Other Sports
NIGERIA’S SPORTS MINISTRY HOSTS U-19 CRICKET TEAM
The Youth and Sports Minister on Tuesday hosted the Junior Yellow Greens of Nigeria for qualifying for next year’s ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.
At a modest reception organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the National U- 19 Cricket team, Solomon Dalung praised the team and leadership of the Nigeria Cricket Federation for making another historic record.
“The success of the National U-19 Cricket team coming at this transition period of this administration is one of the greatest packages I have received as a Minister in this Ministry.
“The face of sports has changed within three and half years despite those who have inundated the social media, trying to contradict the narrative that sports in Nigeria has taken its proper place globally. This is another historic feat in 100 years.
“After the D’Tigress made history by being the first African team to qualify for the World Cup quarter finals in 100 years, the Junior Yellow Greens have beaten another 100 year- record by qualifying for the ICC U-19 World Cup since 1904. Nothing would have brought this kind of revolution in sports apart from the democratization of the National Sports Federations.”
Dalung recalled that in three and half years, Nigerian athletes have won over 700 medals. He however stated that funding has been the bane of Sports in the country.
“The Ministry has not enjoyed good funding. I know what the team went through but this glory comes to Nigeria. We must invest much funds in sports to create hope for our young people. Government must take sports more seriously and the National Assembly must budget money for sports because budgeting money for sports is budgeting money for youth development.”
Dalung also congratulated the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation Prof Yahaya Ukwenya for providing good leadership and urged the athletes to be determined and focused while thanking them for making the country proud.
In his remarks, the NCF President thanked the Ministry for receiving the players who he described as heroes.
“Nigeria has played Cricket for over 100 years and if we won any tournament, it was mostly in West Africa. We found it difficult to cope with the quality of cricket from the Southern and Eastern parts of the continent.
“What these young men have done is to open the door for us to say yes, we can play. Parents can now allow their wards to go out and learn to play cricket and schools that rejected us before will now pay attention to the game of cricket”.
Prof Ukwenya promised that this kind of performance will not be the last as the Junior Yellow Greens will be going to the World Cup to make a statement and defend the integrity of the nation.
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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