Sports

Deaf Athletes Stage Protest In Benin Over Exclusion From NSF

Published

4 years ago

October 17, 2022

Deaf athletes in Edo State on Monday staged a protest in Benin to challenge the exclusion of deaf sports from the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) billed to hold in Asaba later this year.

The athletes stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, in their numbers, carrying placards with different inscriptions.

Dr. Sunny Aimufua, Head Coach, Deaf Sports in Edo, who led the protest said the Ministry’s decision was discriminatory.

“The protest is on, because the deaf have been excluded from the forthcoming National Sports Festival and our athletics, made optional sport, which should not be so.

“We have Ministry of Youths and Sports Development. You cannot be talking of development when you have optional sports.

“Also, we have three major sports committee in the world, the IOC (International Olympic Committee), International Paralympic Committee and the Committee of Sports.

“Now the Ministry has favoured the two other while we are being neglected,” he said.

The head coach noted that a sport could only become optional when there are no facilities for that sports.

In this case, he said deaf athletes could use the tracks in stadia across the country.

“If you have a place for Athletics Federation of Nigeria – para athletics, why won’t you have a place for deaf athletics.

“Ministry of Youth and Sports Development should stop playing politics with the deaf sport athletes who are different kind of persons and need to be encouraged.

“They have been training and some of them are employed by the states,” he said.

Also speaking through an interpreter, Assurance Omoria, who said she is the current African champion in deaf long jump, queried how she would further her career if not allowed to participate at the sports festival.

Omoria said she was promoted from Grade Level five to 12 by Gov. Godwin Obaseki based on recommendation, arising from her exploit at the African Championship.

“I have proved my mettle in competitions.

“What we want the ministry to do is to restore deaf sport to its parmanent status and ensure that the athletes participate at the NSF in Delta.”

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

6 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.