NASFA Wins Volleyball Event.

It was a Volleyball classic as Nigeria Army School of Finance and Administration, NASFA, relied on power, brain and brawn to douse the fighting spirits of gutsy University of Lagos, Akoka.

The theatre of operation was University of Lagos Sports Hall and the bone of contention was the coveted men’s volleyball diadem and the prize money of Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only.

It was Volleyball at its classic best as the Army boys took control of the game from the on-set, setting a fast pace for an equally formidable foe, who took the first two points before relinquishing authority to a more composed men of the Nigerian
Army, who utilised the advantage of being taller and stronger to intimidate the fit-fighting Akoka Warriors.

With not much to choose between the contestants in the first 15 minutes Nigeria Army gradually proved they are men, playing against boys as Levi, spotting jersey no 6 used his huge frame to launch his side ahead after a ding-dong mid-court rallies that drew plaudits from the appreciative fans, especially the chanting and flag-carrying members of the Nigerian Army team as their team coasted to 25 – 22 victory in the first game.

The Akoka Warriors, enjoying the support of the motley crowd on their side launched ferocious attacks on their burly and stronger opponents, making them chase their shadows as they took the second stanza by the scruff of the neck, trying to impress with their daring raids in which, Captain Ekene Ibenana and Seun Adegoke were the tormentors-in-chief.

University of Lagos won the second game with the same points they lost the first set 25 – 22. In the 3rd set, they looked promising at the initial stage but faded as the Army boys intensified efforts to impose themselves on the Akoka boys, who were becoming weaklings.

The battle-wry Akoka boys suddenly became tired as Army assumed a domineering posture, coasting to 25 – 20 points victory and finally sealed victory with 25 – 19 points.

Earlier, University of Lagos Female Volleyballers had walloped their Adeniran Ogunsanya counterparts in three straight sets of 25 – 7, 22 – 3 and 25 – 15 points respectively to win a one-sided game, leaving St. Augustine College to grab the bronze medal.

The losing University of Lagos boys went home with a cash prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira while AdeniranOgunsanya College of education received a prize of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira for their efforts as third place winner.

Nigeria's Football For Hope Gets Set For South Africa 2010.

After two and a half years of rigorous planning, training and preparation, the Nigerian team to the “Football For Hope” Festival 2010 holding in Alexandria, Johannesburg, South Africa is finally ready to take on the world.

The team, selected by Search and Groom – youth for development center, consisting of eight young Nigerians ,four males and four females,with a young female leader will be representing the country at the inaugural edition of the celebration of the social dimension of the game of football.

The participants were selected from a local programme tagged “Project Excel”, implemented over two years and funded by the “Football for Hope” movement, the key element of the strategic alliance between FIFA and streetfootballworld.

The team Captained by 15 year old Suliat Yusuf, an SS 2 student of Hopebay College, Alaba Oro will fly Nigeria’s flag at the tournament which features 31 other delegations including host South Africa, Brazil, Germany, England etc.

Other players are Akinwande Kehinde, Olatunbosun Kehinde, Ezeala Nkem , Aderemi Ebenezer, a Goalkeeper, Afolabi MichaelEgege Emmanuel and Uzorka Amaechi.

They were all drawn across the five implementation centres, Ajegunle, Ikeja, Agege, Ikorodu and Ipaja/Baruwa of Search and Groom in Lagos, Nigeria.

Olamiju Joseph, a National Institute for Sports,N.I.S, graduate and himself a product of the fervent and selfless service of the organization is the Team Coach Lolade Ajai,.

An official welcome ceremony and draw event held on Monday night and attended by officials of South African government, City of Johannesburg, 2010 World Cup organizing committee, FIFA and streetfootballworld.

The festival is an official event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and will also be a highlight for the “Football for Hope” movement; the key element of the strategic alliance led by FIFA and streetfootballworld, demonstrating the power of the game both on and off the pitch.

