The 2024 Lagos individual boxing club championship has commenced at the Bishop Aggey Senior Secondary School in the Mushin Area of the state.

In its bid to continue using the instrumentality of sports to shape the career of youths, giving an avenue for the boxers and up and coming stars, honing their skills, and in preparation for upcoming national competitions , the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission Lekan Fatodu, reiterated that the state is determined is encouraging sports development at the grassroots level.

He emphasized the significance of the initiative in promoting a sense of belonging among the youths in the community, encouraging a culture of better understanding and to take into a venture that instills self-discipline, self-development, self-reliance, and aid the community in eliminating social vices and any wrong doing.

Boxing techniques and actions were on display as boxers from their different categories took to the ring to express their prowess in pugilism at the Bishop Aggay playing ground.

Fatodu while declaring the championship open said the purpose of having the tournament in Mushin is because of the fact that boxing is one of the engagements that is perculiar to the Mushin community, adding that the young peoples potentials need to be harnessed and encouraged as a way of identifying raw talents that would represent the state and country at the national and international levels.

In an intense encounter between Yusuf Fawaz in blue corner and Animashaun Sherif (red) from Lion Boxing Club ended 2- in favour of the latter while Bodude Olamilekan dominance from the beginning to the end earned him a victory of 3-0 over Ozumba Tony of Oluomo Boxing Club.

It was a free day for Babalola Ibukun who showed his level of dexterity and ability in throwing punches rounded off Kazeem Yusuf of Oluomo Boxing Club 3 to nil in the 62kg category. In the 63kg category, Olawepo Samuel from Badagry Boxing Club did not submitted to the powerful punches of Isaac Aderibigbe earning him a victory of 2-1 in a split decisions of the judges.

Director, Sports Development, LSSC, Nunayon Travih, remarked that the tournament was in tandem with the mantra of the present administration in not leaving anyone behind, using the platform to identify talents that will be groomed for the National Sports Festival and those that will be monitored to develop their career path and have a means of livelihood.

Omolei Imadu, Founder Yucateco Boxing League, heaped praises on the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling environment and always giving listening ears and aiding athletes sports development.

Directors from the Lagos State Sports Commission, and Senior Special Assistants to Governor on Sports Development, Grassroots and Sports Marketing and Partnership, Damilare Orimoloye,Adebanji Atewogboye and Onaopemipo Adu were all present at the event.

Other winners in different categories are:Adeleke Lateef 53.3kg,Gbadeyan Mayowa 54kg, Jesugbesan David 53kg, Olayiwola Ibrahim 61kg, Ogunsola Muheez 62kg, Ileubare Samuel 63kg, Kuyebi Samuel 60.9kg, and Aberegidi Ebi 62.5kg.

NAF Rockets and Delta Queens have emerged champions of the National Division 1 Volleyball League in the men and women categories.

NAF Rockets beat LifeCamp VC 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-31) in their last match of the Division 1 League played at the Umuahia Township Stadium in Abia State.

NAF Rockets finished in first position with a total of 43 points, qualifying for the 2025 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.

In second place is UCEM VC of Enugu State with a total of 40 points while former National Division 2 Champions, LifeCamp VC finished third with 34 points.

Youthful Sword VC of Benue State with 29 points finished in fourth place while G-Ranks Spikers of Kaduna finished fifth with 22 points.

Katsina United and Safety Spikers with 14 points finished sixth and seventh place respectively, Kwara United secured eighth position while Oluyole Spikers failed to appear in the second phase of the National Division 1 League.

Meanwhile, Delta Queens (unbeaten) finished first place, Wikki Queens secured second place while Ekiti Queens won third place.

In the National Division 2 League, Defence Spikers placed first with a total of 38 points closely followed by Wikki Spikers with 35 points to finish second place while Ajase Ipo VC placed third with 28 points.

In fourth place is Bayelsa United with 24 points and Delta Force secured 22 points to finish fifth place.

Osun Spikers (8 points), Sokoto United (3 points) and Jewel Spikers (1 points) failed to appear in the final phase of the 2024 National Division 2 League.

In his closing remarks, President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended Abia State Government for hosting the final phase of the Division 1 and 2 Leagues.

He called on State East Governors to prioritise sports in order to reduce social vices in their respective states.

Nimrod congratulated winners and participants for ensuring the leagues lived up to expectations.

Tournament No. 2 seed, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has been forced to withdraw from the Men’s Singles event at the 2024 ITTF Africa Championships in Addis Ababa due to a thigh injury and fatigue.

Despite leading Nigeria to a gold medal in the team event against Algeria on October 14, Aruna had to pull out of his second-round match against Benin Republic’s Dodji Fanny.

Aruna explained, “I’ve been playing in various tournaments for the past two months, often in different time zones. I was in India, Macau, China, and then Saudi Arabia for league matches. After a brief rest at home, I went to the French League for a training camp. Immediately after, I travelled to Ethiopia, which was exhausting. The high altitude in Addis Ababa made it even harder to acclimatize.”

He added, “During the team event, I felt pain in my buttock and tightness in my hamstring. It’s crucial to rest now to avoid worsening the injury.”

With several tournaments still ahead this year, including two more WTT Champions and leagues in Saudi Arabia and France, Aruna emphasized the importance of recovery. “I need to rest to ensure I don’t aggravate the injury,” he said.

Aruna will stay with the team to support the younger players and will depart Addis Ababa with them this weekend.