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Para Badminton: Bolaji, Chigozie qualify for Paris 2024 Paralympics

The duo of Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games coming up from 28th

The duo of Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games coming up from 28th August to 8th September.

According to the Badminton World Federation, Multiple African Champion, Mariam Bolaji will represent Nigeria in the Women’s Singles Standing Lower 3 (SL3) while Jeremiah Chigozie represents Nigeria in the Men’s Singles Standing Lower 4 (SL4).

An elated Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria said the qualification of Mariam Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie is a testimony of hard work, consistency and perseverance.

Orbih who was full of joy revealed that Nigeria stands a good chance to make history by winning medals in para badminton in her debut appearance.

He said, “Today, history has been made as two players for the first time will be representing Nigeria in the para badminton event at the Paralympic Games. I am full of joy because the sacrifices of the players and the Federation were not in vain.

“Mariam Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have consistently attended the African Championship winning gold medals in the singles and doubles events. Last month, Mariam Bolaji won two gold medals at the Spanish Internationals in Victoria and Toledo putting her in a better position to make it to the Paralympics; which has become a reality.

“With adequate camping, foreign tours and proper funding, I believe Nigeria will win a medal in the Para Badminton event when we make our debut this year”.

Orbih once again, called on well meaning individuals to support the Badminton Federation of Nigeria in ensuring the athletes get maximum support ahead of the Olympic/Paralympic Games in Paris next August.

He said, “I will not get tired of calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the private sector to key into our brand and give more support to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria. We have athletes who are marketable and will sell their brands to the world with their sterling performances”.

Mariam Eniola Bolaji shocked the world by winning her first gold medal at the Spanish Para badminton International 2021 beating Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine.

Bolaji won the women’s singles SL3 at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2023, All African Para Badminton Championship 2023 (Doubles and Mixed Doubles).

She won gold medals at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023, Egypt Para Badminton International 2024, World Para Badminton Championship 2024 in Thailand and Spanish Para Badminton International 2024.

Bolaji is also the first African player to be ranked among the top 10 in the BWF world rankings as she is currently ranked number 5 in the world.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah Chigozie won bronze medal at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2023 and three gold medals at African Para Badminton Championship 2023

He played a lesser number of championships compared to Eniola; playing in Egypt, Dubai, and World Championship in Thailand.

Chigozie got to the quarter finals in the men’s singles SL4 category in Thailand and currently ranked number 16 in the recent BWF para Badminton ranking.

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Top Guns To Storm Lagos Few Hours To 10th Access Bank City Marathon

10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

 

As the countdown to the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon intensifies, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd has announced that a world press conference will be held on Friday at the Headquarters of Access Bank, Oniru, Lagos.

This event is part of a series of activities leading up to race day and is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a landmark edition of the prestigious marathon.

Scheduled for Saturday, February 15, this year’s race is set to host approximately 4,000 athletes, including 100 elite international runners, solidifying its status as one of Africa’s premier marathon events.

Among the distinguished personalities expected to be in attendance are top government officials, sports administrators, and legendary athletes.

The roll call includes the Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication/Spokesperson to the President, Hon. Sunday Dare, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Vice President, Chief Solomon Ogba, NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade; Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Tonobok Okowa, amongst others.

Adding to the excitement, a host of legendary Nigerian athletes will grace the occasion, including Mary Onyali, Yusuf Alli, and Falilat Ogunkoya, whose contributions to Nigerian athletics remain iconic.

With anticipation building, the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is set to be a historic spectacle, bringing together top-tier athletes, dignitaries, and sports enthusiasts from around the world. Stay tuned as the city of Lagos prepares to host yet another thrilling race day!

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Karaketas Storm Teslim Stadium, As Lagos Karate Open Begins

Senior and junior karatekas are participating in the ongoing 2025 Lagos Open Karate Competition at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The tournament serves as a valuable platform for karate practitioners to test their skills against their peers, improve their performances, and promote the martial art and its values, particularly among the young athletes.
Participants competed in Kata, which is open to various categories, while Kumite featured competitors in the -60kg, -50kg, and -45kg weight classes for both male and female categories.
Speaking after her participation in Kumite, Aluko Aisha, a JSS3 student from Ifako Comprehensive Junior School, expressed her excitement about competing in the 2025 Lagos Open Karate Competition. She shared that her passion for martial art continues to grow due to consistent training and the opportunity to showcase her skills. She added that she is determined to reach higher level in the sport.
Ayodele Ramot, who competed in the Kumite 50kg category, emphasized her commitment to improving her skills. She noted that her passion for karate goes beyond competition, as it teaches respect, discipline, and self-defense.
Ramot, a medalist at the last National Youth Games in Asaba, stated that she is focused on defeating her opponents in her weight to secure a place in the senior team. She highlighted that mastering karate requires skills and different strategies in executing tackles.
The Lagos State Karate Coach, Shoyoye Shola Saunaka, added that the initiative serves as trials to select the best athletes from both the U-17 and in the senior categories.
He further explained that the competition will also help in preparing a formidable team ahead of the National Sports Festival while assessing the performance levels of karate practitioners across different weight classes.

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Niger Delta Sports Festival: Registration For State Trials Begins

Local government trials leading to each state’s team selection for the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) will commence on February 20 and end on March 3, 2025.
Co-Chairman of the Technical Committee for the festival, Eneifiok Udo-Obong, announced the date while also providing registration details and other programs of events for the maiden edition of the festival.
“We have already determined that the Festival finals will hold in Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8.
“Registration forms are being distributed to the States Liaison Committees that would supervise the Local Government and Federal Constituency trials. The forms can be obtained from LG, Federal Constituency, and Senatorial District headquarters of each member state,” disclosed Udo-Obong, an Olympics champion in 4x400m relay.
He further announced that the Organising Committee has fixed March 10 to 12 for state trials to select the contingents that will be registered from March 15 to 20.
Other pre-festival activities include a closed camping of registered states’ athletes and coaches from March 25 to 31.
“We are using this festival to prepare Niger Delta States for the National Sports Festival as we hope to use the NDSF as a springboard for the member states to select their very best and prepare them adequately for the national competition,” Udo-Obong explained.
About 2,886 athletes are expected to compete for honours in 17 sports at the festival.
The maiden NDSF is open to the nine states that made up the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta. Others are Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
The NDDC is the major sponsor of the festival, which seeks to spot and nurture sportsmen and women from the region to provide them platforms to express their innate talent through sports.

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