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Tag: Olapade

  • Musawa, Dikko, Olapade to grace World Football exhibition in Abuja

    Musawa, Dikko, Olapade to grace World Football exhibition in Abuja

    The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, is expected to grace the World Football Exhibition, a premier event celebrating the rich history and legends of football.

    The event, which is scheduled for the 18th to the 25th of January 2024 in Abuja, will also feature the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade.

    The exhibition is organised by Nigeria 1914 Exhibitions, in partnership with the National Lottery Trust Fund and Transcorp Hilton.

    The event is set to take place at the Transcorp Hilton’s Sports Lounge.

    According to Mr. Akin Laniyi, Project Director of Nigeria 1914 organisation, the eight-day exhibition aims to promote Nigeria as the football capital of the world, celebrate football’s greatest moments and legends, and foster friendships and peace among football fans worldwide.

    Laniyi stated that, with the support and collaboration of the FCDA Department of Tourism, the exhibition promises to be a groundbreaking experience promoting tourism, peace, and unity among diverse cultures.

    He noted, “The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade, will attend the opening ceremony, lending their support to this momentous occasion.

    “The Celebrating Football Legends exhibition will honour CAF Player of the Year awardees, including Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Osimhen, and Kanu Nwankwo.

    “Ademola Lookman will be celebrated as a special guest portrait of this year’s exhibition.”

    He explained the tourism potential and benefits of hosting the World Football Exhibition in Nigeria, which include global visibility, as the event will attract international attention and showcase Nigeria’s potential as a hub for sports tourism.

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    He stated that the event will foster cultural exchange, promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, while activities surrounding the event will boost local businesses, generating revenue for hospitality and tour operators.

    He also mentioned that the exhibition will aid in the area of infrastructure development, such as upgrading sports facilities, transportation systems, and tourist attractions.

    He noted highlights of the event, including Football Legends and Artifacts, a showcase of paintings, artefacts, photos, and portraits of past and present football legends and stars.

    Laniyi also indicated that the event will feature Football Moments and History, which is a celebration of football’s greatest moments and history from around the world.

  • Olapade claims  Custodian Golf Classic title in style

    Olapade claims  Custodian Golf Classic title in style

    Sunday Olapade of Ikoyi Club at the weekend emerged the winner of the Second Custodian Golf Classic at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos as he recorded  his first win on the Professional Golf Developmental Tour.

     He shot 73, 68, 73 (214), two under par, to pocket the N3 million star prize at the 54 holes affair.

     “It was a tough event, given the quality of the players on the field. I think hard work paid off for me, and I want to thank God for this opportunity to win this event,” Olapade said after holing the winning put at Lakowe.

     The Group Managing Director of Custodian Investment, Wole Oshin, said that the event was  an avenue to show support for the abundance of talent in professional golf in the country.

     “This event is our platform to support professional golf. We believe other corporates and individuals can see the potential in them through the light events like this shine on them,” he said

    He also underscored that the purse of this year’s event was raised by a hundred percent to N20 million naira from N10 million at the first edition of the Custodian Classic in Ikoyi Club last year.

     “The purse was increased to N20 million this year in response to the high number of foreign players request to be part of the event from the entries and data analysed from the first edition.”

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    Ghana’s Augustine Manasseh led the foreign players’ charge for the title that ended him at 222 (+6) after the 54-hole play, which could only fetch him a joint fourth-place finish alongside Otukpo-based George Inalegwu.

    Nigeria’s former number one, Kamalu Bako who topped the event’s leader board with a 68, four under par on the opening day, struggled to a second-place finish with four strokes adrift of Olapade’s winning score. Francis Epe, current PGD Tour leader,  placed third with 224, four over par finish, suffering the same fate.

    PGD Tour’s Commissioner, Femi Olagbenro, said that the Tour was gaining momentum, and they are working to raise the deliverables for all stakeholders.

     “We are bringing freshness to the Tour on so many fronts, the tweaks we are working on with the venue and trying to on-board new sponsors while ensuring all parties get the right value for their investment.”