Other Sports
RUGBY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT NIGERIA’S NATIONAL YOUTH GAMES
BY NTIENSE WILLIAMS.
Draws for the Rugby event of the ongoing 5th National Youth Games has been conducted in preparation for the kick – off on Sunday.
In the ladies category, six
states registered. They are Edo, Lagos, Osun, Delta, Ogun, and Rivers states.
For the boys’ category, five states are competing. They are Lagos, Delta,
Rivers, Kano, and Osun states.
The ladies draw has in Group A – Edo, Ogun and Osun States, while Group B has Lagos, Rivers and Delta states
The boys draw has Delta, Kano and Lagos states in Group A, while Rivers and Osun states are in the lucky Group B.
All the teams will play round robin matches against each other in the group stages and the winners and runner-ups will proceed to the semi finals.
Meanwhile, the Ehibam Griefshare Foundation led by the founder and Rugby enthusiast Pastor Dupe Irele has decided to throw her support and encouragement to the rugby children by donating a trophy for the Most Disciplined Teams of the National Youth Games Rugby event in the both categories.
This is in continuation of her Foundation’s support and encouragement of Schools Rugby in Nigeria, which the National Youth Games being an U-15 event fits in perfectly.
According to Dupe, who could not be physically present in Ilorin for the games due to other pressing commitments, “Our Foundation is so proud to be identified with this laudable project of the National Youth Games being organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports.
“We are so excited that rugby is featuring for the second time as a scoring event and we pledge our full support to the “Catch Them Young” Rugby development program which will certainly produce quality Rugby players for the Nigerian Rugby Team in the nearest future”.
“We once again sincerely thank all the nine states that brought their rugby Teams for this event and look forward to more state in the next edition.
The Rugby event has two gold medals for the Games in the Seven – A – Side shorter version of the beautiful game which will be witnessing its flagship International event “The Rugby World Cup” that will kick – off in the next Six days time in Japan in its eighth edition.
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.”
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers