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Nigeria Shines at Badminton Championship in Cairo -Anu retains African title

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Nigeria’s team at the just concluded All Africa Senior Badminton Championship, Cairo 2024, claimed seven medals with the country’s number one badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori clinching his fifth African title and the third back to back. Anuoluwapo had earlier won the All Africa Senior Championships Men’s Singles title in Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 2019, the All Africa Games MS title in Morocco in 2019, the All Africa Senior Championships MS title in Uganda 2022, the All Africa Senior Championships in South Africa 2023 and now in Egypt 2024. Nigeria’s male team in the team event narrowly lost to Algeria in the Finals even after securing the first two of five games, thereby settling for Silver. The Women’s team picked a valuable bronze after losing the Semifinals to the Ugandan Women’s team. In the Individual event, Nigeria’s Wonder Boy, Anuoluwapo Opeyori stormed through to the finals by beating compatriot Victor Ikechukwu 21-13, 19-21, 21-9 to rekindle an old rivalry with Mauritian Georges Julien Paul where he again asserted his dominance by beating Paul 23-21, 11-21, 21-16 to take the coveted MS crown for the third time in a row and his fifth African title. The relatively new pair of Yunusa Momoh Godwin Olofua did the country proud by beating Mauritius players, Melvin Appiah and Tejraj Pultoo 21-17, 21-15 to reach the Finals. They were, however, unable to subdue the duo of Africa’s number one pair of Algeria’s Kociela Mammeri and Sabri Medel, thereby losing 12-21, 8-21 to clinch the Silver in the Men’s Doubles event. In the Women’s Doubles, Nigeria’s Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan paired with a new partner, Sofiyat Obanishola to lose out narrowly to Ugandan’s Husina Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi 21-18, 19-21, 18-21 after fighting gallantly in the Semifinals to get a spot on the podium for the bronze medal. In the Mixed Doubles event, yet another fresh pair of Aliyu Alhaji Shehu and Deborah Ukeh-Divine lost the Semifinal match to home team of Adham Hatem Gamel and Doha Hany of Egypt 9-21, 12-21 (0-2) to take the bronze medal for their efforts. In all, Nigeria was able to take home an impressive total of 1 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals for relatively new pairs in all the doubles categories. President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih,Esq, expressed his appreciation for the performance of the Team Nigeria contingent and lamented the loss in the Finals of the Men’s Team events. “We were so close after getting the first 2 games in our favour, but we understand that in games as in life, anything can happen. We are grateful to and appreciative of our players and their performances”, Francis said. He also appreciated the Hon. Minister for Sport Development, Hon John Enoh for the Ministry’s support for the team. He promised that the board would continue to support players in all categories and at all levels. Francis further stressed the plans of the badminton board to immediately resume preparations for the upcoming badminton event at All Africa Games holding in Ghana from the 3rd to 10th March 2024.

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Former Sports Minister Sunday Dare Brings Euro Scouts To Nigeria As Talent Hunt Tourney Holds In Ibadan 

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Immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, is sponsoring a groundbreaking football tournament aimed at showcasing young Nigerian talents to scouts from across the world.

The tournament, scheduled for October 23-24th at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan, will provide aspiring footballers the chance to secure professional contracts that could transform their lives and communities.

Scouts from Israel, Romania, and Egypt are expected to attend the event, alongside representatives from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Rayo Alcobendas, further raising the stakes for these budding stars.

This initiative aligns with Dare’s passion to contribute in nurturing and developing sports talent in Nigeria, while giving.m back to society through the creation of opportunities for young people.

Organizers stated that the tournament underscores the importance of youth and sports development and the role it plays in empowering communities and fostering global opportunities for Nigerian athletes.

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Paris 2024:  Paralympic Committee Nigeria Set To Honour Paralympians

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Paralympic Committee Nigeria (PCN) has concluded arrangements to host the country’s Paralympians after the recently concluded Paralympics held in Paris, France.

As contained in a statement issued by the President of the PCN, Sunday Odebode and made available to newsmen on Monday by the Public Relations Officer of the Committee, Niyi Alebiosu, the gala /award nite will hold on Friday at Balmoral Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

The Honourable Minister of Sports John Owan Enoh will be the chief host of the event during which distinguished personalities and athletes will be honoured with awards of excellence.

Odebode further stated in the statement that “this is a project of the PCN Board aimed at celebrating our athletes for their outstanding performance at the 2024 Paralympics, and to say a very big thank you to them all.

“Also, it will help boost their morale ahead of future international competitions.

This will also encourage all other athletes to improve on their performances. We are not limiting it to those who won medals at the Games but all our athletes.

“They have shown greatness and we have to appreciate them. This is the first time in the history of para sports and PCN and we hope to keep it going”.

He, however, informed that all efforts have been put in place to host a hitch free event that will mark the beginning of good fortune for para athletes in the country.

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(PHOTO) Nigerian Striker Victor Boniface Involved in Car Accident After Bundesliga Win

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Arsenal rival Chelsea for Boniface

Nigerian striker Victor Boniface was rushed to the hospital after a terrifying car accident following Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

The 23-year-old posted photos and videos on social media, showing the wreckage of his vehicle and a bloodied hand.

Fortunately, Boniface avoided serious injury and shared an update with his followers, writing, “God is the greatest.”

Boniface on Saturday had played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s win, scoring the winning goal in the 71st minute.

The victory marked Leverkusen’s return to winning ways, ending a two-match winless streak in the Bundesliga.

The accident comes just days after Boniface’s harrowing experience with the Super Eagles in Libya.

The Nigerian national team was stranded at an abandoned airport for 18 hours without food, water, or phone connections and ultimately boycotted their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights.

The incident marks the second challenging experience for Boniface in a short span, highlighting his resilience and determination.

Despite these challenges, Boniface has demonstrated his ability to bounce back, scoring crucial goals for his club and hopefully for his country soon.

With five goals in seven Bundesliga games, it underscores Boniface’s importance to Leverkusen’s success

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