NIGERIA,S TABLE TENNIS TEAM

After taking part in the just concluded International Table Tennis
Federation (ITTF) Lagos World Tour and African Top 16 Cup, the final
phase of camping for this month’s Commonwealth Games resumed just as
the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has named a strong ten-man
team for the championship holding in Glasgow, Scotland.
  Virtually all the players aiming to be part of the team for the
Commonwealth Games took part in the two-in-one tournament held in Lagos
last week.
  To complete the list of the team for the games, NTTF organized a
two-day trial for the players to select the final four that would join
the already listed six-man team that were part of the team to the last
World Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
  At the end of the trial, Ganiat Ogundele and her sibling, Rashidat
made the women team, while Portugal-based duo of Bode Abiodun and Jide
Ogidiolu made the cut for the men team.
  According to NTTF Secretary General, Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare, the
players were selected based on their present form and this was to ensure
that Nigeria present a formidable team that would compete for medals
against top teams like Singapore, England and India.
  “We want to ensure that we give all the players equal opportunity to
make the team and that is why we decided to organize the trials. So for
us, we are already in camp before the tournaments last week and now we
have returned to camp to ensure that we give our players the opportunity
to train well before the departing the country for a two-week training
tour of Italy,” she said.
    The current African champion and ITTF World Cup-bound Aruna Quadri
topped the list of players that will hoist Nigeria’s flag in Glasgow.
  He will be joined by experienced and one of the continent’s most
decorated players, Segun Toriola. Toriola who guided the team to a god
outing at the World Championship in Japan will captain the team, while
former junior sensation, Ojo Onaolapo will also be part of the team.
Others are Bode Abiodun and Jide Ogidiolu.
  Germany-based Funke Oshonaike will captain the female team while other
members are Edem Offiong, Cecilia Otu-Akpan, Ganiat Ogundele and
Rashidat Ogundele.
  The team is expected to depart for Italy next week for the training
tour where they will move to Scotland for the games.

CHUKWUMERIJE TO MISS GRAND PRIX

Nigeria’s sole representative, Chika Chukwumerije, is set to miss out on one of the biggest global Taekwondo events – the WTF Grand Prix Series, which commences on Friday July 4 to 6 at the Suzhou Sports Centre in the Chinese city of Suzhou, due to the laxity and negligence of a representative of the China Taekwondo Association.

  The Suzhou Grand Prix event, the first of three Grand Prix series set for this year, is expected to attract a total of 236 top athletes from 57 countries. The Grand Prix events have a direct impact on qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympics, as a massive 40 Olympic ranking points are at stake. Only the world’s top 31 athletes in each weight category, based on their April 2014 WTF Olympic ranking, are eligible for the tournament. 

  Chukwumerije was Nigeria’s sole Taekwondo athlete eligible for the WTF Grand Prix Series, and one of the few from Africa, who was to represent the African continent at this global event.

  Other participating athletes include nine Olympic medallists, including three double Olympic medal winners – Steven Lopez of the United States, Kyung-seon Hwang of Korea and Wu Jingyu of China. The other gold medalists are Argentina’s Sebastian Eduardo Crismanich, Great Britain’s Jade Jones, Serbia’s Milica Mandic and Italy’s Carlo Molfeta, Korea’s Dong-min Cha and Mexico’s Maria Espinoza.

  According to the World Taekwondo Federation President, Chungwon Choue, “The Grand Prix is an exciting new concept in international taekwondo competition, inaugurated last December in Manchester, the United Kingdom. Our ambition with the Grand Prix is to provide an arena for taekwondo’s finest athletes to raise the sport’s visibility, and to realize taekwondo’s fullest potential worldwide,” said WTF President

  To adequately prepare for this event, Chukwumerije had jetted out to Taiwan for a 23-day long intense training camp, the same location he trained before winning a Bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a first for Sub-Saharan Africa at the time.

  From the official draws released, Chukwumerije would have met Juan Carlos Diaz of Venezelua in his first fight, and if successful, met the winner between Konstantinos Gkoltsios of Greece and Ivan Trajkovic of Sloviakia, which was considerably a good draw for the veteran combatant.

  Shedding some light on why he could not get the visa on time, he fingered the unprofessionalism of the host organizers as the root cause of his absence at the Grand Prix.

  “The contact person, Mr Cui Wei, informed us we could get the visa in Taipei and we just had to wait for the invitation letter. The Federation submitted all necessary documentation on time, before the stipulated deadline, and all the organizers had to do was sent a letter of invitation on time. They then sent it just two days before I was to fly out to China, and Mr Cui Wei, did a complete turn-around and told me to head back to Nigeria to get a visa”

  Speaking from his training base in Taiwan, an audibly distraught Chukwumerije lamented about the huge work gone down the drain,

  “The training camp has been so intense - three times training a day, very strict dieting, 6kg lost, hours of watching and analysing opponents. I have not trained this hard and been this focused since the London 2012 Olympics, and someone just sweeps all that layer of hard work through sheer incompetence”

  Clearly still shaken by the actions of the Chinese Taekwondo Association representative, the veteran athlete reflected on the negative consequences for Nigeria,

  “Now the Grand Prix has started in earnest, and Nigeria is unrepresented by any athlete, just because the organizing committee could not respond to a request email on time or provide the right info at the right time. The unprofessional and unfortunate manner in which the China Taekwondo Association has handled this issue has cost the Nation dearly in terms of funds, money and Olympic points.”

  The athlete thanked the National Sports Commission for their tremendous support towards the growth and development of Taekwondo in Nigeria, and hoped that this incident does not cause significant damage to Nigeria Taekwondo’s chances of qualifying for Rio 2016 Olympics.

