Sports
Oshodi Calls For More Corporate Support To Develop Table Tennis In Africa
President African Table Tennis Federation, ATTF, Enitan Oshodi says sports fared well in nigeria last year but noted that the country would have achieved more if some steps were taken at the right
The former Commissioner for Sports in Lagos State adds that for nigeria to rub shoulders with world top stars in sports regular competitions, proper funding, standard facilities are key to achieving such succes
The ATTF boss stated that
Table tennis is an enormous product and needs innovative thinking to make it lucrative for the players on the continent
“I’ve been around the sport for a few years now so we know where the problems lie. Our problems lie around funding, equipment, and things like that. And this all goes back to money, I believe we’ve built a sufficiently good team now to help us harness the funding we need, speak to corporate bodies, to governments across the continent. We have that kind of pull.
Nigeria especially, will have a big role to play in table tennis because they’ve been doing well in the last few years. But there’s a lot more we can do to help them, in terms of coaching, in terms of training. we’ve worked with the president before in Lagos, and we know how he helped us then, and we hope he’ll be able to help us. Shehu Dikko, Bukky Olopade, they are people who are very conversant that we think they can lead maybe a good a charge now for Nigeria to move into the, what I call, the first world of sports”. He said
As the elections into the various positions of the sports federation is expected to hold this year
The former chairmam of the Lagos State table tennis Association advices on what electorates should look out for in electing persons who drive the desired positive change and growth in nigeria sports sector
“This is the time for people with capacity to come forward, it’s not for people just looking for a living, there’s no living as a president of a federation, you need to go and find the money, you need to bring your sponsors in and work well with the federal government. So we’re looking for people that have the right capacity. My advise close to the time would be for us to call out and seek out people who we know can do this and hopefully they can get elected. It’s not enough saying he has been there since, we need to access performance and hopefully get people with capacity to do the job”. He said
Enitan Oshodi remains the first Nigerian to be elected into the board of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation and the first Nigerian to be elected ATTF President.
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
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
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.
-
Sports9 months agoAjegunle City Youth Marathon Holds November 30
-
Sports1 year agoRilwan Abdulafeez Defeat Samuel Moses To Win HBE Title
-
Sports12 months agoTunde Fadare wins Brand New Car At NNPC Table Tennis Championship
-
Sports3 months agoNigerian Cyclist Samuel Fasema Completes Epic Lagos to Maiduguri Ride
-
Entertainment1 year agoFirst Lady, Shettima’s Wife Extend Support to Ailing Nollywood Icon Zack Orji
-
News1 year agoEdo Gubernatorial Election: Alex Otti Throws Weight Behind Olumide Akpata
-
Sports1 year agoAIPS AWARD: Lagos SWAN Congratulates Abiodun Adewale For Winning AIPS/AGL AWARD in Abidjan.
-
News1 year agoAFRICAN WARRIORS FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP ‘KING OF DAMBE’ TO FEATURE 1ST FIGHTER FROM GREAT BRITAIN COMPETING IN DAMBE