Other Sports
Nigeria Conclude Inspection of Bahamas Games Village
Nigeria’s delegation to the Bahamas has concluded its inspection of facilities for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games billed for Nassau in July.
The team comprising the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, the Director Grassroots Sports, Dr Ademola Aare and the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, inspected the training areas, tracks, athletes’ accommodation, indoor sports hall and swimming pools.
According to the leader of the delegation Solomon Dalung, the venues are almost ready for the sixth edition of the games billed for July 19 to 23.
“The host city for the Commonwealth Youth Games is about 70% ready and they have assured us that all venues will be ready before the opening ceremony.
“We held valuable discussions with the country’s sports minister who led us on the inspection tour of hostels and other facilities. We are impressed with what we’ve seen so far. ”
Nigeria will be represented by 26 athletes taking part in seven sports namely; swimming, athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, boxing, tennis and judo.
According to the NOC Secretary General Tunde Popoola, the visit was hectic.
“Two hours after we arrived, we were taken to the World relays also holding in the Bahamas.
“Thereafter, we had a classroom session where we went through all registrations and events registered for and what they will provide for the contingents.
“The games will be held on an island and the temperature as of today is about 30 degrees.
“We were told that the temperature will be hotter during the games so these are things we need to keep in view.
“One good thing is that their facilities are compact and just within the same area so it’s just a walking distance from any other venue.
“I will say that this is one of the best accommodations to be provided for athletes. They will be accommodated in very nice hotels acquired specifically for the games.
“Their security is also top notch. Since it will be held on an island they have escape boats, security personnel, divers and so on. It’s been a very fruitful visit” Popoola said.
The Director grassroots sports Dr Ademola Aare also revealed that the athletes will be selected from the recently held National Youth Games held in Ilorin.
“We discovered some athletes at the Youth Games in Ilorin so we will also pick from them when camping begins.
“The rest of the athletes will be provided by the various federations because they have age grade programs.
“Some of them may be overaged so we will screen them while in camp. If funds are made available, we are proposing camping from May to June.”
Meanwhile, the Minister is expected to grace the opening Group B game of the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup competition between Nigeria’s Sand Eagles and their counterparts from Italy on Thursday.
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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