Sports
How UNC Women’s Basketball Is Preparing for Ranked Showdown Amidst Resurgence
How UNC Women’s Basketball Is Preparing for Ranked Showdown Amidst Resurgence
Interestingly, the UNC women’s basketball head coach, Courtney Banghart is wasting no time expressing her excitement ahead of No. 19 Carolina’s game at No. 5 NC State Thursday night.
“It’s just a great week for college basketball,” Banghart said at the beginning of Tuesday’s media availability session. “It didn’t take me long to be at Carolina to know how important this game is.”
Banghart, now in her third year with the Tar Heels, is 2-2 against NC State in the past two seasons, with each win coming in Carmichael Arena over a top 10 Wolfpack team. Carolina’s last win against NC State in Raleigh came in 2019, when UNC toppled a then-undefeated Wolfpack side ranked No. 7.
The state will host four ranked teams Thursday night, as No. 17 Duke hosts No. 16 Georgia Tech in Durham. Six ACC teams are currently ranked in the AP Top 25, which is tied for the most of any conference in the nation. Half of those teams are on Tobacco Road.
“If this doesn’t excite the state of North Carolina, that’s really sad,” Banghart said. “I challenge any other region… to be able to see such good basketball, talented players from all over the country who’ve chosen to play here in the Triangle. To be a part of that, I’ve got great pride in that for this program.”
Carolina’s appearance in the Top 25 polls this season comes five years after their last ranking, and Thursday night will be UNC’s first ranked-against-ranked game since the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Banghart expressed some surprise at the rapid rate in which her team has improved in three seasons, but also said butting into the national conversation was one of the reasons she signed on with the program.
“I took this job because I thought Carolina had to be good at women’s basketball to grow our sport,” she said. “And I’ve devoted my life to this sport. And a school like Carolina being good helps the game.”
Still, Banghart didn’t mince words about the upcoming matchup. The Wolfpack are by far the most difficult opponent Carolina has faced this season, and the first of five ranked matchups in seven games for the Tar Heels. UNC will also take the court in Reynolds Coliseum in front of a sold-out crowd, making a challenging game even more so.
“This is a unique environment to play in regardless,” Banghart said. “But matchup-wise, [NC State] have got multiple pros that are ready to kind of take that step very soon in their careers. And our guys are still getting better and better, and we’ll grow to that. If it was a 1 v 1 game… I don’t know, because we don’t play 1 v 1, but they’ve got a lot of good players that we’ve got a lot of respect for.”
Carolina has won the first game of the season series against the Wolfpack in each of the last three years. NC State lost just 13 games during those three campaigns, but three of them came at the hands of the Tar Heels.
“We’ve got a very good feel for what they do, and how they want to play when they’re at their best,” Banghart said. “As they do for us. There’s a lot of familiarity. That’s what makes rivalry games so fun, is there’s such a familiarity.”
The game will tip off at 8 p.m. Thursday night, and will be broadcast on ACC Network. For those who would like to follow along on the radio, 97.9 The Hill’s coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. with Matt Krause on the call.
Taekwondo Unity Cup 2025: A Resounding Success In Abuja
By Ifeoma Ikem
The 4th edition of the FCT Unity Taekwondo Cup has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of excitement, sportsmanship, and unity. Held from June 12 to 14, 2025, at the NAF Valley Estate Multipurpose Hall in Asokoro, Abuja, the tournament brought together over 300 athletes from 21 clubs and institutions.
The three-day event was a masterclass in martial arts, with participants showcasing their skills in poomsae and electronic sparring contests.
The Nigeria Army emerged as the overall winner in the adults sparring category, followed closely by Astric (FCT Police Command), the Korean Cultural Centre, and the Nigerian Air Force.
The tournament also provided a platform for kids from different taekwondo clubs to compete and showcase their talents. The event was graced by senior military and law enforcement officers, including board members of the FCT chapter of the Taekwondo Supporters Club of Nigeria.
The Nigeria Army was recognized as the most consistent team, while Master Marcus S. Musa from the Air Force was awarded the Best Coach in the adult team category. BeeGee TKD Club emerged as the overall best team, and Master Raymond Tiamiyu was recognized as the Best Coach in the kid’s category. Kalu Chijioke Jnr and Ogugua Mmaduabuchi were awarded the Most Valuable Adult Fighter and Most Valuable Kid Fighter, respectively. Oyebamiji Richard was recognized as the Most Valuable Poomsae Athlete.
The tournament served as a window for civil-military relations, providing a stage for positive youth expression. Group Captain AO Adeyeye, Director of Sports at HQ NAF, representing the Chief of Air Staff, noted that the annual Taekwondo Unity Cup has been instrumental in fostering unity and promoting sportsmanship among participants.
The Chairman of the Taekwondo Unity Cup, Master Gbolahan Ogunmuyiwa, encouraged parents to incorporate physical fitness training into their children’s education. He emphasized that taekwondo is one of the safest combat sports that can help kids become more physically active, improve flexibility, and enhance cardiovascular health.
The event concluded with the presentation of merit awards to dignitaries and winners. The 4th edition of the FCT Unity Taekwondo Cup was a resounding success, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and physical fitness among participants. As the tournament comes to a close, the organizers and participants alike are already looking forward to the next edition, eager to continue the momentum and growth of taekwondo in the region.
The success of the tournament is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and promote positive values. As the participants and winners celebrated their achievements, it was clear that the Taekwondo Unity Cup has become a significant event in the region’s sports calendar. With its emphasis on unity, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, the tournament is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young athletes in the region.
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
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.
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