by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 12, 2024 | Boxing, Nigeria
The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has unveiled plans for early preparations ahead of the 2028 Olympics, aiming to rebuild after a disappointing campaign at the Paris 2024 Games.
NBF Interim President Azania Omo-Agege announced the revival of the Nigerian Boxing League as a core strategy to develop the sport. “There is a perception that most of our boxers are from the streets. We are working to change that, and we need constant competition to do that,” she said.
Nigeria’s boxing efforts at Paris 2024 fell short, with heavyweight Adam Olaore bowing out in the round of 16. The team also faced setbacks with Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s disqualification due to doping and Dolapo Omole’s injury withdrawal.
Omo-Agege emphasized the league’s importance, stating, “It will keep our boxers in shape, take them out of trouble, and ensure consistent training.” She also highlighted prize money from the International Boxing Association as a motivating factor for athletes to stay competitive.
Internal conflicts prior to Paris 2024, including a leadership dispute between Omo-Agege and former NBF President Kenneth Minimah, hampered preparations. The controversial replacement of coach Tony Konyegwachie with Adura Olalehin further impacted the team, with Technical Director Babatunde Laguda questioning Olalehin’s qualifications.
Limited training time also plagued the team, with boxer Ifeanyi Onyekwere lamenting, “The preparation was very bad. It was just a one-week camp, with a lot of stress.”
Omo-Agege aims to address these challenges by increasing participation in competitions to strengthen Nigeria’s chances of ending its Olympic boxing medal drought, which dates back to Duncan Dokiwari’s bronze at Atlanta 1996.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 11, 2024 | Nigeria, Other Sports
In the world of competitive sports, where success often stems from elite training programs and significant funding, the story of 17-year-old Wisdom Okanlawon stands out as a beacon of talent, resilience, and determination from humble beginnings.
Born and raised in Surulere, Lagos, Wisdom’s journey into fencing began serendipitously during his primary school years at Lagos Progressive Nursery and Primary School. A community initiative by the Nigeria Fencing Federation introduced him to the sport, offering scholarships to outstanding young fencers.
“I told my mum about it and began training. After the sessions, I was chosen as a scholarship beneficiary,” Okanlawon recalled.
Fencing, a sport blending precision, strategy, and athleticism, captured his imagination. Despite limited resources and access to professional training, Wisdom’s dedication and natural aptitude propelled him forward.
“I adapt quickly to different sports, but fencing was unique. It has given me opportunities I never imagined. Winning gold and bronze at the African Fencing Championship in 2020 was one of my proudest moments,” he said.
Now a rising star, Wisdom has his eyes set on the Junior Epee World Cup, hosted by Nigeria from December 14-15 in Lagos. “I’m excited to showcase that Nigeria has talented fencers. We’re ready to make our country proud,” he stated with determination.
Beyond medals and competitions, fencing has transformed Wisdom’s life, opening doors to quality education and shaping his character. “It’s taken a huge burden off my mum’s shoulders and given me opportunities I could never have dreamed of,” he added.
As he prepares for the global stage, Wisdom Okanlawon embodies the power of perseverance and the impact of grassroots initiatives, proving that greatness can emerge from the most unexpected places.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 11, 2024 | Africa, Nigeria, Other Sports
The Taraba State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has unveiled a strategic partnership with the College of Sports, Serbia, to offer training and certification programs for sports professionals, including coaches, trainers, medical personnel, and physiotherapists, starting in 2025.
Joshua Joseph, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, also announced a collaboration with the Football Federation of Serbia to provide UEFA A, B, and C certification courses for football coaches in Taraba State.
“With profound gratitude to Almighty God and immense appreciation to His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, for his unwavering support and commitment to youth empowerment, we are thrilled to launch these initiatives. We encourage interested Taraba indigenes to submit their CVs and letters of interest to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development,” said Joseph.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in empowering our youth by equipping them with top-tier skills and certifications to excel in sports. It’s more than skill development; it’s about creating a legacy of excellence and establishing Taraba as a hub for sports development.”
Additionally, the Ministry will organize the Governor Kefas Scouting Tournament in January 2025, attracting scouts from Portugal, Austria, Lithuania, Finland, and Serbia to identify and nurture exceptional football talent from the state.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 11, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana
Ghana Athletics President Bawah Fuseini has been honored as the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Leader of the Year for 2024. The prestigious award celebrates his outstanding leadership and organizational excellence during the 13th All-Africa Games, held in March 2024 in Ghana.
Since taking office in August 2023, Fuseini has significantly elevated the profile of athletics in Ghana, earning widespread acclaim across Africa.
In a statement, the CAA highlighted the resounding success of the athletics events during the Games:
“The 13th All-Africa Games, hosted by Ghana in March 2024, were a triumph, with the athletics competitions emerging as the centerpiece of the event. The packed stadium and electrifying atmosphere in Accra rivaled major international sporting events. Recognizing this remarkable achievement, the Confederation of African Athletics is proud to name President Bawah Fuseini as the 2024 Leader of the Year.”
Fuseini’s visionary leadership has garnered international recognition for Ghana Athletics. His successful bid to host the 24th African Athletics Championships in 2026 further underscores his dedication to positioning Ghana as a premier destination for athletics on the continent.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 11, 2024 | Basketball, Ghana, Other Sports
Dr. Eric Opoku-Antwi, co-founder of the Spintex Knights Basketball Club, has credited the intense rivalry between his team and Nungua Coldstore for the low-scoring nature of their encounters in the 2024 Accra Basketball League (ABL) Finals.
Speaking to Citi Sports after the Knights secured their second consecutive ABL title by sweeping Coldstore in the best-of-three series, Dr. Opoku-Antwi highlighted the unrelenting fighting spirit displayed by both sides.
“I believe it is just mere competitiveness because they will not back down when they play us, we also won’t back down when we play them. So, I will attribute that to the fighting spirit and competitiveness from both sides,” he remarked.
This victory capped off a historic season for the Spintex Knights, as they became the first Ghanaian club to qualify for the Elite 16 stage of the Basketball Africa League.
