Team Nigeria emerged as the overall winner of the maiden African Admiral Porbeni Canoe Race championships held at the prestigious Jabi Boat Club in Abuja, Nigeria.
The four-day event, which commenced last Thursday and concluded last Sunday, saw more than 100 athletes from five African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo, and the host, Nigeria, vying for glory.
Team Nigeria’s stellar performance propelled them to the top of the leaderboard, securing an impressive haul of 21 medals.
Their collection included a remarkable tally of 14 Gold, six Silver, and one Bronze, firmly cementing their position as the champions of the championship.
Sao Tome and Principe put up a strong fight and claimed the second position with 14 medals, comprising one Gold, six Silver, and seven Bronze.
Meanwhile, Senegal exhibited their sporting prowess and clinched the third spot with a total of 12 medals, including one Gold, three Silver, and eight Bronze.
The Nigerian contingent boasted exceptional individual achievements, with Ayomide Bello emerging as the overall best female athlete. Bello’s incredible performance earned her three Gold medals in the 1000m C1 women, 200m C1 women, and 500m C1 women’s events.
Her outstanding skills have not gone unnoticed, as she previously showcased her talent at the 2019 World Championships in Hungary, ranking an impressive 13th. Additionally, Bello secured four Gold medals in the 2021 Admiral Porbeni Boat Race as a rower.
Yinlayefa Godhelp, Nigeria’s youngest athlete, also proved to be a rising star by securing Gold in two events: the 1000m K1 women and the 500m K1 women.
Her incredible journey began just a year ago when she was discovered, and she has since made remarkable strides in her sport.
Godhelp’s talent was evident when she won the 500-meter C1 race at the National Sports Festival, and she further showcased her abilities by representing Nigeria at the second Africa Beach Games in Tunisia in 2023.
The Nigerian team’s remarkable victory earned them substantial prize money of 3,000 dollars, while Sao Tome and Principe claimed 2,000 dollars, and Senegal received 1,000 dollars for their efforts.
Expressing elation at the team’s success, Team Nigeria’s Captain, Moses Michael, acknowledged the challenges they faced in achieving victory.
He emphasized the importance of early preparation for the upcoming Olympics qualifiers in November and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
With the global sporting event on the horizon, Michael urged the Federal Government to provide assistance to the team promptly.
Many athletes in other countries have already commenced preparations for the Olympics, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
The prestigious event was graced by notable dignitaries, including Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff; Thomas Konietzko, the President of the International Canoe Federation (ICF); and Festus Porbeni, President of the Rowing, Canoeing, and Sailing Federation.
Other esteemed attendees included Joao Afonso, the 1st Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and Habu Gumel, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
The inaugural African Admiral Porbeni Canoe Race championships not only celebrated athletic excellence but also served as a platform to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among African nations.
Team Nigeria’s triumph was a testament to their dedication and skill, setting the stage for even greater achievements on the international stage.