TABLE TENNIS

Players from the 14 countries including host – Nigeria and International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) officials will start arriving Lagos on Friday June 20, for the Lagos World Tour tagged Nigeria Open.
  According to the itinerary of the teams, Singapore’s Jing Yuan Yin will be the first player expected to touch down in Lagos for the four-day tournament.
  Others expected are Luxembourg’s Ni Xialian as well as Russia’s duo of Vasilij Filatov and Irina Ermakova.
  The eight-man Egyptian team will arrive on Saturday June 21, while others will arrive Lagos on Sunday.
  Also, ITTF officials led by African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy as well as his deputy, Henri Djombo from Congo Brazzaville will be in Lagos by Sunday.
  ITTF Marketing Director, Australia’s Mr. Steve Daintom will also be in Lagos.
  The draw for the championship will hold on Sunday, while some top players will be seeded for the competition.
  Meanwhile, winners in the men and women singles event will get N.8m each while players that make it to the round of 16 will get cash reward for their efforts.
  Semifinalists in the U-21 event will also be rewarded for their efforts.
   As a Challenge Series in the ITTF World Tour, players are expected to amass point for their world ranking at the tournament.
  Preliminary matches will kick off on Monday June 23, while the main draw will commence on Tuesday June 24.
 Nigerian players aiming to be part of the main draw event are now sweating it out across the country with the intention of playing in the elite stage of the championship.
  Some of the Nigerian players already in the country for the tournament are Germany-based Funke Oshonaike, Portugal-based Ganiat Olatunde-Aruna, as well as Italy-based Olajide Omotayo.
  Over 15 countries including Nigeria will compete in the N8.5m prize money tournament holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium from June 23 to 26.

NBBF Name 24 Players for Maiden National LeagueFemale All Star Game

 

The Nigerian Basketball Federation has selected 24 players to compete in the first ever Female All Star game. This is part celebration of the 10th anniversary of Zenith Bank's unbroken sponsorship of the National female basketball league.

The All Star game which would be aired Live on SuperSport is slated for 3pm on Friday June 20, 2014 at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium.  Two teams Sea Waves and Ocean Breeze will compete for the giant All Star game trophy in the much anticipated exhibition game.  For the Sea Waves team we have Atosu Upe (First Deep Water); Amaka Nwakamma (Dolphins) ; Nkechi Akashili (First Deep Water); Juliet Currency (Dolphins) ; Nana Ayisha (FCT Angels); Christiana Isaac (IGP Queens); Tinuke Arowosafe (Dolphins) ; Uju Nweke (Delta Force); Kojo Nadege (Dolphins); Esther Igben (Delta Force); Nkem Akaraiwe (First Bank) and Korede Bello (Sunshine Angels) . The Sea Waves will be coached by First Bank's Adewunmi Aderemi and assisted by Sunday Asisah of FCT Angels while the Ocean Breeze have all stars Patience Whyte (First Bank); Ebere Okeke (FCT Angels); Naomi Jonathan (IGP Queens); Eva Atunuwa (Sunshine Angels); Theresa Samuel (Customs); Oluchi Nweke (First Bank); Rebecca Iritei (Sunshine Angels); Magdalene Ukato (First Deep Water); Chioma Udeaja(First Bank); Abimbola Olumodeji (Customs); Nancy Irabor Romeo (IGP Queens);  and Fatou Diabate (First Deep Water). Ocean Breeze will be coached by First Deep Water head coach Lateef Erinfolami and assisted by Dolphins Ochuko okorogwu.

The All Star game will also have a 3 points shootout contest  and skills challenge that will involve celebrities, veterans and coaches competing against each other. Some of the big names expected to take part in the event include Nollywood actor, producer and film maker Kunle Afolayan, Founder and owner of First Deep Water Basketball club Tunde Babalola, national team coaches Abdulrahman Muhammed,  Lateef Erinfolami, and some former female league stars  Taiye Adeniyi, Shola Ogunade, Ochuko Okworogun and Gloria Edward.

WOMEN,S BASKETBALL

The Nigerian Basketball Federation announced on Monday that  the knockout phase of 10th Zenith Bank Female Basketball league and All Star Game will be shown Live on Television.

According to the League Director Mr Agboola Phinerho this addition is to afford fans and supporters of the various basketball teams in various parts of the country and in diaspora who are cannot make it down to the National Stadium in Lagos an opportunity to cheer and support their beloved teams in the championship race.
Beyond that, He said " this initiative is also to expose the talents in the Nigerian female league to the global community, just as it is seen in the Men's league sponsored by DSTV".

Sports Television giants SuperSport will begin coverage of Nigeria's premier female basketball league in the knockout stages on Wednesday, 18th June with two classification games at 2 and 4pm respectively, before shifting focus to Thursday's Semifinal battle at 3 and 5pm.

The much anticipated maiden Zenith Bank Female ALL STAR Game will Jump Ball at 4pm on friday 2oth June. Before the "Grand Finale" the crowning of the 2014 champions on Saturday, 21st June at 4pm after the 3rd place playoff game has been decided at 1pm the same day.

SuperSport is billed air a total of 8 Live games in 4 days as opposed to last season where only the final match was televised Live.

EGYPT,S ASSAR

On his first visit to Nigeria in 2013, Egypt’s Omar Assar enjoyed support from the Lagos fans and the African champion believes that this will aid his quest for honours at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-sanctioned Lagos World Tour tagged Nigeria Open.
  The 2013 Lagos Classics winner is however relying on warm reception he got during his maiden visit to Nigeria.
  “I enjoyed Lagos Classics 2013 so much during my first time in Nigeria and I was impressed with the beauty of Lagos and the relaxing mood.  I was also was impressed by the enormous support I got from the spectators and table tennis fans in Nigeria. I liked it because I was well known in Lagos during and after the competition too. Their sportsmanship spirit thrilled me as they came to the stadium to enjoy good game regardless of who was winning. I am looking forward to enjoy Lagos 2014 again with good performance,” Assar said.
  He however, expressed optimism that the eight-man Egyptian team would put up a good show. “Egypt will participate with the best team and I am sure we are going to face many good teams including Nigeria. I really do hope that all the Egyptian players have prepared well for Lagos 2014 to be able to have good tournament,” he said.
  For him, he hopes to enjoy himself as well be among the top players. His words: “My personal target is to enjoy Lagos and to play a nice table tennis.”
  Assar, who is at present on a 20-day training tour of China, could not forget in a hurry the hospitality he got from the organisers in 2013.
  He said: “The reception in 2013 was awesome and I think the organization was so good coupled with the efforts by the media team in helping me to stay focused and to solve any problem. I could recall that I fell sick at the start of the competition and the organisers helped me to get back very fast. I will remain grateful to the President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for his care last year and also in Tokyo, Japan, he was so interested to know if I will come this year.”
  He described Nigerian players as skillful, “I personally have a respect for all Nigerian players -men, women and coaches because of the way they comported themselves during the 2013 edition of the competition,” he added.

