Fourty (40) Nigeria coaches passed their FIVB Level 1 Coaching Course held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Package B in Abuja.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod charged the coaches to make judicious use of the knowledge acquired at the coaching course.

Nimrod said the current board of Nigeria Volleyball Federation believe in capacity building of various coaches across the country.

Nimrod revealed that before the end of 2023, the Technical Adviser of Nigeria Volleyball Federation will conduct a FIVB Level 2 Coaching Course.

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 commended CAVB- African Volleyball Confederation and FIVB for ensuring the coaching course became a reality.

He said, "It gives me great joy to see 40 coaches become FIVB Level 1 coaches. Nigeria is a country with over 200 million but we do not have FIVB Level 3 coaches and FIVB instructors. I want to assure you that before the end of 2023, we are going to have a FIVB Level 2 Coaching Course in order to have better chances in Africa.

"I am appealing to all of you here to transfer the knowledge acquired here to your various academies and club sides. The Nigeria Volleyball Federation will continue to support coaches technically for the promotion of the game across the country.

A total number of 45 coaches participated in the FIVB Level 1 Coaching Course that ran from 14th to 19th April, 2023.

#NBVF
#FIVB

​AFN Invites 55 athletes to camp for Africa U18 and U20 Championships

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, has invited 55 athletes to camp for the final leg of preparations for the Africa U18 and U20 championships scheduled to hold later his month in Ndola, Zambia.

Majority of the athletes were picked after the AFN U18 and U20 trials held at the Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna late last month.

Top of the list is 18 years old Ronke Ashabi who set a new Nigeria 3000m U20 record at the trials. Ashabi first set the record barely a year ago at the International School Sports Federation (ISF) held in Caen, France.

Also on the list of invited athletes are the reigning Nigeria 100m U20 record holder, Tima Godbless, Sule Rejoice Adijatu, Okpah Elo Blessing, Aladeloye Adetutu Funmilayo, Immaculate Daniel, Rosemary Etim and Grace Sule.

Others are Joseph Joy Ayomide, Kudoro Taiwo, Mustapha Ruqqayah Kemi, Akintoye Blessing Joy, Usenbor Osaretin Joy, Bright Ada Princess and Oshiokpu Grace.

For the U20 men, Musa Kola Nurain, Ajayi Konyinsola Ismail, Adebisi Musbau, Unorji Kingsley, Toviho Enitan Olabode, Ajayi Kehinde, Ajayi Oluwabamidele, Badejo Emmanuel, Joshua Caleb, Okonye Precious, Charles Godfred Edward, Orekevwie Oghenetega, Iheakolam Joel and Habibu Salisu made the cut.

Faith Okwose will lead the charge for medals in the sprint for the U18 girls. The 17 year old won two silver medals in the 100 and 200m events behind Godbless at the National Sports Festival last December in Asaba, Delta state.

Others are Yakpobeyan Justina Tiana, Oyebode Stella Oluwaremilekun, Nwachukwu Chioma, Onyah Favour Onyinye, Saibu Yetunde Olayinka, Prestina Ochonogor, Ewa Peace, Irivi Precious, Djoma Fejiro Praise, Ofuoku Nyerhovwo, Ovedje Oke Gift and Kparika Victoria.

The U18 boys will have Isreal Okon Sunday, Daje Lucky, John Caleb, Samuel Ogazi, Olanrewaju Olawole Erioluwa, Francis James Musa,  Pam Paul James, Fiaku Goodluck,  Aninze Ifeanyi, Isaac Chukwuwike Miracle, Sadiq Zakariyya, Dickson Christain,  Badmus Gafar Atandaand Blessing Emmanuel.

Samuel Onikeku, the technical director of the AFN says the camp will open on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at the High Perfromance Centre in Abuja.

Nigeria finished third (13 gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals) behind South Africa and Kenya in the last edition of the championships held at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Source: https://sportsnow.com.ng/afn-invites-55-athletes-to-camp-for-africa-u18-and-u20-championships/

Nigeria to win laurels at African U18/20 Championship in Zambia 

The Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Samuel Onikeku says the current President of AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa has fulfilled some of his campaign promises to athletics enthusiasts.

Onikeku made the observation after the successful hosting of the AFN All Comers U18-20 Trials in Kaduna.

The former 100m athlete said the North Western part of Nigeria hosted the first Athletics Federation of Nigeria program in 2023 adding that other regions will witness more junior championships.

He revealed some of the budding talents in athletics were able to achieve their Personal Best (PB) in Kaduna.

Onikeku said, "We are happy as a Federation bringing this 2023 AFN All Comers Trials  to Kaduna and it represents the North West. This is something the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa and the board said they were going to do because when the President was campaigning, he promised to bring championships to the Northern part of the country.

