Sports

‘Amusan can still run 100m hurdles final’

Published

10 months ago

August 10, 2024

‘Amusan can still run 100m hurdles final’

Interestingly, the World record holder, Tobi Amusan, still has a slim chance of running in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but that depends on any of the eight finalists electing not to run the race due to injury or any other reason.

Amusan narrowly missed out on a spot in the final after finishing third in the first semi-final with a time of 12:55s. She lost the chance to automatically qualify for the race in the process, and her hopes of qualifying as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers were dashed after France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela produced 12:52s to nick the last spot.

Although Samba-Mayela was spotted to have stepped outside of her lane during the race, spurring Nigerians to call for her disqualification, the rule only applies in races with curves such as the 200m and relays.

“They don’t disqualify like that on straight races; it’s only on a curve. As long as there is no infringement, like impeding the other athletes in any way, she will be disqualified, but if she doesn’t, she won’t be disqualified,” Athens 2004 Olympic Games bronze medallist, Deji Aliu, told our correspondent.

Athletics coach and statistician, Lekan Soetan, also said, “In a race that is not bent, you are only running extra distance when you step out of your lane. So, disqualification applies if she impeded another athlete. I’m sure the World Athletics would have removed her if that was the case.”

Aliu and Soetan further explained that Amusan could get a lifeline if any of the finalists withdraw before Saturday’s final.

“That’s a new rule. If someone pulls out before the final, there is a possibility that Tobi can come in,” Aliu also noted.

“If eight finalists are warming up, if someone pulls out, probably injured, they can call in someone in the waiting. So, Tobi is the waiting athlete in case there is an injury,” Soetan said.

“So, all hope cannot be lost until there is a start list or until all of them come out to run, or probably 30 minutes before the race. But I don’t think anyone will want to run the final.

But sometimes when you are warming up for the hurdles, you attack the hurdles, and you know you are out. That miracle can happen.”

The 27-year-old Amusan closed Team Nigeria’s participation in athletics on a sad note, just after the men’s 4x400m relay team was also disqualified for running on the lines.

The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Amene, and Chidi Okezie had finished second in the heat with a season’s best of 2:59:81.

Sports

The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat’s Golden Comeback Story

Published

3 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

Sahara Weekly

The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat’s Golden Comeback Story

She conquered Port Harcourt in 2011. Dominated Lagos in 2012. Nearly reclaimed her throne in Delta in 2022. Now, Nigerian table tennis veteran, international umpire, ( Ogundele Rasheedat ) is back and she’s aiming for gold at the ongoing OGUN National Sports Festival Games 2025.
Representing Delta State, Rasheedat returns to the table with a bold mission: to reclaim her crown in the Women’s Singles category and complete her Sports Festival Games legacy with yet another gold medal.

“I’ve stood at the top before and I’m here for the gold again,” said Rasheedat confidently in an interview. “This is more than a competition. This is legacy, redemption, and proof that champions don’t fade, they evolve.”

Rasheedat is not your everyday athlete. She wears two hats like a boss, a decorated table tennis player and a certified international umpire. She’s been repping Nigeria not just as a competitor but also as an official on global stages. That’s rare.

Check out her record:

Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Port Harcourt Festival Games (2011)

🥇 Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Lagos Festival Games (2012)

🥈 Silver Medal – Women’s Singles, Delta Festival Games (2022)

This year in Abeokuta, she’s not just coming to participate, she’s writing the next chapter of her legacy. And fans are rooting for her all the way. She’s a living proof that you can be versatile, consistent, and elite. Her journey inspires not just players, but officials, fans, and the next generation.

So as the Festival Games heat up in Ogun 2025, all eyes are on the Queen of the Table. Watch out for her because she’s not done yet.

Follow her journey. Let’s show love, share her story, and support our own.

Follow her on socials:
Instagram: @its.rasheedah
TikTok: @its.rasheedah24

Hashtags:
#RasheedatReturns #GoldenComeback #OGUN2025Queen

Media Contact:
Feezyking Cr8 – PR Desk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +234 703 853 1294

Sports

Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman

Published

1 month ago

May 14, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*

_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.

Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.

The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.

Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”

Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.

As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Sports

Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

Published

2 months ago

April 22, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

Media guru and highly respected on air personality, Jọlaoluwa Afọlabi famously known as J.J Jabulani is holding an elaborate 90th years birthday bash for his mummy, Mama Maria Ibipeju Afọlabi.

The birthday bash is holding on Friday, 25th April, 2025 at No 1 Ebute Road, Unity hall, opposite Indomie house, Lau junction, Ibafo, Ogun state. Many eminent personalities and media guys are expected to grace the epoch-making event.

Mama Ibipeju is a big business woman that trades on kolanut and gold in the 80s, she’s married to the popular pastor of the C&S church world wide Most Senior Apostle Samson Ọlayiwola Afọlabi of the revered Odofin compound in IREE town,Boripe local government of Osun state .

Mama is blessed with so many children among them is the ace broadcaster and media owner , Afolabi Jolaoluwa jabulani who is the last born of the nonagenarian.

Mama has great love and passion for gospel music spurred her interest in the usage of ‘SHEKERE’ in praising God till this moment and this singular act earned her the nick name (Iya Sekere)