 

 

 

 

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

Nigeria’s growing reputation in global wheelchair tennis has suffered a huge dent following the country’s withdrawal from the BNP Paribas World Team Cup which served off Monday at the Nieuwe Sloot Tennis Centre in Alphen, Netherlands. The World Team Cup is wheelchair tennis version of the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup.

Nigeria won the African qualifiers held in March in Kenya by beating Morocco and there was widespread optimism that the country could grab a promotion to the World Group I following the rapid improvement of the game in the country which was highlighted by the nation’s participation at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the 2012 Olympics in London which makes the development a major setback for the game in the country.

The triumph in Kenya was the third in a row for the country’s men team which makes them Africa’s top-ranked nation but the gap between them and their nearest rivals, Morocco will get closer at the end of the tournament due to their unexpected absence.

Nigeria’s place was occupied by Romania following Sunday evening’s draw which has Canada and Italy in Pool 4.

At the finals of the CBN championship which served as the last phase of preparations for the 31-nation tournament featuring 52 teams, some of the players had complained about lack of motivation but promised to make a mark in the tournament as a way of securing sponsorships and also getting more domestic tournaments.

Aside the CBN, the only regular tournament the players have is the New Era Tournament, bankrolled by the foundation of Senator Oluremi Tinubu but was last held in 2010.

BADMINTON

United States, France and 13 others have confirmed their participation in the Lagos International Badminton Classics scheduled to hold on June 4 to 7 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park.

  The tournament has also been sanctioned and listed by the world badminton ruling body - Badminton Word Federation (BWF) has an International Challenge with prize money of $15,000.

   As the highest category of championship ever hosted by any African country, the Confederation of Africa Badminton has also backed the tournament, as its attendance is also the highest for any badminton international championship in Africa.

  Among the 15 nations already confirmed for the competition, five African nations made up of Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana and host – Nigeria will join teams from Europe and America.

  France will lead the teams from Europe, while others are, Austria, Italy, Israel, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. The remaining countries are Canada, United States, India and New Zealand.

   Four events - men's single, women's single, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles will be competed for at the championship.

  The participants are expected to arrive Nigeria on June 3.

  According to the chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Lagos Sports Classics, Wahid Oshodi, the staging of the tournament has continued to attract top players to Lagos and Nigeria and this has confirmed the potential that are abound in sports in Nigeria.

  “Again, the badminton classics has brought international attention to Nigeria especially with the quality of teams that had already confirmed their participation. We hope to raise the standard and ensure that our visitors enjoy the warm and hospitality of the Centre of Excellence. We have raised the standard and we hope to continue to improve on our organization as we welcome some of the world’s best to Lagos next month,” he said.

  For the Chairman, Lagos State Badminton Association, Francis Orbih, the championship would afford Nigerian players to test might with some of these top players.

  “We are happy with this development and we hope that this will surely help our players to improve themselves. We hoping that this competition will also to increase more awareness about badminton in the country,” Orbih said.

  

 

PRIVATE INITIATIVE FOR TAEKWANDO

Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, Chika Chukwumerije, has called on the private sector to financially support taekwondo in discovering, engaging, encouraging and exposing upcoming athletes.

 Speaking on the backdrop of the three bronze medals won by the five-man team that Nigeria at the Africa Senior Taekwondo Championships, held in Tunis, Tunisia a fortnight ago, Chukwumerije lauded the support the team got from Abuja-based Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited for taking the initiative to throw its weight behind the team to the tournament.

  Members of the team included current African Games Gold Medallists, Uche Perez Chukwumerije and Jamilu Mohammed, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, African medallists Sunday Onofe and Joy Ekhator.

  “The trip would not have been possible without the timely support of Zuma Energy and our other sponsors who would like to remain anonymous, so I am thankful to the Executive Chairman, Innocent Ezuma, who responded to the reach-out by my Foundation to the private sector for support”

   Undefeated Nationally for the past six years, two-time All African Games Medallist, Miss Joy Ekhator, who won a Bronze Medal at the tournament commended CCSF for pushing the initiative to source funds for the trip, and thanked Zuma Energy Nigeria Ltd for being one of the co-sponsors of the trip. “

  “Without the efforts made, I would not have been able to come here and gain ranking points. I train very hard every day, but it is still difficult to go and compete against opponents that compete week in week out”

  Current Defending All African Games Champion, Jamilu Muhammad, who crashed out in the Quarterfinals was more direct, “No Money, No Medals”. I have not competed internationally since the last All African Games, even though I am constantly training, thus I was a bit match rusty.

  The Kano-state born Taekwondoist enthusiast further reflected, “I am Number 46 in the world, and I sometimes wonder what my ranking would be if I could compete more? I am grateful that I competed at this event. It has enabled me see the opposition for next year’s All African Games, and I would use the experience gained to teach other young Taekwondo upcoming athletes when I get back to Kano”.

  Pointing at a good example laid, the CCSF Boss, Chika Chukwumerije, urged the private sector to take the cue of Zuma Energy Ltd in providing the kind of sustained support that would “give life to the real dreams of millions of Nigerian Sportsmen and Women across the country, especially when they have clear operational plans and genuine medal-winning possibilities in the foreseeable future”.

