World News Update

N5.4M Up for Grabs as Kingsley Awodi Para Powerlifting Open Championship Kicks Off in Abuja: The Kingsley Awodi Para Powerlifting Open Championship kicked off in Abuja on May 1 with over N5.4 million in prize money set to reward Nigeria’s strongest athletes. Organizers confirmed that 120 podium spots across 20 weight categories will be paid, with winners in each class taking home N100,000. Second place earns N70,000, third gets N50,000, while 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishers will receive N30,000, N15,000, and N7,000 respectively. *Prize Breakdown:*   - *1st Place:* N100,000 x 20 categories = N2,000,000   - *2nd Place:* N70,000 x 20 categories = N1,400,000   - *3rd Place:* N50,000 x 20 categories = N1,000,000   - *4th Place:* N30,000 x 20 categories = N600,000   - *5th Place:* N15,000 x 20 categories = N300,000   - *6th Place:* N7,000 x 20 categories = N140,000   - *Total Prize Purse:* N5,440,000 The three-day champio...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria Shines Across Multiple Sports with Dominant Weekend Performances: Nigeria enjoyed a highly successful weekend on the international sports stage, recording outstanding achievements across wrestling, football, and athletics. In wrestling, Team Nigeria delivered a commanding performance at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, emerging as overall winners in the women’s category for a record-extending 15th time. The team secured an impressive haul of eight gold and two silver medals out of the ten available, underlining their continued dominance on the continent. On the men’s side, Harrison Onovwiomogbhwo produced a memorable upset victory over Egyptian home favourite Mohamed Mostafa, winning 10–4. His performance contributed to Nigeria finishing third overall in the men’s team standings, ensuring a podium finish for the country. In football, Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, took a significant step toward qualification for the FIFA U-2...

PRESS STATEMENT #WorldRelays: Nigeria’s mixed 4x100m team smashes African record, secures World Champs slot: _Repechage keeps hope alive for other teams_  Nigeria’s mixed 4x100m relay team has secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China following an impressive display at the ongoing World Relays in Gaborone. The quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Thompson, clocked 40.24 seconds to finish fourth in Heat 1 on Saturday.  Their remarkable performance shattered the previous African record in the event, marking yet another milestone for Nigerian athletics on the global stage. Nigeria remained firmly in contention for a podium finish heading into the final exchange but narrowly slipped behind in a fiercely competitive race that saw a new world record set. Canada stormed to victory with a time of 40.07 seconds, followed by Germany in 40.15 seconds and the Netherlands in 40.20 seconds.  Despite finishing just out...

  “We Are One Family”: Bukola Olopade Preaches Unity, Condemns Xenophobia During Team Nigeria Visit in Gaborone: _Shares Moment with South African Sprint Star Akani Simbine Ahead of World Athletics Relays_ The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has urged Africans across the continent and in the diaspora to embrace unity, love, and mutual respect, insisting that xenophobia has no place in modern Africa. Olopade made the call while visiting Team Nigeria’s training session in Gaborone, Botswana, ahead of the World Athletics Relays. During the visit, he had a friendly chat with South African sprint star Akani Simbine and used the moment to push a message of peace and African solidarity. “South Africa and Nigeria, we are one. Stop the xenophobia. Stop attacking your brothers. We are all Africans and we are one family. I am here with Simbine from South Africa,” Olopade said.     Video of the DG speaking  The DG said sport remains ...

 PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria, 38 Other Countries Jostle for World Relays Medals; Qualification Spots for 2027 World Championships and 2026 World Ultimate Championships Up for Grabs: The stage is set in Gaborone as 38 countries converge for the highly anticipated World Athletics Relays, with athletes competing not only for medals but also for qualification slots to the 2027 World Championships and the 2026 World Ultimate Championships. The two-day competition, scheduled for Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2026, will feature six relay events: the 4x100m and 4x400m relays for men and women, alongside the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays.  The event will begin with Round 1 races on Day 1, starting at 2:05 pm local time with the 4x100m mixed relays. The qualification rounds and finals will take place on Day 2, starting at 2:02 pm local time in Botswana. A total of 27 athletes will represent Nigeria across all six relay events, underscoring the nation’s strong presence and ambition on ...

Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Honourable Bukola Olopade, has  reiterated the significance of the World relays Championship in Botswana as he has charged team Nigeria athletes to compete with pride and a winning spirit. The DG stated this on Thursday in Gaborone, when he addressed Team Nigeria athletes and officials after their final warm up session before action begins on the track. " Athletics have always been one of the most productive sports for our country in terms of empowerment and capacity building. And on a personal level,  this particular championship is my fourth world relay that I am attending, long before I became the NSC DG". " The relays are a big deal because Nigeria at every major multi sport competitions always look forward to the relays.As you know this is not just about this relay because it is a qualifier for the World championship". I want to appeal to you athletes to do this for yourselves, for the country, for your v...