Local News

Table Tennis kickstarts 13th African Games in Ghana – ITTF

Table tennis will kickstart the 13th African Games taking place in Accra, Ghana, from March 8 to 23, according to a statement by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) made known on Sunday.

Being one of the sports expected to showcase talents and skills, 29 countries will jostle for honours in seven events at the games.

The statement by the ITTF also said the Accra International Conference Centre would host the table tennis event for seven days.

The men’s singles will kick off the tournament with 84 men, while 62 women will battle for the coveted prize in the event.

According to the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), the 18 men’s teams will be drawn into six groups of three each, while the 12 women’s teams will be drawn into four groups.

The top teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage of the event.

It stated that in the last two editions of the games, Egypt had dominated all the events, claiming the majority of the gold medals ahead of the former continent’s heavyweight, Nigeria.

In the men’s singles, all eyes will be on men’s defending champion Olajide Omotayo, who has not replicated the form he displayed at Rabat 2019 in any continental event.

The Nigerian’s best outing in any tournament was finishing in third place at the 2023 African Championships.

Women’s singles defending champion Dina Meshref will also be aiming to retain her title.

She, however, needs to fend off her compatriot, Hana Goda, who has dominated the continent in the last four championships, claiming the African Cup and championships.

For the President of ATTF, Khaled El-Salhy, the turnout of teams for the games had been impressive, being the largest number in any African Games.

”We are excited with the presence of teams across the continent, and we hope this will again showcase talents and skills by some upcoming players, including youngster Matthew Kuti, who has been included in the Nigerian squad for the games,” he said. (NAN)

Related Topics:African Table Tennis Federation International Table Tennis Federation

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Local News

Loveworld Incorporated Commits N50m To Support National Sports Commission’s Athletes Grants Initiative

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has received a significant boost for its Athletes Development Grant Initiative, with Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, pledging a ₦50 million support grant.

This commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the church to the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, at his office.

The delegation, led by Dr. Daystar Oyakhilome and Pastor T.T. Temisan, affirmed the church’s dedication to partnering with the NSC in advancing Nigerian sports.

Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the NSC, expressed profound gratitude for the generous support and swift alignment of the church with the commission’s vision.

“I want to thank Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for this gesture of love and collaboration from his church. This shows that religious bodies are beginning to understand the vision of Mr. President and the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, in building a sustainable sports economy driven primarily by the private sector,” he said.

He further emphasized the impact of the donation, noting, “This commitment is truly divine. To come forward and support our Athletes Grants with such a significant amount is commendable. This will take care of at least six indigenous athletes who struggle to represent our great country. I know the Chairman will be overwhelmed with gratitude, and I urge more people to emulate what Pastor Chris is doing.”

Dr. Daystar Oyakhilome highlighted the church’s readiness to support the commission in the areas of sports facility development and financial assistance across various sports.

“As a body of Christ, we believe our motto of ‘giving life a meaning’ should also be reflected in sports. This is why we are making this commitment, and we are open to doing even more to strengthen our relationship with the NSC as the apex body of sports in Nigeria,” he stated.

With this landmark contribution, Loveworld Incorporated reinforces the growing synergy the NSC seeks to build with organizations, including faith-based organizations, to drive forward Nigeria’s ambition for a thriving, private-sector-driven sports economy.

Local News

NYML/NLO Reschedules Annual General Assembly To February 5

The 2025 Nationwide League One (NYML/NLO) Annual General Assembly has been rescheduled.

Originally set for January 30, 2025, the assembly will now take place on February 5, 2025.

In a recent announcement from the media department of the league, it was noted that the assembly will be conducted virtually rather than in person.

This change aims to enhance accessibility and participation for all state-adopted representatives, as the league Secretariat appreciates their understanding and flexibility regarding this adjustment.

The NLO Secretariat will provide further details about the virtual meeting platform and the agenda as the event date approaches.

All relevant representatives from each State Football Association will represent their respective clubs, as their collaboration is essential for the advancement of football development in Nigeria.

Local News

Lagos, Practagali Partners Unveil Inaugural Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Games

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and Practagali Partners, organisers of the maiden Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BAT SWAG), have announced that the inaugural edition of the games will be hosted in Lagos.

BATSWAG, a unifying sports initiative led by Practagali Partners, is designed to discover emerging under-18 athletes from across the Southwest region, encourage mass participation in sports, and provide opportunities for talented athletes to showcase their skills and build a career in sports.

Scheduled for March 2025, the highly anticipated competition will bring together promising young talents from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, to compete in various sporting disciplines, including Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Boxing, Football, Table Tennis, Traditional African games, Ayo-Olopon and Abula.

BATSWAG aims to promote youth development, stimulate sports participation, and encourage inclusivity through adaptive sports. The event will showcase the immense sporting potential within the Southwestern region while creating opportunities for budding athletes to shine on a regional stage.

Speaking on the upcoming tournament, the Director-General of LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, expressed enthusiasm about Lagos being identified as the state where the event will be hosted.

“Hosting the inaugural edition of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games in Lagos is an honour, and it speaks volumes about the support and commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sports over the years, which has laid the foundation and created many opportunities and resources for Lagos to be the ideal location for any great sporting events. The future of sports in the South-West region is bright, and the BAT SWAG Games will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for young athletes aiming for national and international success.”

Ms Funmilola Adedipe, Managing Director of Practagali Partners, highlighted the broader impact of the event, noting that it aims to promote positive engagement among youth and rescue them from the grip of social vices prevalent in society.
She said, “The BAT SWAG Games will not only nurture talent but also serve as a vital tool for social reformation, using sports as a vehicle for development, empowerment, and hope.”

Adedipe also highlighted the significance of Practagali Partners’ collaboration with the Lagos State Government, noting that the partnership will create sustainable opportunities for youth and further the cause of grassroots sports development across the region.

“This partnership with Lagos as the host state will bolster efforts to engage youth meaningfully, and we look forward to discovering new talents that can potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage,” Adedipe added.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games is expected to be a remarkable event, showcasing the wealth of talent within the region. The competition will draw in large crowds, enhance community spirit, and create a sports participation legacy that will impact future generations.
By being chosen as the host state, Lagos further solidifies its reputation as a hub for sports development and excellence.