  “Athletes are very visible, and can serve, not only as a source of inspiration to our future generation, but also as a deep spring of pride for the Nation. They deserve to be supported by the business community”

  “The recent performances of Okagbare recently, the victories of the Super Eagles at the last Nation’s Cup, the last U-17 World Cup winners, and the exploits of our weightlifter Usman at the last Commonwealth are some examples of sporting feats that provide hope to young people, and bring smiles to millions of Nigerians”

  Chukwumerije urged the private sector to invest in communities in which they operate all over Nigeria, as “investing now would give Nigeria an edge in the Commonwealth this year, All African Games next year and at the RIO 2016 Olympics”

  “Everybody loves a winner, and companies can leverage on potential Olympic Gold Medals to be won by Nigeria’s talented athletes by investing in their training and exposure now.”

 

 

 

IBILE GAMES

Lagos State Volleyball Association (LSVA) has assured that majority of secondary schools players featuring at the ongoing Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games 2014 will be invited to camp ahead of the forthcoming DAWN Games scheduled to begin on May 16.

  Technical Director, Suraj Olajide Olatuga told reporters on Monday that it has been a long time he has seen young volleyball players displaying tactical volleyball skills to the admiration of the association's technical team, adding that the performance of the players have shown that volleyball has improved following the players' second liner attack and floating service which are the most effective services in the sport.

  Olatuga noted that the initiative behind the Lagos State Adopt- A-Talent Sport Programme has yielded positive result in the building of future Volleyball players for Lagos.

  According to him, Lagos will be a team to beat in the volleyball event at the DAWN Games, a competition for Secondary schools in the Southwest of the country.

  "We are having a total of 18 secondary schools of eleven boys schools and seven girls schools competing in the Volleyball event of Ibile Games.

  In some of the games played on Monday at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, International School Lagos (ISL) defeated New Era Girls’ High School, 2- 0, while Rockford Secondary School defeated Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja, 2- 0 in the girls’ category.

  United Christian Secondary School defeated Habibat Mogaji Secondary School, 2- 0 in the boys’ event.

  The game is played on round robin format as the participating schools were paired in two groups of five teams in the boys’ event, while their girls counterparts were drawn in two groups of four teams.   

  The best two teams will qualify for the semi final holding on Tuesday, while finals are fixed for Wednesday.

  Meanwhile, former Lagos State number one female table tennis player, Fatimo Bello, has expressed her happiness that she was able to use ongoing Ibile Games to prove that she is still a force to reckon with in the game.

  Bello who was sanctioned by Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) was recently left off the hook placed on her since 2012.

  Bello, a left-hand player, who represented Itire Ikate LCDA, won the women’s singles after she defeated Alimot Ayinla of Lagos Mainland Local Government by four straight set of 11-8, 11-6, 12-10, 11-3, in the final decided at the knock-up hall of the National stadium, Surulere.

  To reach the final, Bello, who was part of the Lagos State table tennis team that went on a training tour of Asia, prior to the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged EKO 2012 Games, beat, Sidi Yaya of Lagos Island West LCDA in the semi final clash.

  "Many are thinking that with the ban placed on me, I won't be on top of my game at the sports festival, but I'm glad that my critics were proved wrong with the gold medal I won now. I'm so happy and thank God," she said.

TABLE TENNIS

Nigeria’s quest for promotion to the championship suffered a setback at the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship when the Segun Toriola loss narrowly to England in the quarterfinal stage to settle for the seventh place in division two.

  From the performance of the team in Tokyo, Japan, it was obvious that this is the outstanding outing for the team in the championship while the encounter against England has also put the team in good frame for the 2014 Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland in July this year.

  England most times dominate Nigeria in most of their meeting, but with what transpired in Tokyo at the weekend, Nigeria is returning to its fine form with the excellent performance in Japan by the quartet of Toriola, Aruna Quadri, Ojo Onaolapo and Kazeem Makanjuola.

  Having come through from the group to beat Turkey in the knockout stage, the team started the match against England on a good note when Quadri, who finished 16 at the 2014 Spanish Open beat the Paul Drinkhall 12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6 to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead. Drinkhall won the Spanish Open few weeks ago in the city of Almeria in Spain but against Quadri he was beaten black and blue.

  Toriola increased the lead when he fought well to beat Liam Pitchford 10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6.

  But the turning point for the English side was against Onaolapo who was beaten 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 by Daniel Reed. This put the overall result at 2-1 with Nigeria leading.

  The win against Onaolapo brought out the best in the British players who went to win their next two matches against Quadri and Toriola.

  In the fourth game, Pitchford avenged Drinkhall loss to Quadri when he overwhelmed Quadri 5-11, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, while Drinkhall rounded up the game with 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 9-11 win over Toriola to put the overall result at 3-2.

  However, England captain, Drinkhall admitted that the encounter against the Nigerians remained the most difficult game for them in the tournament.

“We’re really happy to have come through, we had a difficult start to the match with me losing the first match. I think if I would have won that, we might have won 3-0; this was the first real test for our team and I am happy we made it through. I think we can take this match as positive,” Drinkhall admitted.

  Also, table tennis buffs lauded the Nigerians for giving a good account of themselves against England as well as their overall performance in the competition.

  “I never expect much from the Nigerians but since the start of the tournament, they have proved to be a good team especially with what they played against England. I think they are a good side and they just need to continue in the fine form to get back to the elite division. I wish them well,” said Japan’s Ishikawa Juan.

  Meanwhile, the Nigerian female team also gave a good account of themselves in the classification match to avoid relegation with win over Peru, Turkey and Israel. The wins ensured that the team remains in division two for the next edition of the competition holding in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016.

  The performance of Nigeria will surely improve their world rating when the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) released the next world ranking after the championship.

DAWN GAMES

Chairman of Media and Publicity Subcommittee of the DAWN Games, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, has said that the tournament would help foster good relationship among the youth of the south-west states of the country.

  The maiden edition of the DAWN Games, a competition among secondary schools in Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States, will be held in Lagos from May 16 to 24, 2014.

