Sports
Athletics Championship:Untold Story Of Asaba 2018
In recent times, Nigeria has made significant impact in terms of sports development in the continent as she has hosted Africa twice this year in different Championships and tournaments with world class facilities.
February this year, Port Harcourt, the Garden City of Nigeria hosted African Wrestling Championship (AWC ) where over 54 countries participated, that was adjudged the best organised in the history of that championship.
Barely six months later, Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, also hosted the just-concluded 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, with about 52 countries in attendance, that commenced 1st August and ended yesterday.
No doubt, this seems to be the major tournament hosted by the Delta State Government since after her creation, it is also on record that the state athletes are arguably the best in Nigeria.
This assertion is following the impressive performance of athletes from the State in various sports festivals and tournaments held in and outside the country.
To buttress this, last September, the state won the Nigeria Youth Games (NYG) held in Ilorin for the second time at a trot. In fact, one could say that they have one of the most organised sports commissions and programmes in Nigeria.
The governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa deserved commendation for hosting Africa in midst of fluctuation of Federal allocation.
Besides, the bold step he took to reconstruct the stadium that now looks like brand new one, with world class athletics facilities is also commendable.
Even at that, the author of this article believed that the state government was in haste to make a statement in Africa, by hosting the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship.
It is generally accepted that in every competition or tournament, there are expectations of negligible flaws, but apparently the organistion of this Championship held in Asaba, is nothing to write home about.
In some occasions, the ceremonial committee could not hoist the countries flags for the medalists. The next thing you will hear is, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are sorry we were unable to hoist the flags for the winners”.
Again, journalists who came to cover the event from different states were moving from one place to another, like ants searching for food, just to be accredited to have access to the stadium and some restricted areas.
It was utmost surprising to most journalists who it did their accreditation online to notice that the online accreditation was a mirage.
Unfortunately, the media chief of the event whose name was given as Olukayode Thomas could never be seen to clarify issues that were faced with journalists, when called. Thomas was always ready to answer you with these words: “Am driving” I am in a meeting, “I am very busy” “I never sighted him once.”
Here is an apology tendered by him and it reads: “Dear All, On behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 21st African Senior Athletics, I Olukayode Thomas tender an unreserved apology to you all for the hiccups that have greeted the event so far.
The media station, distribution of start lists, results and others will be well taken care of going forward.
“Please accept my apologises. Thanks you.”
This merely interprets that the person handling the media (Thomas) who supposedly to be the image maker of the Championship lack experience and competence.
Apart from that, foreign athletes who were to participate in the Championship were stranded at Lagos airport due to poor organisation, which nearly caused international embarrassment. One may ask, is it that those saddled with that responsibility do not have the capacity to handle it?
Two days into the Championship, the fence of Stephen Keshi stadium, where the event held fell and destroyed about four cars. I also ask “Is it is that the engineers did not do their job thoroughly or it was caused by substandard materials”?
To be fair, the concept and design of the stadium was nice, but the finishing was not given the best.
Speaking, the media consultant to South African Athletic Federation, Cele Sifiso said in spite the fact that there were irregularities in the organisation, he believed in African brotherhood.
According to him, hence medals are won, that means the competition is going on well.
“I know there are irregularities in the organisation, but as a country we did not come here to criticise. We want Africa to grow in every aspect.
“Obviously, there are things that were done right, but we from South Africa are not looking at the negative side,” Sifiso said.
In his opinion, the chairman of Delta State Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Azuka Chiemeka, said the organisation of the Championship was on the average.
He explained that to get 100 per cent in organisation of any tournament was difficult, saying that to handle logistics is a bit difficult.
“This Championship is been organised by Confederation African Athletic (CAA) and not Delta State that just provided the facilities and venue to host the event.
“I must commend the State Governor’s intention to develop the youths through sports,” Chiemeka said.
He further said that the report on the collapse of the stadium was actually sensational and not good for the nation.
Tonye Orabere
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun believes the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) will set a new benchmark for future editions of the multi-sports event.
Apart from being the first host state to house all participating athletes under one roof, the Governor assured contingents, spectators, and residents of maximum security during the NSF, which will take place in Ogun State from May 16 to 30.
During a parley with journalists in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun highlighted that Babcock University has been chosen as the games village.
Over 10,000 athletes and officials will compete at the games in Ogun State. The Governor also named former Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, as Grand Sports Ambassador, emphasising the state’s readiness to break new ground with the sporting fiesta, which has revitalised all its sporting facilities.
“As the Gateway State, we want to set the pace for others to follow. For the first time in NSF history, all participating athletes and officials will be accommodated under one roof, just like it is done globally. They will be well catered for, with high standards of security and safety. Shuttle buses will convey athletes to their venues daily, and we will ensure the roads are clear for them during the games. We are excited to host the NSF and aim to make Gateway 2024 a benchmark for future games because, as the Gateway State, we want to lead while others follow,” the Governor said.
Abiodun also mentioned that the state government would use this opportunity to build a sports economy for the state. “Ogun’s business circle will experience a bumper harvest during the event, with major hotels fully booked and petty traders making brisk business,” he said.
If the grassroots development of Nigerian sports is to be actualized, the private sector would play a pivotal role. The Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko said while speaking at the grand finale of the MTN Champs Season 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo on Friday.
