The U-18/U-20 African Athletics Championship 2025 ended in Abeokuta last Sunday.
I am surprised that the air waves were not flooded with Encomiums for the state of Ogun, which accepted to organize the international event at the last minute and still managed to set up a spectacular championship.
The international event came and went. Absent was one of the common hitches, sloppy regulations, poor equipment, poor facilities, incompetence, poor organization, etc., which would often spread many international sports programs in Nigeria.
The best part of the championship was the peaceful and very friendly atmosphere around the Arena where all events took place. During the day everything ran smoothly, almost on automation. At night the environment explodes in incomparable social and commercial chaos.
Also read: African athletics is coming to Abeokuta! – Odegbami
The behavior of the spectators, usually the citizens of the state, must be equipment for a case study. My only interpretation is that the relaxed nature of the city and the cultural refinement of people influence the behavior of people. They go through their affairs and activities without being necessary for any enforcement through security and other agents. This had a positive influence on the quality of the organization and was added to the Feel-good factor that penetrated the entire arena.
To score high, twice in a row, when organizing two solid sporting events within the space of a few weeks, volumes speaks about a ‘new’ Ogun -State. There is a new spirit and trust in the state of Ogun that must be fed. It can be a new destination of the choice for hosting national and international sporting events in Nigeria. The proximity of it without the usual stifling challenges related to the Megacity is extra benefit.
Some Ogun State sports facilities in Abeokuta are now first -class. The experience that has occurred in organizing the last two major events (the National Sports Festival and the African Junior Athletics Championship) are a big plus that will go into the future.
The peaceful, safe, hospitable and friendly atmosphere in the state, and the disciplined behavior of the people who hardly make the issue of hooliganism around sport in the state, have made the state very attractive for sporting events. Security staff Lounge and hang around the locations without having to do much!
The only things left to do the state to nail his place as an authentic new hub for sport is to deliberately create and organize large sporting events in events that have facilities within the MKO Abiola Arena, regularly. This will support the importance of people, encourage the emerging new commercial consciousness and activities and meaningfully involving all new facilities for development and commercial sports purposes.
The State must now not purchase regular maintenance of the facilities and must invest in the development of human capital through training and reopening programs for its sports managers.
Also read: Football is coming to Wasimi this summer! – Odegbami
The success of the African Athletics Junior Championship is a testimony that Ogun State has turned over in its sport development. There is a growing confidence that it will continue to play in the coming years for more important sporting events in Nigeria.
Assisat Oshoala – Goat
Last week Asisatt Oshoala did what most superstar athletes fear – she accepted the reality that her glorious football career is approaching its end point and called it with the National Women’s Football team.
It is not easy for every athlete to throw the towel in the center of attention, from the glitter and glamor of national team promotion, and to withdraw to Uncharted Sport Zone. It is usually a difficult and difficult decision to make.
With Oshoala who bends from international football, which represents Nigeria, she establishes an amazing, unprecedented and undamaged record of performance unparalleled in African football history.
With 6 best African female player of the year Awards, she has the record of the most achievements. At the age of 30 she has a few more years to play in the game at club level.
Nigeria should now start now, not just to organize a suitable ‘farewell’ of the national team for her as recognition for her service to the country, the country should create a place for her in sports administration that will benefit Nigerian women’s football in the future. She is too full of experience and knowledge to be able to fade in oblivion and waste.
In the meantime, I thank on behalf of all Nigerians Asisat Oshoala, Mon, for her excellent service to football and Nigeria.
Wafu U-20 company.
I followed the Wafu U-20 football championship that just ended two days ago in Accra, Ghana. 5 West African countries participated in 12 days of competitions.
My interest was inflamed because my colleague, former international football player, Dr. Felix Owolabi, Mon, was chosen by the regional body, now led by New President of Wafu, Ibrahim Garba Gusau, as a member of the technical team of the event.
That is a huge step. It is a big problem to acknowledge that former players can contribute to technical football affairs. So I took note.
My second interest was that Burkina Faso participated in the competition.
I wondered why Burkina Faso in Wafu disputes when the country has withdrawn its membership of Ecowas?
Also read: Dodo Mayana! – Odegbami Pents tribute
Is Sport immune for the whims of politics? If the case is sport, his political matters then enveloped?
Or is this the soft-power of sport in the game?
I think. This is the confirmation that the idea of Ecowas friendship games should not be ignored.
All 15 countries in Ecowas, including the bitter (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) will participate. Wounds will be healed slowly and Ecowas can be united again sooner than later.
The night of tribute!
On Monday evening, on the historic National Monument in Lagos, the ‘Niia Diplomatie Wand van Roem’ will be founded by Air Peace, tribute to 5 Late Nigerian sports heroes – Christian Chukwu, MFR; Peter Rufai, Mon; Charles Bassey Mon; Moses Effiong, Mon; and Obisia nwakpa.
Sports fans, family, friends and stakeholders will meet in honor of these deceased heroes. A galaxy of Gospel -musicians will offer heavenly music to send them on the way to their maker.
The event is sponsored by Airpeace.
All roads will lead to the Auditorium of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, 13/15 COFO Abayomi St. Victoria Island, LagosFrom 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
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