if it means making tough choices along the way.

Yavi’s Olympic success is likely to spark further debate about the growing trend of athletes switching nationalities in search of better opportunities, a topic that has been met with mixed reactions in the sporting community. Nonetheless, her achievement on the track is indisputable, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter in her career, one where she stands proudly as an Olympic champion.

 

The Minister of Sports, John Owan, has addressed recent concerns raised regarding the participation of Nigerian athletes, particularly cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, at the ongoing Paris Olympics. The clarification follows a social media post by Ukpeseraye, which sparked public debate and some misunderstandings about her involvement in the Olympic events.

In a statement released on his official social media account, Minister Owan stated, “My attention has been drawn to a post on social media by Ese Ukpeseraye. After reviewing the post and the subsequent comments, I took immediate action. It appears the post was grossly misunderstood, likely due to a lack of proper context.”

He further explained that Team Nigeria had initially qualified for only one road race in cycling, for which they thoroughly prepared in terms of training and competition equipment. However, two weeks ago, after the cycling team had already departed for the Olympics, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) reallocated additional slots to Nigeria in the Keirin and individual sprint events due to the disqualification of another country. This unexpected opportunity required the use of specialized equipment different from that used in the road race.

“For this track race reallocated to Team Nigeria, a very specific type of equipment approved for the Olympic track event is required,” Owan said. “Acquiring this equipment usually takes months. However, through collaborative efforts with Ese’s club in Europe and a German-owned company, a ‘Track Bike’ was secured for Ese.”

Minister Owan confirmed that Ese Ukpeseraye is now fully prepared to compete in the individual sprint event scheduled for August 9, 2024, the race she initially qualified for.

The Sports Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all Nigerian athletes are fully supported as they represent the nation on the world stage.

 

 

 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, who secured an impressive second place in Africa after the AFCON 2024 match against Ivory Coast, returned home today to a heartwarming reception organized by MTN Nigeria.

In a series of captivating photos, the joy and excitement of the welcome home celebration unfolded. As the Super Eagles disembarked from their flight, they were greeted by a sea of fans, decked in green and white, proudly waving the national flag.

MTN Nigeria, a proud supporter of the Super Eagles, took the opportunity to express their appreciation for the team’s outstanding performance. The players were welcomed with open arms, and the event showcased a harmonious blend of national pride and corporate support.

The photo series captures the emotional moments as Nigerians and MTN representatives congratulated the Super Eagles for their remarkable achievement. Banners with messages like “Well Done Super Eagles” and “Thank You for Making Us Proud” adorned the venue, creating a festive atmosphere.

In one powerful image, a representative from MTN is seen handing a symbolic token of appreciation to the team captain, symbolizing the strong partnership between the telecommunications giant and the beloved national football team.

Nigerians gathered to share their pride and gratitude, expressing how the Super Eagles have become a symbol of unity and inspiration. The players, in turn, acknowledged the support with humility and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of teamwork both on and off the field.

This photo story beautifully encapsulates the spirit of celebration, camaraderie, and national pride as the Super Eagles return home as true heroes, inspiring the nation to face life’s challenges with courage and the power of teamwork.

No alternative text description for this imageNo alternative text description for this imageThey got back home from AFCON today and MTN Nigeria decided to throw them a warm reception.

We told them how proud we are of them. We said ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’. They are a symbol of unity to Nigerians and have inspired us to face life’s games with courage. They have showed us the power of team work.

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Nigerian boxer Elizabeth Oshoba has etched her name in the annals of boxing history by becoming the first Nigerian female boxer to capture a world title. The 24-year-old athlete achieved this remarkable feat in the women’s featherweight category.

In a riveting showdown, Oshoba demonstrated her prowess by knocking out Italy’s Michela Braga in the 10th round of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Female featherweight bout. This victory not only earned her the world title but also extended her unblemished professional record to an impressive 7-0.

This triumph follows Oshoba’s earlier success in November 2023 when she secured the International Boxing Organization (IBO) International title by defeating Italy’s Martina Righi in Swindon, England.

Elizabeth Oshoba’s journey to becoming a world champion serves as an inspiring milestone for Nigerian boxing and underscores the rising prominence of female athletes in the sport. Her dedication, skill, and determination have rightfully earned her a place in the history books, and her victory resonates as a symbol of empowerment for aspiring female boxers globally.

