Wushu Championship Returns to Abuja 7 Years After Inaugural Event

By: Michael Mike

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, has announced the forthcoming Chinese Ambassador’s Cup Wushu Championship, also known as the China-Nigeria Friendship Cup.

The sporting event is scheduled to take place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, from October 29 to 31, 2025. The event takes a berth seven years after it inaugural edition was held.

The event, jointly organised by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria and the Abuja Wushu Association, aims to foster deeper cultural exchange and friendship between both countries, Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Centre, said.

Yang said the Wushu, is a traditional Chinese martial art that promotes peace, respect, and self-development.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Mr. Jianxing described the tournament as “a meaningful and interesting event” that reflects the shared cultural values of both nations.

“The purpose of this event is to create an opportunity to bring together athletes and lovers of Wushu to appreciate the beauty and spirit of Chinese martial arts.

“Wushu is not merely a competition or a tool for fighting. It is a discipline that teaches self-defence, respect, and the responsibility of the strong to protect the weak.”

Jang added that the event embodies the principles of peace, inner strength, and discipline—virtues that both Chinese and Nigerian cultures cherish deeply.”

He further emphasised that Wushu serves as a bridge of cultural understanding, promoting unity and mutual respect between peoples.

“Cultural exchange is one of the pillars of China-Nigeria relations. Through Wushu, we strengthen mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation.

“Our goal is to share the beauty of both our civilisations and help our peoples grow stronger and happier,” he said.

He said “Our friendship with Nigeria ranks among the strongest in Africa. We believe cultural understanding is the foundation of lasting cooperation.”

The Chinese envoy also revealed that the competition will be made a yearly event.

He said the 2025 Championship marks the second edition of the Chinese Ambassador’s Cup, following the maiden event held about seven years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted subsequent plans.

“We hope to make this an annual event,” he said. “Let this year’s competition be a wonderful opportunity to share the spirit and friendship of our two countries.”

He reiterated that the event would be conducted under international Wushu standards, supervised by trained referees, and affiliated with the International Wushu Federation (IWUF).

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Mykel Eneduwa, a representative of the Nigerian Wushu Kung Fu Federation and co-organiser, highlighted the broader vision behind the competition.

“Wushu is a tool for peace, respect, and integrity values that help shape the future leaders of tomorrow.

“This championship goes beyond combat. It’s about building character, discipline, and friendship between our two nations.”

He disclosed that the tournament will feature six competitive divisions, including Taiji, Sanshu, Sanda (male and female weight categories), team forms, and creative forms.

“This is one of the few times Nigerian athletes will be rewarded financially for competing in Wushu,” Eneduwa noted.

“The Chinese Embassy’s magnanimity has made this possible, and we are deeply grateful.”

He explained that this year’s China–Nigeria Friendship Cup will feature six divisions, including Taiji (Tai Chi), Sanshou (Sanda), team forms, creative forms, and various weight categories for both male and female participants. Eneduwa added that registration is free, while accommodation and feeding would be provided for athletes during the championship.

Representative of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Sesan Adeboyejo, commended the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre for their sustained partnership in promoting grassroots sports and cultural understanding.

“This collaboration between the National Sports Commission, the Nigerian Wushu Kung Fu Federation, and the Chinese Embassy reflects our shared vision for youth development.

“Wushu instills discipline and self-control—qualities that are vital for our youth,” he said.

He further explained that the event provides a unique opportunity for young Nigerians to channel their energy positively while deepening their understanding of Chinese culture.

The organisers invited the public, martial arts enthusiasts, and families to attend the three-day championship. Spectators are required to register online or present invitation cards due to limited capacity at the velodrome.

The event will be open to both professional athletes and newcomers, with special consideration for young participants in the Taiji and form categories, while combat events (Sanda) will maintain an age limit of 17 years and above.

More than 150 athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate. Registration for athletes is free, with accommodation and feeding provided at no cost.

To encourage participation and excellence, the organisers announced cash prizes for top performers — ₦500,000 for first place, ₦300,000 for second, and ₦200,000 for third, with additional consolation prizes for effort and perseverance.

Wushu Championship Returns to Abuja 7 Years After Inaugural Event

Former Ace Sports reporter James Williams dies in Freetown

By: Bodunrin Kayode

A former Sierra Leonean veteran reporter James Williams who escaped his country into exile in Nigeria during the reign of President Siaka Stevens has died.

