Olympian President Olumide Oyedeji Backs Lagos Media Marathon

The President of the Nigeria Olympian Association Olumide Oyedeji has thrown his weight behind the Lagos Media Marathon.

Oyedeji while speaking in Lagos noted that the fact that journalists are interested in organizing a marathon of their own is a welcomed development.

According to the basketball legend, the move by the journalists will further enrich the culture of marathon and road races revived by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Oyedeji commended Gov. Ambode for his foresight and initiative but noted that if the media does not embrace it, the idea will not go a long way.

However, with the right disposition exhibited by the media as reflected in their drive to have their own race, the NOA President said it is a step in the right direction.

Oyedeji who has featured in the NBA and also played basketball in all the continents of the world has given assurances that he would be registering for the Lagos Media Marathon this week.

“I will like to commend the journalists for this smart move and also offer the best support I can give to them

“I will be running in the Lagos Media Marathon but not for the prize, I will be running for fun and to also encourage more Nigerians to embrace the culture of running, exercising, jogging and others because of its enormous health benefits.”

Olumide Oyedeji

Oyedeji has stated that beyond the health benefits, marathons are often commercially viable and help boost the economy of host cities especially the hospitality and transport sectors among others.

Registration for the Lagos Media Marathon slated for May 2019 is still ongoing on the race’s official website http://www.lagosmediamarathon.com also, physical forms can be collected at the Marathon office at the Teslim Balgon Stadium in Surulere.

According to the organizers, forms are also available for collection at the Sportswriter Association of Nigeria, SWAN headquarters

Kwese Premier League Dunks Off May 6 2018

*Oyedeji heads League Management Board

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF led by Tijjani Umar has finalized preparation for the commencement of the 2018 Kwese Premier Basketball League season on May 6 with the inauguration of a League Management Board to be headed by its Vice President and ex NBA player, Mr Olumide Oyedeji.

The commencement of the 2018 season was preceded by a pre-season training for technical officials and a meeting with teams in the Premier League in Abuja from April 25 to 28 where it was disclosed that this season, league players and technical officials will be insured to safeguard their careers and motivate them for enhanced performance.

Also to be witnessed this season is the introduction of incentives to enable clubs to effectively mobilize and maintain robust fan bases that will improve sponsor mileage and television appeal.

The Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Kwara State, Mr. Kale Ayo Nuhu, middle presenting the champions trophy to Kwara Falcons, El Lawal Tunde, flanked by the president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Mr. Tijjani Umar and the Kwara State Basketball Association chairman, Dr. Joseph Adeyemo at the conclusion of the Kwese Premier Basketball League Atlantic Conference Six playoff in Ilorin 2017

Apart from the Chairman of the League Management Board, other members include Pastor Skambo Morrison who is to serve as Director of Operations, Mr Ajibarede Bello, Technical Administrator, Dr Joseph Adeyemo, Director, Fan Mobilization & Engagement (Team Rep – Atlantic Conference).

Others are Dr Livinus Miapkwap, Director, Finance & Administration (Team Rep – Savannah Conference), Coach Scott Nnaji, Director, Youth Participation & Player Development who will be assisted by Stanley Gumut – Player Mobilization, Mr Garba Lawal, Head, Policy & Strategy, Mr Patrick Omorodion, Head, Media & Communications, to be assisted by Segun Ikuesan, Ishaku Kigbu, Dapo Sotiminu and Femi Adefeso.

Mrs Margaret Porbeni is the Director of Women Programs & Community Relations. There is also a slot for representative of the sponsors.

Olumide Oyedeji Praises Ambode For Backing Athletics Over Football

A special visitor came calling at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Office, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on Tuesday; it was the nation’s basketball legend, Olumide Oyedeji.

The former NBA star came to thank the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, for supporting road races and marathons instead of football.

The towering star was received on arrival at the Marathon Office by General Manager Marathon Yussuf Alli, Consultant to the Marathon Bukola Olopade, Head Communications and Media Olukayode Thomas, and Secretary of the Organising Committee Olumide Bamiduro.

Oyedeji does not have anything against football but he believes the sports is getting more than enough attention from government at all levels as well as from sponsors,

“ I thank Governor Ambode for choosing to support marathons instead of football. Having a marathon in Lagos is a very good development, it will raise the level of our athletes who partake in road races and marathons and bring the best out of them. I am glad and excited to be here to show support for the marathon, Lagos State and Lagos at 50 celebrations “

Oyedeji also posits that marathons and road races are now part of the criteria for assessing global destinations and the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has put Lagos on the same level with cities that have international marathons worldwide.

“I really admire Governor Ambode, he is a great sports lover who takes delight in empowering and developing the youth, he is taking Lagos to a greater height and making giant strides in all areas of human endeavour, there is nothing else you can ask for’’.

The founder and president of Olumide Oyedeji Foundation that has empowered close to 50,000 kids in about 15 years from different parts of the world urged the governor to support other sports like Volley-Ball, Basketball, Handball, “ and especially Table-Tennis a sport which Lagos was champion of in Nigeria’’.

I Did Not Speak Against The Minister Of Sports – Olumide Oyedeji

Nigeria’s senior men’s National Basketball team D’Tigers’ Captain Olumide Oyedeji has denied making comments comments attributed to him in a Nigerian National Daily yesterday.

Oyedeji who is currently based in the UK today issued a Press Statement to clear the air on the alleged comments he made concerning the Nigerian Minister for Youth And Sports Solomon Dalung.

The Basketball player explained that his comments had been taken out of context stating that he had only voiced his fears over the recent happenings in the Nigerian Basketball Scene and its likely implications on Nigeria’s Participation in future international tournaments if FIBA were to sanction Nigeria like it had recently done to a couple of countries in Europe.

D Tigers Captain Olumide Oyedeji

Oyedeji Said: “My interest is to see a seamless growth and development of basketball in Nigeria, it is also instructive that what is happening in Nigeria football can learn from what has happened across basketball in Europe..”

“I have to make clear that at no time did i express any disaffection for the Minister in his dealing with basketball administration the country as the article suggests.I again reiterate that I am honoured to serve my country as a member of the basketball Federation and National Team and I will always act in the interests of sport in our country”.

“The discussion was about European teams that were banned by FIBA and what that portends for Nigerian Sports if some resolutions among factions were not addressed. The most important line is that at no point in time did I complain about the way the Hon. Minister was conducting his duties in administering sports in Nigeria, contrary to the impression that may have been created by the article”. He concluded.