Sports
Young gymnast gets N250, 000 cash gift from sports minister
Following her recent classical outing at the African Championships held in Pretoria, South Africa, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has presented Nigeria’s young African Gymnast, Stephanie Onusiriuka with the sum of N250,000 and a letter of commendation.
Director of Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga in a statement indicated that Dare made the presentation on Thursday in his office in Abuja, when the young Gymnast, accompanied by her Coach and mother, Mrs Amaka Onusiriuka, paid him a courtesy visit
He described her as a true Ambassador of sports in the country.
According to him,
“The Ministry has been monitoring the performance and progress of the eleven year old African Champion Gymnast ever since she participated at the National Youth Games, Ilorin in 2019 where she won a Bronze medal”
He stated further that “the Ministry was also following your performance during the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival. You won 1 Gold medal, 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal, and you were adjudged to be the second best all-round Gymnast”*
While commending the performance of the young Gymnast, Dare assured that the Ministry was prepared to take her to the Olympics by the time she turns 13, just to watch the Games along side the young swimmer who he referred to as *”the fish”, with a view to spurring them to higher heights in their various sporting fields.
The Minister added that Onusiriuka is part of the Ministry’s Talent Hunt Programme which is an initiative of the present administration.
“You are a part of our Talent Hunt Programme and the Ministry will keep supporting your international trips.” he added.
Dare also appreciated the Chairman, Airpeace Airline, Mr. Allen Onyema, who promised Stephanie Onusiriuka, free tickets for all Airpeace destinations for her trainings and competitions and called on all sports loving philanthropists to lend such supporting hands to budding talents.
He reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s determination to the development of grassroot sports in the country with a view to building formidable sporting teams for our nation.
Speaking earlier, the mother and coach of the promising young Gymnast, Mrs Amaka Onusiriuka, said that Stephanie practices at home everyday and in the Stadium every Sunday from morning to evening.
Mrs. Onusiriuka who further disclosed that the teen has another championship at Liverpool in October, and training tour in Japan, added, “she has gotten all the necessary equipment for her training at home”.
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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