Chairperson, House Committee on Sports in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Rukayat Shittu, has pledged support towards robust media coverage of sports activities in the state.

Speaking to executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Kwara State chapter, in Ilorin on Tuesday, the lawmaker said that with the massive investments by Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq at the Kwara State Stadium, it is imperative that media support must be enhanced.

“With the renovation of sports facilities in the stadium, more sports activities will definitely come to Kwara. The media and press are the complementary arm of sports.

“These are media and brand related events that our state will benefit from immensely. Tinkering with our media sports oversight function to support sports reporting in the state,” Hon Shittu.

She also hailed the present administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the total overhauling of sports facilities since inception.

The lawmaker explained that the state legislative arm will continue to initiate policies through effective legislation to all year round development.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been doing alot in sports since his assumption of office, the reactivation of state sports festival, state’s participation in the National and International l championship and prompt release of funds for Kwara United were some of his milestones in the last five years in office” she said.

Shittu is one the youngest lawmakers to win an election in Africa and was once a journalist herself.

While speaking to the representatives of the guild of sports journalists in the state, Hon Shittu pledged to partner SWAN ahead of the 2024 Kwara SWAN Media Games.

Expressing thanks, Chairman of Kwara SWAN, Ayodeji Ismail hailed Hon Shittu for her vibrancy and versatility as the youngest lawmaker whose positive impact and contributions at the floor of the house has become a reference point.

Ayodeji, who asked for the assistance of Hon Shittu in the appropriation of media budget for sports writers for coverage of championship, noted SWAN will continue to objectively report the activities of the government tailored to the growth of sports.

After two days of exciting matches, the 2024 ITTF Africa Cup would climax on Tuesday, May 14, with semifinal and final clashes in both the men and women singles categories.

28 men and 25 women set out to conquer the field at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. As the action rolled on, many fell by the wayside, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the eight players going into the final day matchups.

Three Egyptians and a Nigerian will slug it out for passage into the final match for the women’s singles title, while the semifinal battle in the men’s singles will be between Nigeria and Egypt.

Women’s singles top seed Dina Meshref of Egypt, who eliminated Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou in the quarterfinal, will face a familiar foe in Nigeria’s Offiong Edem in the first semifinal match of the day.

The second semifinal tie will be a battle between defending champion Hana Goda of Egypt and her compatriot, Mariam Alhodaby.

In the absence of defending champion Omar Assar of Egypt due to a recurring knee injury, a new king of African table tennis will be crowned in Kigali.

In the first semifinal, the top seed in the men’s singles, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria, will take on Egyptian southpaw Youssef Abdel-Aziz, who staged a scintillating comeback in the quarterfinal to edge out the number two seed, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa.

In the second semifinal match of the men’s singles, Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali will clash with 2019 African Games champion, Olajide Omotayo of Nigeria.

The final matches of both categories will take place later in the day to bring to a fitting end this star-studded continental tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the 2025 ITTF World Cup.

Guided by the leadership of Paul Okoku, the 1983 set of Flying Eagles, has honoured the memory of their late captain, Ali Jeje, by awarding a full scholarship to his son, Abdul Rahman Jeje.

The 1983 Flying Eagles team to the first World Cup in Mexico, became the first Nigerian national football team to qualify and represent the country in a FIFA-World Cup tournament.

Paul Okoku, assistant captain of the team, alongside his then-teammates, engaged Abdul Rahman Jeje regarding his aspirations before reaching the decision of granting him a full scholarship. The team was reminded of the gentleman-like nature of Ali Jeje, who led the team and Nigeria in the watershed moment at the first World Cup 41 years ago.

Ali Jeje passed away in early 2000s, after being faced with hardship and illness. However, his comrades of over four decades determined that supporting his son’s educational journey through scholarship, would be a perfect way to demonstrate brotherliness.

In a statement released by him, Paul Okoku recalled how Nigeria defeated Guinea over the two legs to qualify for the tournament, achievements in Nigeria football history at the competition, and thanked all his teammates for being part of the goodwill towards the family of the late Nigeria international.

“During his tenure as our able captain, I had the privilege of serving as his deputy captain. This historic moment marked the first time a Nigerian national team represented Nigeria in any FIFA organized World Cup tournament, in the football history of Nigeria. Hence, the team represented the continent of Africa during the FIFA World Cup championships, in Mexico, in 1983. Excerpts from the interview with the late Fetus Okubule, the first Nigerian referee at any FIFA World Cup tournament, in Mexico, 1983, courtesy of the 1983 Flying Eagles squad: ‘Meanwhile, it was in 1983 that Okubule became the first Nigerian referee at a FIFA tournament when he was picked for the FIFA Youth Championship (now FIFA U-20 World Cup) in Mexico,’” he wrote.

“Incidentally that was also the first FIFA tournament attended by a Nigerian national team, when the Flying Eagles qualified after beating Guinea over two legs and he was the centre referee in the Group B match between Poland and the United States in Pueblo as well as the game between Brazil and Holland at the Jalisco Stadium, Guadalajara. At the tournament, two other African referees – Bernard Grah of Cote D’Ivoire and Mohammed Larache of Morocco – were sent home after the Group games while Okubule was among the 12 retained to proceed with the remaining matches. Nonetheless, Ali Jeje endured significant hardships, facing years of illness before his passing in the early 2000s. In light of his contributions and the legacy he left behind, we believe it is fitting to support his son’s educational journey through this scholarship.

“Furthermore, on behalf of the Esteemed Solidarity Flying Eagles Team, 1983 set, and as the vice captain of the history-making squad, I salute you, my fellow teammates, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our team members who generously supported this initiative financially and in kind who deserve our genuine appreciation for their integral role in the scholarship scheme: Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Otti Amaechi, Paul Okoku, Femi Olukanni, Segun Olukanni,

Dehinde Akinlotan, Taju Disu, Dahiru Sadi, Tarila Okorowanta, Manu Garba, Alphonsus Akhahon, Sunday Edema Benson, Yemi Adebanjo, Samson Siasia, Patrick Udoh, Muyiwa Manny Motajo, Humphrey Edobor, Bright Benson, Wahab Adesina, Wilfred Agbonabare, Christopher Anigala, Yisa Sofoluwe, Raymond King, Mike Igbeka and Tarfa Kpako.

“I couldn’t be prouder of your courage, as a team, and dedication to our association. Your involvement in this initiative exemplifies true teamwork and demonstrates the power of collective action. Your unwavering support has made this scholarship possible, allowing us to honor Ali Jeje’s memory and invest in the future of his family. My humble gratitude is in line here as I once again express my thank you immensely to all our teammates for your outstanding support and commitment. Your contribution to this scholarship is not only commendable but also life-changing for Abdul Rahman Jeje. It is essential to reflect on the profound impact you have had on his life, especially considering the challenges he has faced, including the loss of his grandmother, who played a significant role in his upbringing following Ali Jeje’s passing. Your generosity and kindness have made a meaningful difference, and for that, we are deeply grateful.”