Other Sports
SWAN ADVISORY COUNCIL APPLAUDS NEC OVER MITCHELL OB’S AIPS AFRICA RE-ELECTION
The Chairman, National Advisory Council of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Steve Alabi has applauded the role played by the Honour Sirawoo-led Executive Committee towards the re-election of Mitchell Obi as President AIPS Africa at the just concluded Congress in Nairobi, Kenya.
Alabi, accompanied by Sani Zaria, Olu Amadasun and Saidu Abubakar, all members of the Council which consist of the association’s past presidents, stated this during a visit on the SWAN president, Sirawoo in his office at the National Stadium Complex, Abuja.
He said, “As part of our regular evaluation session with you, we are here to sincerely applaud steps taken to ensure victory for Nigeria.
“As past presidents, we are pleased with your efforts and commitment to ensuring that SWAN plays its promotional role not only in Nigeria’s sports development, but Africa.
“As a way of building on the success, you must ensure that states chapter leadership key into your vision, just as we expect members to rally round your administration to enable quick cover of lost grounds; we have a defined role and we must unite to effect it,” he declared.
Responding, the SWAN President described the re-election of Mitchell Obi as a soothing balm for Nigeria’s sports and a clear statement of SWAN’s leadership role in Africa’s sports journalism.
While thanking the leaders for acknowledging the role of his administration, he said “you cannot contest any position in AIPS without being nominated by a national association; this we didn’t only do, but set up a high powered committee to source and mobilize support for our candidate.
“Indeed, Nigeria showed political clout in Kenya, by ensuring that our steps were in order as well as working for the emergence of candidates that would ease our reign.
“SWAN is indeed glad that with the support of other member countries, one of our own was re-elected; the victory is not just for us as a people, but also for sports journalists across the continent, our responsibility is to support him to succeed in the task of taking AIPS in Africa to a greater height,” Sirawoo stressed.
The SWAN boss aligned with the President of AIPS, Gianni Merlo, who spoke at one of the sessions during the Congress, where he called on national associations to be credible and create avenues for funding in their bid to become independent.
According to Merlo, “It’s our credibility that we have to build. If we are press officers for ministers then we are not respecting the profession.
“Our national associations have to be organised. The society has changed and we have to change with it because sport is part of the society, it’s a culture and for that reason we have to invest in our culture.”
Other Sports
Teenager Inkosi Brou captures Nigeria’s first medal at International Fencing Championship
Nigeria made a remarkable entry into the global fencing scene-at the weekend with an impressive performance by 16-year-old Inkosi
Brou.
Inkosi secured Nigeria’s first-ever medal in the Sabre category at the
World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.
Competing against some of the world’s elite fencers at the Viking Cup
2024, a Senior World Cup Satellite Sabre Tournament, the world’s No. 67
ranked fencer, Inkosi, clinched a silver medal after a hard-fought 9-15
match against Iceland’s Andre Mateev.
As the No. 5 seed, Inkosi began his campaign in the Round of 16,
defeating Germany’s Magnus De Witt 15-9. He continued his winning streak
in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 victory over Spain’s Oriol
Farre.
In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.
Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.
“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.
“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.
“We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.
A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.
Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.
A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.
Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.
-Reuters
The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.
“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”
“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”
From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.
Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.
The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.
As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.
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