Other Sports
Long Reign The King!
BY KINGSLEY OYERO
Following the eternal exit of the Akarigbo, the paramount ruler of Remo land in the South West Nigeria late last year, the traditional tussle for kingship and naming of a new ruler have taken a while. This is unexpected as custom and tradition in Yoruba land demand.
Sagamu is the administrative headquarters of Remo Land. While a ruler for the region is still being awaited, a global king emerged.
That was April 29 as Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua, a native of Sagamu in Remo Land of South West Nigeria knocked out 41-year old Ukrainian, Vladimir Klitschko to become the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion.
Sagamu is the town where Anthony Joshua’s great grandparents, grandparents and parents grew up. His uncle Benjamin Adedamola Joshua was all joy after the epic showdown.
Early in the fight, Joshua was on the canvas for the first time in his career. He won all other fights by knockout. But this particular encounter was epic. He was taken to the 11th round for the first time.
The atmosphere was tense when Anthony Joshua was knocked down. He showed sheer strength and power to overcome the knockdown between the sixth and eighth.
To Anthony Joshua’s uncle, Adedamola, boxing and fight for justice are deeply rooted in the family history. He told the story of how Anthony’s great grandfather, the late patriarch of the family, Omo-Oba Daniel Adebambo Joshua was once involved in a tussled with three white men and how he defeated them all in the 1950s.
He also alluded to a certain aunt of Anthony and how she used to beat up even men in the past. According to him, Anthony inherited his boxing skills from both of them.
Adebambo’s account also revealed how the patriarch of the family was also a philanthropist who owned lots of landed properties. He donated land for the building of schools, churches and mosques for the development of the community.
According to Adedamola Joshua, sports runs in the family as Anthony’s grandfather was a goalkeeper at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School. Also, the head of the Joshua clan; Professor Joshua, a retired professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan was once a footballer at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu.
Though British-born, Anthony spent part of his childhood in Nigeria and he attended the prestigious Mayflower School, Ikenne at a time when his paternal grandmother was the matron of the school.
Before the fight, only few members of the community knew an indigene was aiming to conquer the boxing world.
The Sagamu Youth Congress led by Segun Okeowo mobilised and raised awareness for the event. With the assistance of ace sports journalist, Colin Udoh, a special viewing centre was set up, coincidentally in front of the palace of the late monarch of Remo Land.
The turnout was amazing; from the majority leader of the Ogun State House of assembly to family members, street urchins and people from all works of life turned out en masse to cheer Anthony to victory.
The town cheered as Anthony knocked down Klitschko in the fifth round and there was palpable anxiety when he was knocked down in the sixth by Klitschko. I still remember the moment his uncle Adedamola held me with trembling hands during the seventh round. I could see doubt creeping in but I held him firm and reassured him of victory.
During the epochal round, an over-enthusiastic viewer knocked off the projector as Anthony unleashed a flurry of gut-wrenching punches to knock out the more experienced Ukrainian. Fortunately I was following the fight online and immediately I saw a confirmation of the stoppage of the fight I screamed and the rest is history.
The majority leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly announced that he would raise a motion for the legislature to pass a resolution to rename the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu after Anthony Joshua and also have the street where the family house is located renamed after the boxer.
Anthony Joshua was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to boxing.
Anthony Joshua hasn’t forgotten his roots as he requested to have the Nigerian flag alongside the Union Jack. Long reign the heavyweight king!
Other Sports
Lagos Set to Host Africa’s First-Ever All-Electric Powerboat Championship

History will be made in Lagos as the city becomes the first on the African continent to host the world’s all-electric powerboat championship, the E1 Series, from October 3 to 5, 2025.
The announcement marks a major milestone for Nigeria and Africa, as the E1 Lagos Grand Prix brings cutting-edge water sport, innovation, and environmental sustainability to the continent’s shores for the first time.
Sharing the news on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the event as “a demonstration of innovation and progress, showing how sport can inspire sustainable solutions for the future.”
He added: “It is also a celebration of the creativity and resilience that define our people. This occasion gives us the opportunity to showcase Lagos to the world as we know it: welcoming, dynamic, and determined to embrace the future with confidence.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also extended an open invitation to Lagosians and the global community to witness the groundbreaking spectacle.
“The E1 Lagos Grand Prix is a chance for Lagos, and for Africa, to stand proudly on the global stage,” he said.
Traditionally renowned for its passion for land-based sports like football, Africa is now set to explore its aquatic potential as the UIM E1 Series, presented by PIF, transforms Lagos’ waterfront into a thrilling race track.
Scheduled for October 4–5, the E1 Lagos Grand Prix promises a unique blend of speed, culture, and sustainability, turning the city’s coastline into a symbol of Africa’s readiness to embrace innovation and green technology in sports.
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Other Sports
Pastor Adeboye unveils stadium and Olympic-size swimming pool

Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has unveiled a full-size stadium and an Olympic-size 50-metre swimming pool at the Peaceville International Academy, located within the Redemption City of God, Ogun State.
The esteemed cleric was accompanied by his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, along with top church leaders including Pastor Joseph Obayemi; RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, and the management of Peaceville International Academy led by Head of School Dolapo Fatoki.
The event was graced by several board members of the school, including Leke Adeoye, Olugbenga Omojola, Ayoola Jolayemi, Noah Osato, and Mrs Busola Ogunsiji.
Reflecting on his past, Pastor Adeboye lamented the lack of such facilities during his university days and the general scarcity of quality sports amenities across the country.
“This kind of well-grassed stadium and serene environment were not available in universities during our time. Remarkably, God has made this possible in a secondary school, showing that He is on our side,” he remarked.
He offered prayers for those who contributed to the realization of these facilities and expressed his vision for the school to become a global brand.
In her welcome address, Pastor Mrs. Adeboye, the founder of the college, described the institution as a legacy made possible by God’s support.
She thanked her husband for his unwavering support in making the school a reality and emphasized the importance of the sports facilities in moulding Godly champions.
The unveiling ceremony also featured a novelty match to celebrate Pastor Adeboye’s 83rd birthday, with him performing the ceremonial kick-off for the match between Redemption City FC and Region 1 FC. The home team triumphed with a 4-0 victory.
Head of School Dolapo Fatoki highlighted that the facilities would be judiciously used to enhance the physical well-being of students and position the school as a hub for sports development in Ogun State and Nigeria.
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Other Sports
Burnley go 1,000 minutes without conceding a league goal

Championship promotion chasers Burnley clocked up 1,000 minutes without conceding a league goal as they drew 0-0 at Preston North End on Saturday to stay third in the table.
It was Burnley’s 24th Championship clean sheet of the season and their 11th in a row — a new English second-tier record.
In 33 Championship games their miserly defence has been breached only nine times and no opposition player has scored against them in the league since Dec. 21.
Burnley keeper James Trafford has faced only 21 shots on target in achieving his 11 successive clean sheets — including two penalties which he saved against Sunderland.
Scott Parker’s side need just one more clean sheet to match the Championship record of Queen’s Park Rangers in 2010-11.
“It’s something we pride ourselves on. We’re proud of being hard to beat and if you can’t win games, don’t lose them,” Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen told the club’s website.
“We come away with a point thanks to that defensive record and being solid again here at a tough place.”
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