Other Sports
Dalung Felicitates With Mariam Usman on Olympic Medal Upgrade
Nigeria’s sports minister, Solomon Dalung, has felicitated with four- time African weightlifting champion and Commonwealth gold medallist Mariam Usman, on the occasion of her decoration with a 2008 Olympic bronze medal.
Usman placed fifth at the Beijing Olympics but was upgraded to third position after the silver and bronze medallists were stripped of their medals after they failed dope tests.
At the presentation of the medal which took place at the Media Centre of the National Stadium Abuja, the minister expressed delight in the medal upgrade which came nine years after the games took place.
“Today is a day of great joy because our Olympic medal profile has increased. In the Olympic Movement, there is justice. Although there is an adage that justice delayed is justice denied, in this case it is the opposite. Since 2008 to 2017, justice has finally come to us.
“We believe in integrity and fairness in competitions therefore where we have performed fairly, we also expect justice to be fair to us. I use this opportunity to congratulate the Nigeria Olympic Committee for doing a good job.”
Dalung also congratulated the Nigeria Wrestling Federation for winning silver at the World Championships, the Nigeria Basketball Federation for winning the AfroBasket and the Nigeria Football Federation for their steady progression towards qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I want to sincerely thank the Nigeria Football Federation for the unity of purpose, solidarity and fraternity going on in the federation. These have laid the foundation for the progress we are making towards Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
“I’m specially congratulating the federation because this is the first time that we are prosecuting a World Cup qualifier without a Presidential Task Force. In the past, Nigeria spent nothing less than N7b on the task force. At the end of the day, we have recorded huge success as we top our group with 10points.
“We have two more games to play. We will train hard and re-inspire our commitment and ensure that we deliver a ticket for Russia 2018 to Nigerians.”
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Habu Gumel also congratulated the Bronze medallist for reclaiming her medal from Ukraine.
“Today is a very important day for us. I received an email from the International Olympic Committee asking me to decorate Mariam Usman with this Olympic bronze medal and send the pictures to them.
“I’m doing this decoration on behalf of the International Olympic Committee to be used next week in Peru during the IOC session where the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games will be awarded.
“We are happy that this medal has finally come to us and I charge all federations to commence training early ahead of the Commonwealth Games next year, “Gumel said.
All Federations Presidents as well as board members of the Nigeria Olympic Committee were in attendance during the decoration ceremony.
History will be made in Lagos as the city becomes the first on the African continent to host the world’s all-electric powerboat championship, the E1 Series, from October 3 to 5, 2025.
The announcement marks a major milestone for Nigeria and Africa, as the E1 Lagos Grand Prix brings cutting-edge water sport, innovation, and environmental sustainability to the continent’s shores for the first time.
Sharing the news on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the event as “a demonstration of innovation and progress, showing how sport can inspire sustainable solutions for the future.”
He added: “It is also a celebration of the creativity and resilience that define our people. This occasion gives us the opportunity to showcase Lagos to the world as we know it: welcoming, dynamic, and determined to embrace the future with confidence.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also extended an open invitation to Lagosians and the global community to witness the groundbreaking spectacle.
“The E1 Lagos Grand Prix is a chance for Lagos, and for Africa, to stand proudly on the global stage,” he said.
Traditionally renowned for its passion for land-based sports like football, Africa is now set to explore its aquatic potential as the UIM E1 Series, presented by PIF, transforms Lagos’ waterfront into a thrilling race track.
Scheduled for October 4–5, the E1 Lagos Grand Prix promises a unique blend of speed, culture, and sustainability, turning the city’s coastline into a symbol of Africa’s readiness to embrace innovation and green technology in sports.
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Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has unveiled a full-size stadium and an Olympic-size 50-metre swimming pool at the Peaceville International Academy, located within the Redemption City of God, Ogun State.
The esteemed cleric was accompanied by his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, along with top church leaders including Pastor Joseph Obayemi; RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, and the management of Peaceville International Academy led by Head of School Dolapo Fatoki.
The event was graced by several board members of the school, including Leke Adeoye, Olugbenga Omojola, Ayoola Jolayemi, Noah Osato, and Mrs Busola Ogunsiji.
Reflecting on his past, Pastor Adeboye lamented the lack of such facilities during his university days and the general scarcity of quality sports amenities across the country.
“This kind of well-grassed stadium and serene environment were not available in universities during our time. Remarkably, God has made this possible in a secondary school, showing that He is on our side,” he remarked.
He offered prayers for those who contributed to the realization of these facilities and expressed his vision for the school to become a global brand.
In her welcome address, Pastor Mrs. Adeboye, the founder of the college, described the institution as a legacy made possible by God’s support.
She thanked her husband for his unwavering support in making the school a reality and emphasized the importance of the sports facilities in moulding Godly champions.
The unveiling ceremony also featured a novelty match to celebrate Pastor Adeboye’s 83rd birthday, with him performing the ceremonial kick-off for the match between Redemption City FC and Region 1 FC. The home team triumphed with a 4-0 victory.
Head of School Dolapo Fatoki highlighted that the facilities would be judiciously used to enhance the physical well-being of students and position the school as a hub for sports development in Ogun State and Nigeria.
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Championship promotion chasers Burnley clocked up 1,000 minutes without conceding a league goal as they drew 0-0 at Preston North End on Saturday to stay third in the table.
It was Burnley’s 24th Championship clean sheet of the season and their 11th in a row — a new English second-tier record.
In 33 Championship games their miserly defence has been breached only nine times and no opposition player has scored against them in the league since Dec. 21.
Burnley keeper James Trafford has faced only 21 shots on target in achieving his 11 successive clean sheets — including two penalties which he saved against Sunderland.
Scott Parker’s side need just one more clean sheet to match the Championship record of Queen’s Park Rangers in 2010-11.
“It’s something we pride ourselves on. We’re proud of being hard to beat and if you can’t win games, don’t lose them,” Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen told the club’s website.
“We come away with a point thanks to that defensive record and being solid again here at a tough place.”
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