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.
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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