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!
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has praised the growing involvement of Ibom Air in sports development, describing the airline as an exemplary corporate citizen whose contributions are helping to strengthen sports in the state.
Governor Eno gave the commendation on Saturday during activities marking the seventh anniversary of Ibom Air, following the final of a football tournament organised by the airline at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Represented by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, the governor applauded the airline’s increasing support for football, golf and tennis, noting that its intervention had positively impacted sports development in the state.
“It pleases me to know that you are not only riding the skies in aviation, but also distinguishing yourself as an exemplary corporate citizen,” the governor stated.
“Your intervention in golf, tennis and, most recently, football is worth commending.”
Governor Eno particularly highlighted the airline’s contribution to football and tennis in the state, stating that its sponsorship nearly helped Akwa United regain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
He also credited the airline’s support for the success of the Akwa Ibom tennis team at the recently concluded Niger Delta Games in Benin City, where the state won three of the five gold medals on offer in tennis.
While congratulating the airline on its seventh anniversary, Governor Eno described Ibom Air as a symbol of the Akwa Ibom spirit of excellence, professionalism and innovation in the aviation sector.
According to him, the airline’s operational standards and recent expansion into international routes within the West African sub-region have strengthened connectivity, boosted commerce and tourism, and contributed to the state’s economic growth.
“The achievements recorded within this relatively short period have stood out as an eloquent testament to the hard work and foresight of your airline’s dedicated leadership and focused workforce,” he said.
“This anniversary marks not only the celebration of years, but the celebration of vision, resilience, professionalism and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.”
The football tournament organised to celebrate the airline’s anniversary lasted over two weeks and culminated in a dramatic final at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The Lagos team of Ibom Air emerged champions after defeating their Uyo counterparts 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
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The stage is set for the 3rd National Para Games, Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious para sports event, scheduled to hold from March 26 to April 3, 2026, in Abuja.
For nine days, the nation’s capital will host more than 3,000 athletes representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, competing across 15 different sports in what promises to be a vibrant celebration of resilience, excellence and inclusion. Organisers say champions will emerge, records will tumble, and new chapters will be written in Nigeria’s para sports history.
The Games are being organised by the National Sports Commission, which describes the event as a critical platform for talent discovery, national unity and the advancement of para sports development across the country.
Since its inception, the National Para Games has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting calendar, spotlighting the remarkable abilities of athletes living with disabilities while reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive participation in sports.
Officials say the 2026 edition will surpass previous outings in scale, organisation and competitive intensity. With participation confirmed from every state of the federation and the FCT, the Games are expected to reveal the depth of talent spread nationwide and provide a pathway for standout performers to progress to continental and global competitions.
In a significant boost to preparations, the National Youth Service Corps has partnered with the Commission by releasing its Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, to serve as the official Games Village. The facility will accommodate athletes and officials throughout the competition, offering a secure and community-focused environment designed to foster camaraderie and peak performance.
The collaboration reflects a broader inter-agency commitment to empowering young Nigerians and promoting social integration through sport. It also underscores growing national recognition of para athletes as integral contributors to Nigeria’s sporting success.
With anticipation building and logistics nearing completion, Abuja is poised to welcome thousands of competitors and supporters for what promises to be a defining celebration of courage, competition and collective pride.
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By Keresifon Essien
Akwa Ibom State will parade a strong contingent of about 280 athletes and 44 officials at the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 28.
The State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Curator of Keresy Sports Museum (KSM), Keresifon Essien, noting that Team Akwa Ibom will compete in 16 sporting events at the regional multi-sports fiesta.
According to Bassey, the sports in which the state will feature include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming and chess.
To ensure optimal preparation, the state government has constituted a five-man State Liaison Committee to oversee arrangements for the festival. The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.
Other members of the committee are Coach Catherine Ewa Ekuta, Head of Technical; Guinness World Record holder George Essien; Edidiong Stephen, a member; and Mfon Bassey, who serves as Secretary.
Bassey explained that the committee has been mandated to fine-tune all preparations for the festival, beginning with the state trials scheduled for this weekend, and to ensure that the contingent arrives in Benin City fully prepared and ready to project Akwa Ibom State positively at the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
He expressed confidence that with proper planning and early preparations, Team Akwa Ibom will make a strong impression when the festival proper begins.
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