Solange Ngonda Tibesa, a Ogoja based Cameroonian refugee will be representing Nigeria at the fifth edition of the World Table Tennis Day 2025 event.

The WTTD 2025 is an event that is supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to promote the development of the game of table tennis at the grassroots level all over the world.

According to the ITTF, “30 promoters were selected for World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) 2025, representing 27 countries and territories across all 5 continents. These passionate individuals will play a pivotal role in uniting communities and sharing the joy of table tennis on 23rd April 2025.”

A record 160 persons applied to be considered as a WTTD 2025, promoters, out of which Solange and 29 other applicants from 27 counties and 5 continents applied to be considered.

Furthermore, the ITTF stated that they will provide Solange and the other promoters, with the financial assistance, capacity-building resources, and personalised guidance to align their initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the theme of diversity and inclusion.

Solange, who is currently a full-time staff of Save the Children, is also a trained netball coach, who supervises the compulsory twice a week training of the more than thirty netballers that are based at the Adagom 3 refugee camp.

During a telephone interview with journalists, Solange, stated that on 23rd April 2025, she and the Ogoja refugees table tennis organising committee hope to hold the event in the Adagom 1, Adagom 3 and Ukende camps. Over one thousand persons are expected to attend this event in the three separate refugee camps. The event will be spiced up with table tennis challenge, live music, health and well-being talks, and some light refreshment for the spectators.

Furthermore, Solange stated, “as an experienced community worker, I know the important role sports can play in bringing people together and giving them the opportunities to compete with each other under set rules, in a respectful manner.

“I am also aware that sports could be used to empower and provide psychosocial support to vulnerable persons, including the physically challenged. We hope to use the game of table tennis to reach out to my fellow Cameroonians and members of our host community in Ogoja.”

Finally, Solange commended CSED (Community Sports and Educational Development) Initiative, for bringing the WTTD 2025 grant advertisement to her attention and encouraging her to apply for WTTD 2025.

The Boxing Promoters Association of Nigeria has pay a condolence visit to the family of former West African and national light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, whose shocking death still troubled boxing stakeholders and sports enthusiasts.

BPAN executives led by the President, Hon. Omonlei Imadu were in Sango Otta, Ogun State to commiserate with the family and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident which occurred on Saturday, March 29. Imadu and his team were recieved by the sisters to the late pugilists Folarin Olarenwaju, Rachel Olarenwaju, the wife Olarewaju Adebusola Maria and other senior members of the Olanrewaju’s family.

Olanrewaju collapsed during a bout, an eight-round international light-heavyweight contest, sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority, at the Bukom Arena in Accra.

It was alleged that the boxer was pressured to take the bout because of certain financial commitments, even when he was not medically certified and cleared to face the Ghanaian boxer. Jon Mbanugu.

BPAN empathized with the family over their lost, pledging support to ensure that the late boxer’s death is throughly investigated and culprits face the music if found guilty, as a way to deter unscrupulous persons and organizations from treating boxers as noting, for their own gains.

While seeking justice and compensation for the deceased family, for the irreplaceable loss of the 40-year-old boxer, BPAN as a matter of great concern calls on Nigerians, government and organizations to support the family at this difficult time.

BPAN President, Imadu with the approval of the executive board, announced educational scholarship for the late boxer’s first child Olanrewaju Irenitemi to the secondary school level. Imadu, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Yucateco Boxing Promotions, on behalf of the outfit further donated half a million (500,000) naira to the family.

Imadu said the gesture to show support to the late boxer’s family was born from a place of grief and solidarity with them in this difficult time. The BPAN boss also called on other well-meaning Nigerians beyond the boxing fraternity to come to the aid of the late Olanrenwaju’s family.

” this is a very sad incident that must not be allowed to happen again to any Nigerian boxer, as members of BPAN we have resolved to stand behind the late boxer’s family hence our visit to his home here in Sango-Otta”.

” My personal donation to the family is also a way of taking the lead as I urged other well-meaning Nigerians to follow suit “.

Olanrewaju’s death further exposed zero structure and regulations that support and guaranteed athletes safety, Imadu advocates for serious measures to be taken before boxers step into the ring.

He noted that BPAN recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Lagos based New Ikeja Hospital to provide free and adequate healthcare, medical support and insurance for Nigerian boxers.

Other BPAN executives present at the visit to the late Olanrenwaju’s home includes Saleh Fawaz, the body’s
International Vice, President, Patrick Ekujumi, Chairman BPAN-Care, and
Yusuf Olowolekomoh, Sec.General. Also on the lists are Ezekiel Oshinmi BPAN’s regional president, and Onyeka Elum, ex-officio member.

In a significant development for the sporting community in Nigeria, rugby has officially been readmitted into the 2024 National Sports Festival, themed “Gateway Games”, scheduled to take place in Ogun State from May 16th to 30th, 2025.

This decision comes following the approval of the Joint Technical Committee for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, who unanimously agreed on the inclusion of rugby after thorough evaluation. The committee cited the game’s rising popularity, increased grassroots participation, and growing national followership as key factors behind this reinstatement.

Speaking on this exciting milestone, the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr. Ademola Are, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Director General of the National Sports Commission and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Chief Bukola Olopade, as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development in Ogun State, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, and the entire Joint Technical Committee. He commended their vision, commitment, and readiness to support the evolution and diversification of sports in Nigeria.

According to Dr. Are, the return of rugby to the festival is not just a win for the sport, but a golden opportunity for talent discovery and national team development. “With this development, Nigerians can once again experience the thrill of top-level rugby at the festival. More importantly, national team selectors will be present at the games to scout for promising talents as we prepare for the prestigious Africa Cup Sevens, scheduled to hold in Mauritius from June 18th to 23rd, 2025,” he stated.

The readmittance of rugby into the festival’s roster is expected to bring renewed excitement to rugby fans and stakeholders across the country. It marks a promising step forward in the sport’s growth trajectory and underscores the National Sports Festival’s role as a catalyst for talent discovery and sports development in Nigeria.

With Ogun State set to host the festival, all eyes are now on the Gateway State as preparations intensify for what promises to be a thrilling, inclusive, and talent-packed edition of Nigeria’s foremost multi-sport event.