by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 15, 2024 | Africa, International, Other Sports
The Springboks, four-time Rugby World Cup champions, have unveiled their 2024 Test fixture list, which includes a 13-match season starting and ending with clashes against Wales. The campaign kicks off on 22 June at Twickenham in London and concludes on 23 November in Cardiff.
Captain Siya Kolisi will lead the team against a variety of top-tier opponents, including world number two, Ireland, and Rugby World Cup finalists, New Zealand, in a two-Test series as part of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship. The Springboks will also play their first-ever Test match against Portugal.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus expressed excitement about the schedule, emphasizing the importance of testing the team against the world’s best sides. The European leg of the season, featuring matches against Scotland, England, and Wales, is set to provide invaluable experience for the players.
Springbok 2024 Fixtures:
Saturday, 22 June: SA v Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA v Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA v Ireland (Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA v Portugal (Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia v SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia v SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA v New Zealand (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (venue TBC)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Sunday, 10 November: Scotland v SA (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England v SA (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales v SA (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 15, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Over 200 amateur golfers are gearing up for the 63rd edition of the FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship, scheduled to take place from November 18 to 24 at the Ikoyi Club 1938 golf section.
This prestigious event is part of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) calendar, under the administration of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and the United States Golf Association. It provides amateur golfers worldwide with a platform to compete and earn valuable ranking points.
In his remarks, Olusegun Alebiosu, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, represented by Patrick Iyamabo, the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, expressed gratitude to the Ikoyi Club 1938 for their enduring partnership. Alebiosu highlighted FirstBank’s commitment to nurturing talent through its First@Sports initiative, which aims to elevate sports development in Nigeria and beyond.
“Our partnership with the FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship reflects our dedication to building a lasting legacy, not only for golf but for sports as a whole,” Alebiosu stated.
The defending champion, Isaac Umoru from St. Marks Golf & Country Club in Otukpo, Benue State, is set to return to defend his title. Last year, Umoru clinched the championship with a total score of 226 over 54 holes, defeating Emmanuel Samuel and Sola Ogunwoye, who finished second and third, respectively.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 15, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has celebrated Team Lagos for their impressive second-place finish at the 8th National Youth Games (NYG) held in Asaba. During a reception at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, the governor, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, announced monetary rewards for the athletes and their coaches.
Gold medalists received N200,000 each, silver medalists N150,000, and bronze medalists N100,000, while all participating athletes were given N50,000 each. Coaches were rewarded with N100,000 each for their contributions.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed pride in the athletes, emphasizing the state’s commitment to nurturing their talents. He highlighted that the THEMES+ agenda prioritizes integrating sports and education, facilitating the participation of students from public and private secondary schools across Lagos.
The event also saw the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, commend the Lagos State Sports Commission, sponsors, and parents for their support. Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, reaffirmed the state’s dedication to sustaining the athletes’ development.
Parents and athletes also expressed their gratitude, with nine-year-old silver-winning golfer Beauty Oyero promising more victories in future competitions.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 15, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Nigeria’s senior men’s cricket team, the Yellow Greens, are intensifying their preparations for the first phase of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. The Africa Sub-Region Qualifier C will take place from November 21 to 28 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, featuring the twin oval facilities.
The Yellow Greens, under head coach and Nigeria Cricket Federation high-performance manager Steve Tikolo, are set to face Botswana, Eswatini, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Saint Helena. The top two teams from this phase will progress to the final qualification round, moving closer to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The team’s preparations have been bolstered by the return of Isaac Okpe, Isaac Danladi, and Chiemele Udekewe, who recently competed in the Zimbabwe Elite League. Tikolo is expected to finalize the squad soon.
Reflecting on the team’s recent bilateral series against Kenya, Tikolo expressed optimism, noting significant improvements in Nigeria’s cricket performance. “The cricket fraternity in Kenya was impressed by our fearless and positive brand of cricket. It’s a huge step forward for Nigerian cricket,” Tikolo stated.
Nigeria is one of three countries hosting the sub-regional qualifiers, with the earlier phases held in Tanzania and Kenya. The ultimate goal is to secure one of two spots alongside South Africa as Africa’s representatives at the 2026 World Cup.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 15, 2024 | Africa, Nigeria, Other Sports
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has placed a strong emphasis on education and proper training for wrestlers as they prepare for the national team trials at the inaugural Comptroller-General of Customs Military and Paramilitary Wrestling Championship in Abuja.
The tournament kicked off with clinics and sensitisation sessions, where NWF officials collaborated with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure participants understood the competition’s rules and regulations.
“This clinic aligns with the Federation’s vision to ensure all wrestlers are well-informed and prepared, ensuring a smooth championship process,” said Brig-Gen. Olawale Fawole, LOC Chairman and NWF board member.
NWF Vice President Chris Amkpila urged athletes to leverage the championship and the recently concluded Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa as opportunities to secure spots on the national team, with the goal of representing Nigeria at global events like the Olympics.
Bayelsa State, fresh from dominating the 3rd Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics in Greco-Roman, women’s freestyle, and men’s freestyle categories, continues to be a powerhouse in wrestling development.
Governor Douye Diri, present at the classics alongside dignitaries like Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment through sports. “Investing in sports has helped reduce social vices among our youths, and we will continue to support these initiatives for a brighter future,” he stated.
Key figures at the clinic included NWF Technical Director Darmian Ohaike, Secretary General Mohammed Maigidansanma, Olympic silver medallist Blessing Oborodudu, and representatives from the Federal Sports Ministry.
Additionally, Governor Diri rewarded Commonwealth Games silver medallist Wilson Ebikewenimo with N1 million for his outstanding performance, showcasing increasing support for wrestling in Nigeria.