NFF Appoinnts Egunavoen As Super Eagles Temporary Coach

Former Super Eagles defender, Austin Eguavoen, has been directed to be in charge of the nation's senior national team, the Super Eagles.

Eguavoen, would temporarily be in charge of the team until the technical adviser, Lars Lagerback, who is observing two weeks leave in Sweden returns.

This was part of the resolution reached by the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation at its meeting yon Tuesday in Abuja.

In the determination to rebuild the National Team from the perspective of recent experiences, the World Cup coaching crew is mandated to embark on a highly rigorous technical process of raising a new team to be dominated by the youth and home –grown talent.

The commiittee has tendered apologies to soccer loving Nigerians and President Goodluck Jonathan following the early outster of the Super Eagles from the World Cup despite the immense support.

According to NFF, the crew is to develop a long –term and sustained training programme that will give the new team adequate exposure and confidence ahead of imminent qualifying competitions.

The committee stressed that there would be only one Super Eagles team without the appelation of foreign or home based as discipline will continue to be the key issue in the national teams camps while more friendly games will be introduced..

The Committee has also directed the Technical Department to closely monitor the running of the youth/feeder teams of Premier League Clubs on the domestic scene in the interest of proper development of the game.

They also approved the engagement of a highly –qualified Psychologist for the national teams.

It directed the secretariat to ensure the National Female Under 20 team,Falconets and the Under 17 team, the Flamingoes prepare adequately for their upcoming FIFA World Cup championships in Germany and Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, the committee had upheld the verdict of the Arbitration Tribunal set up to determine the NPL electrion issue .

Hyra Motors To Power People Police Marathon

Hyra motors, representatives of Geely and Brilliance in Nigeria, have joined other private sector organisations in the sponsorship of the third edition of the annual People Police Marathon, “Race against Crime.”

Managing Director and CEO of Hyra Motors, Seyi Oyinlola, said Geely and Brillance are proud of being associated with Nigeria and would appreciate every effort to make the country a more investment friendly zone especially in the area of guaranteeing peace and security.”

In response the Deputy Inspector General, Uba Rigim said, this year's of People Police Marathon would strive to maintain the aims of the last two editions and the IGP, Ogbonna Onovo as well as the High Command, hoping that the trend would continually be a tool to improve the relationship between the police and the society.

Chief Consultant to the Marathon and Managing Director of Sublime Communication, Peter Osamgbi, said “the Marathon is being packaged as a contribution to nation building.

While explaining that all the sponsors are making history, Osamgbi, assured them of huge mileage and branding opportunities that the event would attract.

Photo Action From Milo Basketball Championship.

Photo Courtesy: Akin Farinto

Disu Wants NFF To Employ A Brazilian Or Argentine Coach.

Former Flying Eagles Coach, Tunde Disu, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to beam its search light on either Argentine or Brazilian football coaches to regenerate the standrad of football in Nigeria.

The football coach, said the Nigeria Football Federation has to change the face of Nigerian football to conform with modern tecnhiques of football and it would be right choice to require the service of a South America football coach.

According to him, Nigeria had had enough of European football coaches and beaming its searchlight on the Argentine or Brazilian football coaches would fortify the Super Eagles with tactics and Techniques couple with scientific approach to football situations.

He said Super Eagles lack tactics, techniques of modern football, and classic conditioning training, hence the reason the team was eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup, adding that the Nigeria Football Federation should be bold enough to pave the way for young football players to take responsiblity of older players.

He said th Nigeria Football Federation should now focus on the grassroot football through the numerous football academies wide spread in the country.

He added that athe NFF should design a programme where all the football academies would be properly registered with the body and there would be an organised committee that would be saddled with the responsibility of selecting quality football players who would be groomed by football coaches under the auspieces of Nigeria football coaches of Nigeria.

