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.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 15, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Krishav Morang and Uche Ubakanma triumphed in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 2024 India Cup Golf Tournament, held last weekend at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos. Morang, with a handicap of 20, recorded an impressive 82 gross score in the one-day event, earning him the best net player title with a 62 net score, leading by five shots over Mike Makinde, who finished with a 67 net.
In the women’s category, Ubakanma emerged victorious with a 92 gross score and a 25 handicap, edging out Adeola Banjoko by two strokes. Evelyn Oyome and Shade Opawunmi also shone, taking the lady’s gross and guest player prizes, respectively.
Ankit Puri led the field among six handicappers with the event’s best gross of 74, while Remi Olukoya and Akar Talah followed as runner-up and second runner-up. The tournament, organized by Aby Matthew and supported by brands such as InBev, Zenith Bank, African Steel, and Pepsi, drew over 400 players throughout the week, underscoring its significance among Indian and Nigerian business communities.
Notably, companies like CFAO and Guinness joined the sponsorship pool, with CFAO offering a Suzuki vehicle for a hole-in-one, adding excitement to this well-regarded event on the Ikoyi Club tournament calendar.
