Category: Sports

Nigeria has emerged overall winner of the 2018 Ivory Coast International Badminton Championships; competed in four out of five categories, with three gold, one silver and one bronze – same number of medals the country won last year.

In the mixed doubles event, Clement Krobakpo and Dorcas Adesokan beat Chongo Mulenga and Evelyn Siamupangila of Zambia to clinch gold.  In the men’s doubles, Godwin Olofua and Anu Opeyori defeated the pair of Perderson Mathias (Denmark) and Persson Jonathan (Germany).

Adesokan defeated fellow Nigerian Ruth Ebere to win the women’s singles while Opeyori lost to Adams Mendrak of the Czech Republic in the men’s singles.

Twelve countries participated in the 2018 Ivory Coast International Badminton Championships, which is one of the International Series in the Badminton World Federation’s calendar in Africa.

The participating countries were Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Belgium, Sweden, Maldives,  Denmark,  Jordan,  Mexico,  Czech Republic, Germany and  Ivory Coast, who are the hosts.

President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria Francis Orbih stated:

“The players did well in Abidjan and we are proud of them.

This was even a team that we had to reduce because of funding challenges. I believe that Dorcas and Clement will do us proud at the 2020 Olympics because they are raking in the points needed to qualify.”

Mr. Orbih said the Ghana International Badminton Championships and the Lagos International Classics are next for the players.

Divine Oduduru has won his first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title in the men’s 200 meters final with a time of 20.28s at Hayward Field, Eugene.

Despite running from lane 8, Oduduru secured the win for his school Texas Tech, winning by a one-hundredth of a second. Florida State’s Andre Ewer was 2nd in 20.29s, while Kendal Williams finished 3rd in 20.32s

The NCAA organises national championship among tertiary institutions in the United States of America (USA).

Divine Oduduru joins other Nigerian athletes to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title, which includes Blessing Okagbare and Oluwatobiloba Amusan.

In the words of Divine Oduduru:

“Today when I found out I was in lane 8, I was like I have to do something because 2014 I was here for the World Juniors and I ran from lane 8 also and I qualified. So I said okay, if I could do that at the World Juniors, I could do that here too.

So that was part of my encouragement, and I encouraged myself, and I beat myself up and said okay it’s time to go. I just had to do what I have been doing at practice and I got the result.

I told God, ‘if you make me win this race, I’m going to dance a dance that shows that I’m grateful to you’.”

Divine Oduduru is the first Texas Tech athlete ever to win a 200 meters National Title.

Father O’Connell Science College Minna, Niger State and St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, have emerged champions of the 20th edition of the Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship in the male and female categories respectively at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.

Continue reading Winners Of The 20th Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship

Divine Oduduru has won three titles with Texas Tech in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters events at the 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The 21-year-old has become a leading athlete for his University and was impressive again as he led his team to victory.

Divine Oduduru started off when he won the 4×100 relay with Darien Tennon, Andrew Hudson and Joel Latson as they finished with a time of 39.39s.

He then moved on to the 100m, which he won with a time of 10.11s and also won the 200m with a time 20.13s, which was a new Texas Tech record, the fifth fastest time in the United States of America and his season record and personal best.

Oduduru who represented Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games is on scholarship in the United States.

A statement on the website of Texas Tech named Oduduru the High Point Scorer in the competition as he led his team to victory in the 100m, 200m, and also in the 4x100m relay.

Head coach of Texas Tech, Wes Kittley was excited about Oduduru’s performance in the 2018 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Clyde Hart Stadium.

He said,

“Wasn’t he special? Wow, fabulous in the 200, 100 and in the 4×100.

He’s a three-time champion today and the high point scorer. I’m really proud of him.”

Winners have emerged in the 5th edition of the Nigerian Triathlon Championship, which was concluded at the Lagos National Stadium Surulere.

Williams Gbekemiye emerged champion as he beat Perelate Gbagi and Ibrahim Akinlabi to the second and third places respectively in the Elite triathlon event.

In the female Elite Triathlon, Rosemary Marcus finished first, Gloria Odiaze came second, while Joy Tonjor finished third. In the Male Junior Triathlon, only two participants contested for hours. Sadiq Yahaya finished first while Osamuyiwa Uyi finished second.

In the Junior Duathlon (female), Alabi Yemisi won the gold, Kate Oyewole picked the silver while Adedotun Oluwapelumi won the bronze. In the Elite Duathlon (male), Adeniran Opeyemi won the bronze, Odunayo Adeyemi finished second, while Oke Itunu Joseph finished third.

In Elite Duathlon (female), Ukpeseraye Ese finished first, Happy Okafor was second while Glory Effiong finished third. In the Junior Duathlon (male), Aluko Kehinde finished first, Michael Segun ended second, Masud Garba picked the bronze.

In the Cadet Duathlon (male) Akinsemoyin Faruk finished first, while Malik Sanni picked the silver.

Apart from medals, the athletes got cash prizes and gift items made available by the sponsors.

According to the outgoing President of the Nigeria Triathlon Union, Dr. Lanre Glover:

“I must commend everyone that contributed to the success of the event. First, I must thanks the athletes who turned out in large number, our officials and the members of the NTU board.

I must also thank our sponsors – Linkage Assurance, DHL, De United (Indomie), Grand Oak Nigeria Limited for their unflinching support.”

About 106 athletes from 21 states and seven clubs took part in the championship.

Nigeria para-badminton athletes has won a total of 12 medals – seven gold and five silver at the 1st African Para-Badminton Championships which was held in Kampala, Uganda between April 30 and May 4.

Bello Oyebanji clinched three gold medals in three events while Eze Chukwuebuka won two gold medals in the championships.

Also, Dixon Dada increased the country’s gold medals to seven after winning two gold medals while Umar Baba and Chinyere Okoro won two silver each. Ijeoma Chukwuemeka also added two silver to the country medal haul.

According to Samuel Ekeoma, National Coordinator of Nigeria Para-Badminton:

“This is a very good outing and I’m proud of what the athletes have been able to achieve. I hope the government and corporate bodies will reward the athletes for the fantastic performance in Uganda.”

Nigeria had earlier won 7 medals (one gold, three silver and three bronze) in the 2nd Uganda Para-badminton International Championships held from April 25 to April 29.

Nigeria won a total of 19 medals in the two competitions sanctioned by the Badminton world body.