According to him, the German team would go far in the on going World Cup because the nation invest heavily on grassroot football unlike the England that was busy with the Premiership andorganising competitions.

He appealed with to all the football academies in Nigeria to liase with the NFF for football development and the Federation must show concern towards such gesture which football enthusiasts have been clamouring for.

Ojo Onaolapo Leads Nigeria Young Ping Pongers To Congo Brazzaville.

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has promised to make the country proud at this year's African Junior Table Tennis Championship billed for this month in Congo Brazzaville.

The team left Nigeria on Monday with ten table tennis players in the male and female categories alongside five officials to the championship.

The Secretary of the Federation, Segun Oguntade, said the selected young ping pongers were picked after series of thorough trials where over twenty pingers in the male and female categories were invited to camp at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.

Oguntade, said a total of ten table tennis players were selected to represent the country at the African Junior Table Tennis Championship as they were being exposed to series of tournamnets prior to the tourney.

According to the list made available to Arena Sports, Ojo Onaolapo top the list of Male ping pongers followd by Rasheed Azeez, Shobayo Bolaji,Ogunlade Azeez, and Omotayo Olajide.

The list female ping pongers include, Effiom Janet, Kazeem Fatima, Edem Bassey, Bello Fatimo and Asaju Bisola.

According to NTTF, former African female Table Tennis number one player, Bosede Kaffo, would handle the female squad while Omoniyi Adetoun has been assigned to coach the male team.

Unilag Wins Beach Soccer Event.

University of Lagos Beach Soccer Team has won the Beach soccer event in the ongoing Lagos Inter Tertiary Institutions Games after beating Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in an exciting match which climaxed on Sunday at the Lagos Bar Beach.

The University of Lagos Beach Soccer team which is the defending champion came from Three goals to One to beat Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in a match that ended four goals to three in favour of Unilag.

To qualify for the final, University of Lagos Beach Soccer team Lagos Polytechnic by three goals to One in the Semi final as Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education defeated Yaba College of Technology to book a date with University of Lagos, Akoka.

Coker Oluwaseyi of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education scored the first goal as the institution increased the tally when Terga Johnson of Unilag scored an own goal to make the scoreline Two - One after Oluseun Toluwani scored Unilag first goal in the first quarter.

At the resumption of second quarter, Coker Oluwaseyi, who was an outstanding player in the match scored again to make the score line Three - One in favor of the College o Education.

The trio of Oluseun Toluwani, Terga Johnson and Musa Seriki scored a goal each to give Unilag the trophy and a cash prize of Three hundred and Fifty thousand Naira as Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education boys settled for two hundred thousand Naira.

Yaba College of Technology beat Lagos Polytechnic in the third place match to grab a sum of One fifty thousand Naira.

The Chief Coach of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oyeyemi Sunday Olufemi, has attributed his team defeat to Unilag to fatique and lack of concentration.

Olufemi, told sports weight.blogspot.com, that his players were unable to have enough rest after the Semi final clash against Yaba College of Technology and that his striker whio scored a brace in the mach was deprieved of making serious attempt to score more goals in the second quarter.

The coach, said the inability of the team's goalkeeper to be at his best also culmunated to their defeat as he conceeded undeserved goals especially in the last quarter, adding that goalkeeper was at his best during the Semi final encounter.

While reacting, the coach of te University of Lagos Beach Soccer team, Akindele Macpherson Ogunsomore, said the team vast experience in the game beach soccer pave the way for his boys to win the match.

The coach who commended the AOCOED players, said he team was able to win the match after he deployed two defenders to stop the College of Education striker, Coker Oluwaseyi, from releasing powerful shots wich the goalkeeper found very difficult to stop or grab.

He advised corporate bodies and private individuals to support the State government to further develop Beach Soccer, adding that football is better developed because it has overwhelming support from the corporate bodies, Government at all levels and private individuals.

First Deepwater Dethrones First Bank, Emerge Nigeria Champion.

