Sports
Junior Summer Basketball Tournament Dunks Off At Ikoyi Club
The playing hall of Aerobics and other Sports Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos came alive Saturday, August, 10, 2024 when the first edition of Junior Summer Basketball Tournament dunked off at the premises of the most prestigious social club in the country.
Declaring the championship open Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938 Rufai Ladipo explained that the tournament was organised to bring young people together especially during their holidays to enable them in healthy rivalry, meet new friends, share ideas, network and bond together collectively to achieve result.
Rufai Ladipo commended the chairprson of the Aerobics and other sports section Kikelomo Asuelime for the great innovations she has brought to the section since assumption of office; saying that the club is happy that the section which is one of the eight sections of the prestigious club chose to organise a basketball tournament to keep youths busy during vacation.
Ladipo while expressing hope that some of the players will later play in the NBA, charged them to be disciplined, imbibe spirit of fair play and play to the rules of the game throughout the duration of the tournament.
Chairperson Aerobics and other Sports Section Kikelomo Asuelime stated that they decided to organise the competition as their own contribution towards developing the slam and dunk game at the grassroots as well as to give young players opportunity to express themselves on the Court just as she posited that the championship will be an annual event.
She was also particularly happy with their sponsors whom she described as partners in progress with an appeal to corporate Nigeria to see the need of partnering Ikoyi Club to further develop the dunk and slam game in the country.
” I must have to express my warmest appreciation to our sponsors for making the tournament successful because without them, we cannot achieve much.
” Kudos must go to Pocari Sweat, Selly Fak Energy Services Limited, Universal Mccan Limited and Senforce Insurance Brokers Limited for their support and as we look forward for further support from them in subsequent editions, we also appeal to other corporate organisations to partner with us as we strive to develop basketball at the grassroots because of the immense benefits which the game offers to our youths.
Captain of the section, Bolaji Pearse expressed hope that the tournament will help in improving the knowledge of the players about the game of basketball and charged them to be focused and not loose hope.
” My advice to the players is to be focused and never lose hope. They should realize that for the fact that they played badly in a particular game is not enough for them to be discouraged rather, they should go back to the drawing board, train harder and make amends for subsequent matches”, she stressed.
Some of the players who spoke on the tournament; Masters, Chioke Anthony Ikemefuna, Adejare Soketun and Lewis Beake as well as a parent, Abisoye Soketun all gave kudos to the organisers of the tournament just as they expressed hope that it will be a continuous one.
” We’re really excited about this competition because of the immense benefits it offers to the students and we look forward to it being an annual event.
” The tournament has really offered us the opportunity to express ourselves fully on the Court and at the end of the day, we’re hopeful that our games will improve and we appeal to corporate organisations to support Ikoyi Club in their drive for grassroots sports development”, they chorused.
Meanwhile, in some of the matches decided on Day 1 of the tournament, RangerRockers defeated Ikoyi Team B by 50 baskets to 17 while Whitesand beat Doozy Stars 17-8 with the game between Topfield and Provacios ending 26-25 in favour of Topfield.
Eight teams are participating in the round robin game and they are; RangerRockers, Ikoyi Team A, Ikoyi Team B, AZ Read, Doozy Stars, Provacios, Whitesand and Top Field.
The tournament will end on Friday, August, 16, 2024.
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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