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Kenyans And Ethiopians Steal Show At ECOWAS Abuja Marathon

    Kenya Harrison Muchira Wanjiru on Saturday won the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon half-marathon in 1 hour 04.39, on his heels was another Kenyan Adam Sulaiman Muhamad who was second 1.05.27, a Nigerian Francis James Musa came third in 1.05 51. If Kenyans dominated the men’s race, the women’s race was dominated by Ethiopians. Lydia Natiyaka Wamalawa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 1 hour 15.3, Aberash Minsewo, another Ethiopian, was second in 1.17.14, and like in the men’s race, a Nigerian Patience Dalyop was third in 1.21.15. Nigerian runners dominated the 5 km race, they also won most of the prizes reserved for ECOWAS citizens. Each one for his reason, thousands of runners pounded the streets of Abuja on Saturday as the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon flags off at the ECOWAS Commission Yakubu Gowon Way, a little after 8.00 am, while the 5 km race started shortly after. For the elite runners that participated in the 21 kilometer race of Africa’s most lucrative half-marathon, the focus was on the $ 10,000 prize money for the top finisher. Ditto for the top runners in the 5km race whose sights were also fixed on the prize money for the top five finishers. For former presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore, a constant face in marathons and road races in Nigeria, America and other parts of the world, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, was another medium to carry his message of justice for humanity to every part of the world. Sowore did not run alone, he ran with the #Run with Sowore Group and other members of his Lazy Man Athletics Club. But for majority of the runners are like Blessing Mozie, they participated because running has become a way of life. A staff member of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, she ran on Saturday, because running has become a part and parcel of Lagos-born Mozie’s life. Before moving to Abuja, Mozie has participated in several editions of the Lagos City Marathon, running the full marathon, but she ran the 5 km on Saturday because she is not used to the Abuja roads, ”I was born in Lagos, I grew up there, so I am familiar with the route, but I am not too familiar with the Abuja routes, maybe in future I will run the half marathon and the full marathon in Abuja. “I think running is something everybody should do because of its immense health benefits. “For me running is not a fashion statement but a way of life because it is good for the body generally and I am encouraging everybody to embrace the culture of running, the benefits are immeasurable’’. An estimated 5,000 Nigerian and international runners battled for $71,000 prize money on Saturday. The men’s and women’s winners of the 21 km half-marathon race won $10,000. Also, all the first 200 runners to cross the line received bronze medals to show they participated. The Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee and ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports, Amb. Francis Njoaguani noted that the event was part of activities to commemorate ECOWAS at 50. Njoaguani stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging regional participation and celebrating homegrown talent. He noted that the future goal is to achieve the World Athletics Gold Label status within the next four years, positioning the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon among the most prestigious road races globally.  

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UMBRO Unveils Nigerian Rugby National Teams Kit: A Bold Fusion of Sports, Fashion, and National Pride*

In a historic move that blends sports, fashion, and culture, UMBRO Sports has partnered with the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) to unveil the official kits for Nigeria’s national rugby teams. From the cadet teams to the senior national squads, this collaboration marks a groundbreaking moment for Nigerian rugby, made possible by the innovative vision and relentless determination of Flovale Consulting.

This partnership is more than just about kits—it’s a bold statement of identity, ambition, and excellence. Through this dynamic alliance, Flovale Consulting and NRFF have championed grassroots development, strategic initiatives, and high-performance training programs, driving the growth of rugby at every level in Nigeria.

“This collaboration is more than just a jersey; it’s a defining moment for Nigerian rugby and African sports as a whole,” says Opeoluwa Runsewe, CEO of Flovale Consulting. “By uniting world-class performance with our rich cultural identity, we are not only equipping athletes with the best but also inspiring a new generation to see rugby as a sport that belongs to them. This is just the beginning of a movement that will elevate the game, the players, and the culture to new heights.”

The kits, designed with creative input from Teezee and Ireti, are a masterful blend of Nigeria’s historic perspective, cultural heritage, and modern swag. They capture the spirit of the nation while resonating with style-conscious audiences worldwide. As Nigeria Rugby steps onto the global stage with this bold new identity, the collaboration signals a new era of excellence, representation, and ambition.