"The Ahmadu Bello Stadium track is still one of the fastest tracks in the country and the weather is always competition friendly; we are still going to have more championships this year in other Northern States."

He said, "AFN is excited that a National Record was set in Kaduna; we are happy that an U20 athletes, Ronke Akanbi set a seniors National Record in the 3,000m; that is something great and the board is optimistic that the future of Athletics is the youth."

Onikeku expressed optimism that Nigeria will win multiple laurels at the forthcoming African U18/U20 Athletics Championship in Zambia this month.

He said, "Ten Personal Best (PB) were set at the All Comers Trials in Kaduna; this has justified the purpose of the championship which is to select athletes for the African U18/U20 Athletics Championship in Zambia.

"I want to assure Nigerians that the athletes will make Nigeria proud in Zambia like they did in Kenya a few years ago".

By: Sunny Canto

Following the successful execution and delivering of the MKO Abiola National Stadium Mainbowl pitch, Abuja which yielded positive reactions; Afrikings Homes decided to follow the leads by adopting, re-grassing, planting of the training pitch with nursery seeds and maintenance of the pitch for two years.

Speaking to news men, the Chairman, Afrikings Homes Ltd, Mr. Kingsley Awodi, said "The full re-grassing will take 8 weeks before it would be handed over to the ministry after which the company will be responsible for its maintenance for two years"

Reacting to the laudable initiative, Sports Minister, (Chief) Sunday Dare applaud Mr. Kingsley Awodi and recall gains of the initiative which began three years ago, "This young man has taken a giant step and deserved to be praised. This, when complete will be part of the achievements that we have delivered. "When about three years ago we commenced the Adopt-A-Pitch Idea, it was with the intention of rescuing our sporting infrastructure and also to improve the welfare of our athletes" Dare told.

Adding, "The first component which we worked on has to do with Adopt-An-Athlete Initiative by creating a funding pathway for our athletes to prepare for the Olympics and the Commonwealth. We have seen the successes of that initiatives, which resulted to great impact. And that is why beginning from next month, we will kick-start that same process towards France 2024 Olympics" 

"The Adopt-An-Athlete process will continue. We will put forward our athletes that will go both the home based and the foreign based, then we'll see what we can do for them.

"Also, we began the Adopt-A-Pitch Initiative which we have seen delivered the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where we have seen more than 14 international matches played there already. We have seen Surulere, Lagos coming up. And for Surulere we just have to be patient to get it right because 19 years abandoned things have rusted, things were stolen, to get it right. We have seen Daura, Kastina Stadium being concluded. To have someone to adopt a pitch here is welcomed and a thing of excitement because I know this would be seen by others and serve as an attraction to others to come. We have several football pitches here and our budget is limited. 

"We have started implementing the sports as a business policy which means we must leverage on private sector participation. The National Development Plan 2021-2025 is based on 70 percent private sector funding and 30 percent Federal Government funding. That is the future of development. We must partner with individuals and corporations and I think the sports sector has keyed into it. We will look forward to what can be done in six to eight weeks and that will be really exciting. When it's done and ready, we are going to bring two teams to come and play here so that we can get the feel of it and others can see and do likewise."

Awodi stated that he wished to be part of the success stories recorded by the minister on achievements and the  passion he has for football were the reasons he decided to take charge of refurbishing and maintenance of the training pitch for the two years.


#FMYSD
#PitchInnovation
#AfriKingsHomesLtd

Kenya's Edwin Koech Kibert and Ethiopia's Alemenesh Herpher Guta have won the 2023 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon in the men and women's categories.

The 42Km race kicked off at the national stadium, Surulere and had its finish point at the Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.

Kibet, who beat over 300 other marathoners to the grand prize of $50.000.00 returned at 2 hours, 14 minutes and 6 seconds, Ethiopia's Gaddisa Tafa Dekebe came second at 2 hours, 14 minutes, 54 seconds while Bernard Sang also from Kenya clinched the third position with a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes and 14 seconds.

Meanwhile, winner of the 2018 edition, Alemenesh Guta won the women's category with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds, leaving compatriot Kebene Urisa who finished in 2 hours, 40 minutes, 44 seconds and Kenya's Naomi Maiyo who also returned in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 56 seconds in second and third places respectively.

The 8th edition of the race had notable personalities in attendance amongst whom were the Minister of Youths and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare and the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat including renown sports administrators: Chief (Dr.) Tonobok Okowa who doubles as Delta State Sports Commissioner and Athletics Federation of Nigeria President, Sports guru: Chief Solomon Ogba. 

In summary, all participating athletes for 10km and 42km were given incentives plus medals while Hip-hop artist: Zalanta, Fuji legend Shino Peters, UK based (Delta) rapper: Tega thrilled the audience aftermath the presentation on the memorable event!

