Other Sports
Nigeria Olympic Committee Applauds Sports Minister
Calm appear to have returned to the relationship between the Nigerian sports ministry and the country’s Olympic body, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC.
The relationship between both bodies went sour earlier last week following the release of electoral guidelines for the composition of national sports association.
But the ministry took a second look at the guidelines and came up with some modifications. This seems to have found favour with the NOC which on Sunday issued a press release applauding the sports minister, Solomon Dalung.
According to the release signed by the NOC public relations officer, Tony Ubani, the committee applauded Dalung for his ”love, understanding and demonstration of Olympic values” after agreeing to amend the guidelines for the 2017 Federation election guidelines.
A dark cloud of uncertainty had hovered over Nigerian sports after the sports ministry released guidelines to the sports federations’ elections which the NOC regarded as being at variance with the Olympic Charter as well as with the International Federations (IFs).
Two contentious provisions: “the issue of eligibility as contained in the guidelines that did not conform with the Olympic Charter, that seek to bar some Nigerians in the international federations from seeking office were expunged after the minister met with NOC leaders and federation presidents on Friday.
NOC President and member of International Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel said that he and his members were lost in admiration of sports minister’s great courage and moral values by dropping the contentious provisions that were not in line with the IOC and IFs statutes.
”All the stakeholders applaud the sports minister for his handling of the disagreement and resolving it amicably. This shows that he is a true democrat, a lawyer who understands the implications of disobeying rules and he has demonstrated his undying love for Nigerian sports”, Gumel said.
After mutually agreeing to remove the offending provisions and allowing the federations’ constitutions to prevail, sports minister Dalung said, ”We decided to make amendments to some of the guidelines after wide consultations with the stakeholders in the industry to conform to the IOC Charter and International best practices”.
The minister also said that ”we also resolved that the NOC should be actively involved in driving the process and look at areas that can be adjusted in the interest of democracy”.
Those who met with the minister to review the offending provisions include; NOC President, Habu Gumel, second vice president, Fatai Williams(Swimming), NOC Secretary ,Tunde Popoola, Edward Fom (Rugby), Daniel Igali (Wrestling), Dauda Yussuf (Handball), Dr Lanre Glover (Triathlon) and George Ashiru(Taekwondo).
Other Sports
Teenager Inkosi Brou captures Nigeria’s first medal at International Fencing Championship
Nigeria made a remarkable entry into the global fencing scene-at the weekend with an impressive performance by 16-year-old Inkosi
Brou.
Inkosi secured Nigeria’s first-ever medal in the Sabre category at the
World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.
Competing against some of the world’s elite fencers at the Viking Cup
2024, a Senior World Cup Satellite Sabre Tournament, the world’s No. 67
ranked fencer, Inkosi, clinched a silver medal after a hard-fought 9-15
match against Iceland’s Andre Mateev.
As the No. 5 seed, Inkosi began his campaign in the Round of 16,
defeating Germany’s Magnus De Witt 15-9. He continued his winning streak
in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 victory over Spain’s Oriol
Farre.
In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.
Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.
“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.
“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.
“We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.
A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.
Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.
A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.
Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.
-Reuters
The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.
“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”
“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”
From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.
Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.
The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.
As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.
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