Sports

Commonwealth Games: Abiodun in celebration mood as Tobi Amusan wins gold again

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2022

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated Nigerian sprinter and world champion, Tobi Amusan, on winning a gold medal in the women’s 100m Hurdles at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

“Our golden girl has done it, again. This is a testament to the fact that she is consistent, reliable and deserved the World record, indeed. This is a moment of joy for us all in Ogun State and Nigeria and we are pleased at her streak of successes”, Gov. Abiodun said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin

The world champion had on Sunday successfully defended her title at the Alexander Stadium in the women’s 100m hurdles final by running a Games record of 12.30sec thus defending her Commonwealth title and setting another record in the process on Sunday.

According to the Governor, this made her “The first World Champion to win Gold in the event and the first Nigerian athlete ever – dead or alive – to be crowned champion at all levels of athletics in the same year.”

Congratulating the Ogun state born athlete, the Governor described her feat as heroic, saying this is following and improving on the records of her other Ogun stars like Modupe Oshikoya, Falilat, Ogunkoya-Osheku and other compatriots.

Abiodun, who said that the sprinter has made Ogun, Nigeria and indeed Africa proud at the Games, lauded her spirit of excellence on the tracks. The Governor noted that though Ogun is known for being the home of illustrious personalities in every human endeavour, the achievements recorded by Amusan, has further the state on a global pedestal.

“Amusan is a compatriot with prodigious talents reflecting the standard of excellence that our State is noted for. Our state is reputed for exemplary courage, consistency, integrity, and good sportsmanship. Tobi has exhibited these on the world stage, by proving again and again that that success is achievable with hard work and determination.

While urging the world champion to savour her victory at the Commonwealth Games, Abiodun, implored her not to rest on her oars and continue to make Ogun proud

“It is with joy that I received the news of Tobi Amusan’s triumph at the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom. This is indeed another great feat recorded by one of our finest exports in Ogun.

“With this latest feat, it has now become clear that Amusan’s gold medal at the World Athletics Championship held in Eugene, Oregon, USA, was not a fluke. She has shown to the world she is consistent and not a flash in the pan.

“On behalf of the government and people of Ogun, I say big congratulations to one of our finest in the field of sports. Oluwatobiloba Amusan has once again made us proud as a people. In Ogun, we shall continue to celebrate our icons and stars, while we shall also continue to encourage the budding talents across Ogun,” Abiodun was quoted to have stated in the statement.

Sports

Excitement builds for 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin

Published

1 day ago

May 6, 2024

Praise Oguntan

Over 145 golfers are set to participate in the 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin from Friday to Saturday.

Dare Akanbi, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), informed reporters on Monday in Ilorin that the field consists of 124 males and 21 females.

Akanbi disclosed that the golfers represent various clubs including Ibom Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club, Abeokuta Golf Club, and Tiger Golf Club, among others.

“The event is an annual championship introduced by the Chairman of Emirate Global Hotel, Hon. Lambe Akanbi, demonstrating his support and passion for golf and his commitment to nurturing the sport,” Akanbi remarked.

“We have finalized arrangements for the 2024 edition, which will feature 124 male and 21 female participants, with an additional 11 on standby due to late registration,” he added.

The championship is scheduled to Tee-off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the official Tee-off slated for 9:00 a.m. The closing ceremony will take place in the evening, during which winners will be announced and rewarded.

Akanbi noted that the championship, which does not have any age bracket, offers prizes and souvenirs for winners, as well as consolation prizes for all participants. The tournament includes different categories, including 1, 2, 3, 4, and Senior Veterans.

Among the notable golfers expected to compete in the championship are Lanre Sagaya, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, and Owolabi Olajide, among others.

Sports

Chelsea thrash West Ham to move above United

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-0 to move above Manchester United into seventh place and keep their hopes of European qualification on Sunday.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is fighting to convince the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly to give him a second season in charge after his troubled debut campaign.

Pochettino admits it is “not his decision” if he stays, but securing a place in Europe could be enough to avoid the sack.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute with his 21st league goal of the season, the forward firing home after West Ham failed to clear.

Conor Gallagher doubled Chelsea’s advantage after 30 minutes with a blistering volley after West Ham’s Kurt Zouma deflected the ball towards the midfielder.

Noni Madueke bagged Chelsea’s third six minutes later as the winger turned in Thiago Silva’s header from close range.

Nicolas Jackson piled on the misery for woeful West Ham in the 48th minute with a tap-in from Madueke’s cross.

Sports

Dominican Republic 2024: Burkinabe Under 17 girls to host Flamingos on neutral ground

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

The Nigeria’s Under 17 female football team,the Flamingos will play their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in the 2024 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground in Bamako, Mali.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement on Friday.

The world body insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou due to the poor state of their home venue.

The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, where they will host the Flamingos on May 11 from 4 pm Mali time, 5pm Nigeria time.

The return leg will come up at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on May 18 from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium.

Her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.

The return leg in Abuja, will have Aline Umutoni from Rwanda as the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.

Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.

The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will leave Abuja on Wednesday for Bamako for the encounter.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 will take place in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov.3.

This will be the first time that the Dominican Republic will host a FIFA tournament.