A new champion has emerged in the Nigeria domestic women league as First Deepwater basketball club rose to the occasion and stop the dominance of First Bank basketball club in the grand finale of the 6th edition of the Zenith Bank Women Premier League in Lagos Saturday night.

The First Deepwater ladies dominated the game from the first quarter resulting in a 24 - 09 points win for the Coaches Lateef Erinfolami and Shola Ogunade tutored Oil and Gas ladies who showed great determination to carry the day.

Thet team continue the onslaught in the second quarter though they dropped the quarter to the former champion by 20 - 14 points but they held on to the lead with a 38 - 29 points advantage going into the break.

The Coach Erinfolami side further widen the margin between them and the reigning Africa champion when they took the third quarter with the duo of Nkechi Akashili and Ijeoma Uchendu marshalling the First Deepwater offense and defense by 12 - 09 points and returned to win the fourth quarter by 16 - 11 points to end First Bank dominance of the Nigeria women league which span close to ten years with a 66 - 49 points victory.

Uchendu who was later adjudge the league best rebounder led the floor with a double figure of 22 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals while Akashili who emerged as the league Most Valuable Player, displacing First Bank guard Funmilayo Ojelabi also had a double double of 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists with forward Kelechi Obasi contributing 13 points and 7 rebounds.

First Deepwater led the Coaches Adewumi Aderemi and Christopher Acha tutored First Bank in all department of the game watched by a capacity crowd as the Oil and Gas ladies grabbed a total of 47 rebounds, offense and defense to First Bank 39, First Deepwater players gave a total of 18 assists as against First Bank 10 while they turned the ball over fifteen times against First Bank 20 turn-over.

First Deepwater Head Coach, Erinfolami attributed his side hard earned victory to dedication and total commitment on the part of the players and management of the modest side who storm the Nigeria scene in December 2008 and is only seasons in the Nigeria domestic league.

Erinfolami who is winning a major title in the local scene since turning coach after a fruitful playing career , said it was First Deepwater basketball club turn to dictate the pace in the Nigeria league and make appreciable impact in Africa and World club competitions.

President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, Tijjani Umar praised all the ten teams that took part of the league right from the first phase in Kano earlier in the year.
He charged them to put in more effort so as to guarantee good competition.

Representative of the sponsor, Bukky Latunji who stood in for the Deputy Managing Director of the foremost financial institution pledge Zenith Bank commitment to the enlistment of the girl-child through positive engagement like basketball.

The Zenith Bank Plc top shot gave a hint of the continued sponsorship of the Zenith Bank Women Premier League but says details will be worked out between the bank and the NBBF.

Also on hand to for the grand finale is the former president of the NBBF between 1990 and 2001, Senator Usman K. Umar (MNI) and Hon. (Engr.) Mohammed Ali Wudil who is a member of the House Committee on Sports.

Delta Force basketball club dependable player, Ogor Bulum won the highest scorers award with all three individual award-winner going home with a plaque from the NBBF and a laptop each from the sponsor – Zenith bank Plc

Yaba Tech Sweeps Table Tennis Gold Medals

Yaba College of Technology proved its supremacy in the ongoing Lagos Inter -Tertiary Games has its athletes won the Men and Women's Singles of the competition.

In the finals played on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, Adeyinka Ahmed of Yaba Tech defeated Aileru Ganiyu of UNILAG 4-0 in the Men's Singles.

Ganiyu was a shadow of himself as he lost all the sets to Ahmed, 13-11, 11-9, 11-2-11-6. Ahmed won the gold medal of the event for Yaba Tech and a sum of N100,000, while Ganiyu won silver medal with a sum of N60,000.

The third place went to Sunday Agunade of Lagos State University who won the bronze medal and the sum of N40,000.

In the Women's Singles, Rashidat Ogundele of Yaba Tech, last year's runner-up beat her compatriot, Idris Morufat in a tension soaked game that ended 4-2.

