Sports

Insight Talent Heights Academy Dominate Maiden Lagos Secondary Schools Ludo Championship

Published

10 months ago

July 18, 2024

The maiden Lagos State Secondary Schools Ludo championship came to a successful end during the week at the Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos with Insight Talent Heights Academy winning the 1st and second positions.

The championship with the theme, ‘Empowering Tomorrow Leaders’ and put together by TRS Sports Academy in partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission, saw the students test themselves in the knowledge of the game of the dice , at the end of proceedings, Okunyemi Irenitemi and her compatriot Ogunade Timilehin of Insight Talent Heights Academy, Lagos Island took the first and second positions while Israel Osahor from Inter Guide Academy, Ikeja came third.

Director, School Sports Directorate, Lagos State Sports Commission,

Oluyomi Oluwasanmi, thanked the organisers for bringing the game of Ludo back in an organised way noting that the game is part of the way of making children have healthy competitions among themselves even as she stated that the Lagos State Government is always willing to develop all sports in the state

She commended all the participating schools for their discipline throughout the duration of the championship and admonished them to be obedient and good ambassadors of their schools.

In his goodwill message to the students, member of Board of Directors TRS Sports Academy, Tunde Oloyede Sobowale, charged the students to compete fairly and in friendship, urging both the winners and the losers to see it as a competition where one person must emerge the champion.

He appealed for government and more corporate support for the noble initiative.

General Manager TRS Sports Academy, Babatunde Amosun explained that they wanted to do something unique that will attract the interest of students.

According to him, experience has shown that other Indoor games have been given much attention and so they looked for a sports that both parents and children can play together at home which made them come up with the idea of playing ludo in a conducive environment.

Amosun noted that apart from the organisers planning to make it an annual event they are also looking at the possibility of a national competition that will bring together schools from various states of the Federation.

“In organising this competition, we took cognisance of the fact that all other indoor sports have been played one way or the other in our homes and this prompted us to have a unique game which is judo

” As you can see, we are using the tournament to empower the children educationally because all the prize monies will be used to pay for their school fees”, he stressed.

Commercial Manager of Razzle Drinks, Kingsley Udolisa, one of the co- sponsors of the championship explained that they partnered with the organisers because of the immense benefit children will get playing Ludo in a competitive environment.

In their separate remarks, winners of the tournament gave kudos to the organisers and their school management for giving them the opportunity to be part of the competition.

Winner of the championship got N 1 million scholarship award, while the 1st and 2nd runners-up got N750,000 and N500,000 scholarship award alongside trophies, gift items and certificates.

Other students that took part in the competition also got certificate and various gift items and exercise books

Sports

NSC Commiserates With Super Eagles Striker Taiwo Awoniyi, Prays for His Speedy Recovery

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Stories24

The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC)has expressed heartfelt sympathy with Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who is currently receiving intensive medical care following surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Nottingham Forest’s Premier League match against Leicester City on Sunday.

Awoniyi, a shining example of patriotism and dedication, was placed in an induced coma after being rushed to the hospital on Monday when Nottingham Forest’s medical team identified the severity of the injury caused by a collision with the goalpost.

The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade offered prayers for Awoniyi’s full and swift recovery, affirming that the entire nation stands united in support of him.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission and all Nigerians, we are praying fervently for Taiwo. We trust that he will recover fully and return stronger than ever. He deserves the best in life, and we are confident that this setback will only be a stepping stone to even greater achievements,” he said.

In his message of solidarity, Hon. Olopade described Awoniyi as more than just a footballer but a national asset and an ambassador of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.

“Taiwo Awoniyi is a true patriot who has always answered the national call with humility and pride, from the U-15 to the U-17, U-20, U-23, and now the Super Eagles. How else can a player show his deep sense of patriotism and love for the country? We are proud of his journey, his sacrifices, and his unwavering commitment to Nigeria,” the DG stated.