  The chairman of the Media Subcommittee, who is also the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State said the competition would bring youth in the region together to compete in a healthy environment, adding that the DAWN Games is symbolic because the south-west states want to show the rest of the country the cordial relationship that exists within the people and governments of the region and the need to use youth and sports to preach unity among the people.

  Meanwhile, as the kick off date of the Games draws nearer, Team Ogun say they can't wait for the school sports championship to start.

  Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Mr. Adesola Faleti, said the state's athletes are ready and are in good sporting form to excel at the

competition.

  "The athletes have been training for a couple of months. We are going to participate in 12 sports events and in Ogun State, we specialise in more than 33 sports, thus taking 12 out of 33 won’t be a problem for us," said Faleti during the inspection of facilities and venues for the championship which took place recently in Lagos.

  Faleti noted that the Games would enable Ogun State Sports Council to assess its grassroots developmental programmes which has been well supported by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and more importantly it would assist the sports council the opportunity to replace its ageing athletes.

''Since inception of Governor Amosun’s administration, we had been mandated to develop sports at the grassroots. I think the DAWN Games will definitely assist us to discover budding talent to replace the older athletes,” he said.

The former national pugilist said the state's effective grassroots sports programme had earned Ogun a positive result as the National Sports Commission, NSC, invited over 22 athletes from the state to the national team, while six junior football players were also invited to the camp of the national U-13 team.

"DAWN Games can bring positive and better future for the nation as athletes we will discover in the regional championship can be selected for the country’s future international outings.

“I believe the DAWN Games is another opportunity to explain the commitment of the southwest state governments towards building Nigerian future stars who would take over from the ageing national athletes. The DAWN Games is the needed grassroots developmental programme which we can use to aid the growth of sports and the   wellbeing  of our athletes,” he said.

He concluded that Ogun State Sports Council is working with the support of the Ministry of Education to place athletes that will excel in the DAWN Games on scholarship for them to continue their education.

The DAWN Games will feature 12 sports, which are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and volleyball with over 2000 athletes and officials expected to participate.

  The events will take place at Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and Agege Stadium. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Iyana-Ipaja will serve as the Games Village.

IBILE GAMES

Team Lagos Island West Local Government have made their intention of winning the ongoing Lagos State Sports Festival tagged IBILE Games 2014 known with their outstanding performance in most events as the tourney enters day six on Monday.

  Athletes from Lagos Island West are leading the medal table as at Sunday morning with 87 medals.

  They have won 43 gold, 18 silver and 26 bronze medals so far, followed by Surulere with 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze, while Team Itire Ikate LCDA are third with 5 gold, 6 silver and 16 bronze. Ibeju Lekki are in the fourth position with 4 gold, 5 silver and 10 bronze, while Coker Aguda are fifth with 2 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze medals.

  The Junior Category for secondary school athletes is not different as schools within Lagos Island West are leading.

  The Boys' Singles Tennis final decided at the weekend at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba was won by Martins Abamu of P&P Comprehensive College.

  Abamu beat Stephen Augustine of Lafiaji Junior School, while Michael Osewa of Brain Point Branded Schools and Michael Ayoola of Ebute Elefun Senior High School won bronze medals respectively.

  In Girls Singles, Oyinlomo Quadri of Maryanne College won gold, Marylove Edwards of Efuntunde Nursery/Primary School settled for silver medal, while Venus Ubiebi of Unique Breed College and Adebayo Ajibola of Eletu Odibo Senior High School won bronze medals.   In the Boys’ Doubles, the duo of Michael Osewa of Brainpoint Branded School and Michael Ayoola of Ebute Elefun Senior High School won gold, while gold medal of the Girls’ Doubles event was won by the duo of Oyinlomo Quadri of Maryanne College and Marylove Edwards of Efuntunde Nursery/Primary School.

  In Gymnastic, Lagos Island West won the event with 8 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze medals. Itire -Ikate came second with 2 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals, while Coker Aguda came third with 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.   Lagos Island West swept the medals in Weightlifting with 27 gold, 15silver and 12 bronze medals.

  Meanwhile, boxers who had been busy undergoing medicals and weigh in at the weekend will start their trade on Monday at the Jalisco Sports Centre at Oshodi.

  This event will be competed in both junior and senior categories.

  Other events that will start on Monday include Handball, Kung-Fu and Badminton at the Rowe Park, Yaba. Cricket at TBS Oval, Onikan and Jubril Grammar, Iponri

IBILE GAMES.

Lagos Island West and East Local Government Councils ensured that they won the two gold medals at stake in both the male and female categories of Ayo in the ongoing Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games 2014.

  In the finals played at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Ibe Patricia of Lagos Island East beat Atinuke Mohammed of Itire Ikate LCDA to win the gold medal in the female event, while the duo of Omidiji Bosede of Lagos Island West and Kemi Aiyegbusi of Osodi Isolo won bronze medals.

  In the male category, Akanbi Rasheed of Lagos Island West won gold medal, Seun Aiyedun of Iru Victoria Island LCDA settled for silver, while the pair of Idowu Ademola of Itire Ikate LCDA and Kehinde Amaechi of Osodi Isolo won bronze medals.

  In some of the results of basketball event decided Thursday, in the Senior Category, Lagos Mainland beat Yaba LCDA 24-22 points in the group match of the boys' category, while Yaba in their second game defeated Odi-Olowo 27-23 points. Ikoyi Obalende lost to Ojokoro 34-32 points, while Bariga beat Ikorodu North 41-08 points.

  In the female junior basketball event competed for by schools, Foucus College beat Victoria College 2-1, Shomolu Secondary School lost to Aiyetoro Grammar School 0-25, while Wesley College defeated Ilupeju Grammar School, 11-2. In the boys' event, Muslim Grammar School lost to Victoria College 20-29, while Ifesowapo High School beat Eletu Odibo Senior High School 8-6.

  Day three of Ibile Games (Friday) will see finals of some events such as Weighlifting and Gymnastics taking place at the Rowe Park, Yaba Meanwhile, Number one seed in the Secondary School category of the Squash event of Ibile Games has commended the Lagos State Government for organising a grassroots based competition that will pave way for young Squash players to exhibit their skills.

  Adegoke, 16, who is in Senior Secondary School, 3, of Lagos City College, Yaba, said the Ibile Games was an avenue for the state junior Squash players to acquire skills and also develop their interest in the game, stressing that the tourney has brought healthy rivalry among Squash players featuring in the Games.   

  According to him, the Games has put Lagos State in a vantage position to record outstanding performance in any organised youth Games in the country, adding that the competition has shown that the State has a pool of talented young squash players

  "There is no doubt Lagos State will be able to use Ibile Games to prepare its athletes for the forthcoming DAWN which will hold from 16-24. Apart from Squash, we'll be able to present a formidable team for the southwest Games," said Adegoke

 

TABLE TENNIS

In their usual style, Nigeria showed its supremacy over Canada in the
last group match of Group E of the ongoing World Team Table Tennis
Championship holding in Tokyo, Japan.
  In most of their meeting in major competitions, Nigeria have always
dominated Canada and again in Tokyo on Thursday, the Segun Toriola-led
male team overcame the Canadians 3-1 to finish second behind Czech
Republic in the group.
  Despite Toriola’s 13-15, 8-11, 6-11, loss to Canada’s Andre Ho in
the first game, rave of the moment Aruna Quadri put the match at par
when he beat Theriault Pierre-Luc 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10.
  Ojo Onaolapo increased the lead with another 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
win over Vincent Rousseau-Emond. To compete the 3-1 victory over the
Canadians, Toriola was made to work hard in his bid to beat Pierre-Luc
8-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5.
  Also on Thursday, Czech Republic maintained their 100 per cent record
in the group with a 3-0 bashing of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  The Czechs won all their five matches to top the group ahead of
Nigeria, which won four of the five matches to play second fiddle to the
European.
  Nigeria male team is still in the race for promotion, as the knockout
stage of the division two will hold on Friday.
  Meanwhile, the female team will be fighting to remain in the division
two after losing its fourth game to Turkey on Thursday.
  The team inspired by Funke Oshonaike will have to redouble its efforts
in the classification matches that will decide the teams that are
expected to remain in division two.

SQUASH

Following the success of the Lagos International Squash Classics, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) has listed the tournament as one of its 2014 World Tours.

   According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PSA, Alex Gough, the last major tournament hosted by Nigeria was in 2008 and the return of the tour to Lagos would lure a lot of top class players to the competition.

  "It is fantastic to see high level international competition returning to Nigeria and the enthusiasm and passion for the sport which is so evident among the tournament organisers is great to see," said Gough.

  The tournament tagged 2014 Lagos International Squash Classic is a PSA International 25, which is one the highest levels for the fourth quarter of the year in the PSA calendar.

  The last PSA World Tour event to be held in Nigeria was the 2008 Africa Open won by current SquashTV presenter, Joey Barrington.

  According to the Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association, Sanya Akindele, hosting the tournament would indeed improve the fortune of the game. "We're delighted to be working together with the PSA to see top class squash return to the country and to see some of the biggest names in squash coming to Nigeria,” he said.

  Akindele added: “We are very excited to be hosting the Lagos International Squash Classic in 2014 and we are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting week of competition and I hope that it will help boost the popularity of the sport within Nigeria."

  For the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Lagos Sports Classics, Wahid Oshodi, this is an indication that the Classics has grown in international status in its first year.

  “We are thrilled that the classics is getting more recognition and this was made possible following the enormous support we got and we are still getting from the sports loving Governor of Lagos and we hope that this competition will continue to improve each year. We are hoping that this year will be bigger and better in terms of organization,” Oshodi said

BASKETBALL FROM NBBF

As part of giving back to its immediate community, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, will on Friday embark on its Community Outreach Programme with a visit to future players of the game and the less privileged in the society.

According to the president of the NBBF, Tijjani Umar, the day's programme will begin at 10.30 am with a visit to the current champions of the National Secondary Schools Basketball Championships, the International School, Lagos at Akoka where the students will be given career talks and other motivational addresses.

Speaking through Olumide Oyedeji, Board member and member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the All Stars Game, Umar said the NBBF team which will include some members of the All Stars team will take the students on some basketball skills as well as allow a question and answer session with them.

“The president and I will take the students on career talks and motivational interface. I will particularly talk to them about myself, how basketball took me from nowhere to where I am today while allowing them time for questions and answers,”he said.

Olumide who is the co-captain of the senior men's national team said the Community Outreach programme will also take the NBBF team to the Old People's Home in Yaba where “we will be having lunch with them and then present some gift items to them thereafter.”

The programme will be rounded off at the National Stadium in Surulere later in the day.

NBBF names 24 All Star players

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, has released a list of 24 players and six officials from the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences of the Dstv Premier League for this weekend's All Stars game scheduled for the University of Lagos indoor hall in Akoka, Lagos.

According to the NBBF/DStv League Director, Agboola Pinheiro, 12 players and three officials each were selected from the two conferences for the game holding in Lagos on Saturday with Kano Pillars and Mark Mentors dominating the Savannah Conference list.

“The Savannah Conference will be handled by coaches Peter Ahmedu (Mark Mentors) and Abdulrahaman Mohammed(Gombe Bulls) with former international, Lawal Garba as Team Manager while Coaches Adeboye Aderiboye (Oluyole Warriors) and Chris Nomingo (Dodan Warriors) will handle the Atlantic Conference team with former international, Deji Jaiyeola as Team Manager,” Pinheiro disclosed in Lagos.

Coach Sani Ahmed of Kano Pillars is Head coach of the Savannah All Stars team but has some family commitments while Head coach of the Atlantic Conference, Lati Erinfolami of Islanders, who is also coach of First Deep Water Basketball team will be leading his team to Ilorin for the second phase of the Zenith Bank Women's League.

