African Games
Nigeria Picks Teenage Sensation Kuti For 13th African Games –
When the table tennis event serves off on Monday, March 4, at the 13th African Games, Nigeria’s teenage sensation Matthew Kuti will be the cynosure of all eyes after the youngster was included in the 10-man contingent listed by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for the continental sports fiesta taking place in Accra, Ghana.
Kuti, who dominated the local scene in 2023 winning the majority of the national tournaments in Nigeria and he will be making his debut alongside Amadi Umeh and experienced stars like Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo and Taiwo Mati to compete in the men’s events.
Kuti set a new Nigeria’s national record in December 2023, when within 24 hours he claimed two national titles after emerging as men’s singles champion at the maiden Daniel Ford tournament and the 2nd Renewed Hope championships held in Lagos.
From December 2023, Kuti has been unbeaten, and he has established himself as one of the most talented table tennis players in Africa. His inclusion has been hailed by table tennis buffs who believe the step taken by Nigeria has been inspiring for others to follow.
Also in the women’s event, reigning national champion Hope Uduoka made the cut for the trip to Ghana following her dominance in 2023 and she will be joined by another upcoming star – Sukurat Aiyelabegan. Others in the women’s team include Edem Offiong, Fatimo Bello and Esther Oribamise.
Uduoka, West Africa University Games champion toppled Aiyelabegan in the final of the Renewed Hope tournament to emerge as the women’s singles national champion and her inclusion will add youthfulness to the female team in Ghana.
The coaching crew will be led by African legend Segun Toriola who was recently named by NTTF as the acting national coach following the retirement of former national coach Nosiru Bello.
Toriola who led the team to the last ITTF World Team Championships in Busan, South Korea will be assisted by Dotun Omoniyi, who has been part of the coaching crew to several tournaments.
Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who superintended the 13th African Games held in Accra Ghana in February has died.
He was the Chief Operating Officer of the Accra 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC).
According to sources in Ghana, Dr. Owusu-Ansah was a sports administrator and coach, and thus left behind, a significant legacy in the world of sports.
Dr Owusu-Ansah, a former Chief Executive of the National Sports Authority (NSA), was widely regarded as an encyclopaedia of sports knowledge.
Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Owusu-Ansah, a former national chief athletics coach, authored the best-selling book “Principles of Abundant Living.”
He played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Sports Studies at the College of Education at the University of Ghana. Additionally, he served as the Director of the Sports Directorate at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The Africa Students Football Union (ASFU) has expressed condolences over the passing of a patron of the union, Dr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who served as the COO of the just concluded 13th Africa Games held in Ghana.
Dr. Owusu-Ansah’s death was announced on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
According to a release by the executive secretary of the union, Femi Abioye, Owusu-Ansah until his death contributed immensely to sports development on the continent and the world at large.
He left an indelible impact on the lives of students-athletes coupled with sports administration across Africa countries.
The ASFU’s President, Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, who was shocked at the news of the demise of Dr. Owusu-Ansah described the deceased as a pillar, saying his departure has left a great vacuum in sports management.
He relished the deceased contribution and unwavering dedication to ASFU, saying the Union would miss the deceased.
“We will miss Dr. Owusu-Ansah, whose contribution to sports, knew no bounds. He was always ready to serve. He helped build the Union and was pivotal to the Union programmes. We will surely miss him,” he said.
He extended the Union condolences to all those affected by this loss, praying God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
African Games
A milestone as Egypt becomes the first country to get 100 gold medals in African Games
As the curtain is drawn on the 13th African Games in Egypt, the traditional overall winners, have this time hit a milestone.
They have become the first to hit a 100 gold medal mark in the 59 year history of the games.
As at Saturday morning, they have amassed 101 gold medals, 54 more than that of the second placed Nigeria
The biggest star of the Egyptian team is swimmer Marwan Elkamash, who won five gold medals in the men’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 4x200m relays, all in freestyle.
But medal haul is still short that that of his compatriot, Faten Afifi who fished out seven gold medals from the pool.
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