The NSC Chairman commended the organisers, partners, and participants of the MTN Champs for their outstanding contributions to the growth of academicals and grassroots athletics in Nigeria.
His words, “The MTN Champs is a shinning example of how private sector collaboration can drive youth development and sports excellence across the country. Mr. President places so much premium on grassroots development of sports. You will see this in the fact that he appointed an SSA on Grassroots Sports Development. That is why we are very deliberate in ensuring that sports are developed right from the grassroots. We are aggressively pursuing the revival of our school sports. It is a mandate that we must carry out.
“Over the years, we have had issues with our conveyor belt of talents. That is why we find it hard to replace ageing talents. We have set out to ensure that there is regular supply of talents from the grassroots. We can’t do this alone without the involvement of the private sector. This is why I must commend MTN for their consistency in this project. This is really the way to go. I am sure that the talents discovered here will serve this nation in a long while to come. We need more of such initiatives. Kudos to MTN.”
He noted that the MTN Champs aligns perfectly with the Commission’s RHINSE strategic framework, which prioritises results, holistic development, Inclusion, nationwide impact, sustainability, and engagement in all sports development initiatives.
“The MTN Champs has demonstrated the transformative power of education and grassroots sports programmes. It is a model of how strategic partnerships with the private sector can unearth young talents, inspire communities, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Mallam Dikko stated.
The NSC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to supporting similar initiatives that align with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports (RHINSE) framework, particularly those focused on creating structured pathways for young athletes to grow into elite performers while receiving education and life skills training.
He further reiterated NSC’s commitment and objectives to provide all the enablers to drive grassroots sports and creating a professional pathway for growth as evidenced with the NSC introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) to compete at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun State under the sponsorship of the commission as the 38th State and the ongoing collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education towards the revival of school sports.
Mallam Dikko applauded MTN Nigeria for setting a commendable template for corporate participation in sports and encouraging other private sector organisations to emulate this example by investing in sustainable developmental sports programmes that empower Nigerian youths and promote national unity.
The NSC Chairman was joined by the Chief Finance Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Modupe Kadiri, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah and other dignitaries
The MTN Champs, in its 3rd season, a nationwide school and grassroots athletics competition, witnessed widespread participation from students across Nigeria and served as a platform to identify and nurture the next generation of champions.
On the sidelines of the programmes, the NSC Chairman engaged with MTN executives on further areas of possible collaboration between the two organisations in the advancement of sports in Nigeria. Subsequently MTN reaffirmed its commitment to continued support of the sector.
Court documents obtained by our correspondent reveal that Omo-Agege’s lawsuit, filed on Monday, names the National Sports Commission, International Olympic Committee, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Rtd. General Kenneth Minimah, Mr. Akinyele Oladapo, World Boxing, and the Board of Nigeria Boxing Federation as defendants in the case.
The legal action primarily challenges the controversial affiliation with World Boxing, which Omo-Agege claims was executed without proper consultation with stakeholders and board members.
In the nine-point suit, Omo-Agege seeks several declarations, including that “the inclusion of Nigeria Boxing Federation as a member of World Boxing by the defendants is illegal, void, and not in compliance with the Articles of Association of Nigeria Boxing Federation, and therefore Nigeria Boxing Federation still remains a member of International Boxing Association.”
The interim president also asked the court to declare that Minimah “is no longer the president of Nigeria Boxing Association, parading himself as the president of Nigeria Boxing Association after being suspended by the International Boxing Association and already completing his tenure.”
A key component of the lawsuit is Omo-Agege’s claim that the November 11, 2023 meeting that led to his suspension was “illegal, null and void and all decisions made in the said meeting are invalid and inconsequential.” He maintains that as the former vice president, he became the rightful interim president when Minimah’s tenure expired.
The plaintiff is seeking “an order of mandatory injunction restraining the 4th defendant (Minimah) from further parading himself as the President of Nigerian Boxing Federation” and “an order of perpetual injunction restraining World Boxing from further naming Nigeria Boxing Federation as one of its members.”
Additionally, the lawsuit asks the court to order all defendants to recognise Omo-Agege as the interim president of the federation.
The legal action comes just days after the African Boxing Confederation officially lifted Omo-Agege’s suspension in a formal letter dated April 26, signed by AFBC Interim Secretary General Yohannes Brehane.
“The African Boxing Confederation is writing to formally inform you that, during its Board of Directors meeting held on February 9, 2025, the matter of your suspension was reviewed and resolved. The Board has decided to lift your suspension with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
In the court documents, Omo-Agege alleges that the move to World Boxing “was as a result of the International Olympic Committee’s pressure through the NOC by the machination of World Boxing.”
He claims that a letter was written to all African federations “mandating all International Boxing Federations across the world, especially Africa, to withdraw their membership from the International Boxing Association and join World Boxing as members.”
The factional leadership has significantly affected Nigeria’s boxing performance, with athletes expressing concerns about preparation and administration.
The lawsuit also contains allegations of financial misconduct, claiming that “monies belonging to the NBF have been expended fraudulently” by Minimah and Oladapo, including partial payment of athletes’ allowances and diversion of funds to private accounts.
The case, which has been filed through the law firm of Karina Tunyan (SAN) & Co, is expected to further complicate matters for Nigerian boxing, which has already struggled with administrative challenges affecting athlete preparation and performance at international competitions.
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