Other Sports
ARUNA QUADRI TOPS SEEDING LIST AT POLISH OPEN
Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri returns to the global stage as the 2014 ITTF Star Player has been seeded number one in the 32-man seeding list released for the ITTF Challenge ‘Polish Open’, which serves off on Thursday in Warsaw.
Quadri who claimed his first title in the Portuguese league at the weekend after lifting the Portuguese Super Cup with Sporting is joined on the seeding list by Sporting’s teammate – Joao Monteiro.
He is hoping to use the Polish Open to prepare for this month’s ITTF World Cup holding in Liege, Belgium and he will be joined by Omar Assar of Egypt who will also be flying Africa’s flag in Belgium.
Quadri and Monteiro have enjoyed celebrated moments during their careers; earlier this year the Nigerian won the African Cup in Agadir, Morocco and more recently Monteiro was pivotal to his country’s silver medal success at the recent Liebherr 2017 European Team Championships in Luxembourg.
Notable successes but as with Germany’s Benedikt Duda, the no.3 seed, an ITTF World Tour or ITTF Challenge Series Men’s Singles title remains elusive; the nearest is Quadri Aruna.
He reached the final on home soil in Lagos in 2015 when beaten by Egypt’s Omar Assar.
In search of a first, for the Hong Kong pairing of Ho Kwan Kit and Jiang Tianyi, the next two names in the Czestochowa order of merit, the goal is to add to existing success.
Ho Kwan Kit won in the Philippines in 2014; Jiang Tianyi emerged victorious in Brazil in 2008, later in 2015 in Hungary. In terms of ITTF World Tour or ITTF Challenge Series Men’s Singles titles, he is the most successful player on view in Poland.
England’s Liam Pitchford, Poland’s Wang Zengyi and Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu complete the top eight names; like the top three, no member of the trio has won an ITTF World Tour or ITTF Challenge Series Men’s Singles event. The nearest is Wang Zengyi; in 2014 in Belarus he was beaten in the final by the host nation’s Vladimir Samsonov.
The top step of the podium elusive but there are those present in Czestochowa who have achieved such a feat.
On the ITTF World Tour, Romania’s Adrian Crisan, the no.13 seed, won in Brazil in 2005; Austria’s Daniel Habesohn emerged successful in 2014 in Hungary; last year the Czech Republic’s Tomas Konecny succeeded in Bulgaria, India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran prevailed in Belgium.
In Czestochowa, Tomas Konecny is the no.14 seed; Sathiyan Gnanasekaran is the no.24 seed, followed immediately by Daniel Habesohn.
Meanwhile, one further name can be added to the list; Soumyajit Ghosh, the no 20 seed, won earlier this year at the ITTF Challenge Series Chile Open in Santiago.
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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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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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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