World News Update

PRESS STATEMENT The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) unveiled a 24-athlete squad for the World Athletics Relays set for May 2–3 in Gaborone, Botswana, with a remarkable highlight, the inclusion of three secondary school students in the national team. Rosemary Chukwuma, Jecinta Lawrence, and Miracle Ezechukwu have emerged as the surprise names on the list, underlining a new wave of young talent breaking into Nigeria’s senior athletics setup. The trio, still in secondary school, are products of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, an initiative of the National Sports Commission. They caught national attention as IJA athletes at the National Sports Festival, where they competed against more experienced athletes, before going on to represent Nigeria at the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships. Their rapid progression has now earned them places on one of the country’s biggest athletics stages. Chukwuma and Ezechukwu have been drafted into the women’s 4x100m relay team an...

The camp of the Nigeria senior  judo team received a big boost on Monday following the visit of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, ahead of the forthcoming Africa senior judo championship in Kenya. The DG and his team visited the players in training and reassured  them of the Government's full support as they intensified  preparations to fly the country's flag in Nairobi, Kenya later this month. The DG reaffirmed the Sports Commission's Committment to ensure no stone is left unturned for the team to prepare adequately for the tournament. " I salute you guys dedication and commitment but at the same time I also want to urge you all to stay disciplined at all times and put in the hardwork to achieve a successful outing in Kenya". " I personally bring you greetings from the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is also keen to see that sport like Judo reaches its full potential adequate support". ...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bukola Olopade, says Nigeria's dominant triumph at the IHF  trophy zone 3  in Lome,Togo, has brought renewed confidence in the country's male athletes. The Director General stated this on Monday when he received the victorious U18 and U20 teams in his office in Abuja on Monday. " Your performance in Togo has shown that Handball is a progressive sport that deserves all the support from both the private sector and the sports commission". " At a time when our women athletes have dominated international success for the country, it is quite refreshing to see our male teams achieving this sort of international success as well". " I took my time to watch some good handball matches at the last sports festival in Ogun state and I strongly believe with an extra push we have what it takes to break the dominance of the North Africans". " I want to thank the leadership of the handball federation o...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has commended the performance of 10yr old Junior Aruna, after winning silver and bronze medals at the World Table Tennis Youth tournament in Luxembourg. Junior Aruna who is the son of Nigeria's Table Tennis icon Aruna Quadri, showed strong performance to win silver medal in the Under 11 cadre and bronze medal in the Under 13 category. The Director General said the performance from Junior Aruna is one that simply exemplifies his father's DNA in the ping-pong game and the NSC is proud of the Quadri family. " Having an exciting young talent like junior Quadri is a big plus to Nigerian sports and the future of Nigerian table tennis. And I must commend Aruna Quadri and his beautiful wife Qaniat for the good job they are both doing in the lives of their young kids". " I am aware that Qaniat Quadri, who is a former player herself, is the personal coach of her son and she has been training ...

PRESS STATEMENT The National Sports Commission (NSC) celebrates the achievements of Nigeria’s relay teams for successfully qualifying for all the events entered for, in the building up to the upcoming World Relays Championships scheduled for May in Gaborone, Botswana. Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade stated that the achievement represents a major milestone for Nigerian athletics and reflects the Commission’s strategic goals and collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).  “This is a big moment for Nigerian athletics. The qualification of all our relay teams for the World Relays Championships clearly reflects well on the National Sports Commission’s investment in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. It shows that our collaboration with sports federations is working and delivering real results,” Hon. Olopade said. “We are already focused on preparations for the championships in Gaborone this May. I want to appreciate the AFN and our athletes f...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria’s youth handball teams delivered a commanding performance on the regional stage, clinching double glory at the IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Phase in Lomé, Togo on Saturday. The Nigeria Under-18 team showcased dominance and tactical superiority in the final, defeating Ivory Coast 32–19 to emerge champions of their category.  The young side controlled proceedings from start to finish, underlining their growing reputation as a formidable force in African youth handball. In the Under-20 category, Nigeria maintained the winning momentum with another impressive display, overcoming Benin Republic 39–29 in the final. Their clinical execution and attacking strength ensured a comfortable victory, sealing a second title for the country at the tournament. With these victories, both the Under-18 and Under-20 teams have been crowned champions of the IHF Trophy Africa Zone 3 Phase. Their triumphs also secure qualification for the continental stage, where they will represent th...