Team Lagos And Team Delta Win 4th Edition Of The Honorable Victor Ochei International wheelchair basketball Tournament

Lagos state put up a spirited effort over the weekend at the men’s final of the 4th edition of the Honorable Victor Ochei international wheelchair basketball tournament to claim the sum of 1.5 million niara cash prize and a giant trophy for emerging as the 2015 champions.

Honourable Victor Ochei Addressing the players and fans during the finals while Director General, Lagos state sports commission, Mr Ayo Agbesuwa looks on

The game witnessed by the sponsor and former speaker of the Delta state house of assemble, Honourable Victor Ochei, President of the Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General, Lagos state sports commission, Mr Ayo Agbesuwa, Lagos state Liason Officer of the National sports commission, Pastor (Mrs) Tayo Oreweme amongst other notable dignitaries saw a determined Lagos team reclaim the title they lost last year by 39points to 34 against Oyo.

In the women finals, Delta state outclassed Imo by 14 points to 5 as they went home with a giant trophy and 500,000 naira as the grand prize.

The third place of the women category went to Oyo who defeated Ogun while Edo beat Ogun, 53-1 in men’s category.

The duo of Remi Obasanya and David Segun were awarded 100,000 each after they emerged as the Most Valuable players of the tournament.

Speaking after the medal and trophy presentation to the teams, Ochei expressed his delight at the improved level of the competition as he promised to continue doing all his best for the sport as the grand patron of the federation.

He praised Olopade for his tenacity and vision in reposition the sport which is fast becoming popular in Nigeria as he appealed to well meaning Nigerians and the corporate society to invest in the sports.

Lagos, Oyo To Battle For 1.5million Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Prize Money

The Lagos State Wheelchair Basketball team on friday booked a ticket to the finals of the 4th edition of the Honourable Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament after defeating their counterparts from Ogun State by 87points to 3.

4th Victor Ochei International Wheelchair basketball tournament

Defending champion, Oyo state also continued where they left off in their last group game as the ousted Edo state by 44 points to 28 against Edo in a keenly contested encounter.

In the women’s category, Imo scored 6points to qualify for the finals against Oyo state who only managed to score only 2points.

Delta State also booked their place in the finals after scoring 19 points against a hapless Ogun side.

The 3rd place and the finals will take place tomorrow at the Indoor sports hall of the National stadium, at 9:00 am.

Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

The winner of the 2015 edition in the men’s category will cart home a sum of 1.5million Naira, 2nd will pocket 1,000,000, Naira while the 3rd placed team will go home with 750,000 thousand Naira.

In the women’s category the winner will be given 500,000 naira, the 2nd placed team will settle for 300,000 and the 3rd prize will smile home with 200,000.

The competition is expected to end on Saturday, 17th of October, 2015.

Oyo, Ogun, Lagos Progress As Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Enters Semi Final Stage

Edo recorded their 2nd victory on matchday 3 of the 4th edition of the Honorable Victor Ochei International Wheelchair basketball tournament taking place at the Indoor sports of the National Stadium, Lagos.

In the men’s category, Team Edo condemned their neighbours, Delta state to a 45 to 9 points loss to finish 2nd on 5 points and march on to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Host, Lagos inflicted a defeat on Imo State as the match ended 50points to 10 in favor of the team from the centre of excellence.

In group A, Kwara State beat Rivers State by 16 points to 14 points but that was not enough as both failed to advance to the knockout stages.

In other matches played in group A, Oyo State were merciless in dismantling Ogun State by 67 points to 2 with both teams still booking their ticket to the semi finals despite the result.

Ogun State crawled past Kwara State in a low scoring game to finish 2nd in group A of the women’s category while Rivers State finished bottom of the table with 3 point after losing to Oyo State.

4th Honorable Victor Ochei International Wheelchair basketball tournament

In group B, Delta State defeated Imo State by 10point to 2. Lagos State set an unenviable record, losing all their 3 matches as they once again lost to Edo State. Semi final actions will resume tomorrow.

In the women’s semi finals, group B winner, Imo will clash with group A runners up, Oyo while Delta will face Ogun.

In the men’s semi finals pairing, Oyo will face Edo as invincible Lagos will hope to crush Ogun

The winner of the 2015 edition in the men category will cart home a sum of 1.5million naira, 2nd will pocket 1,000,000,while the 3rd placed team will go home with 750,000 thousand naira.

In the women category the winner will be given 500,000 naira, 2nd will settle for 300,000 and the 3rd prize will smile home with 200,000.

The competition is expected to end on Saturday, 17th of October, 2015

Oyo, Lagos Picks South West Zone Ticket, As President’s Cup Zonal Qualifiers Ends In Akure

The Oyo State Team defeated Ogun and Ondo State to lead group B at the ongoing Zonal qualifiers for the 1st edition of the President’s Cup at Akure Sports Stadium, Akure.

