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Commonwealth Games

Birmingham 2022 proves it’s woman’s world in Nigeria 

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

With the Commonwealth Games winding up this Monday in Birmingham, Nigeria have been able to climb up to the seventh position on the medals table, great thanks to the efforts of women!

As at Monday morning, Nigeria have 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze medals to be in the among the participating African countries.

Paradoxically, all Nigeria’s 12 gold medals were won by women. Six of the nine silver medals for Nigeria were also by women. Eight of the 14 bronze medals for the country were also by the women.

Thus overall, 26 of Nigeria’s 35 medals were by the women’s folk. In winning the 4x10m women’s relay, the team overcame a 28-year waiting period to achieve the feat.

The last time the Nigerian women won the relay was at Victoria in Canada through the efforts of  Faith Idehen, Mary Tombiri, Christy Opara-Thompson and Mary Onyali.

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All the Nigeria medallists

Weightlifting
1.Adijat Adenike Olarinoye (Gold, Women’s 55kg).

  1. Edidiong Joseph Umaofia (Bronze, Men’s 67kg).
  2. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal (Gold, Women’s 59kg)
  3. Islamiyat Yusuf (Bronze, Women’s 64kg).
  4. Taiwo Laidi (Silver, Women’s 76kg).
  5. Mary Taiwo Osijo (Bronze, Women’s 87kg)

Athletics

  1. Chioma Onyekwere (Gold, Women’s Discus Throw).
  2. Obiageri Amaechi (Bronze, Women’s Discus Throw).
  3. Favour Ofili (Silver, Women’s 200m).
  4. Amusan Tobi (Gold, Women’s 100m Hurdles).
  5. Onwuzurike Udodi Chudi, Ashe Favour Oghene Tejiri, Akintola Alaba Olukunle, Ekevwo Raymond (Bronze Medal, Men’s 4 x 100m).
  6. Amusan Tobi, Ofili Favour, Chukwuma Rosemary, Nwokocha Nzubechi Grace, Udo Joy Gabriel Chinenye (Gold, Women’s 4 x 100m).
  7. Ese Brume (Gold, Women’s Long Jump)

Para-Athletics

  1. Goodness Chiemere Nwachukwu (Gold, Women’s Discus Throw F 42-44/61-64).
  2. Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi (Gold, Women’s F55 – 57 Shot Put).
  3. Ugochi Constaine Alam (Bronze, Women’s F55 – 57 Shot Put).

Powerlifting

  1. Alice Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Gold, Women’s Heavyweight).
  2. Bose Patricia Omolayo (Silver, Women’s Heavyweight).
  3. Ikechukwu Christian Obichukwu (Silver, Men’s Heavyweight).
  4. Innocent Nnamdi (Bronze, Men’s Lightweight).

Wrestling

  1. Adekuoroye Odunayo (Gold, Women’s Freestyle 57kg)
  2. Kolawole Esther (Bronze, Women’s Freestyle 62kg).
  3. Oborodudu Blessing (Gold, Women’s Freestyle 68kg).
  4. Genesis Mercy (Gold, Women’s Freestyle, 50kg).
  5. Wilson Ebikewemino (Silver, Men’s Freestyle 57kg).
  6. Hannah Reuben (Silver, Women’s Freestyle 76kg).
  7. John Ogbonna Emmanuel (Bronze, Men’s Freestyle 74kg).

Para-Table Tennis

  1. Ikpeoyi Ifechukwude Christiana (Silver, Women’s Singles Classes 3-5).
  2. Sule Nasiru (Silver, Men’s Singles Classes 3-5).
  3. Ogunkunle Isau (Bronze, Men’s Singles Classes 3-5).
  4. Obazuaye Faith (Bronze, Women’s Singles Classes 6-
    10).

Boxing

  1. Onyekwere Ifeanyi (Bronze, Men’s over 92kg Super Heavy
    Weight).
  2. Umunnake Jacinta (Bronze, Women’s 75kg).
  3. Ogunsemilore Cynthia (Bronze, Women’s over 57kg-60kg, Light Weight).
  4. Oshoba Elizabeth (Silver, Over 54kg-57kg, Featherweight).