#LagosAfricaSportsHub
#AccessBankMarathon
#PushYourLimit

By Sunday Canto

Astonishing and thrilling moment as the Para Table Tennis ended her 4th edition in a fascinating manner in Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria.

According to the organizer and (CEO, Sunday Odebode Para Sport Foundation), "Its a selection platform for our winners to represent us at Paris 2024 Olympics, because the players have put in their best" he told.

"We have been having the championship for sometime now also, glad to experience a successful outing this year, but we can't leave it alone for Value-Jet, we are looking forward to more partnership" he said.

"Our goal is not just to embrace Para Sports Development but also interested in the growth and development of physically challenged welfare, medical and education as the case may be" Odebode concluded.

Speaking to Journalists, Mrs. Ozena Utulu, (ValueJet) representative said, "We have been committed to special athletes and sporting program for awhile now, school sports, including weightlifting; now Para-Tennis"

"Its our goal to reach out to them through Sports and see them succeed in their endeavors" she summarized.

The mouth-watering championship that featured hundreds of players from Ten different States; witnessed team Delta swoop total of 9 gold, 14 silver, 12 bronze medals thereby emerging 1st position as team Lagos (host) State finished 2nd position with 4 gold while Oyo settled for 3rd position with 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze.

Apart from amazing incentives, medals, souvenirs given to winners, there were full medical attention, luxury accommodation, fantastic logistics, food and drinks avail to the participants.

Conclusively, one can only but appreciate the laudable and milestone achievement from the Value Jet chairman: Kunle Soname and Sunday Odebode efforts to spike the innate ability on the athletes; indeed there's ability in disability"


#ValueJet
#ParaTableTennis2022
#RoadToParis2024

By Sunny Canto 

In a mouth-watering day one events, team Delta, Lagos State, athletes proved their worth and put up outstanding performances as ten states, hundred of participants vying for laurels keep the sporting vibes at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos alive.

Phenomenal (Delta) Kayode Alabi emerge the winner of class 6 Men's singles, while Bolawa Akingbemisilu beat his counterpart Nasiru Sule to claim gold in class 5 as Soremekun Atinuke shine to gold in class 8 Women singles.

Similarly, In the Women class 1 to 3 match-up, Rukayat Lawal (Lagos) prodigy, dig deep to victory against Delta rival in a 3-1 cracker. Also, responding to that is Gbemisola Taiwo who beat her Kano opponent during the class 4 category.

However, there are many surprises, euphoria, fascinating, upsetting and record breaking moment that everyone will certainly witness in the championship.

The popular (Table Tennis) game that began 1951, also know as NTTF is an annual tournaments for disable athletes competing at different level.

Meanwhile, the glamor filled and thrilling sports is powered by Value-Jet  and organized by Lagos State Sports Commission in a very likable and enjoyable manner.

Amazingly, in respective of their physical impair challenges they remain resolute, vibrant, energetic, committed, focus to be useful in the society; rather than seeking for arms.

In summary, one can ascertain that once they have the necessary support and incentives; spiking their innate ability to succeed in their career will be a recurring decimal. 

#CelebratingGreatness
#AbilityInDiabilty
#ValueJetParaTableTennis

By Sunny Canto

Remarkable and colorful day for Aquatic Federation of Nigeria as Chief of Naval Staff declared the 10th CNS (Chief of Naval Staff), annual National Swimming Championship open at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

However, the swimming championship which is witnessing participants from Military, Para-military Service, Clubs and State government is featuring hundreds of athletes across the Nation.

In a chat with Press men, Chief (Mrs.) Chineye Aliu Dafe, (Aquatic Federation President), said "I'm elated we have such an Olympic and standard facility, built by Delta State Government; thanks to Okowa for this laudable achievement"

"CNS Swimming event, created and sponsor by the Navy since inception in 2012 has raised National and International champions but we want to be camping athletes like One months and train them for the task ahead" 

Adding, "Our plans is to give the successful athletes enabling platform so as to represent us abroad, learn more, make history by breaking records and setting new ones in their careers" Dafe summarized.

While, Naval representative, Vice Real Admiral Gambo declared the three days tournament open as successful participants were given medals. Also, Chief Patrick Ukah (Delta State Secretary-General) and other government officiers graced the event.

Amazingly, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa received a special award from the Aquatic Federation,  including Mr. Fatai Willams (former) President, Chief Solomon Ogba (LOC/MOC) adviser for immense contribution to Sports.

Excited and massive spectators that flock the venue, were thrill during the Butterfly, Individual Medley, Breast Stroke, Freestyle, Back Stroke swimming event.

