Flowerbud News

Tag: Sports

  • Are women now better poised for dynamic leadership roles in Nigeria’s sports administration?

    Are women now better poised for dynamic leadership roles in Nigeria’s sports administration?

     

    By Tony Nnezianya
    The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in a strategic partnership with Olympic Solidarity, has successfully concluded a transformative three-day advanced gender-inclusive governance course in Abuja.

    This has marked a significant milestone in the country’s sports administration landscape.

    Held at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, from March 24 to 26, 2026

    The intensive programme brought together a distinguished cohort of over 52 women, including former elite athletes and current board members of various National Sports Federations.

    No fewer than 47 of them were physically present at the venue, while 5 joined virtually, bringing the total to 52 who benefited from the programme.

    The initiative was designed to dismantle historical barriers to female leadership by providing these participants with an internationally recognised framework for excellence, grounded in the International Olympic Committee’s global educational standards.

     

    At the heart of the proceedings, NOC President Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel delivered a compelling charge, asserting that the future of Nigerian sports hinges on institutional reform driven by competent and inclusive leadership.

    He emphasised that the goal is not merely to increase the number of women in boardrooms, but to ensure they are equipped with the specialised knowledge, confidence, and strategic tools necessary to thrive in high-level decision-making roles.

    Gumel noted that while many participants bring invaluable field experience, formal training in modern administration is essential to improve compliance with international standards and ensure long-term institutional growth.

    The curriculum, delivered by a team of seasoned experts, delved into the intricacies of governance reform, financial oversight, and organisational accountability.

    Lead resource persons, including IOC-certified National Course Directors Dr (Mrs) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko and the highly experienced NOC Admin secretary, Mr Nweri Emmanuel, alongside Project Officer Mrs Deborah Ijeoma Chidobi, guided the sessions, focusing on practical application.

    Dr Aluko particularly challenged the participants to embrace their status as role models, stressing that their responsibility extends beyond boardroom participation to active mentorship and advocacy.

    She urged the attendees to replicate the lessons learned within their respective states and federations, fostering a grassroots-to-elite pipeline for future female administrators.

    Throughout the three days, the discourse centred on several critical pillars of modern sports management, including ethical leadership, safeguarding principles, and the integration of digital tools for policy implementation.

    The programme also served as a high-level networking hub, fostering collaboration and a unified front among women leaders to influence systemic reforms.

    As the course drew to a close, the consensus was clear: the empowerment of women in governance is no longer a peripheral goal but a core strategy for transforming Nigeria into a global sporting powerhouse defined by transparency, professionalism, and diverse perspectives.

    Retired Air Commodore Rahonatu Garba remarked that she now grasped the essence of the project.

    ”I am happy I made it to the programme,” the former sports addict who combined playing basketball, handball, and badminton during her younger days as an air force Officer before serving on boards of the Nigeria wrestling federation and now the Shooting federation.

    Another participant, Edith Ahum, an active Handball player and now a Referee, also noted that the course covered general areas such as administration, logistics, and finance, providing the right exposure to take critical and strategic decisions.

    I am happy to have been a part of such a rare course. And with the right calibre of women shortlisted for the experience
    . It is wonderful to say the least,” noted Uche Tobex Tobechukwu, a popular female football Journalist.

    ”This has provided me another opportunity in pursuit of female excellence in sports administration.”

    At the end of the course, an enthusiastic Engr Gumel personally presented certificates to all the female participants in the programme. -End-

    (Contact:
    Tony Nezianya
    PRO NOC
    tonynezianya@gmail.com)

  • Note Book on 4th ANOCA Africa Youth Games

    Note Book on 4th ANOCA Africa Youth Games

     

    By Tony Nezianya

    Luanda (Angola).        VIf there is one thing members of Team Nigeria are happy about regarding the organisers of the ongoing 4th African Youth Games in Angola, it is the feeding arrangements.

    There is a delightful semblance of “swallow” dishes and Nigerian-style soups on offer, accompanied by plenty of fresh fish and seafood.

    Specifically, the menu features *farina* and Nsala (White Soup), prepared just as it would be in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

    These dishes are so popular that they are often the first to be finished by athletes and officials alike at their Games’ Village, located on the Luanda’s Tourism resort.

    This is a stark contrast to the experience in Algeria no,
    , where team members cried out that the menu was dominated by just rice and dry bread.

    The organisers of the last maiden ANOCA secondary School’s Games. Herenow they seem to have got it right, unlike the situation even at the Paris Games’, where there were similar complaints.