The Oyo team who are the defending champions of the DAWN Games in their first match yesterday defeated the host State, Ondo by three goals to one before stopping Ogun State who they defeated by two unreplied goals to top their group with six maximum points.

Lagos State who paraded one of the youngest teams in Akure defeated their Osun State counterparts in their first match with two goals from Chike Egeonu to stop the boastful Osun boys who had earlier on Monday defeated Ekiti State 2-1.

Chike Egeonu was again the hero of the Lagos team in their second match when he rose from the bench in the second half of the match against Ekiti state to score three goals with assist from Adewale Lasisi and Ahmed Solaja.

Speaking after the match head coach of Team Lagos, Olatunde Lawson expressed satisfaction with the performance of his boys.

But he was quick to point out the quality of their opponents, saying the teams are not that bad, but maybe they lack quality preparation.

He revealed that they are going back to the drawing board to prepare for the National finals holding later this month.

NSCDC, Jaguar Dominate 5Th Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championships

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Jaguar teams at the weekend ruled the 5th Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship.

NSCDC, the defending champion in the male category retained the title it won in 2013 after beating Oyo to the podium in the final while NSCDC female team could not repeat the feat of their male counterpart as they conceded defeat to Jaguar team at the three-day tournament held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park in Lagos.

In the presence of the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo, who described taekwondo as a sport with a lot of potential for Nigeria at international tournaments, NSCDC were at their best to clinch the coveted trophy ahead of others.

I have come to know that Taekwondo is one sport where Nigeria has lots of potentials and I am really impressed and elated that every effort is been made by the federation, government at all levels particularly the states and federal government and of course private individuals and corporate organization to ensure that we harness these talents for future podium performance,” the minister said.

To clinch the title for the second time, NSCDC overcame Oyo 37-22 points.

An excited member of the NSCDC male team, Bright Kolade attributed the victory to hardwork.

“We are the defending champions and I am so happy we won again this year. This is the second gold we are winning as a team in this tournament which makes it interesting because it is coming back to back. Special thanks to our coach because he did it. He is a national coach and I can say he is the best,” he boasted.

In the Poomsea event, Kano and Ogun dominated the event with Kano female team garnering 34.80points while Ogun led the male category with 30.10points closely followed by Lagos with 29.40points.

The Kano team was led by Commonwealth Champion, Adaeze Asigbe, who attributed their victory to determination and commitment of the team.

For the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, the tournament was aimed at discovering the best of the bests that will represent the country in subsequent tournaments.

“In this year’s championship we are working with teams and because it is an open tournament, we can have like two teams from same state. We have about forty teams from all over the country including the armed forces and police. Even the civil defense teams who are the defending champions are here too. Basically, we are looking for the best of the bests, so this tournament is not a grassroots tournament. It is for teams with strong athletes coming together trying to compete”, the NTF boss said.

Taekwondo Federation organizes national referee’s seminar in Abuja

Velodrome being set up for the National Course

A seven-day National Referee Seminar/Workshop, organized by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) commenced at the National Stadium Abuja and is expected to run from June 1 to 7 with the 24 participants drawn from Benue, Kebbi, FCT Abuja, Oyo, Lagos, Imo, Kaduna, Delta, Plateau, FUT Minna, and Nigeria Civil Defence Corps.

During the course, participants will be required to learn and practise with the latest competition rules, learn how to set-up and use the latest technological gadgets for Taekwondo, and also complete a course in competition management techniques. Examinations are held for participants at the end of the course.

NSC High Performance Coach shakes Pioneer Nigerian Grandmaster, Dominic Bassey, at the opening ceremony as NTF President George Ashiru looks on.

The George Ashiru-led Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) reiterated its commitment to developing all aspects of the game that would give Nigeria an advantage on the global stage.

According to the Federation President, George Ashiru, “The referee plays a vital role in the scheme of things when it comes to winning international medals, and Nigeria simply does not have enough referees on the global stage.”

Highlighting the strategic importance of the on-going exercise, the NTF Boss noted that, “the event is part of the Federation’s vision to get our referees in place by the 2015 All African Games and beyond.”

“The Federation decided at the beginning of the year to organize a series of National Referee workshops throughout the year that would help standardize our local referees and bring them up to speed with the latest technological equipment and competition rules”

Buttressing the stand of the NTF President, the NSC High Performance Coach for Taekwondo, Kim Jin Beom of South Korea, who is a top class World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-sanctioned referee, emphasized the need for Nigeria’s referees to be brought up-to-date on the latest rules.

“The quality of referees in Africa is generally low, but the countries that have the best and most influential International referees generally come out on top in 50-50 decisions during critical competitive matches. Nigeria must cultivate this advantage year by year.”

