In a bid to revitalize the squash  and ensure its continued growth, the Yellow dot squash club has continued on a mission to position the sport for success ahead of the upcoming tournament.

With a clear vision to make squash the third most popular sport in the country, behind football and tennis, the club is working tirelessly to position itself for success.

chairman yellow dot squash club, Sola Adekunle, says this year’s edition of the yellow dot squash championship will be bigger and better with a whole lot of planning and inovations 

He adds that those who have interest in squash and are  above the age 16 will be involved while the professionals among them will use the tournament to improve their ratings in world rankings.

Last year’s edition was the first time that  Squash gave out a massive 800,000 as prize money.

“The upcoming Yellow Dot Squash Tournament, scheduled to take place in June at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, promises to be a highlight of the squash calendar. With notable dignitaries invited to attend, the event will showcase the club’s commitment to excellence and its determination to take the sport to new heights.” He said 

As elections into the boards of the various sports federation get closer Sola adekunle has commended the Boye oyerinde led board of the Nigeria squash federation for their dedication and hard work in taking squash to higher grounds in nigeria 

He acknowledges that Boye Oyerinde’s  leadership has been instrumental in driving the sport forward in the country 

Sola states that squash  in the country has faced  significant challenges in the past, experiencing a decline before making a remarkable comeback

He urges stakeholders to rally round individuals with passion, dedication, commitment and will to take squash further better than where it is at the moment

He warns that elections of persons to run the affairs of the federation should be based on merit and not on sentiments for the sport to grow and not suffer at the end 

Paralympic bronze medalist, Eniola Bolaji, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award (AWIBA), in recognition of her outstanding achievements and inspiring journey in para-badminton.

The prestigious award was presented during the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) Annual General Meeting held on Thursday, April 24, in China.

Bolaji, a multiple-time African champion, becomes the second Nigerian to receive the honour, following in the footsteps of badminton veteran Obiageli Solaja who received the award in 2019.

Receiving the award on her behalf, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, described the recognition as timely and well-deserved. He commended Bolaji’s dedication and trailblazing accomplishments, noting her impact on the growth of para-badminton in Africa.

“I am extremely proud of Eniola Bolaji. This award reflects the BCA’s recognition of her remarkable progress,” Orbih said. “As the first African to win a medal in badminton or para-badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics, I believe she is only just beginning to make her mark on the global stage.

“This award will not only motivate Eniola but also inspire a new generation of Nigerian and African para-badminton players. It shows that their efforts are being noticed and celebrated.”

Orbih also extended his appreciation to the new leadership of the National Sports Commission, led by Shehu Dikko, for the way they have continuously demonstrated that there is a breath of fresh air in sports in Nigeria.

Looking ahead, Orbih highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to host two international para-badminton championships in Abia State this September/October.

“We are looking forward to delivering world-class events. This is an exciting moment for Nigerian badminton, and we intend to set a new benchmark,” he added.

Previous AWIBA Winners:

• 2018 – Gretha Prinsloo (South Africa)

• 2019 – Obiageli Solaja (Nigeria)

• 2020 – Hadia Hosny (Egypt)

• 2021 – Lynn Du Preez (Namibia)

• 2022 – Awatef Ghalloussi (Tunisia)

• 2023 – Harriet Semugabi (Uganda)

A new dawn emerges as Advance Management Course (ASMC) holds at  University of Ibadan (UI) 

This innovative programme, will be a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).

It promises to equip sports administrators with essential tools for effective management in the ever-evolving Sports landscape.

This event will hold from May 6 to May 8, 2025 at the University of Ibadan, in the Oyo State capital.

As participants settle into the boardroom, a hybrid setup both onsite and virtual attendees would engage seamlessly in an  atmosphere that would be driven by a sense of purpose.

Representatives from various states would exchange ideas and experiences, united by a common goal: to elevate the standards of sports administration in Nigeria.

The ASMC’s third module would focus on two critical areas: Managing Finance and Sports Marketing.

These subjects are pivotal in fostering on robust administrative structures that serve athletes and stakeholders alike. 

The rich, diverse backgrounds of the attendees would make for a dynamic exchanges in perspectives as they settle in, ready to absorb knowledge from distinguished resource persons.

The course will kick-off with Mr Tunji Adeyinka, the Group Managing Director of Republicom Group. 

With years of experience in marketing, Mr Adeyinka hopes to captivate participants with his insights into marketing strategies that can effectively enhance the visibility of sports organisations. 

It is hoped that his compelling anecdotes and case studies would spark interests and debates,  pushing attendees to think innovatively about how they can apply these concepts within their own contexts.

Next on the agenda would be Mrs Bodunrin Olanipekun, a renowned figure in the sports community and an alumni of the IOC Advanced Sports Management Course. 

She would share her personal journey, illustrating the transformative impact of effective sports administration. 

Her presentation would resonate with the audience, and emphasising the importance of resilience and adaptability in an industry that is continually changing.

The facilitators for the programme include Prof. Clement Fasan and Dr Jonathan Dyagas as they bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussions. 

Prof. Clement is a respected IOC-certified Course Directo; he would guide the participants through the complexities of financial management in the sports sector. 

He will encourage the participants to develop strategic financial plans that aligns with their organisations’ visions. 

Meanwhile, Dr Dyagas, a Director of Finance from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

with his rich background in finance, Dr Dyagas would challenge the attendees to re-evaluate conventional practices and adopt modern techniques that could yield sustainable growth.

Throughout the course, participants would engagein practical workshops, group discussions, and networking sessions that would foster collaboration and ideas-sharing. 

The hybrid format will be a significant advantage, by allowing the international experts and local advocates to contribute remotely, bridging the gap between seasoned professionals and aspiring administrators.

As the final day approaches, the participants would reflect on their learnings and the connections they hope to forge.  

Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will witness the conclusion of the course.

The course would ultimately archeve a vision for a thriving sports sector in Nigeria—one that is well-managed, financially sound, and geared toward nurturing athletic talents.