 

 

Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development Report- The Federal Government has assured that it will groom the best of the outstanding athletes discovered from the ongoing National Sports Festival with a view to developing their sporting skills for global competitions

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar gave the assurance lately, while responding to questions from journalists shortly after watching some Athletics Competitions at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

Ismaila Abubakar stated that the Ministry has assigned some of its key officials in the various sporting event venues with the responsibility of identifying the best among the athletes while the competitions are going on to be groomed to win laurels for the country at International Competitions

This he said, will not only help in bringing out the sporting potentials of the athletes but will also provide for the realization of the objectives of the sports festival.

When asked on his general assessment of Delta State Government’s level of preparation for the hosting of the Festival, the Permanent Secretary said that the State Government deserves commendation, especially with the provision of necessary infrastructure put in place and the creation of an enabling environment for the athletes to compete favourably at the shortest possible time.

“Under normal circumstances, the hosting State is given two years to prepare, but this time around with just one year that was given to Delta State, you can see that they have been able to live up to our expectations,” Abubakar said.

He called on the athletes to make good use of the opportunities provided for them to exhibit their sporting skills for podium performances so that they can be identified and groomed to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games, Olympics as well as other International sporting competitions.

 

Serena Williams: Lessons From a Life of Focus

I watched Serena Williams end her career on the court last night as she lost to 29 years old Tomljanovic. It was obvious she lost to youth. As I watched her play a beautiful game, I saw her struggle. I noticed the effort and the evolution of Serena.

Serena is an amazing woman. According to ESPN ” In 2022, Williams walks away from the game with 858 tour victories, 73 singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and 319 weeks at No. 1. Together with Venus, she won 14 major double titles and three Olympic golds. Williams’ 23-major mark remains the most by a player, man or woman, in the Open Era.”*

Serena and her sister Venus redefined tennis, inspired a generation of black women in sports, and renewed the idea of sports as a career for women. She overcame injuries, life-threatening health challenges, difficult childbirth, and racial slurs to emerge a defining icon of an Era. The world will miss the Williams sisters on the court.

A few lessons crossed my mind watching her yesterday. First, we will all grow older. Use your youth wisely; once you cross your teenage age, opportunities begin to narrow in many fields. Sow the seeds of greatness while the sun shines. Focus on honing your skills and utilize your youth wisely. Like Serena, the game must end someday.

Second, single-minded dedication made all the difference for Serena. From early coaching from her father to playing finals pregnant and returning to the court months after difficult childbirth, she focused and turned up on all occasions. No excuses. Focus and commit.

Third, defeat setbacks are not final nor destiny. After painful losses, she came back, determined and focused. 2018 and 2019, she lost two finals, and yet she kept at it. Don’t give up. On the path to success are many failures, Serena lost and won.

Fourth, you can’t win it all. Serena wanted to beat the record of Magareth Courts of the most grand slams of 24 titles. She was stuck at 23, an impressive record. Always reach for the sky; not making it will not define you

As the match ended yesterday, I asked myself, “What is it that I need to recommit it to with dedication and focus?” We may not win the grand slam, but we can set our own goals and achieve it. Like Serena, I am ready to ‘evolve’.

You, especially my young friends, don’t waste your youth; it will speed past, and you will wonder what happened. Focus, commit, grow, and evolve. You owe it to yourself.

We are personally responsible for our future.

Osita Chidoka
September 2022

 

Online Golf game information platform with a PRO-Shop where you can buy all your Golf game needs from Kits to Gloves to Balls or sell your verified fairly used golf equipment.

Tola Roberts is passionate about whatever she does and is always looking out for opportunities to make life easy.History of Golf Sports in Nigeria

GolfGuruNg was born out of that passion and zeal. The website has interviews, information on all golf courses in Nigeria, the number of holes, ratings etc. There is also the kids section.It is your stop for everything Golf.

She is currently working on a project to promote grassroot golf game participation. She recently organized the Indigenous People’s Day charity golf tournament at the Sagamu Golf club that saw the sponsorship of 10 caddies for training.