Sports
ESports Makes Historic Debut At Sports Festival In Ogun State_
Chief Operating Office,COO, of the Nigeria Esports Federation, Damilola Pedro, says eSports has the capacity to lead the Sports Economy drive of the country as the Sports made history with its demonstration at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games.
” Today at the National Sports Festival Gateway Games 2024, we are not just adding another game, we are making a very bold statement.
” Esports is taking the stage. And with it, so is the voice of an entire generation that has long been ignored, misunderstood, and underestimated”.
” Because the numbers don’t lie and so let me set the facts. The video game industry is worth over $180 billion, larger than the film and music industry combined”.
” Over 3.3 billion people play games globally, with Africa projected to house the fastest-growing gaming population, and Nigeria being at the forefront of that conversation, with the projection of having the highest deposit of gamers in Africa and in the world come 2027, being the third-largest projection”.
” In 2023 alone, the Esports Tournament paid out over $350 million.Nigeria, with its population of over 70% youth, is not just ripe for this moment, we are the movement. Esports is a discipline, esports is data, esports is strategy, esports is communication, leadership, and performance under pressure”.
” At a time when unemployment is rising, and youth potential is being exported or wasted, we have in our hands an industry that can employ, educate, empower, without needing a single drop of oil.
” What this moment means for us as an industry, and for us as a federation, under the able leadership of our president, Messiah Mekori, this demonstration of esports at the National Sports Festival is not just a showcase, it is our validation”.
The ESports Federation COO however appealed to the media to partner the Federation to push out the right messages to the public in order to set the right perspective for the realisation of the full potential of the Sports.
” This is our call to the media and to the nation, to our journalists, our storytellers, the cultural interpreters, we need you, not just to cover this, but to help the nation understand the importance of this, because how you report this moment will shape how millions of parents, teachers, investors, and decision makers see us”.
She also urged every stakeholder and players in the Sports ecosystem to come onboard and join the train rather than wait to play catch-up tomorrow.
” To every stakeholder reading this, partner with us now, or play catch up later. To every skeptic, watch closely. We are not here to prove ourselves, we are here to take our place. This is not a hobby, this is a revolution. This is what the future of work means, and our children are ready, our young adults are ready, and they’re preparing themselves for the next industrial revolution”.
She however salutes the Federal Government and the team of the National Sports Commission, NSC, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, for their visionary, modern and innovative leadership.
” We have to thank the leadership of the National Sports Commission, the Federal Government, and what they have done for our industry today, accepting and driving the adoption of video games and competitive video games at the national level.
” We do not take this for granted. We’re very grateful to the leadership of the National Sports Commission, especially to the Director-General of Sports, who has continuously championed our cause and continuously been our biggest salesman. We will do you proud at the Esports Olympics, we will do you proud at the Esports World Cup, we will do you proud at all the different championships”.
The President of the eSports Federation of Nigeria Messiah Makori said the entire eSports family is very proud of this historic feat to be part of the Sports Festival and said he has no doubt that this will mark the beginning of bigger achievements for the Country’s sports.
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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