Participants take notes during the Theory session on Latest Competition rules.

He further connected the quality of referees to the tactical awareness of the national athletes.

“Most referees are also coaches, or train with coaches in their various localities. It would be impossible for them to teach their athletes how to take advantage of the competition rules, if they themselves are not current”

DAWN Games 2014 Ends Today

Curtains will fall on the maiden edition of South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games 2014 today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The schools sports tournament, which saw over 2000 students and officials from Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States competing in 12 sports will come to a close in a glamorous ceremony expected to be attended by the Executive Governors of all the participating states.

The closing ceremony, which will be chaired by the host Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos, will also be attended by eminent Lagosians, members of Lagos State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, members of the State’s House of Assembly, members of Conference 57, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akilolu, Managing Directors of all the sponsor’s companies.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, has also directed all teachers and students of the state’s public secondary schools to come out en masse to witness the fun-filled ceremony.

Events such as the finals of 100 metres 4 x 400m relay and 4 x 400m relay for boys and girls will be decided, while a calisthenics display by selected students as well as a music extravaganza will be staged to spice up the occasion.

Meanwhile, the third place match of the football event was won by Team Lagos after they defeated Team Osun in a one sided tie that ended 7-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Team Lagos also cleared Basketball gold medals in boys and girls’ categories. Team Lagos beat Ogun 73 – 33 points in the boys final, Lagos also defeated Oyo 24-22 points in the girls final at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park , Yaba.

Team Lagos Clears 30 of 32 Gold medals at Swimming event of DAWN Games

Team Lagos completed almost completed a clean sweep of medals of the swimming event at the Dawn games, Lagos 2014.

The swimming pool of the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, was the venue of this Epoch making event, and a sizeable crowd was on hand to witness history being made.

The Lagos team won 30 Gold medals from a possible 32 with 27 Silver and 3 Bronze.

Morayo Okungbowa

Star of the swimming event and arguably star of the tournament is Okungbowa Morayo of Lagos, who won 10 Gold 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals to a make a total of 13 medals, the highest haul of medals by any individual athlete at the DAWN Games so far

This achievement will definitely be impossible for any other athlete at this games to surpass or even match.

Oyo came 2nd on the Swimming medals table with 2 Gold medals 3 Silver and 22 bronze medals, while Ogun state came 3rd with no Gold, 2 Silver and 7 bronze medals.

The kind of display put by Morayo Okungbowa and other young athletes at the DAWN Games only confirms the fact that this country is blessed with a lot of talent and its grassroots competitions like this that we need to harness the various hidden talents across the Nation

Sola Rogers.

DAWN Games kicks off in Lagos

The maiden edition of South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games begins on Friday May 16 in Lagos with over 2,000 athletes and officials in attendance.

The DAWN Games, which will be competed by athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti State, is a 12 sports tournament of Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSSF. The sports are Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Scrabble, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo and Volleyball. It will be staged in three centres across Lagos: Agege Stadium, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba and the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, while the NYSC Camp at Iyana Ipaja in Lagos.

According to the schedule of event released to the media by the Technical Sub-Committee of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), athletes and officials are expected to check in to the Games Village on Friday with accreditations taking off in full swing, while events will begin on Sunday May 18 with Football and Gymnastics taking the centre stage at the Agege Stadium and Rowe Park Sports Centre respectively.

According to the schedules, Rowe Park will also play host to Badminton, Basketball and Tennis. At Teslim Balogun Stadium, sports such as Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Swimming, Scrabble and Athletics will be on stage, while Agege Stadium will also host Chess.

It was gathered that Team Ogun, would present 186 athletes, while no fewer than 163 athletes will represent Team Lagos.

Meanwhile, a member of basketball team for Lagos, Ololade Azeez has expressed confidence that Lagos will win gold medal in both male and female basketball event of the competition.

“I am happy to be among the players that will represent Lagos at DAWN Games. Our training so far is superb and very impressive. We are in good form now and ready to win gold medals for team Lagos in Basketball both male and female category,” he said.

Head Coach of Badminton of Team Lagos, Kayode Olatunji said there is high spirit in camp as the players are looking forward to participating at the DAWN Games, adding that the supports the players and officials received from the state government will boost their morale to excel at the Games, which will end on 24 May.

MOC hoists flags for DAWN Game

The hoisting of flags for the South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games was held yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) chaired by Wahid Oshodi attended the flag hoisting ceremony.

The MOC boss said at the ceremony that the hoisting symbolised the readiness of the host, Lagos to stage a glamorous competition.

“I want to tell our brothers and sisters that from other south-west states that we are expecting them for the Games. We want to show again that we can repeat the show and the glamour of the last National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 during the DAWN Games,” he said.

“The athletes and officials will experience the hospitality Lagos is known of at the championship. Everything from health, security and all those things that will make us put in place a glamorous competition are ready. The facilities are world class and by Friday this week, the Games will begin,” Oshodi said

The DAWN Games, which will kick off on May 16 to 24 and will be staged at three centres: Agege Stadium, Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba and the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Over 2000 athletes from six states made up of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and host – Lagos are expected to compete in 12 school sports events.

Corporate Nigeria backs DAWN Games, as Lagos sports festival ends on Saturday

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the DAWN Games 2014 has recorded significant success in its marketing drive as more companies continue to sign on as sponsors/partners for the Games.

The DAWN Games (South-West States Secondary Schools Games) will hold in Lagos from May 16 to 24, 2014 with over 2,000 athletes from the six states, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos competing for honours in 12 sports.

Some of the companies that have signed on with the Marketing Subcommittee include Nestle Nigeria Plc, Honeywell Foods, Bingo Foods and Beverages with Vivi Chocolate, GT Bank, First Bank and PZ.

Some of these companies are already very visible at the designated Games venues. According to the Marketing Subcommittee, other companies are expected to come on board before the Games commence.

Chairman of the LOC and Lagos State Commissioner of Sports, Wahid Oshodi, expressed the state government’s appreciation to all the companies that are supporting the DAWN Games, adding that this only goes to confirm that in Lagos State, there is indeed an excellent collaboration between the public and private sectors in all areas, sports inclusive.

He further enjoined other private sector companies to support the state government in its efforts to ensure effective and sustainable sports development.

Meanwhile, Star College of Ikorodu have emerged the winners of the Men’s Volleyball event after defeating Rockford College, Ikorodu at the final played at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at the Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games which ends on Saturday.

Star College won the final by 3- 0, while United Christian College, Ikorodu settled for the third position. Star College team were also adjudged the best male school in the Volleyball event of the Games.

Davo Patrick of Star College was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player due to his performance.

Rockford College, Ikorodu dominated the women’s category, as the school defeated United Christian Secondary School by 3-0.
Musa Abosede of Rockford was adjudged Volleyball’s Most Valuable Player in the female cadre, while Ajigbada Girls Senior High School, Surulere were the Best Female volleyball school.

DAWN Games will foster unity among youths in South West, says Ibirogba

DAWN Games will foster unity among youths in South West, says Ibirogba • Ogun shapes up for tourney

Chairman of Media and Publicity Subcommittee of the DAWN Games, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, has said that the tournament would help foster good relationship among the youth of the south-west states of the country

The maiden edition of the DAWN Games, a competition among secondary schools in Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States, will be held in Lagos from May 16 to 24, 2014.

The chairman of the Media Subcommittee, who is also the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State said the competition would bring youth in the region together to compete in a healthy environment, adding that the DAWN Games is symbolic because the south-west states want to show the rest of the country the cordial relationship that exists within the people and governments of the region and the need to use youth and sports to preach unity among the people.

Meanwhile, as the kick off date of the Games draws nearer, Team Ogun say they can’t wait for the school sports championship to start.

Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Mr. Adesola Faleti, said the state’s athletes are ready and are in good sporting form to excel at the competition.

“The athletes have been training for a couple of months. We are going to participate in 12 sports events and in Ogun State, we specialise in more than 33 sports, thus taking 12 out of 33 won’t be a problem for us,” said Faleti during the inspection of facilities and venues for the championship which took place recently in Lagos.

Faleti noted that the Games would enable Ogun State Sports Council to assess its grassroots developmental programmes which has been well supported by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and more importantly it would assist the sports council the opportunity to replace
its ageing athletes.

”Since inception of Governor Amosun’s administration, we had been mandated to develop sports at the grassroots. I think the DAWN Games will definitely assist us to discover budding talent to replace the older athletes,” he said.

The former national pugilist said the state’s effective grassroots sports programme had earned Ogun a positive result as the National Sports Commission, NSC, invited over 22 athletes from the state to the national team, while six junior football players were also invited to the camp of the national U-13 team.

“DAWN Games can bring positive and better future for the nation as athletes we will discover in the regional championship can be selected for the country’s future international outings.

“I believe the DAWN Games is another opportunity to explain the commitment of the southwest state governments towards building Nigerian future stars who would take over from the ageing national athletes.

The DAWN Games is the needed grassroots developmental programme which we can use to aid the growth of sports and the wellbeing of our athletes,” he said.

He concluded that Ogun State Sports Council is working with the support of the Ministry of Education to place athletes that will excel in the DAWN Games on scholarship for them to continue their education.

The DAWN Games will feature 12 sports, which are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and volleyball with over 2000 athletes and officials expected to participate.

The events will take place at Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and Agege Stadium. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Iyana-Ipaja will serve as the Games Village.