World News Update

 PRESS STATEMENT Team Nigeria struck gold twice on Wednesday at the ongoing inaugural edition of the African School Games in Annaba, Algeria, as the nation’s young shuttlers delivered dominant performances in the badminton singles event. Nigeria’s first gold of the tournament came courtesy of Precious Oluwagbotemi Adekunle, who showcased incredible skill and reflexes to defeat her Egyptian opponent in the girls’ singles final. With powerful strokes and tactical finesse, Adekunle sealed victory in time,  setting the tone for what would become a golden day for Nigeria. Shortly after, Edun David Damilare followed suit in the boys’ singles category. In a contest marked by determination and grit, Edun fought from start to finish to outclass his opponent, securing Nigeria’s second gold medal in the badminton event. But the hunt for gold isn’t over. Nigeria’s charge for more podium finishes continues as the “Adekunle Sisters” - Precious and Cynthia prepare to compete in the girls’ do...

It will be a familiar rivalry on Thursday under the light at the Palais de Sports Treichville in Abidjan when defending champions Nigeria's D'Tigress  take on the Lionesses of Cameroon in the Quarter finals of the 2025 Women Afrobasket. The D'Tigress waited late on Wednesday night to know it's opponent in the last eight after the Cameroonians defeated Angola convincing 85 - 64 points to further confirm the struggling state of Angolan women's basketball. The Nigerian girls are heading into today's game well rested and refreshed after two days without a game, enjoying the advantage of finishing first in its group. Coach Rene Wakama's team has been boosted with the availability of experienced Shooting Guard, Sarah Ogoke, who missed the team's previous two games in the tournament. The veteran player will be hoping to bring her wealth of experience to bare for the team, having being a key member of the last four Afrobasket title winning teams. Coach Rene Waka...

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has commenced its "Catch-Them-Young" multi-sports trials, marking a significant milestone in the preparation for the 2025 National Youth Games. The talent identification programme aims to discover, nurture, and develop talents who will represent Lagos State not only at the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, but also a pipeline of champions who will represent Lagos State on the national and international stage. The trials, which commenced a few weeks ago at various sporting facilities across the state, will span multiple athletic disciplines, including track and field events, swimming, gymnastics, dead sports, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, chess, ayo and other sports. Young athletes aged 9-14 years from various parts of the state are participating in the programme. Speaking at the venue of the trials for track and field events held today, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, Director General of t...

PRESS STATEMENT Team Nigeria has officially opened its medal account at the ongoing African School Games in Annaba, Algeria, securing two silver medals in badminton and women’s 3x3 basketball. In a thrilling badminton mixed event final held on Tuesday, Team Nigerian put up a valiant fight but narrowly lost to host nation Algeria in a tightly contested showdown. The match drew cheers from the crowd, as the Nigerian team fought galantly all through. In another impressive outing, Nigeria’s girls’ 3x3 basketball team clinched silver after an intense final clash against Rwanda at the Chappi Beach basketball court.  The game ended 11–12 in favor of Rwanda, despite a spirited late surge by the Nigerian side. Earlier in the day, the girls had edged out Benin Republic in the semifinals to book their spot in the final. The medals were presented to the team by the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, who commended the athletes for their resilience and team spir...

 _As President Tinubu"s falcons gestures boost team's morale in Abidjan_  Defending Champions Nigeria's D'Tigress will on Wednesday know their Quarter finals opponent when Cameroon takes on Angola in the playoffs round. The Nigerian girls booked their Quarter final spot after securing their second straight win at the tournament with a win over Mozambique on Monday, a result that secured them an automatic place in the last eight after topping their group. The African champions who believe they are still not near  their best form at the tournament, returned to training on Tuesday under the watchful eyes of Coach Rene Wakama, focusing on their shooting and defence tactics. Ahead of the Quarter final on Thursday, against either Angola or Cameroon, the girls say have been further boosted with the news of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's fatherly gestures to the victorious Super falcons, where they were given cash, houses and National Honors.  Captain of the team Amy Okonkw...

 _as NSC charges team to stay focused to achieve mission five in a row_  Defending Champions Nigeria D'Tigress fought  back  from a first quarter setback to beat Mozambique in its second game to book  their place in the quarter finals of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Monday. The African champions lost the first quarter 13-9 points and tied the second quarter final 15-15 points before dominating the third and forth quarter to secure the tough win 60-55 points. The match was reminiscent of the quarter final game between both countries at the last tournament in 2023, where Nigeria won 59-52 points, after losing the first and second quarters. The Nigerian girls took time to get into their rhythm against a very determined and aggressive Mozambican team who were hoping to get one past D'Tigresses in their last seven meetings, dating back to 2013.  Director General of the National Sports commission, NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, h...

PRESS STATEMENT The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for bestowing prestigious national honours and generous monetary gifts on members of the Nigerian women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) hosted by Morocco. Nigeria’s Super Falcons stunned the continent by coming from two goals down to defeat host nation Morocco 3-2 in the final held in Rabat on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th WAFCON title. In recognition of this remarkable achievement, President Tinubu has announced a reward package that includes $100,000 for each player, $50,000 for each member of the technical and backroom staff, a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, Abuja, and the conferment of national honours - Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all players and staff. Chairman of the National Sports Commissi...

After a successful Heat Nigeria will be participating in the Finals of the following events in swimming later this evening from 4pm 1- 400M IM Girls.       5:00 2- 200M Breaststroke Boys.      5:15 3- 800M Freestyle Girls   5:30 4- 200M Butterfly Girls 5:45 5: Medal 🏅 Presentation Badminton Nigeria has qualified to semi final in team event. The team Nigeria defeated Egypt to top the group. The team will face Ghana by 3pm today 28/7/2025 Table Tennis (Day 2) Morning session Group Stages Male 2nd Match Ayatulla  Ahmed (NGR) (3) Vs  Taherali Outbuddin (TAN) (0) Match by.  11.15am Group Stages Female Female  1st Match Masibau Faisat (NGR) (0) Vs Maher.nka.     (MAGA)(3) March by.  9.30am Female 2nd March Masibau  Faisat  (NGR) (3) Vs Yepmo  Ojomo (CMR) (0) Match bu 10.30am With this result, both of them came second in their respective groups  Faisat has now moved to the quarter finals...

PRESS STATEMENT The long-anticipated inaugural African School Games kicked off in grand style at the iconic 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba, Algeria, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. In a dazzling display of culture, sportsmanship, and unity, young athletes from across the continent converged to celebrate the spirit of the Olympics, the vibrancy of youth, and Africa’s shared future.  But it was Team Nigeria that stole the show, drawing loud cheers from the crowd as they marched in with infectious energy, proudly donning vibrant green-and-white apparel that reflected the nation’s bold spirit. The delegation comprising 60 student-athletes competing in 10 sports exuded confidence and unity, earning admiration from onlookers and media alike. Nations represented included Namibia, Uganda, Zambia, Niger, Mauritius, Ghana, Libya, Djibouti, Tanzania, Seychelles, Tunisia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, among many others, alongside host nation Algeria. The Games, which run...

 PRESS STATEMENT It was a weekend of triumph, resilience, and sporting excellence as Nigeria’s flag flew high across multiple arenas on the international stage.  From basketball courts in Abidjan to badminton courts in Cardiff, and from school sports in Algeria to arm wrestling in Abuja, Nigeria delivered a series of standout performances that reaffirmed its status as a sports powerhouse. The nation went into the weekend with four sports federations competing in international competitions at same time. Contingents were in Morocco (WAFCON), Algeria (School Sports), Côte d’Ivoire (basketball) and badminton (Wales). *D’Tigress Begin AfroBasket Title Defence in Style* Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, kicked off their campaign at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket with a commanding 92–45 victory over Rwanda in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The defending champions demonstrated dominance and cohesion, with  Victoria Macauley leading the chargeracking up 13 points, 5 assists...

PRESS STATEMENT The National Sports Commission (NSC) has extended enormous congratulations to Nigeria’s Super Falcons following their stunning comeback victory over host nation Morocco to win the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON2024 on Saturday night. The Super Falcons became the first African team in history to clinch the title for a record 10th time. Speaking after the match, NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the team’s courage and fighting spirit, as one that exemplifies the spirit of the nation. “What we witnessed tonight is nothing short of legendary. The Super Falcons showed the heart of true champions by ising from adversity, silencing the crowd, and etching their names into the annals of African football history. On behalf of the President of Nigeria , Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is proud of this team and Nigerian sports family, we say congratulations and thank you for making the nation proud.” Also commenting on the landmark achievement, NSC Director General, Hon. B...

Defending Women basketball champions, Nigeria's D'Tigresses have sent an early warning to the rest of the teams after a dominant display against Rwanda in their first game of the 2025 FIBA Women Afro-Basket Championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The Nigerian girls who headed into the competition with a boosted charge by the National Sports Commission, NSC, with an increased welfare package, wasted no time to lay down their mission in Abidjan, beating the Rwanda girls with a total of 92- 45 points at the Palais des sports de Treichville. This win also marks the DTigresses'  25th win in a row in the tournament, dating back to October 2015. The Rene Wakama's team blew the Rwandees away from the first quarter with a 17- 8 points lead, before going on to dominate the second quarter 28-17 points and eventually leaving their opponents far behind with a 26-12 points and 21-8 points gap in the third and fourth quarters. France based Elizabeth Balogun dominated the Nigerian ...

