Sports
Yellow Dot Squash Championship: Hostilities Serves Off In Lagos
The main draws of the maiden 2024 Yellow Dots Squash Open Championship served off on Wednesday, March, 6 at the Squash Court of Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos.
The biggest squash championship in the country which began with the qualifiers last Saturday attracted many top players in the county who are gunning for the big cash prize available in the week long competition.
Declaring the tournament open, Chairman of Yellow Dots Recreation and Sports club, organisers of the tournament, Prince Sola Adekunle said that he’s happy with the high turn out of players just as he stated that the tournament is part of their efforts at developing the racket game.
Prince Adekunle while expressing hope that there will be no dull moment at the tournament with the finals being explosive, appealed to the players to be disciplined and take their game serious.
In his own remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the tournament, Dr. Femi Bankole said that the tournament will give local players opportunity of gaining maximum points to be ranked by the Professional Squash Association ( PSA).
He also noted that with Squash featuring at the 2028 Olympics, hopefully some of the players will later represent the country at the global sporting event.
“We the organisers are highly excited with the turnout of players. Since the tournament began last Saturday with the juniors and U-16, a lot of potential players have been discovered and we look forward to more discoveries as the tournament progresses”, he said.
He assured that the organisers will make it an annual event even as he commended their numerous sponsors such as; Ten Royals Limited, Steams Logistics Limited, Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue, De- Potter Nigeria Limited, Moyin Papers,WestHill, Japaul, EMO and Praise Him Autos for their support .
Speaking on their expectations, both the country’s men and women No 1 players; Gabriel Olufumilayo and Rofiat Abdulrazeez said they hope to see some upsets but were quick to add they’re well prepared for hostilities.
A total prize money of N 6.5 million will be won by various categories of players with the winners of the men and women categories going home with N800,000 each while their runners- up will smile home with N500,000 each just as junior players will go home with gifts items such as rackets, bags, shoes etc
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is deeply saddened by the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champion, Peter Rufai, fondly known as Dodo Mayana, who pass on at the age of 61.
Rufai was not just a national treasure but a global ambassador of Nigerian football. His fearless goalkeeping, unmatched charisma, and commitment to the green and white made him a symbol of pride and resilience for millions of Nigerians.
Reacting to the news of his passing, chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, expressed deep sorrow:
“This is a deeply painful loss. Peter Rufai was not just a national hero, he was a rare soul whose humility, strength, and passion inspired all of us. His legacy lives on between the sticks and far beyond. Dodo Mayana gave us memories we will cherish forever. Nigeria mourns, but heaven welcomes a legend.”
Director General of the NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, also paid tribute:
“Peter Rufai was a symbol of excellence and leadership in Nigerian sports. His commitment to the game, both on and off the field, was second to none. As we mourn this painful loss, we also celebrate a life that gave so much to Nigerian football. Rest well, legend—you will remain forever in our hearts.”
A stalwart of the golden era of Nigerian football, Rufai played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON triumph and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1994 and 1998, helping the Super Eagles reach the Round of 16 in both editions.
At the club level, he had an illustrious career across Europe, representing top teams in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain—most notably Deportivo de La Coruña and Hércules CF.
Beyond his heroics on the pitch, Peter Rufai was a mentor and a beacon of inspiration to younger generations. After retirement, he dedicated his life to discovering and nurturing budding football talents, remaining a pillar of support and guidance in the football community.
The NSC extends heartfelt condolences to the Rufai family, the Nigerian football fraternity, and all those whose lives were touched by the great Dodo Mayana.
The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has successfully hosted WT Level 2 (Higest Taekwondo Coaching Cadre Course) with about 40 taekwondo coaches drawn from different states and institutions across Nigeria.
The World Taekwondo designated Tarik Benradi from Morocco as the Course Resource person. Tarik Benradi doubles as the Chairman African Taekwondo Union Referees Department.
The course was declared open by the Chairman National Sports Commission Shehu Dikko. He was accompanied by senior officers of the NSC like the Director FEAD and many aides.
President Nigeria Taekwondo federation, Tayo Popoola was grateful for the rich support of the National Sports Commission.
The course covered core Taekwondo Coaching areas like Team Management, Athletes Psychology, Drug Education, Coaches Technical Knowledge of taekwondo contest rules etc. Physical, theoretical and visual means were employed to pass down instructions during the course.
All participants took an examination at the end of the course.
The Closing Ceremony was witnessed by the President NOC Engnr Habu Gumel.
Gumel promised to support the NTF if the next of such course could be hosted by Nigeria.
Nigeria will be hosting 2 World Taekwondo tournaments in August and September this year. Which are signs that Nigeria is gradually coming back to the taekwondo world map
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has congratulated the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.
In a statement signed by NVBF President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, the Federation expressed confidence that CGC Adeniyi will bring innovation and transformation to the WCO.
Nimrod noted that Adeniyi has significantly improved the fortunes of Nigeria Customs in a short time, adding that the global community will soon feel his positive impact.
He also highlighted Adeniyi’s strong support for sports, particularly volleyball, through consistent sponsorships.
“The entire board of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation congratulates you on your election as Chairperson of the WCO Council,” the statement read.
“In just two years as CGC, you have not only boosted revenue collection and surpassed budgetary targets, but have also made substantial investments in volleyball.
“Under your leadership, the Nigeria Customs Service sponsored the 2024 Volleyball League and hosted the 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship, widely acclaimed as the best edition to date.
“We are confident you will exceed expectations at the WCO Council.”
CGC Adeniyi will officially assume leadership of the WCO Council on July 1, 2025, succeeding Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
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