Sports
Olufumilayo, Olatunji Win Yellow Dots Squash Open Championship
Nigeria’s male and female number one squash players, Gabriel Olufumilayo and Busayo Olatunji proved book makers right when they won the maiden Yellow Dots Squash Open championship.
In the finals of the biggest squash tournament in the country which was held at the weekend at the Squash Court of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Gabriel Olufumilayo defeated Samuel Kehinde by 3-1 of 11/5, 11/9, 10/12 and 11/4 to be crowned champion of the week long tournament.
Playing in the finals of the female category, Busayo Olatunji defeated Rofiat Abdulrazeez by 8/11, 14/12, 11/7, 11/8 and 4/11 to emerge victorious.
Also in the final of the U-16 boys category, no 1 seed, Mathew Yusuf of Lagos State defeated Shuaibu Giwa of Kwara State by 3-0 of 12/10, 11/2 and 11/8 to be crowned champion while in the female category, Aisat Abdulraheem of Kwara state recorded a 3-1 victory of 6/11, 11/8, 11/2 and 12/10 over Zainab Ishola of Lagos State to emerge winner.
Speaking after the energy sapping finals, both Olufumilayo and Bisayo commended the organisers of the championship which they hope will not only help in improving their games but be useful in their rankings by Professional Squash Association ( PSA).
Both players while giving kudos to their opponents for giving them a run for their money appealed for more of such tournaments which will go a long way in improving the racket game as well as discovering talented players.
Gabriel commended the Director General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps ( NSCDC) for approving his release for the tournament and his coaches for the great job they’re doing to ensure he’s on top of his game at all times.
” I want to specially thank the organisers for putting this tournament together and the Controller General of NSCDC for releasing me and my coaches for the great job they’re doing to ensure I’m on top of my game”.
” I also want to thank my father in Squash, who incidentally is the Chairman of Yellow Dots Recreation and Sports club, organisers of the tournament, Prince Sola Adekunle for all his support and with this victory, I will continue to improve on my game”,
” This tournament is a six day event and will really improve my career and ranking at the world level with 65 points and hopefully, by April, I will be embarking on a training tour of Egypt and also play some tournaments there aimed at improving my career”, he stressed.
An excited Busayo on her part, said she overcame nervousness in the first set to come back strongly from the second set to win the championship noted that the tournament has prepared her for an upcoming competition slated for March, 20 in Canada which she will be participating in.
“In the first set, I was a bit nervous and my coach advised me to calm down which I did and that did the magic for me. I believe that this tournament has really prepared me for an upcoming event in Canada on March,20. I will be traveling for the championship on March, 16 and I promise to give my best there”, she stated with confidence.
In his remarks, Chairman of Yellow Dots Recreation and Sports club, organisers of the tournament, Prince Sola Adekunle commended the players for giving a good account of themselves even as he advised people to take to the game of squash to keep fit and maintain healthy living.
He promised that the club will continue to sponsor the championship and make it bigger next year.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the tournament, Dr. Femi Bankole while commending their sponsors for identifying with the competition, appealed for more government and corporate sponsorship for squash especially now that the game will be featuring at the 2028 Olympics.
A total prize money of N 6.5 million was 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 won N500,000 just as junior players went home with gifts items such as rackets, bags, shoes
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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