Apart from the gold medal won by Ogundele, she was also given the sum of N100,000, Idris won silver medal and the sum of N60,000, while the third placed Aguneke Blessing of LASU won bronze medal and the sum of N40,000.

Yaba Tech took the lead on the medal table with 2 gold and 1 silver. UNILAG won 1 silver, while LASU won 2 bronze medals.

Speaking at the finals, Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rotimi Agunloye, who was the Special Guest of Honur, descried the performance of the finalists as excellent and gave kudos to the organisers of the Tertiary Games for the vision in putting the championship together.

He said the Games is one of the effort of the administration of Governor Raji Fashola to develop sports in the state.

The Registrar of UNILAG, Rotimi Sodimu, who was also a special guest at the final thumbed up the organisation of the competition, saying it creates a health competition among higher institution of learning in Lagos.

Prince Wale Oladunjoye, Senior Special Assistant of Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Raji Fashola was glad with the spirit of sportsmanship showed by the ping pongers, he said the winners deserved their place in the biennial competition.

The tournament continues in various centres across the state until Saturday when the curtains will be drawn on it with finals of some athletic events and football

Lagos, Delta Rule Western Conference, As Kwara, Benue Berth In Grand Finale

The coast is now clear as teams expected to take part in the grand finale of this year’s Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship have been confirmed with Lagos and Delta dictating the pace in Western conference as Benue and Kwara dominated in Central conference.

To emerge champions in Ibadan, venue of the Western conference final, International School, Lagos,I.S.L, defeated Ogun’s Excel College in the boys final, while Delta’s Asaba Girls Grammar Shool outclassed former champion, Oyo’s Yejide Girls Grammar School to berth in the finale schedule for Lagos in October.

The ISL team coached by Ernest Ijeomah triumphed over the Peter Akindele-tutored side in the last quarter to win the match at 34-26points, while the encounter between Delta and Oyo in the girls’ event was one-sided with the Delta State team winning the match at 34-9.

From the Central conference in Ilorin, Benue and Kwara state representatives have also berthed in the finale after emerging champions from the zone.

Kehinde Adeoye of ISL was voted the most valuable player, MVP, in Ibadan after his performance helped his team, ISL to overcome the rampaging Ogun team.

In the Western conference, teams from Edo, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi and hosts, Oyo took part in the final, while at the Ilorin Township Stadium which hosted the Central Conference, teams from Bauchi, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Abuja, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Gombe participated in the championship.

For Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Ayoola Makanjuola, the tourney would help the teams and their states to groom world class players in the game.
Makanjuola, however, lauded Nestle Nigeria Plc for keeping faith with the championship, saying “We hope this would continue as this is part of the effort being made by the state to partner private sector at developing sports from the grassroots.

The Brach Manager, South West zone, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Adeoye Adeyinka commended the teams for exhibiting sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The winner from each conference was given N35, 000, second place teams got N25, 000 while the third place teams got N15,000.

NFF Electoral Committee Extends Election Date

The Electoral Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has extended the return of forms by prospective candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections by two
weeks.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com reports that the propective candidates now have the chance to submit their forms by fifth of July as against the twenty first of June.

The Committee's Chairman , Abdul-Hakeem Mustapha, who made this known at a media parley yesterday in Abuja, explained that the step became necessary due to complaints by some of the candidates that they could not get members of the NFF to endorse their forms as a result of the on-going FIFA World Cup in South Africa .

According to Mustapha, nineteen out of twenty six candidates who had collected the forms have returned them, adding that the door is still open for the purchase of forms for intending contestants.

He assured that the committee would on the twelve of July make public the names of qualified candidates for the election.

While soliciting the support of all stakeholders in Nigerian football, he reiterated the committee’s determination to conduct a free, fair and transparent elections.

First Deepwater, Sunshine in Royal Battle.

