SPORTS
Nigeria Win 4x400m Mixed Relay Gold at World Athletics U-20 Championships
Team Nigeria, yesterday in Nairobi won the gold medal in the 4 x 400 metres mixed relay event at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the quartet of Johnson Nnamani, Imaobong Uko, Deborah Oke and Bamidele Ajayi won the event’s final race at the Kasarani Stadium.
The team won in a time of three minutes 19.
70 seconds to set a new African record, a few hours after winning the opening round’s heat 2 in 3:21. 66 seconds.The trio of Nnamani, Oke, Ajayi and Ella Onojuvwevwo had earlier in the day got the best qualifying time in the event’s two first round (semi-final) heats for a continental record.
The team, now without Onojuvwevwo and with Uko, then went on in the final to improve on Nigeria’s performance to win in grand style.
NAN reports that Poland which had earlier recorded a season best at 3:24.69 won the event’s silver medal with an improved 3:19.80, which is another season best.
India also improved from a continental record of 3:23.36 to pick the bronze medal with a time of 3:20.60. (NAN)
SPORTS
NPFL Slams Warri Wolves with N6m Fine
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), has slammed Warri Wolves with a fine of N6m for the improper conduct of their fans in the matchday 36 encounter against Plateau United last weekend.
According to the NPFL, the club’s failure to provide adequate and effective security during the match enabled unauthorised individuals to access restricted areas of the stadium.
Warri Wolves’ supporters were also charged for engaging in unsporting behaviour capable of bringing the game into disrepute.
They showed gross misconduct towards match officials which caused a 10-minute delay in the match.
The club have also been directed to apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrator(s) of the incidents, and submit evidence to the NPFL.
As part of the punishment, Warri Wolves will play their remaining home matches this season behind closed doors.
Warri Wolves have 48 hours within the date of notice to appeal these sanctions.
SPORTS
2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today
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.
SPORTS
LBHF Tournament Honours Edun at 70 with Thrilling Bouts
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.