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Commonwealth Games

Nigeria Steps Up Bid to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games as Delegation Arrives London

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A high-powered Nigerian delegation has arrived in London, United Kingdom, for the decisive phase of the country’s campaign to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

The team is led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and the Commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, who are set to present Nigeria’s final case before the Games’ decision-makers on Wednesday.

Dikko had delivered Nigeria’s preliminary pitch last month, laying the foundation for this week’s crucial engagements. If successful, the bid would make Nigeria the first African nation to host the Commonwealth Games since the event’s inception in 1930.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly reaffirmed the Federal Government’s full backing for the bid, assuring the international sporting community that Nigeria is ready to deliver a world-class Games.

Only last week, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, joined other senior government officials in welcoming the Commonwealth Games Bid Evaluation team during their inspection visit to Nigeria.

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Further demonstrating the administration’s commitment, the President’s Special Assistant on Public Communication and Presidential Spokesperson, Sunday Dare, is part of the London delegation.

Other members of the Nigerian contingent include Bid Coordinator Mainasara Ilo; President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel; Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa; five-time Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Mary Onyali; and current para-badminton world number one, Eniola Bolaji.

Nigeria’s 2030 bid is anchored on themes of inclusivity, legacy, and development, with promises to stage a Games that not only reflects the Commonwealth spirit but also creates lasting opportunities for sport, culture, and youth empowerment across Africa.

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Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment as Commonwealth Bid Team Visits Abuja

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Nigeria’s push to become the first African country to host the Commonwealth Games gained momentum on Tuesday as the National Sports Commission (NSC) received the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee in Abuja.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to secure the hosting rights for the 2030 Games, describing the bid as a landmark opportunity for Africa and a historic milestone for Nigeria.

Dikko stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has thrown his full weight behind the bid, highlighting it as a platform to showcase Nigeria’s growing influence in global sports.

“We are delighted to welcome the Evaluation Committee to Abuja as a sign of our seriousness,” Dikko said.

 “President Tinubu sees the Commonwealth Games as more than just an event; it will be a celebration of Africa’s sporting passion and Nigeria’s role as a continental leader.”

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Olopade added that Nigeria’s bid is built on four critical pillars—modern facilities, political will, private sector support, and strong public enthusiasm.

He noted that the Bid Committee, led by veteran sports administrator Mainasara Illo, has prepared a “robust document” to strengthen Nigeria’s case.

“With our preparations, engagements, and strong government backing, we are confident Nigeria can win the right to host the Games,” Olopade said.

Underscoring government commitment, the delegation was hosted at the Presidential Villa by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside nine Federal Executive Council members, including Minister of Youth Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

The visiting delegation, led by Darren Hall, Director of Games and Assurance at the Commonwealth Sport, included Ann-Louise Morgan, CS Director of Sport, and Ezera Tshabangu, Regional Development Manager for Africa and Europe.

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Nigeria’s bid, if successful, would make the 2030 Commonwealth Games the first ever to be hosted on African soil, fulfilling a long-standing call for inclusivity in the Commonwealth sporting family.

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Commonwealth Games

South Africa to rival Nigeria in 2030 Commonwealth Games bid

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Nigeria Olympic Committee President, Habu Gumel

Nigeria may have a major African challenger in the bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. South Africa is preparing to join the competition. The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) had announced a Nigerian bid in April. This follows the failed bid in 2007 for the 2014 Games.

The earlier bid was made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the amalgamation. This amalgamation joined the Northern and Southern Protectorates with the Lagos Colony to form Nigeria.

Sports Village Square has gathered that South Africa, through its Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), is making a bid and is merely waiting for cabinet approval.

The country intends to use the Commonwealth Games of 2030 as a dress rehearsal for the bigger Olympic Games.

According to the SASCOC president, Barry Hendricks, the 2030 Commonwealth Games hosting will be part of the learning curve for the Olympics. “… it teaches us what we can do over the next eight years to get to 2040.”

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