SPORTS
Olympic Day Sparks Nationwide Fitness Fever
Seventeen Nigerian states have confirmed their participation in the 2025 Olympic Day celebrations, which will take place across the country on June 28.
The annual event, which promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, has gained momentum in recent years, with organisers expanding activities to encourage wider public participation.
This year, states including Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Kogi, Gombe, Osun, Imo and Lagos, home to the secretariat of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will host a series of community-based events aimed at promoting health and fitness.
The celebration will feature a variety of non-competitive sporting activities such as jogging and walking, designed to encourage calorie burning, muscle toning, and overall wellbeing.
In previous editions, Olympic Day was marked by structured races of 10 and 5 kilometres, but organisers say the format has been revised in response to public feedback.
The new approach includes a broader mix of demonstration sports tailored to individual and group interests, making it more accessible and inclusive.
Austin Odigie, coordinating officer of the NOC’s Sport for All Commission, described the event as a growing national movement dedicated to fitness for all.
Chairman of the commission and President of the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria, Dr Abdul Ibrahim, urged participating states to maximise the opportunity to mobilise their communities and build a culture of fitness through sport.
He also encouraged states not taking part this year to begin preparations for future editions, describing Olympic Day as a vital platform to engage the public in health-focused recreation.
The President of the NOC, Habu Gumel, is expected to flag off this year’s celebration in Abuja, which is hosting the event for the first time in several years.
The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.
7 and Aug. 10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.
Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.
He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.
Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.
“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, the Ballon d’Or award for the best female goalkeeper.
The 24-year-old recently joined Brighton Women FC from Paris FC after helping the French side win their first major title in nearly two decades.
Nnadozie delivered a heroic performance in the final of the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine, where Paris FC edged Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at Stade de l’Épopée in Calais.She was also instrumental in Nigeria’s success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons secured a record-extending 10th continental crown against host nation, Morocco.
Her standout displays earned her the Best Goalkeeper award and a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Other nominees for the Yachine Trophy include Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women) and Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women).
Nigeria’s Super Falcons maintained 36th position in the latest FIFA women’s world ranking.
The latest ranking was released on FIFA’s official website yesterday.
While the Super Falcons remain the number one team in Africa, WAFCON 2024 runners-up Morocco are third on the continent and dropped to 64th spot in the world.
Former WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa maintained 54th place in the world and second in Africa.
Ghana’s Black Queens who claimed third place at the WAFCON dropped to 67th position in the global ranking.
The Super Falcons recently won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after coming from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
Second half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute Jennifer Echegini completed the turnaround.
Okoronkwo, scored a goal and provided two assists against the Moroccans was Named Player of the Match.
Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament while Captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Meanwhile, World champions Spain (1st, up 1) had an impressive run to the final of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with five back-to-back wins, which was enough to see them reclaim top spot in the ranking, a position they previously held from December 2023 to June 2024.
The USA (2nd, down 1) have therefore been knocked off their perch, which they had occupied since August 2024.
However, three convincing home wins in friendlies during this period have kept the USA in contention, and they are now sitting less than two points behind Spain.
The top 10 has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France (6th, up 4) performing best among them.
France completed a flawless group stage at the European Championship before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.
The next edition of the Women’s World Ranking will be published on 11 December 2025.
New Medical Doctor Appreciates Ex-Reps Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Adekoya for University Sponsorship
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja A fresh graduate medical doctor from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Dr Ogunmakinju Oluwaseun, has expressed...
Bandit Tax in Zamfara, Ghost Town in Kwara, signs of Failure – ADC
ShareBy Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the reported extortion of over N56...
Court Acquits Medical Doctor of Cybercrime Charges
Share The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed cybercrime charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police against a female...
Oyo govt Denies Fake Pension Verification Notice
ShareThe Oyo State Government has denied a notice currently circulating among pensioners concerning a supposed verification exercise. This is contained...
Police Arrest Suspects for TCN Vandalism
Share The Police Command in Gombe State said on Friday that two suspects had been arrested for allegedly vandalising TCN...
2027: PDP Vows to Sanction Members Endorsing APC
ShareThe National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to sanction its members endorsing the ruling...
Onitsha Port can Generate N10bn Yearly – Official
ShareThe Onitsha River Port Manager, Mr Martins Osazuwa, says the port can generate N10 billion annually if fully operational. Osazuwa...
NNPC Sacks Pump Attendant, Suspends Station Manager in Lagos
ShareThe Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC ) Retail Ltd says it has sacked a pump attendant and suspended a Station...
9mobile Rebrands as T2
Share Nigeria’s fourth-largest telecoms operator, 9mobile, has unveiled a new brand identity, T2, as part of efforts to revive its...
Peter Obi Advocates 5-year Single Tenure for President
SharePeter Obi, Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential election has advocated for a 5-year single term...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish