Sports
NSC Advances Vision Of Nigeria As a Global Sporting Hub, As International Gymnastics Course Holds In Abuja
The National Sports Commission (NSC) continues to make significant strides in positioning Nigeria into a global sporting hub, as the ongoing 2025/2028 International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Judges Course takes center stage in Abuja.
Running from May 10th to 14th, 2025, the prestigious FIG MAG International Judges Course has drawn participants from across the continent — including Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, and host nation Nigeria — under the expert guidance of Russia’s Dimitri Andreev, a respected FIG official.
The course aims to develop high-caliber gymnastics judges, laying the groundwork for a brighter future for the sport in Africa.
Under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, the NSC has tasked national sports federations with raising the bar in local talent discovery and international relevance — a challenge they are meeting with renewed vigor.
Commending the Nigeria Gymnastics Federation for its exceptional hosting of the event, the NSC noted that such achievements are part of a broader national strategy to attract international sports events and foster capacity development.
“This course is yet another step in our mission to make Nigeria a preferred destination for international sporting activities,” said DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade.
Nigeria’s credentials as a regional sports powerhouse continues to grow. Earlier in the year, Nigeria hosted the ECOWAS African Wrestling Championship with 11 countries participating in celebration of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary. Similarly, in late 2024, Nigeria hosted the 2nd African Military Games — “AMGA Abuja 2024” — further solidifying its leadership in African sports diplomacy.
A number of Nigerian sports Federation presidents are also gaining traction in global sports governance. Francis Orbih (badminton), Daniel Igali (wrestling) and Prince kelvin Erhunmwunse (gymnastics) have recently secured influential international appointments in their respective international sports federation bodies, while more are poised to follow in this footstep.
As the FIG course progresses in Abuja, the NSC remains steadfast in its mission — creating opportunities, building expertise, and placing Nigeria firmly on the map as a center for sporting excellence.
Sports
Team Panamai Wins 5th Millenium Taekwondo Plus Club Competition
Former Nigerian Taekwondo athletes have called for more synergy between the government and corporate bodies to raise the standard of the sport in the country
Mukaila Aramide , Koffi Anani , Joseph Golu and Ferguson Oluigbo all agreed that the future is bright for the sport but is challenged by some basic needs to push taekwondo to the top
They said this at the one day Millenium Taekwondo plus club competition held at the basketball courts of the National stadium surulere Lagos were over 100 children from different clubs across Lagos State comperd for honours in poomsea and kyuorgi
They said Nigeria has the talent who are hungry for success at the biggest stage but lack the necessary requirement to take them there
The synergy between the public and private sector will help accelerate the growth of Taekwondo in Nigeria through regular tournaments, trainings, good welfare packages and accessibility to world standard facilities which are pre-requsits to becoming world champions
The age grade championship organised yearly by grand master mukaila Aramide availed the athletes a platform to showcase their skills and develop their knowledge on the sport tney have passion for
Organised of the championship, Mukaila Aramide, says it’s his own contribution towards the growth of the sport in the country
” The Millenium Taekwondo plus club competition is to put smiles on the faces of the children, given them a platform to display what they have learnt from their coaches. Without competitons it will be difficult to access how well the athletes have mastered the sport.
We need more support from the corporate world to be able to take Taekwondo to greater heights in the country, the future is bright for the sport as the talents are abound” He said
Team Panamai were crowned the overall champions with 10 gold , 10 silver and 4 bronze medals
Winners got medals, and educational materials for their efforts
This year’s edition was the 5th installment
Sports
Alake Of Egbaland Birthday Table Tennis Championship Concludes With Splendor At Ikoyi Club 1938
The third edition of the prestigious Alake of Egbaland Birthday Table Tennis Championship culminated on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the revered Ikoyi Club 1938, drawing royalty, dignitaries, industrial leaders, and table tennis aficionados.
The weeklong tournament, served off on Monday, October 6, celebrated the birthday of His Royal Majesty Oba Adedokun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland
OBA Oluwambe Reuben Sogaolu (Olu of Orile-Imo) and OBA Prof. Saka Adelola (Olowu of Owu) showcased skills in royal exhibition matches.
Chief Taiwo Adeoluwa faced off against
former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, in an exhibition game.
Chief Taiwo Adeoluwa: Organized the tournament to honor the Alake’s contributions to Egbaland’s development and his patronage of Ikoyi Club 1938.
Chairman ikoyi ub 1938, Akinwumi Akintola represented by Vice Chairman Bolaji Martins Lauded the sponsor for backing the annual championship.
Chairman table tennis section of the club Folunsho Ajilore Described the event as a celebration of the Alake’s legacy, leadership, and service, highlighting his impactful reign.
In results of games, Men’s Singles Tunde Badare defeated opponent 4-2 (11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-5).
In the Women’s Singles, Chinwe Igwe won 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-8) against Ayinwade Banjoko.
Winners in Doubles, Premiership, Championship, Veteran Singles (60+), and Septuagenarian Veteran (70+) categories received trophies and cash prizes.
Men’s/Women’s singles winners got trophies, cash, and iPhones
Director General, National Sports Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade Praised Ikoyi Club’s sports development role.
Birthday Cake Cutting Marked festivities honoring the Alake.
The championship blended sportsmanship, cultural pride, and celebration of the Alake’s esteemed position.
Sports
Ikoyi Club 1938 Rounds Up 87th Anniversary With Colourful Gala Nite
The weeklong 87th anniversary of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 came to a close on Sunday, October, 5, 2025 with a colourful Gala nite .
Chairman of the club, Akinwumi Akintola expresses happiness on the hitch free event while noting that the club will continue to strive to maintain it’s leadership position amongst recreational clubs in sub- saharan Africa.
He was also full of praise to the general committee and the anniversary sub- committee for putting up a colourful event while he thanked sponsors that identified with the anniversary celebration.
“It’s a thing of joy that the 87th anniversary was a colourful and eventual one and for the past one week, members and invited guests had a fill of the hospitality which the club is noted for.
I also want to express my appreciation to the anniversary committee for a job well done and to our sponsors for identifying with the club and I hope they’ll still be there for us when we hold the 88th anniversary next year”. He said
According to him, the attendance of the Alaafin of Oyo to the event is a testament that the club is a respectable one and they will continue to sustain the legacy Ikoyi is noted for since it came into existence on September 29, 1938, through the merger of the European Club and the Lagos Golf Club.
Chairman of the anniversary committee who also doubles as the Vice Chairman of the Club, Bolaji Martins noted that the glory for success recorded should go to the entire members of the committee who toiled day and night to ensure they had a seamless event
In his remarks, the Royal father of the day and the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba, Akeem Abimbola Owoade commended the club for the legacies it has built over the years, promising that he’ll not hesitate to attend any event of the club when invited.
He admonished the members to continue with their spirit of friendship and oneness which has made the club record a milestone as the only socio cultural recreation club with eight sections in the country.
The gala nite was spiced up with music, dance, cutting of the anniversary cake, presentation of trophies to tournament winners from the various sections of the club and unveiling of the anniversary mascot known as ‘Ajala’ and raffle draw.
There was also a demonstration by the Karate class of the club
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