PRESS STATEMENT The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated Nigeria’s 2024 Paralympic Games bronze medalist, Eniola Bolaji, on her stunning gold medal triumph at the 2025 British and Irish Para-Badminton International, held at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff on Saturday. Bolaji showcased grit and brilliance in the final of the women’s SL3 category, defeating world No. 1 and Tokyo Paralympic silver medalist, Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh of Indonesia, in a thrilling 2-1 match (21-16, 16-21, 21-13) on Court 4.  Reacting to her victory, Seyi Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Director General of the National Sports Commission, lauded Bolaji’s feat and the leadership of the NSC for its support to para-athletes and other growing sports. “This gold medal is a reflection of what is possible when talent meets opportunity. We thank the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for providing an inclusive and enabling platform where all sports, ...

 PRESS STATEMENT As the curtain rises on the Maiden African School Games in Algeria, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has ensured Nigeria’s participation in this historic continental event, affirming its commitment to youth development, national pride, and the Olympic dream. Taking place from July 26 to August 5, 2025 in Algerian cities, the African School Games is a first-of-its-kind initiative organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) in partnership with the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  Nigeria will be represented by a delegation of 60 student-athletes competing across 10 sporting disciplines, supported by officials, coaches, and medical staff. These promising athletes are set to fly the Nigerian flag high and demonstrate the country’s rich sporting potential on a stage tailored to groom the next generation of champions. “This isn’t just about winning medals. I...

 PRESS STATEMENT A contingent of 60 student-athletes have departed Nigeria for Annaba, Algeria, to compete in the inaugural edition of the African School Sports Championship, taking place from July 26 to August 5, 2025 in the North African nation. The athletes will represent Nigeria in 10 sports, which includes: athletics (12 athletes), swimming (8), football (18), taekwondo (4), beach canoe (4), badminton (3), basketball 3x3 (3), beach volleyball (2), cycling (2), and table tennis (2).  Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the event as a milestone in Nigeria’s grassroots sports journey. “This championship means a lot to us because it is about planting seeds. These student-athletes are ambassadors of our future. We are deliberate in creating pathways from the classroom to the global stage.” Prior to departure, the team was camped at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where they underwent training. The Games, organize...

PRESS STATEMENT As Nigeria’s Women’s National Basketball team, D’Tigress, jets out to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to defend their title at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced improved welfare packages, including increase bonuses and allowances, to boost the team’s morale and performance. During a courtesy visit by the team to the NSC Leadership in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support and confidence in the squad. In the evening of Tuesday, Mallam Dikko and Hon. Olopade also visited the training camp of the team to encourage the players and officials as they fine tune preparations for the continental showpiece. Dikko emphasized the Commission’s commitment to prioritizing athlete welfare and excellence. “We understand that behind every victory is a motivated team, and that begins with how we treat our athletes. That’s why we are stepping up our support...

PRESS STATEMENT _Commission urges team to go for 5-peat_ Ahead of their title defense at the 29th FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship, Reigning African champions, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, “D’Tigress” paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC). The team was hosted in Abuja on Tuesday by the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade. D’Tigress, who have emerged victorious in the last four editions of the continental showpiece, were warmly received and celebrated by the Commission for their consistency and excellence on the African stage. Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko stated thus: “D’Tigress have made Nigeria proud on numerous occasions, and we remain firmly behind them. Winning four straight Afrobasket titles is no small feat, and the entire nation is rooting for you to make it five. You are not just champions, you are role models to a lot of young girls in Africa.” Dikko went ahead to ask the...

 PRESS STATEMENT The National Sports Commission (NSC) has lauded the resilience and fighting spirit of the Super Falcons following their 2-1 semi-final victory over South Africa on Tuesday, in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), booking their place in the tournament’s final. In a thrilling encounter, Nigeria took the lead in the first half through captain Rasheedat Ajibade before South Africa’s Linda Motlhalo equalized. But in dramatic fashion, Michelle Alozie sealed the victory with a stunning last-minute goal, sending the Super Falcons into the WAFCON final. Reacting to the win, NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the Super Falcons for their tenacity and urged them to remain focused on the ultimate prize. “This victory was a display of who we are as Nigerians. The Super Falcons showed grit, class, and composure under pressure. But the mission is not yet accomplished. Our eyes must remain on the trophy. We want to make history by lifting the WAFCON title for a record...

PRESS STATEMENT _KCee, 9ice light up closing ceremony_  The 3rd CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships came to a thunderous close in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, July 20, with a colorful display of African music, culture, and sportsmanship. Top Nigerian music stars KCee and 9ice were the cynosure of all eyes as they electrified the packed MKO Abiola Stadium with energetic Afrobeat performances that left the crowd roaring in delight.  Their manic artistry, backed by lyrical flair and thumping beats, brought a thrilling close to a championship that has lived up to every expectation. On the track, it was a final day of drama and dazzling competition. Team Nigeria, buoyed by home support, jostled for final medals in a bid to top the table. Despite spirited effort, South Africa emerged overall winners winning more medals to sit atop the standings. Reflecting on the success of the event, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the tou...