    The “swallows” are a delight not just for Nigerians, but for other West Africans as well, including the Ghanaian delegations, the Togolese, and the Beninese.

    An excited Rita Moshindi, the popular Secretary of the Taekwondo Federation, suggested that future hosts of sporting events on the continent ought to borrow a leaf from the Angolans, she noted.

    Moshindi steesses, “If we were to have a say in the makeup of the menu, we would not hesitate to vote en masse for the adoption of the Angola menu variant.”

    —

    This is afar as the comparison goes goes as the arrangements to grant visas has not gone well enough.

    Arriving degations have not been happy that they could not get hold of their travel visas I. good time on their travel documents including
    Pàssports.

    In most cases,there wer shouting matches before matters were resolved.

    Language barriers have not helped matters as Angola is Portuguese speaking domain.

    At best what you have those who speak halting English, enough to get bye in the streets.

    It appears there are not enough awareness about the ongoing competition because spectators are not really turning out at venues to be part of the Games.

    —

    Team Nigeria’s Performance at the African Youth Games
    Team Nigeria had a very strong outing, particularly in athletics.

    , at the 4th African Youth Games in Angola.
    * Athletics Performance: Team Nigeria finished second on the medal table for the athletics programme, coming in behind South Africa.
    * Total Athletics Medals: 11 medals (6 Gold, 5 Silver).
    * Key Highlights and Medals:
    * Gold Medals:
    * Rosemary Chigozie Nwakwo (Girls’ 100m)
    * Hafsoh Bisola Majekodunmi (Girls’ 400m)
    * Tejiri Ugoh (Girls’ 200m)
    * Timothy (Boys’ Triple Jump)
    * Girls’ Medley Relay Team
    * Boys’ Medley Relay Team
    * Other Successes:
    * The Beach Volleyball team won a Gold medal.
    * The Badminton team secured 1 Gold (Mixed Doubles), 2 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals.
    * Josephine Clement Benjamin won a Bronze medal in Golf.
    * Aidan Dumuje Abili won a Bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke in Swimming.
    🏅 Overall African Youth Games Medal Standings (Top 3 in Athletics). End

  • Edo, Akwa Ibom, Abia Pick Top Spots In Weightlifting At National Youth Games Asaba

    Edo, Akwa Ibom, Abia Pick Top Spots In Weightlifting At National Youth Games Asaba

     

    By Dianabasi Effiong

    Team Edo won top spot in weightlifting at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, finishing well ahead of the competition to emerge overall champions.

    The team won nine gold, one silver, and two bronze medals while Team Akwa Ibom came second with five gold, two silver, and two bronze medals respectively.

    Team Abia followed in third position with three gold medals, while Team Niger settled for fourth with a gold and two silver medals.

    Teams from Enugu, Oyo, and the FCT jointly finished in the fifth position with three silver medals each, while Team Lagos finished eighth with three medals (two silver and a bronze).

    Imo won the ninth spot with one silver and two bronze medals, while Plateau, Delta, and Osun completed the top 12 teams in the youth games.

    Edo’s dominance was most evident in the women’s weight classes, where they swept all nine gold medals on offer.

    Favour Cornelius (44kg), Esther Amarachi Chijoke (48kg), and Beauty Akpore (53kg) each clinched three gold medals to power Edo to the top.

    In the men’s division, Akwa Ibom proved their strength, winning five of the nine gold medals available.

    Destiny Bassey (56kg) secured two gold medals, while Goodness Okon (65kg) bagged three to highlight their dominance.

    Team Abia also impressed, with Vitalis Nnaji Chiemerie sweeping three gold medals in the men’s 60kg category.

    Niger’s Abdulsalam Kamaldeen grabbed gold in the men’s 56kg clean and jerk with a lift of 91kg.

    Other standout performances came from Oyo’s Fathia Owoyele, who battled hard to win three silver medals in the women’s 48kg category, while Enugu’s Aguji Michael Chiemerie (65kg) and FCT’s Esther Chidalu Ezenwa (44kg) both claimed three silver medals.

    Ezenwa’s younger sister, Chinaza Cecilia Ezenwa (Lagos, 53kg), added two silvers and one bronze to ensure Lagos made the medals table.

    For Team Imo, Victory Maduabuchi Iwuoha contributed one silver and two bronze in the Men’s 60kg, while Plateau’s Dach Veirat Dachoaaom secured one silver and one bronze in the Women’s 53kg. Delta and Osun each walked away with five bronze medals through spirited performances from their lifters.

    In total, 12 states made the medal table, but it was Edo’s remarkable clean sweep in the women’s division that underlined their supremacy.

