Other Sports
PEAK PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR PARA POWERLIFTING WORLD CUP
Peak, the flagship brand of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, has restated its commitment to Nigeria’s para powerlifters ahead of next February’s Road to Tokyo Para Powerlifting World Cup in Abuja.
The Official Milk of Abuja 2020, as the three-day competition is called, Peak said that it believed in the indomitable spirit of the athletes who have risen above their physical challenge to do the nation proud in global tournaments.
According to the Marketing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Chris Wulff–Caesar, the Nigerian athletes have richly earned the tag “Unstoppable” by surmounting all odds to win several laurels at international competitions.
Wulff–Caesar further said: “Peak conceived and campaigned the ‘Unstoppable’ concept, which was driven by the realisation that as challenging as their current situation might be, the para powerlifting athletes remain optimistic about their dreams and aspirations.
“We called them the ‘Unstoppable’ because they dared the odds and confronted their disability to excel where only the strong can survive. We are glad that they justified our expectations and they are now well known globally as ‘the Unstoppable!’”
He explained that the “Unstoppable” initiative aligns with the global philosophy of Royal FrieslandCampina and the brand essence of Peak, and the parent company believed that it had provided a template for multinationals to emulate.
Wulff–Caesar assured the Chief Host of Abuja 2020 Para Powerlifting Road Tokyo World Cup, who is also Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, that Peak would throw its weight behind the successful hosting of the Games, and also support the Nigerian continent to Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics.
He encouraged the athletes, coaches and administrators to make the best possible use of the opportunity of representing the country at global tournaments.
“FrieslandCampina WAMCO is inspired by the feats Nigeria’s para powerlifters have achieved at global competitions over the years, which have justified the partnership we struck with the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation three years ago,” the Marketing Director stated, adding: “The athletes have demonstrated that Peak milk has indeed lived true to its brand promise of enabling all Nigerians to reach their Peak. We will continue in that stride to nourish all Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition, for which we have become reputed since 1954.”
Since it struck partnership with the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation in December 2016, Peak has boosted the morale of the athletes. It renovated a world-class power gym and provided the best nutrition for the athletes. In addition, the brand also created the platform to expand the ‘Unstoppable’ narrative by exploiting the Unstoppable Videos, social media platforms and Ted ex, among other tools.
Peak supported the Lagos 2019 International Para Powerlifting Championship by donating IPC certified bus – the first of its kind in Nigeria – to the Federation, among other gestures.
The unveiling of Abuja 2020 athletes last Thursday night was presided over by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo. The event marked the formal constitution of the Main Organising Committee, which is headed by the First Lady, as well as the Mascot and the clothing line for the Games.
Mrs Buhari charged the organisers to pull all the stops to ensure a success event as athletes, officials and guests would be coming from Europe, the Americas and Africa to converge in Abuja.
The
President of the Nigeria Para Power Lifting Federation, Mrs. Queen Idris
explained that the choice of the First Lady to host the event was deliberate, given
her commitment to the cause of vulnerable Nigerians. She said that since most
of the team members are also female, they are inspired by her involvement.
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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