Players picked from the Savannah Conference are Abubakar Usman, Dele Ademola, Mathew Monya, Onyeka Okeke and Adeolu Ojoh from Kano Pillars, Stanley Gumut, Abdul Yahaya, Akpara Akiti and Timothy Kwor from Mark Mentors, Chibuzor John, Plateau Peaks, John Mathais and Joseli Ibrahim from Gombe Bulls.

The Atlantic Conference players are Chiwendu Nwaigbo and Ibrahim Okpe from Islanders, Obum Onyia, William Ndouba, Solomon Ajebeyi and Boniface Synesius from Union Bank, Azouma Dike and Mamadou Savadogo from Dodan Warriors, Lanre Alimi, Kwara Falcons, Emmanuel Balogun, Customs and Femi Adekanye, Oluyole Warriors.

Niger Potters fined, warned over abandoned match

For failing to honour its Week 7 game against Gombe Bulls in Gombe on April 18, 2014, Niger Potters Basketball Club of Minna have been fined N60,000 while the match is awarded to Gombe Bulls with a warning that such should not repeat itself in their own interest.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF stated in a letter to the club that the fine is to cover the money expended on the match officials who were on ground for the aborted match.

In acknowledging the response of Niger Potters to the federation's query on the aborted game, the NBBF noted that while it appreciates the club's dire financial condition as explained, “it will no longer be acceptable as a reason for not honouring matches in the future (as) we will apply the maximum penalty of relegation if this happens again.”

It would be recalled that Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt suffered the same fate after they failed to show up for the season's opener against Dodan Warriors in Lagos on March 7, 2014 and were subsequently walked over by the Lagos side.

IBILE GAMES

Lagos State Sports Festival tagged IBILE Games 2014 got underway yesterday with activities already lighting up various centres across the state.

  At least seven sports, Ayo, Basketball, Darts, Table Tennis, Para Table Tennis, Deaf Table Tennis and Squash were the events which heralded Day One of the competition at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba and the Knock Up Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while other centres will witness action in sports such as Swimming, Taekwondo, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Tennis on Thursday.

  The tournament, which will end on 10 May, is involving no fewer than 162 secondary schools (public, private, missionary, military and para military) which are competing in the Junior Category, while the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas are taking part in the Senior/Open Category.

  One of the athletes expected to headline the tournament, Oyinlomo Quadri, said that she is looking forward to winning gold medal in Tennis for Maryanne Private School, Lagos Island. She said: “I have been training seriously with the aim of re-enacting the feat I recorded at the last National School Sports Festival in Ilorin, Kwara State where I won gold medal for Lagos State. I trained hard to give my all in order to get a slot in Team Lagos for the DAWN Games,” she said.

  To Ogunsanwo Emmanuel, who will feature in the Badminton event for Lagos City Senior High School, “expectation from my school is for me to win a gold medal in this event and I’m ready not to fall short of this.” Akintola Otega, a gymnast for the same school noted performing very well at the IBILE Games will afford the opportunity of featuring at the DAWN Games, adding that she is in high spirit to compete for her school at the tournament.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS

Adham Sharara elected to the new position of ITTF Chairman

ITTF President Adham Sharara (right) announcing that he will be retiring from the ITTF Presidency and Deputy President (Left) will become the new ITTF President on 1 September 2014. Photo Credit: ITTF/Remy Gros

Quick links Editorial Photos: http://www.actionimages.com/ittf/ (Login Name: ITTF Media Password : ITTF2000) About the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President Mr Adham SHARARA was elected to the newly created position of "Chairman of the ITTF" today at the ITTF Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Tokyo, Japan. 80% of the AGM delegates voted in favour of creating this position, and Mr SHARARA was voted as the first ever "Chairman of the ITTF" with 90% of the votes. The position "Chairman of the ITTF" is an independent and non-political position without any voting or decision-making power. The "Chairman of the ITTF" will chair the ITTF AGM each year. The new position comes into effect on 1 September 2014 at which time Mr SHARARA will retire as ITTF President, a position that he has held for the past 15 years. At the conclusion of the AGM, the 60 year old Canadian stated: "I am very happy with the outcome. This new position is very well suited to me at this stage, and I will have the time to contribute efficiently in special focus areas needed for the further development of the ITTF. The new plan is designed to move table tennis into the top 5 sports in the world." According to the ITTF constitution, item 1.7.1, the ITTF Deputy President Thomas WEIKERT (GER) will succeed Mr SHARARA as the ITTF President on 1 September 2014. "I am honored to be the next ITTF President," stated Mr WEIKERT, who is also the President of the German Table Tennis Association. I have very big shoes to fill, as Adham has done a fantastic job growing the sport over the past 15 years. However, I am excited about the challenge and I am looking forward to building on the good work Adham has achieved in his Presidency." During Mr SHARARA's 15 years as ITTF President, he has overseen major changes designed to make the ITTF more commercially viable and attractive to TV audiences. This included changing the games from "first to 21 points" to "first to 11 points", and increasing the size of the ball from 38mm to 40mm, just to name a few. Mr SHARARA is leaving the ITTF in good health, after being in charge since 1999. The ITTF's growth under Mr SHARARA includes: ITTF moving up the Olympic funding table after London 2012. ITTF's major events being broadcasted live in 110 countries. ITTF having the third highest number of social media followers among all Olympic international federations. ITTF currently holding over 75 events a year in all corners of the globe. ITTF having 220 National Associations , which is the equal highest of any International Federation second highest of any sport on the planet.  The 2014 AGM was held during the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships, which is being held between 28 April - 5 May 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

