Other Sports
Nigeria’s Sports Ministry, Olympic Body Cleared for Elections
All is now set for elections into the 42 Nigerian national sports federations.
According to a press statement by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the ministry and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) were given the all clear by the House of Representatives Committee on Sports on Wednesday to continue with the election slated for Tuesday.
In his submission, the Technical Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports Hon Danburam Abubakar Nuhu argued that the Ministry had not erred in the dissolution of the federations in May this year.
“As chairman of the technical committee, I do have information that I wish to share with the House.
“The Ministry is trying to correct the mistakes of the past. According to the Olympic Charter, elections are supposed to be held after every Olympic Games.
“Elections were due to be held in 2012 immediately after the Olympics but it was held in 2013 and likewise in 2016, the federations were supposed to be dissolved immediately after the Olympic Games but elections are now taking place in 2017.
“Now, the Ministry has seen what needs to be done to correct an abnormality.
“We heard that a batch was inaugurated around May while another batch was inaugurated in November or thereabout. The tenure of every federation is supposed to be four years but they must also respect the rules of the law which states that there must be elections after every Olympics.
“The elections were due since last year. What the Ministry is trying to do shouldn’t be seen as an illegality but seen as trying to correct an abnormality in line with the Olympic Charter. If this is so, then the matter should be put to rest.” Danburam stated.
The Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Tunde Popoola also told the committee that the NOC, the umbrella body of all federations is compelled to have a good working relationship with the government as stated in the IOC code of Ethics and Charter Principle 7.
“Harmonious relationship with government; Governments, constituents of the Olympic movement, other sports organizations and stakeholders have a complimentary mission and should work together towards the same goals.”
Popoola said that the greatest partner of the NOC and the federations is the government.
He explained that elections were held for the 24 Olympic sports and another for those known as ‘concession’ sports.
“In the past few years we have been living a lie, believing that it has to be done the way it is being done.
“The Minister wants a practical change to ensure that we follow the normal way of doing things as in international best practices. Change is very difficult and people want to resist change.”Popoola said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Buka Goni Lawal restated the resolve of the Committee to work with the Ministry and the NOC to achieve a common purpose which is to move the country’s sports forward.
He thanked the Ministry, the NOC for their brief and the suggestions made by the technical committee Chairman and other honourable members.
Hon Buka Lawal thereafter gave the Ministry and the NOC an all clear to conduct elections next week.
Presidents of Cricket, Basketball, Wrestling, Rugby, and Karate were in attendance.
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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