SPORTS
Army Hauls 264 Medals to Win Nigerian Armed Forces Games
The Nigerian Army on Friday won the Nigerian Armed Forces Games 2024, with a total of 264 medals.The Nigerian Army won the games with 172 gold, 60 silver and 32 bronze medals, clinching the first position in the games held in Kaduna.The Nigerian Air Force came second with 33 gold, 103 silver and 51 bronze medals, making a total of 187 medals.
The Nigerian Navy came third position with a total of 129 medals, consisting of 18 golds, 43 silvers and 68 bronze. Report says that no fewer than 1,600 athletes from the tri-service participated in the games, which had the theme “Enhancing Military Professionalism Through Sports”.Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the event brought together the finest men and women of the armed forces.According to him ,they showcased not just their physical prowess but the spirit of unity, discipline, and camaraderie that defines the Nigerian military.Musa explained that the occasion, which saw over 1,600 athletes from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was essential in preparing Nigeria’s team for the Africa Military Games, scheduled for November 2024 in Abuja.The CDS added that there has been more to the games than merely an athletics festival.“They are a reminder that we, as members of the Armed Forces, are bound by a shared commitment to excellence, resilience, and teamwork-qualities that are as vital on thebattlefield as they are on the playing field,”he said.Speaking further, Musa said the games also reminded the armed forces that the physical and mental well- being of soldiers was crucial.He equally said that in the face of the nation’s ever-evolving security challenges, ensuring that armed forces men and women were in peak condition was not just a matter of pride, but a necessity for operational effectiveness.According to the CDS, the athletes’ participation in the games reinforced the vital connection between fitness, readiness, and overall military performance.Musa commended the athletes for their dedication, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.“You have displayed the same values that make our military strong;perseverance, discipline, and respect for one another.”Each of you is a winner for the bravery and work you put into every event, regardless of whatever position you finished,”he added.The Defence chief thanked the Gov. Uba Sani for theimmense support received from the state during the conduct of thegames and the organisers, sponsors, among others who also contributed to its success.To the families of the servicemen and women, he also thanked themfor their unwavering support.“Behind every soldier is a family that has made sacrifices, let us remain steadfast in our collective goal of defending the sovereignty and integrity of Nigeria, while upholding the values of honor, courage, and loyalty,”he said.Sani, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the timing of the competition was not only apt but key to facilitating the readiness of the personnel to combat the myriad of contemporary security challenges bedeviling the country.Sani was represented by the state’s overseeing Commissioner for Internal security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.He said that in maintaining a fighting force like the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the essence of physical fitness underscored the need for the personnel to always engage in sporting activities. Sani said that such events were being organised to promote and inculcate core values of integrity and excellence as well as effective service deliverables.“Given the various security challenges facing our country, the men and women of our armed forces must keep fit physically, mentally and emotionally to cope with the enormous demands and challenges of our values and aspirations as a nation,”he said.Sani called on the military personnel to intensify their fight against security threats to ensure a free, safe and egalitarian Nigeria and African continent.“It is therefore pertinent that you always conduct yourselves in amanner befitting of military personnel when discharging your duties in line with the ethics and ethos of the military profession,” he said.(NAN)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Nigeria’s Flamingos will take on Lakeside Queens in a friendly match in Ikenne on Thursday as they intensify preparations for their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea.
It will be the Flamingos’ first friendly since arriving in Ikenne for the final phase of their preparations for the qualifying fixtures.
Akeem Busari’s side played five friendly matches in Abuja before travelling to Ikenne.
They secured four victories and one draw from their five friendly games.
The team is expected to play more friendly games before taking on the Guineans.
Guinea will host the first leg in Conakry on Sunday, May 24.
The reverse fixture is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, a week later.
Nigeria’s ambition to assemble a formidable basketball squad ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics has received a major boost after four National Basketball Association (NBA)players reportedly expressed their willingness to represent D’Tigers following the appointment of David Fizdale as head coach.
Fizdale, a former NBA head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, recently worked as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns between 2023 and 2025 before taking charge of Nigeria’s men’s national team.
Basketball journalist and scout Coach Hova revealed that Aaron Nesmith has already committed to representing Nigeria in the next international basketball window.
Confirming the development, he wrote on X, “Sources close to me have confirmed that Aaron Nesmith has committed to representing the D’Tigers in the upcoming international basketball window.”
The Indiana Pacers forward was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft before joining Indiana in 2022.
Hova also disclosed that Desmond Bane had begun processing his international switch to Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
“Desmond Bane is committed and already processing his switch to represent D’Tigers ahead of the 2028 Olympics,” he stated.
According to the Hova, Bane has also been instrumental in encouraging other Nigerian-heritage NBA players to join the national team project, including Nesmith.
Bane himself publicly declared his interest this year in representing Nigeria during an interview in January 2026.
The Orlando Magic guard explained that he wanted to help gather top Nigerian-eligible players for a serious Olympic challenge.
“We just need to get all the Nigerians together for the Olympics coming up in the next couple years and make something happen,” Bane said.
He also admitted that he had already spoken with other players about joining D’Tigers.
“I’d talk to Aaron Nesmith,” he said.
“Me and Gabe Vincent also talked about it a little bit. We need to do it.”
Meanwhile, journalist Kehinde Bamidele further reported that Onyeka Okongwu remains interested in representing Nigeria under Fizdale.
According to him, “Okongwu remains interested in representing D’Tigers of Nigeria under new head coach David Fizdale.”
The Atlanta Hawks centre previously missed out on a potential invitation due to short notice, but talks are said to be ongoing ahead of the July international window.
Bamidele also reported that Ayo Dosunmu has yet to make a final commitment to Nigeria, although the new coaching crew are keen to convince him.
“Ayo Dosunmu is yet to commit to D’Tigers of Nigeria,” Bamidele wrote.
“Fizdale understands that one of his early priorities will be convincing the Wolves guard to represent Nigeria.”
The guard previously represented the United States at the youth level, winning gold at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, meaning any switch could involve additional clearance procedures.
Fizdale has already made clear that qualifying Nigeria for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics remains his biggest ambition as D’Tigers coach.
After his appointment by the Nigeria Basketball Federation on Saturday, Fizdale told ESPN that leading Nigeria to the Olympics in his hometown would represent a career-defining achievement.
Nigeria have previously featured at the Olympic Games in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 but are still chasing their first basketball medal on the global stage.
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