Hon. Olopade also lauded Awoniyi’s off-the-pitch contributions, noting his exceptional philanthropic efforts, including the building of a sports facility for the Kwara chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), and his continued support for young, aspiring footballers.

Sports

Nigeria To Host World Athletics Africa Road Running Conference, As NSC Formulates Organizing Committee

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Stories24

In preparation for Nigeria’s hosting of the upcoming World Athletics Africa Road Running Conference, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has constituted the event’s Organizing Committee, naming Chief Solomon Ogba, First Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as the Chairman.

The Committee comprises distinguished sports administrators and seasoned professionals drawn from both the sports industry and corporate sector.

Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasized the careful selection process behind the committee’s composition. “The members of the Committee were meticulously selected because of their professionalism and tested qualities, and I have no doubt that they will all bring their wealth of experience to bear to ensure we stage a befitting Road Running conference which will be the first of its kind in the country,” he said.

Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, added that hosting the conference will open doors for more international events in Nigeria. “This is another milestone for refocusing and resetting our Sports developmental goals, and I have no doubt that we have picked a good team to achieve the successful hosting of the Conference,” the DG stated.

Full list of committee members:

1. Chief Solomon Ogba – Chairman

2. Mr. Segun Ogunleye – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

3. Mrs. Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

4. Mr. Danladi Verheijen – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

5. Ms. Aku Aghazu – Member

6. Ms. Otonye Iworima – Member

7. Mr. Travih Nunayon – Member

8. Mr. Yusuf Ali – Member

9. Mr. Femi Adeniran – Member (Corporate Nigeria)

10. Ms. Aisha Shuaibu – Member

11. Mr. Salihu Abubakar – Member

12. Mr. Kunle Solaja – Member

13. Mr. Dare Esan – Member

14. Ms. Tayo Popoola – Member

15. Mr. Israel Iwang – Secretary

Sports

Chinese Embassy Seeks Better Collaboration With Yhe National Sports Commission

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Stories24

The Chinese Government has intensified bilateral relationships with the Nigerian Government through the National Sports Commission, NSC, following the visa glitch that led to Team Nigeria withdrawing from the World relays in Guangzhou, China.

This landmark feat was achieved when officials of the Chinese Embassy paid a diplomatic visit to the leadership of the National Sports Commission.

Culture Counselor of the Chinese Embassy Yang Jian Xing expressed regrets over the visa challenges that prompted Nigeria to withdraw from the World relays and pledged China’s commitments to the country’s vision for Sports Development.

” I want to describe what has happened as an accident and we are sorry and we regret it in its entirety. We are here to let the Sports Commission know that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria of high esteem”.

” We are open to better collaboration with the National Sports Commission to boost diplomatic ties of both China and Nigeria in terms of Sports Training and Exchange programmes”.

” Once again I want to assure you that from next time we will try our best for this not to repeat itself again and we will also like to create a special channel for a China and Nigeria Sports Communication”, he added.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the Commission has accepted the gestures of regrets by the Chinese Government and are ready to foster better collaboration for the future.

” We are very happy to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy in our office today and it shows the Chinese Government genuine disappointment for what happened which for us is a huge sign of better things to come between both countries especially in Sports”.

” We should at all times try to create positives out of things like this and we are happy that this has further strengthened our relationship with the Chinese Embassy”.

The Director General of the NSC Hon. Bukola Olopade reiterated the Commission’s desire to build stronger sporting ties with China and allowed the incident of the visa glitch to serve as a springboard to a robust working relationship.

” Your humility and diplomacy is the best I have seen anywhere and I am very grateful that you best described the incident between the AFN, the Commission and your embassy as an accident and we have all agreed to take it as such and move forward to better things”.

” I want to thank you for everything and for the request for exchange programmes and training for our media and Sports men and women.This is truly worthy of note . We are looking forward to a bigger and better relationship between Nigeria and China”, he concluded.