This picture was taken 25 years ago. I was 20, and angling to take my school – University of Abuja – to NUGA Games. This picture was taken at the regional qualifiers that held that year, 1999, in Maiduguri. In truth, I wasn’t fighting fit. But I qualified at Maiduguri and went on to Kaduna for NUGA, where I lost in the quarter finals. A conversation with my younger brother, Yaga – 2003 National champion, 2007 African champion, and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist – sparked this memory. My own career was nowhere as illustrious. You see? I had the disadvantage…
Author: Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Abdulgafar Oladimeji is a sports writer with over two decades experience in the industry. As a reporter , he has worked with top major Nigerian newspapers, freelancer with newspaper and broadcast media organizations in Africa, Europe and America. He is a well travelled sports journalists reporting major sports events across the globe.
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Nigeria hunts for new Flying Eagles coach The Nigeria Football Federation has requested for applications from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of the Coach of U20 Men National Team, otherwise known as Flying Eagles. The public notice, which is on the Federation’s website says “ (https://thenff.com/job/vacancy-for-the-position-of-u-20-male-national-team-head-coach/)has specified for candidates to possess at least a CAF B License, must have been in football coaching for at least five years, be conversant with Nigeria’s domestic game, possess strong leadership qualities and be able to communicate effectively in English language. Candidates must also be upright and transparent in the discharge of…
Gambian football coaches kicks-off one week national convention The Gambia Football Coaches Association (GFCA) in collaboration with The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has commenced the national coaching convention for its members. The inaugural convention holding at the National Technical Training Center in Old Yundum features 42 coaches. GFF President Mr. Lamin Kaba Bajo in his inaugural remarks expressed delight in inaugurating the maiden convention, he said “ I salute and commend the courage of the GFCA for venturing into this important national event. The Federation welcomes it and henceforth will embed it in the GFF activities annually to grow from…
Paris Olympic Games 2024: Tension mounts over coordinated train “malicious attacks in France By Abdulgafar Oladimeji Tension has risen, prior to the official opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic games, Friday, over what French authorities described as coordinated malicious attacks on rail services across France. France high speed train have been attacked resulting to the cancellations of services leaving millions stranded in various locations. Two trains ferrying Olympians were affected., Eurostar have suspended train services. Four Olympic trains are designated to run, two are running, one is cancelled and one is been prepared, verified sources confirmed. The host country’s…
Just In : Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024, Nigeria in group of death The rosters of the 12 participating teams are confirmed ahead of the start of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024. Nigeria’s D’Tigress are in group B alongside, Canada, France and Australia. Group A: Serbia, Spain, China, Puerto Rico Group B: Canada, Nigeria, Australia, France Group C: Germany, USA, Japan, Belgium The 12 teams are divided into 3 groups (A, B and C) of 4 teams each. The Group Phase of the competition is played in a round-robin format, with each team playing all other teams…
Paris 2024: Tennis: Nadal , Djokovic drawn in clash of the titans, Andy, Kerber set to end career The draws have been announced for the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis Event and there are some heavyweight ties to look forward to with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic primed to meet in round two, and Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber both preparing to end their glittering careers after Paris 2024. Few doubles pairings create a buzz quite like that of the impending partnership between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz at Paris 2024. Not least amongst the two players themselves. “I’m very excited…
PARIS, July 25, 2024 – Just as we predicted two days ago, the Main Media Centre of the Paris 2024 Olympics is now filled beyond capacity, bustling with journalists and photographers. Since Wednesday, (July 24), the LOC Media Operations have had to create extra spaces by opening up new seating areas and making one of the press conference rooms available for journalists to sit and work.THE CHALLENGE The AIPS President Gianni Merlo, said: “Two days ago we said there could be a challenge of overcrowding in the press centre as we get closer to the opening ceremony because there are not…
The Super Falcons were full of guts and gumption, but a 37th minute strike by Gabi Nunes separated the two-time Olympics silver medallists from the nine-time African champions as the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament got off to a roarious start on Thursday. Rasheedat Ajibade led the Falcons to the turf of the Stade Matmut Atlantique, as Nigeria’s flag was flown at the tournament for the first time in 16 years, and truly led from the front with some excellent runs down the left of the South Americans. But her team mates at the fore failed to read her moves correctly on…
Badminton: Paris Olympic Games 2024: Africa eyes podium finish- Francis Orbih The President of the Nigeria Badminton Federation, Francis Orbih has disclosed that the African Badminton confederation has set the target of podium finish at the 2024 Olympic Games. He said in the previous largest global sports fiesta, Africa failed to register a podium finish in the game of badminton He attributed the failures in the past by African badminton player to lack of proper equipment’s and poor exposure in contrast to their Asian peers. He admitted that the game of Badminton is dominated by Asians, saying Africans have though…
FIFA moves to organize World U-15 tournament Set to expand U-17, U-20 World Cup By Abdulgafar Oladimeji World football governing body, FIFA has revealed plans to stage what it tagged as World U-15 football festival. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino made the disclosure, while addressing FIFA Congressional sitting in Bangkok. Infantino said the U-15 festival will feature all the 206 member football associations that constitutes FIFA. He further disclosed that the member associations rely on FIFA funds to organize football activities in their territories. Adding that FIFA disburses 70 percent of its revenue to the member associations.