Sensational Doutimi Gagbe, Ifeakachukwu Nmor, Yellow Yeiyah, Peremobere Kenekiaghm, Docas Oka, Nwachukwu Elliot, Chukwunalu andObi (siblings) Collins, Oluchi won Gold medals while team Delta, Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC all emerge victorious at day one.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, renown and outstanding swimming champion: Ifeakachukwu Nmor, thanked the Chief  of Naval Staffs for fostering talents and innate ability of the swimmers through his inimitable ideas; promise they will make them proud as always in future.

In a nutshell, if the two hundred participants that converge in Delta State capital remain focus and determine, nothing will be short than a brighter future for the Nation as far swimming sport is concern.

#CNS2022
#AquaticFederationNigeria
#Asaba

By Sunny Canto

Astonishing and euphoria moment at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State Nigeria; where fireworks, music performances, cultural display, match past, athletics stars thrilled crowd of fans across the globe.

However, 'Big Heart' state won the National Sports Festival for a record of 7th consecutive time, apart from 3 months preparations in camp with incentives given to thousand athletes.

The Champions maintaining the lead as overall winner of the sports fiesta with 649 medals (320 gold, 200 silver  and 120 bronze) at the just concluded 2022 National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

While Bayelsa clinched the second position with 337 medals (132 gold, 115 silver, 90 bronze) as Edo finished third with 339 medals  (78 gold, 94 silver, 167 bronze) thereby proving all bookmakers wrong. 

Featuring 38 sporting events that serves as readiness for Paris 2024, therefore giving the participants avenue to showcase their bravery skills, talents among foreign counterparts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Youths and Sports Development, said "For two weeks, Nigeria's best athletes have gathered here to compete for laurels, and our Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for sports to grow in Nigeria" Dare assure.

He add, "We have to work together as one big happy family; remember making it to this level, you are all winners" Sunday Dare told.

Amazingly, this year edition recorded incredible performance from Ayomide Bello, Mitelewon Feirrie, Esther Toko of Rowling/Canoe/Kayak events as Deborah Opochini, Ifiezibe Gagbe in Swimming plus 15 year old Cyclist: Miss Godwin, Samuel John for Handball, 17 years old 10,000 runner, 8 years old gymnast among other successful ones. 

According to Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of the State during the extraordinary meeting of National Council on Sports, "In Delta, anything we want to do, we do it to the satisfaction of everyone" he said.

Notwithstanding, the NSF is aim at talents building, promote National Unity, develop sports at grassroots level, to curb age cheating, encourage early participation, enhance culture and education; also Ogun State will host 2024 edition.

#Asaba2022
#NSF2022
#RoadToOlympic

The 'Big Heart' state, team Delta contingents and highly motived athletes maintain top position aftermath a week of competitive outing in the remarkable Nation sporting fiesta. 

Unprecedented feat has been achieved and thrilled spectators are viewing the games live in various venues; thereby adding glitz and glamor to the 21st National Sports Festival ongoing in the (South-South) Oil rich region.

Amazingly, team Delta (six times consecutive) champions, began their 2022 quest in a trending manner, having amass totally of 303 medals with 159 gold, 88 silver, 56 bronze as neighboring Bayelsa follow suit with 44 gold, 27 silver, 44 bronze while Edo recorded 32 gold, 45 silver, 68 bronze.

Shockingly, team Zamfara is yet to win medal as they seat below the table log with Gombe and Adamawa; but one can't possibly give up on them so long the events are still on.

Interestingly, scouts, pundits, fans have visited the games from US, Africa countries, Europe, Asia and far abroad just to witness the live coverage actions and foster talents.

Without iota of doubt, His excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the executive Governor of the State and (MOC, Delta Sports Commission chairman), Chief Tonobok Okowa adminstration has brought a lot of innovations, incentives and enviable height to Sports in recent times.

However, the 39 sporting activities includes: Cycling, Badminton, Football, Demba, Tennis, Kokowa, Weightlifting, Chess, Karate, Gymnastics, Hockey, Athletics, Volleyball, Scrabble, Golf, Wresting, Swimming, Dart, Canoe N Rowing, Handball, Judo, Ayo, Cricket, Taekwondo among others.

Incredibly, the newly built facilities are not just topnotch, but daily hospitality has convince everyone that Delta is a State to reckon with. Besides, watching, monitoring the events, the Sports Minister: Sunday Dare even journalists, VIPs and fanatics seems satisfy with Okowa's legacy.

In a nutshell, one can ascertain through Sports, the Nation GDP will grow, talents and skills can be discover, National unity can be enhance, cultural integration will be achieve as poverty can be alleviated while lifestyle can change drastically. 


#Asaba2022
#NSF
#RoadToOlympics