Category: Sports

The Nigerian Women Bobsled Team (Driver Seun Adigun and brake women Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga) has qualified for the first time ever, for the bobsled event at the 2018 Winter Olympics Games in PyeongChang.

Driver Seun Adigun, Brakemen Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga completed the fifth of their required five qualifying races, becoming the first African team, men or women, to qualify in the Bobsled category.

The Nigeria team, led by Driver Adigun – a former African 100m hurdles champion and 2012 summer Olympian – completed races in Utah, one in Whistler, and their final two races in Calgary.

Driver Adigun stated:

“This is a huge milestone for sports in Nigeria, nothing makes me prouder than to know that I can play a small role in creating opportunities for winter sports to take place in Nigeria. Our objective now is to be the best representation of Africa that the Winter Olympics have ever witnessed.”

Solomon Ogba, President of the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria, was understandably thrilled at the achievement, saying via a media statement:

“I commend the personal dedication and commitment of these women. Their hard work was inspiring and I hope Nigerians can appreciate what it took for them to achieve this – the work, the discipline, and the personal sacrifices. They were amazing throughout this journey. They are all very successful people in their own right – in sports and out of it, and somehow they are still motivated and still push for more success.

I have watched them train and work hard to represent Nigeria at the Winter Olympics in a very technical and high risk sport and they have achieved that. They should be very proud, and I am very proud of them.”

Nigeria could yet secure another spot at the 2018 Winter Olympics Games, with Driver Simidele Adeagbo just three races away from qualifying for the Skeleton competition.

Winners have emerged in the Nigerian Sports Awards 2017.

Nigerian Sports Awards 2017 Winners

Sportsman of the year – Aruna Quadri
Sportswoman of the year – Odunayo Adekuroye
Woman footballer of the year – Asisat Oshoala
Footballer of the year (Men) – Victor Moses
Ball sports person of the year – Evelyn Akhator
Team of the year – D’ Tigress
Wrestler of the year – Odunayo Adekuroye
Special sports person of the year – Hannah Babalola
Discovery of the year – Georgia Oboh
Coach of the year – Akuh Purity
Journalist of the year (radio) – Anthony Bekederemo
Journalist of the year (TV) – Promise Efoghe
Journalist of the year (print) – Lekan Okusan
Photo journalist of the year – Olusegun Aderinto
Sports governor of the year – Akinwunmi Ambode and Udom Emmanuel
Sports administrator of the year – Waheed Enitan Oshodi and Daniel Igali
Special recognition – Amaju Pinnick
Lifetime achievement – Pa Fabio Lanipekun (formerly of NTA Sports)

D’Tigress of Nigeria have emerged second place winner in the female category of the inaugural 2017 FIBA 3×3 Africa Championship.

Mali proved too powerful for the D’Tigress in the final as they emerged 12-11 points winners in a keenly contested game.

Despite settling for the Silver medal, Nigeria’s Nkechi Akashili was named as one of the top 3 players alongside Mali’s Nassira Traore and Jamla Nasikombi of Uganda.

This is the second major title won under the new NBBF after the D’Tigress went 8 games unbeaten to emerge African champions in Mali.

The NBBF has so far led the national team at the cadet and senior level to 6 international competitions since its inauguration on the 21st of July, 2017 and returned with 2 gold trophies and 4 silver medals.

Final standings of the FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup 2017

Women

1.Mali
2.Nigeria
3.Uganda
4.Cote d’Ivoire
5.Egypt
6.Ghana
7.Togo
8.Niger
9.Mauritania
10.Gambia

Nigeria’s Super Falcons striker and Dalian Quanjian F.C. forward, Asisat Oshoala has emerged Chinese Women’s Super League Best Striker of the season for 2017.

The award follows her club’s win of the Chinese Women’s Super Cup after she scored twice and provided two assists to help Dalian Quanjian win the title.

In her words:

“PROUD MOMENT !! All GOLD everything!! 2017 Chinese women’s league award, BEST STRIKER OF THE SEASON (Top Scorer) …. Thanks to everyone for your support. I dedicate this award to my precious and loving sport mum, my sister and my best friend, whom has pushed and encouraged me throughout my season, thank you for everything @onosky5 , you are one of a kind. God bless and uplift you for me. #GoldenGirl #Buzzing #Alhamdulilah #ProudMoment”

D’Tigers of Nigeria have emerged the inaugural champions in the men’s category of the 2017 FIBA Africa 3×3 Cup beating Cote d’Ivoire in the final game by 21 to 9 points.

The Nigerian team led by Azuoma Dike proved outstanding by defeating Egypt 21-14 points in the semi-finals and were unstoppable as Abdul Yahaya who scored a total of 39 points in five games triumphed over the Ivoriens.

It was double honors for Nigeria as Azuoma Dike was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament while being named in the competition’s  top three players list, which included Tisiane Traore of Cote d’ Ivoire and Elly Randriamampionona of Madagascar.

Final standings of the FIBA Africa 3×3 Cup 2017

 

Men

1.Nigeria
2.Cote d’Ivoire
3.Madagascar
4.Egypt
5.Togo
6.Mali
7.Benin
8.Uganda
9.Ghana
10.Mauritania
11.Niger
12.Gambia

Sunday Oliseh has won the Bronze Bull award of Best Coach in the first half of the Dutch second division this season.

Dutch football club, Fortuna Sittard coached by Sunday Oliseh also had their 17-year old team captain Perr Schuurs clinch the Bronze Bull award as the Best Talent in the first half of the Dutch second division this season.

In his reaction, Sunday Oliseh who was voted the best trainer said:

“I am very honored to win this prize because this is the result of hard work and a lot of help from my players, fans, assistants, our chairman Isitan Gün and above all God.”

Meanwhile, Turkish businessman and Fortuna Sittard Club Chairman Isita Gün is very pleased with the awards.

According to the Chairman:

“The whole club is very proud of Perr and Sunday. We may have missed the title in the first season, these Bronze Bulls indicate that we are on the right track. Everyone in the club has given a strong energy boost for the club to stay on the road and even take a step further. This is really great!”

After taking over as coach of Fortuna last season, Oliseh helped the club to escape relegation.

This season, Oliseh led Fortuna to a club record eight consecutive home victory.

He recorded his highest away win as a coach with a 6-0 victory against Telstar in September.

Also, he got Fortuna into the third round of the Dutch Cup for the first time in 18 years following a 3-0 win against Go Ahead Eagles in October.

Fortuna Sittard are currently third in the second division.

Sunday Oliseh is the only head coach from sub-Saharan Africa coaching in professional European football.

Nigeria emerge winner of the 2nd Africa Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship at the newly refurbished National Stadium Swimming Pool.

Nigeria won 26 gold, 35 silver and 26 bronze medals, winning a total of 87 medals.

Ghana came second with 12 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals making a total of 27 medals.

Senegal came third with eight gold, three silver, and six bronze winning a total of 17 medals.

The event took place from October 27 to 29 [2017].

Ten countries took part in the 2nd edition of the regional swimming championship.

They are: Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Guinea, Central Africa Republic, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Niger and Equatorial Guinea.

The maiden edition of the Championship was held in 2012 at Akure, Ondo State.