Sports
FG congratulates Blessing Oborodudu on her award as wrestler of the year
The Federal Government has congratulated the country’s Silver Olympic Medallist, Blessing Oborodudu who was conferred with wrestler of the month award by the United World Wrestling Bureau.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar who made the disclosure in Abuja on Saturday stated that Nigeria is proud of its athletes.
A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations quoted himto have assured that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for them to excel in their sporting career.
“We felicitate with our Silver Olympic Medallist, Blessing Oborodudu on this award. We congratulate her and we are proud of her as a nation. As a Ministry, we will continue to support all our athletes to ensure they compete favourably with their counterparts globally so as to record more podium performances for our dear nation,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary used the opportunity to call on all sports loving Nigerians and philanthropists to join hands with the President Asiwaju Bola-Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration by taking advantage of the new Sports Industry Policy to invest in sports with a view to developing the sector for the benefit of our teeming youth.
He explained that with the new policy, sports is no longer a mere re-creation but a business and thus, urged all relevant stakeholders in the industry to invest in the sector for the benefit of our young athletes as well as our economy as that is the practice the world over.
Government, he added, “cannot do it alone.”
Abubakar further called on Sporting Federations to ensure they put on their best and technical know-how in order to record more podium appearances in all international competitions for our country.
Recall that after 7 months of layoff due to surgery, the Commonwealth champion, Blessing Oborodudu returned to her full fitness with a gold medal at the recently concluded African Senior Wrestling championships in Hammamet Tunisia and was handed a record of 13th title at the African events.
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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