TABLA TENNIS

Team Nigeria on Wednesday in Tokyo showed the Super Eagles how to beat
Bosnia-Herzegovina at the World when the Segun Toriola-led side thrashed
the European side 3-1 at the ongoing 2014 World Team Table Tennis
Championship.
  Toriola started the onslaught, while Aruna Quadri increased the tally
to 2-0 but Ojo Onaolapo fell in the third game to put the game at 2-1.
  Like a true leader, Toriola rounded up the match with a win to give
Nigeria a 3-1 win.
  However, the respite of the female team was thwarted yesterday when
they were beaten 3-0 by Portugal in their fourth game. Out of the four
matches played so far by the Funke Oshonaike-captained side, the team
has lost three with the only win recorded against Italy on Tuesday.
  The team last group game will be against Turkey on Thursday.
  But the male team has done creditably winning three out of its four
matches with the only defeat, which they suffered against Czech
Republic.
  The team will also on Thursday battle Canada in their bid to gain
promotion to the elite division.
  Meanwhile, victory over the Slovak Republic on the first day of play
but defeats against China and DPR Korea meant that Romanian trio of
Daniela Monteiro Dodean, Elizabeta Samara and Bernadette Szocs, success
against Austria was vital in their Women’s Championship Division
contest.
  A win was delivered and delivered in a most impressive manner; three
matches to nil being the score-line.

Daniela Monteiro Dodean beat Liu Jia (3-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9),
Elizabeta Samara followed suit by overcoming Elena Waggermayer (11-6,
11-4, 11-6), with Bernadette Szocs concluding matters.
  She recovered from a two games to nil deficit against Li Qiangbing to
secure a five games success (9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6).

CENTRAL BANK TENNIS

The 36^th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship will hold in Lagos from May 7-17 with the champions and finalists in the men and women singles respectively to get N700, 000 and N500, 000 each.

Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communication Department of the nation’s apex bank said the championship since inception in 1979, has produced talented players that have flown Nigeria’s flag at several local and tournaments.

He added that the championship, which prize money has increased to N14, 300, 000 from N9, 060, 000 last year, serves as a platform for discovering emerging stars that have represented Nigeria at major competitions such as the Davis Cup and the All Africa Games.

“We are of the view of the timing of this year’s championship would afford the NTF the opportunity to select players to represent Nigeria at the Davis Cup tournament scheduled to hold in September 2014,” Okorafor said.

He also acknowledged the impart made through the  introduction of the Wheelchair tennis last year following Nigeria’s winning of the African Championship in Kenya in March which ensured qualification for the World Team Cup from May 24-30. The tournament will serve as qualifier for the event which will feature about 40 countries in The Netherlands.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the CBN’s support tennis with a view to promote and develop the game in line with the financial institution’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

NTF President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, who was represented by the immediate 1^st vice president, Yemi Owoseni, commended the support of the CBN stressing that the federation is particularly challenged by the determination of the sponsor’s resolve to the development of the game particularly through the Junior Tennis Initiative aimed at discovering future stars to serve a feeder to the championship.

2014 IBILE GAMES

 

With the official receipt of the torch for the 2014 Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games by the Conference 57, the torch tour kicks off with the visit to all the Local Government Areas, LGAs, and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in the state.

  Conference 57 is the umbrella body of all chairmen and chairpersons of Lagos' 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, which is headed by Akeem Omoyele Sulaimon of Bariga LCDA. The Ibile Games will hold from April 30 to May 10, 2014.

  Receiving the Torch of Unity during the Joint Allocation Committee (JAC) meeting of the in Lagos at the weekend, Secretary of the Conference, Hakeem Adisa Bamgbola said that with the body receiving the Torch of Unity, it symbolised the beginning of the Games 2014 with the Tour of the torch.

  "I think IBILE Games 2014 just started with us receiving the Torch before it travels to all the local councils in the state," said Bamgbola, who is also the Executive Chairman of Itire Ikate LCDA.

  "All the local councils are fully prepared because we have submitted our forms and I must say we are ready for the Games. I also want to reiterate that Conference 57 will no doubt support the organisers of the championship as we'll put heads together to see how we can put our weight behind a successful organisation of the competition this year," he said.

  According to the itinerary of the tour released by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament, the torch tour will begin tomorrow with visit to Iru-Victoria Island, Lekki, Eti-Osa, Eti- Osa East, Ibeju Lekki and Ikoyi-Obalende.

  On Wednesday, it will be the turn of Coker-Aguda, Itire-Ikate, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye, Mushin, Onigbongbo, Shomolu, Bariga, Kosofe, Agboyi-Ketu and Ikosi-Isheri.

  On Thursday, the Torch will go to. Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo, Ejigbo, Igando- Ikotun, Egbe-Idmu, Agege, Alimosho, Ayobo-Ipaja, Agbado-Oke Odo, Ojokoro, Mosan-Okunola, Orile-Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojodu.

  Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo, Iba, Otto-Awori, Oriade, Ifelodun, Ajegunle, Apapa and Apapa-Iganmu will receive the Torch on Friday.

  On Monday April 28, the tour will visit Ikorodu Central, Igbogb-Baiyeku, Ikorodu West, Ikorodu North, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island East, Lagos Island, Ikeja and Surulere.

  The following day, it will be Epe, Eredo, Ikosi-Ejirin, Imota and Ijede, while the torch tour will be rounded off on Wednesday April 30, with the visit to Badagry, Badagry West and Olorunda.

DAWN GAMES

The Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) and inspection of facilities for the DAWN Games (South West Secondary Schools Games) holding in Lagos, comes up this week from Thursday April 23 to 25, 2014.

  The DAWN Games, involving all the southwest states of Nigeria - Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Ondo, starts May 16 to 24, this year in Lagos.

  According to the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the Director of Sports/ General Manager, Sports Council and the Director in charge of sports in the Ministry of Education will represent each state at the JTM and inspection.  

  Others expected are representatives from DAWN Commission, National Sports Commission (NSC) South West Zonal Coordinator and LOC members.

  The inspection begins on Thursday April 24 and the team is expected to inspect the venues like Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere; and Agege Stadium.

  The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Iyana-Ipaja, which will serve as the Games Village will also be inspected.

  The Joint Technical Meeting follows the inspection on Friday April 25.

  The games will feature 12 sports, which are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and volleyball with over 2000 athletes and officials expected to participate.