Dr. Ademola Are, President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, emphasized the significance of the partnership with UMBRO. “This collaboration is a testament to NRFF’s commitment to identifying common objectives with private entities and fostering effective collaborations,” he stated. “It underscores the immense potential of rugby in Nigeria and our dedication to working with progressive, forward-thinking organizations for the betterment of our players and stakeholders. We extend our gratitude to UMBRO for their enthusiasm and goodwill.”

Dr. Are also praised Flovale Consulting for their pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. “The contribution of Flovale Consulting cannot be overemphasized. They moved mountains to make this deal possible. Where others saw challenges, they saw opportunities. Their faith, determination, and professionalism are truly worthy of emulation,” he added.

This partnership is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. By blending sports, fashion, and culture, UMBRO, Flovale Consulting, and NRFF are not only transforming the game of rugby but also creating a legacy that will inspire future generations. Together, they are proving that rugby is not just a sport; it’s a platform for unity, excellence, and cultural pride.

As Nigerian rugby players don these iconic kits, they carry with them the hopes, dreams, and spirit of a nation ready to conquer the world. This is more than a new chapter—it’s the dawn of a new era for Nigerian rugby.

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NRFF Participates in the Sports Africa Investment Summit held in Lagos

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) participated in the inaugural SAIS With the theme “Unleashing Africa’s Potential: Investing in Sports Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future,” SAIS 2025 brought together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to explore transformative strategies that unlock significant opportunities across Africa’s sports ecosystem..

Led by NRFF COO; Tunde Delu , General Manager; Azeez Ladipo and Wold Rugby Educator (Coaching); Wuraola Hussain, the NRFF delegation joined other invited participants from across Africa at this significant event.

The event, held on February 17 and 18, 2025, was the first-ever investment summit in Africa dedicated to sports and saw the signing of a landmark agreement between Sport Nigeria Ltd and the Abia State government.

A major highlight of the summit was the breakout session titled “National Sports Federations as “Business Drivers” of their Sport- Alignment of interes to facilitate collaborations and partnerships between the private sector and Federations”.

This session brought together key industry experts to discuss strategies for leveraging sports to drive social and economic growth within communities.

The panel featured:
– Ms Vanessa Obi (B&I) Moderator

– Olanrewaju Ogunjobi, Technical Assistant to the National Sports Commission Chairman

– Adeyinka Samuel – President, Nigeria Fencing Federation

– Azeez Ladipo – General Manager, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation President,

The event had the distinguished presence of His Royal Highness, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, who served as the Royal Father of the Day, further elevating the significance of the summit.

The Presidency’s National Sports Commission partnered with Sport Nigeria Ltd. to host the groundbreaking event, underscoring the government’s commitment to using sports as a tool for economic transformation.

Through their participation in this conference, the NRFF and other Stakeholders are committed to strengthening their capabilities, forming effective partnerships, and contributing to the overall growth and success of sports across the continent.

The agreement signed with the Abia State government is expected to usher in a new era of sports equipment manufacturing development, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities in the state.

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NBBF President Kida Hails D’Tigers On Victories Over Libya and Uganda

 

The excitement and joy in the Nigerian basketball community is infectious. And it is not for nothing, as Nigeria’s senior male national basketball team, D’Tigers roaring loudly and tearing their opponents to shreds.

Against all odds, the team led by Coach Abdulrahman Mohammed started their campaign for the Afrobasket championship ticket in the ongoing 3rd Window qualifiers by beating host nation Libya 75-70 in the first game. And on Saturday, D’Tigers showed more determination in the second game with a win over Uganda, that saw the Nigerian boys record an astounding fourth quarter comeback to claim an impressive 87-67 victory.

Ahead of Sunday’s all-important clash against Cape Verde, the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, has sent a congratulatory message to the team.

On behalf of the Board, Kida thanked the entire team of players and officials for their determination and resilience in the two matches so far. He also believes that at their best, the Nigerian team can hold their grounds against the very best in the world.

Kida went ahead to urge the team to go into the last match with confidence and determination to make Nigeria proud and qualify for the Afrobasket. He added that basketball stakeholders and lovers of the game, are all behind them and rooting for them to complete the job by winning the last match.

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