James Williams a renowned sports reporter in the late 80’s popularly known as “Jay Willie” in the National Stadium Suru lere circle in Lagos died in the early hours of the 31st of August due to a protracted illness.

He actually escaped the tyrannical torment of the late President Siaka Stevens with his friend and colleague the late John Kolosa Kagbo who was one of the editors of Prime people magazine an entertainment outfit before his demise.

While in Nigeria, Jay Willie related very well with the sports writers of Nigeria and wrote in several news papers including punch and the rested Prime people magazine then in Ojodu.

He returned to Freetown after the civil war and contributed immensely to the media space of that country before his demise.

Announcing his demise recently, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in a release said it was “saddened to announce the death of their elder brother and senior colleague, Commissioner James Bola Williams (popularly known as Jay Willie), which sad event took place in the early hours of Sunday 31st August 2025 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

“Until his death, James Williams was the President of the Stroke Survivors Association, Assistant Secretary General of the Veteran Journalists Union (VeJU), and a member of the Guild of Newspaper Editors.

“He was also former Board Member, Independent Media Commission (IMC), and former editor of several newspapers, including Premier News; AWOKO; Night Watch and a host of other newspapers” in Freetown where he lived before his death.

Funeral arrangements for the late journalist will be communicated at a later date.

Former Ace Sports reporter James Williams dies in Freetown

Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports
…72-year-old Grandma, Beninese, Ithers Nabbed in NDLEA Raids in Delta, Kwara, Lagos

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former football player Segun George Hunkarin along with his businessman partner Ntoruka Chinedu over attempt to smuggle a consignment of cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, Chinedu who is a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport last Tuesday, when his carry-on bag was searched, 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grammes were seen to be concealed therein.

Babafemi said investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.

He said further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be the former professional footballer, Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him. Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark.

In his statement, Hunkarin was said to have claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but has never brought any to Nigeria.

Another Europe based businessman Amen Okoro was last Friday arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport while attempting to traffic 5,000 pills of tramadol 225mg packaged as known malaria drugs such as Lonart, Amatem and Aluktem to Spain.

He was intercepted at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the airport during the outward clearance of passengers on Royal Air Maroc flight to Spain through Casablanca.

Babafemi said Okoro, who is into freight and logistics business between Europe and Nigeria, claimed that on his arrival in Spain, he would have taken a train to France where he resides and from there send the tramadol consignment to Italy for retailing.

At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives last Friday intercepted a Maputo, Mozambique based bar attendant Ezenwaka Chibuzor. A search of his luggage led to the discovery of 17 cardboard size parcels of methamphetamine weighing 17.500 kilogrammes and three parcels of cocaine weighing 3.05 kilogrammes.

He revealed that the 38-year-old suspect was coming from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines flight when he was interdicted and subjected to a search during which the illicit drugs concealed in bedsheets packed in his bags were discovered.

He noted that another passenger on board the same Ethiopian Airlines flight, 54-year-old Azu Kpodar was also intercepted at the Enugu airport by NDLEA operatives. When Azu, who arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was searched, a liquid soap plastic container marked YPE, was discovered in his luggage. The substance was promptly taken for analysis at the NDLEA forensic and chemical laboratory, Enugu where the substance tested positive to cocaine.

The substance which turned out to be liquid cocaine weighed 1.250 kilogrammes, the
suspect who is a toy seller in Brinquedo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, claimed he purchased while shopping for his wedding ceremony in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives at the Seme border area of Badagry in Lagos last Tuesday intercepted a 26-year-old Beninese Vode Jean-Luck while trying to smuggle 69 balls of skunk, a strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 29.5 kilogrammes from Benin Republic into Nigeria.

In Kwara state, a notorious drug dealer Mary Oladele (a.k.a Iya Nafi) was arrested last Wednesday when NDLEA operatives raided her base in Omu-Aran in Irepodun local government area of the state where various quantities of skunk, tramadol and flunitrazepam were recovered from her.

Babafemi said a 72-year-old grandma Mrs. Christy Ejaro was last Tuesday arrested by NDLEA operatives at Niger CAT area of Warri, Delta state, with several sachets of skunk packaged in retail size recovered from her.

The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Delta, Kwara, and Seme commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports