Sports
Obaseki’s Sports Reform: Ogbemudia Stadium Excels In Consecutive AFN Trials
The exceptional sports reforms implemented by Governor Godwin Obaseki in the past six and a half years have elevated the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to the status of a preferred venue for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) national trials.
The eagerly anticipated 2023 National trials took place in Benin, with a remarkable participation of over 160 athletes from July 5 to 7.
Benin’s illustrious stadium has the distinction of hosting the second consecutive AFN national trial, which showcased prominent athletes like Tobiloba Amusan, the world champion, Ese Brume, the silver medalist at the previous World Championships in Oregon, USA, and various other internationally acclaimed athletes.
Under the visionary leadership of Governor Obaseki, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium has undergone a remarkable transformation into a state-of-the-art sports arena.
The stadium now boasts a covered arena with a seating capacity of 12,000, equipped with natural turf and upgraded running tracks.
Additionally, the facility comprises outstanding amenities such as tennis and squash courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and an indoor suspended gymnasium.
Furthermore, the stadium has dedicated facilities for weightlifting, wrestling, and other combat sports.
To enhance the overall spectator experience, the venue has been equipped with new high-capacity electronic score screens, floodlights, and Video Assistant Referee technology.
In an impressive display of skill and tenacity, Tobiloba Amusan successfully defended her 100m hurdles national title, clocking an impressive time of 12.70 seconds.
Meanwhile, Usheoritse Itsekiri emerged victorious in the men’s 100m final, crossing the finish line in a remarkable time of 10.02 seconds, outperforming Seye Ogunlewe and Alaba Akintola.
Blessing Ogundiran triumphed in the women’s 100m final, securing first place with a commendable time of 11.50 seconds. Faith Okwose, the AFN Golden League winner, followed closely in second place, clocking an impressive time of 11.51 seconds. Ese Brume, the African record holder in long jump, secured third place with a time of 11.52 seconds.
It is worth noting that these athletes are fiercely competing for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the prestigious 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Notably, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium also served as the venue for the trials preceding both the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, last year.
The success and recognition garnered by the Ogbemudia Stadium, coupled with Governor Obaseki’s relentless pursuit of excellence in sports, have solidified its reputation as a world-class facility.
With its impressive infrastructure and ability to host prominent events, the stadium has become a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to sporting achievements.
As Nigeria continues to produce exceptional athletes, it is evident that the transformative sports reforms enacted by Governor Obaseki have significantly contributed to the nation’s sporting prowess.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium stands as a testament to the remarkable progress and unyielding spirit of Nigerian sports. The legacy of Governor Obaseki’s visionary leadership will undoubtedly propel Nigerian athletes to even greater heights on the international stage.
In a thrilling encounter at Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool triumphed over Tottenham with a decisive 5-1 victory, clinching the Premier League championship with four games to spare and marking their historic 20th title in England’s top flight.
Despite conceding an unexpected early goal, Liverpool quickly regained their composure and dominated the first half, energizing the crowd of over 60,000 fans.
With this victory, Liverpool has ensured that second-placed Arsenal cannot overtake them, drawing level with arch-rivals Manchester United as the most successful club in English football history.
The match commenced with palpable excitement at Anfield, enhanced by a rousing performance of the club’s anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” under the warm spring sun.
Mohamed Salah had an early opportunity, and Cody Gakpo nearly scored with a stunning overhead kick. However, Tottenham initially threatened to disrupt the celebrations when Dominic Solanke scored with a powerful header from a James Maddison corner in the 12th minute.
Liverpool responded swiftly, equalizing just four minutes later when Luis Diaz converted Dominik Szoboszlai’s precise cross, overcoming an offside call thanks to VAR’s intervention.
The momentum shifted entirely in Liverpool’s favor, with Alexis Mac Allister putting the team ahead in the 24th minute, driving the ball home from the edge of the box past goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
The atmosphere transformed into a festive celebration as Gakpo extended the lead to 3-1, slotting a shot into the bottom corner after Tottenham failed to clear the danger.
Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, made eight changes to the lineup that lost to Nottingham Forest, prioritizing the upcoming Europa League semi-finals, leaving his team with a daunting challenge.
Liverpool supporters, who were unable to celebrate their 2020 Premier League title due to COVID-19 restrictions, filled the stadium with an array of songs as the second half progressed, eager for a fourth goal.
Top scorer Salah eventually delivered, receiving a pass from Szoboszlai, cutting inside, and driving a shot into the bottom corner. He celebrated by taking a selfie with a fan’s phone in front of the Kop.
Chants of “We’re going to win the league” and “We shall not be moved” echoed throughout the stadium.
The rout continued when Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, bringing the score to 5-1 with about 20 minutes remaining as the match turned into a procession.
As the game entered added time, the club’s anthem played once more, with scarves raised high, and the final whistle ignited a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Liverpool now sits on 82 points, 15 ahead of Arsenal with just four matches left in the season. Meanwhile, Tottenham languishes in 16th place in the Premier League table, suffering their 19th defeat of the season, intensifying the pressure on Postecoglou.
Prior to kickoff, tens of thousands of fans gathered outside Anfield in anticipation of Liverpool’s crowning moment, igniting flares as the home team bus arrived. Vendors outside the stadium offered flags and scarves emblazoned with “Liverpool 20-time Champions.”
At the beginning of the season, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were favored to secure a fifth consecutive title, but their form deteriorated. Arsenal posed a challenge but failed to capitalize on Liverpool’s rare missteps due to too many drawn matches.
Despite initial concerns regarding the adaptation of Liverpool’s players to new manager Arne Slot’s strategies, he has navigated the season smoothly amid ongoing speculation about the futures of key players such as Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Both Salah and Van Dijk have inked two-year contract extensions, though it is believed that Alexander-Arnold may soon be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid.
The chances of four key players of the Super Eagles playing in the upcoming friendly game against Ghana at the four-team tournament in England are looking very slim, as revealed by OwnGoalNigeria.com.
The first match of the Super Eagles in the four-team tournament comes up on the 29th of May against the Black Stars of Ghana, a day after the game opener, which will be Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica.
The date of the game is too sudden for four key members of the team, who will at that time still be involved with their clubs, raising the possibility of missing the game and probably the tournament.
The players who may be absent from the game are Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Maduka Okoye, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Osimhen will play his last game of the season on the 1st of June, two days before the Super Eagles’ first game of the tournament, which means he won’t be available until he is released by Galatasaray.
Also, Lookman will play his last club game for the Italian side, Atalanta, on the 25th of May, four days before the start of the tournament, and the earliest he can arrive will be around the 26th or 27th. More so, his club also wants the player to take the summer off and be fit for the next season, as he is presently battling to be at his best due to injuries.
Due to club loyalty, goalkeeper Okoye of Udinese and Chukwueze of AC Milan are also said to be considering not featuring in the tournament.
Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara state capital following a 30-minute rainstorm which occurred on Monday.
An Ilorin-born Taekwondo coach and champion, identified as Musa Ismail, has been killed in a rainstorm at a badminton court in the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
According to eyewitness accounts, a section of the newly renovated Badminton court executed by the former administration collapsed and fell on the coach.
The badminton court was completely destroyed by the 30-minute rainstorm.
Ismail, who was described as an upcoming and amiable badminton coach by some of his trainees, was said to have been crowned as the 2025 MKA Taekwondo Championship held in Ede, Osun state.
He was said to have been married for more than a year and was survived by a child.
Our correspondent gathered that Ismail played and trained at the facility with friends before the incident occurred.
Findings at the agency in Ilorin on Tuesday showed that the court had been sealed with the collapsed section visible from outside the structure.
Employees of the agency were not forthcoming when approached on the development.
Efforts to reach the leadership of the agency on the incident also proved abortive as of press time.
A member of staff, who pleaded anonymity, said that the incident happened on Monday, though the victim was not an employee of the agency.
“The incident is very tragic, it happened unfortunately during the rain on Monday but no one can speak on it except the managing director who is not around now.
“The MD will be in the office tomorrow and if you come, you will be able to speak with him,” the employee said.