    At the close of the weightlifting event, President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, commended the outstanding performances of the athletes, assuring that newly discovered talents would be given more opportunities to develop and make the sport their own.

    Dr. Aladi reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to building a steady pool of weightlifters capable of representing Nigeria at both national and international levels.

    Also speaking, NWF Technical Official, Sefiya Ahuozia, lauded the quality of the competition at the National Youth Games in Asaba. She expressed confidence that with the level of talent on display, Nigeria’s future in weightlifting remains bright.

     

  • Ede Poly Rector Advocate inter-governmental Agency Synergy

    Ede Poly Rector Advocate inter-governmental Agency Synergy

    Rector Advocate inter-governmental Agency Synergy

    The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Engr Dr. Sani Man Yahaya, fnse has called for a closer relationship between security agencies and the Federal Polytechnic, Ede

    He made this call on Wednesday, 25th June, 2025, during an interactive meeting with the new Area Commander, Osun State Police Command, ACP Tayo Ogunjemisin

    Engr Dr. Man Yahaya, while thanking the Nigerian Police Force for their past collaboration and effective maintenance of law and order, also charged them to see themselves as part of the Polytechnic Community

     

    He said, “You are all aware of many security challenges facing the country presently. Therefore, l want to implore you to please continue with your good efforts in securing the institution in case of any emergency

    The Rector also told the visiting Area Commander that it is when the Polytechnic Community is well secured that the entire staff and students can go about their normal duties unhindered

    In his remarks, the representative of the Council Chairman, Prof. Gbadebo Olagunju pledged on behalf of the 7th Governing Council to collaborate with the management to make the institution a crisis free environment, Prof. Olagunju also used the occasion to advise students to shun any act capable of tarnishing the good reputation of the Polytechnic

    Earlier in his adress, the new Area Commander, ACP Tayo Ogunjemisin promised to sustain the good rapport which has been in existence for long between the police and the Polytechnic, he therefore advised the students to shun cultism and other social vices capable of destroying their future

    Present at the occasion were members of the Governing Council, Rector, and top management of the institution

    E-signed
    Sola Lawal, mnipr
    Ag. Director, Information, Protocol, and Public Relations.

  • Nigeria To Celebrate King’s Baton Relay Ahead 2026 Glasgow Games – NOC Official

    Nigeria To Celebrate King’s Baton Relay Ahead 2026 Glasgow Games – NOC Official

     

    By Dianabasi Effiong

    FLOWERBUDNEWS:  The King’s Baton Relay will be hosted in Nigeria between June 15 and June 18, 2025, under the auspices of Commonwealth Sport and the Commonwealth Games, Nigeria.

    For the first time, each of the 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will receive its baton to customise and decorate, showcasing its unique cultural heritage.

    According to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Spokesperson, Tony Nezianya, the King’s Baton has already arrived in Nigeria.

    The baton usually carries a message from Her Majesty the Queen, uniting all nations and territories with a call to come together in friendly competition at the Games. Like the Olympic Torch Relay, the King’s Baton Relay symbolises the spirit of the Commonwealth Games.

    However, following Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8, 2022, the baton relay was renamed the King’s Baton Relay in honour of her successor, King Charles III, for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

    His Majesty the King, Patron of Commonwealth Sport, officially launched the inaugural Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday, March 10, 2025.

    In an unprecedented initiative, Commonwealth Sport is collaborating with the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) for the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.

    This partnership aims to spotlight ongoing ocean conservation efforts and innovative solutions to plastic waste.

    The programme encourages athletes and communities to prevent one million pieces of plastic from polluting Commonwealth waters, fostering lasting change in our approach to plastic pollution.

    The campaign will accompany the King’s Baton Relay as it journeys through every Commonwealth nation and territory.

    The King’s Baton Relay (KBR) for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games commenced in the Caribbean, celebrating the event from March 11, 2025.

    The relay will traverse 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. Reimagined for a new Games model and monarch, the KBR now emphasises environmental and financial sustainability.

    Africa is the second region to host the KBR, which will be celebrated for six days.

    Nigeria and other African countries will participate in the festivities from June 15 to June 18, 2025.

    For the first time, each nation and territory will receive a baton to showcase its culture, creativity, and vision. Moving away from past museum-style batons, the ambition is for each country to highlight its cultural wealth through bespoke baton decorations.

    In Nigeria, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games, Nigeria will decorate the baton.

    To facilitate this, a joint committee comprising the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the National Sports Commission will be established to plan and execute the programme.

    The baton will be presented to His Majesty during the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland on July 26, 2026.