The stage is set for an epic battle for supremacy between reigning FIBA Africa Zone-III champion, First Deepwater basketball club and Sunshine Angels basketball club of Akure on Wednesday in the Day-6 of the final phase of the Zenith Bank Women Premier League in Lagos .

The game between the Oil and Gas ladies and the Sunshine Angels is a must watch for basketball fans is the third between both sides this season with a 1-1 record from the first and the second phase held in Kano and Asaba earlier in the year.

A win mean so much to the two sides as the race for the league title will further e thrown open between the three top contenders First Bank, First Deepwater and Sunshine Angels.

While the odds seems against Sunshine who lost to First Bank y 73 - 87 last Sunday to ring their record to 2 - 1 in favour of the bankers, the game against First Deepwater may just go that way leaving the title chase between First Bank and First Deepwater

Lagos State To Host Sister Games

Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development in its athletics drive and talent hunt is to host Sister City Games involving the cities of Lagos and Kumasi, Ghana.

The State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, through the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, said the rationale behind the Sister City Games is the wish of the Lagos State Government and the people to develop a network in the West Africa sub-region through the establishment of the Games.

Prince Adeniji-Adele, made this known at an inaugural meeting for the Sister City Games held in Kumasi, Ghana recently when he led a 10-man delegation to Ghana.

The Commissioner, said the State Government proposes the Lagos-Kumasi Games project as a way of networking in the West African sub-region, adding that the Lagos State is ready to host the Sister City Games for a period of 5-Years to make the Games Pan West Africa.

According to him, the objectives of the Games include fostering good neighbourliness within the sub-region, to develop economic ties focusing on people to people transactions, develop tourism, cultural and economic exchange between the people of the sub-region, and develop sports and talent of young people.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, has constituted the Lagos Main Organising Committee with the appointment of Engr. Adeyemi–Wilson as the Chairman, Honourable Agboola Dabiri, Braimah Bashir and Yusuf Alli as members.

Francis Cornah, the representative of the Regional Governor, Kumasi said the list of Ghana representatives on the Main Organising Committee would be made available soon.


The Kumasi Regional Minister, Kofi Apo-Meku, who welcomed the Honourable Commissioner and assured the Lagos State Government of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s support for the Sister City Games.

The Games is expected to work within the oversight of the National Olympic Association and also fit into the mandate of ECOWAS and it will be so reflected.

Events expected to be competed for include football, tennis, table tennis, athletics, badminton, basketball and taekwondo as the event would hold at theTeslim Balogun Stadium and Rowe Park Sports Centre .

Taye Taiwo Out Echiejile In

There are strong indications that Super Eagles and Marseille Defender, Taye Taiwo, will not be included in the list of players that would play against Korea in the group's last match to the elimination round.

The team's Physiotherapist, Ekundayo Ogunkunle, who confirmed this report, said injuries to defenders Taye Taiwo and Elderson Echiejile are “under control” but it is not clear if strongman Taye Taiwo, who had a scan on Saturday, would be fit for the battle.

Taye Taiwo, who had injury in the first and second group matches had been instrumental to the team's qualification to the South Africa FIFA 2010 World Cup and his injury pave the way for Uwa Echiejile who was introduced into the game when Taye Taiwo was injured.

Meanwhile, the team's technical adviser, Lars Lagerback, decided to close the session to media and other persons outside the playing body and technical personnel in order to try out new formations and strategies.

But Monday's training session in the match venue, Moses Mabhida Stadium, will be open to media for the first fifteen minutes and there would be a press conference at the end of the training.

The Swede coach, allowed the team to have a off on Saturday as players and officials were allowed to take their minds off football and generally stroll round the hotel grounds while some did light exercises.

The team had their first closed training session on Sunday at the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the desire of Technical Adviser Lars Lagerback.

However, the team's Captain and Portsmouth striker,Nwankwo Kanu, has called on Lagerback to include him in the list of players shortlisted for the encounter which has been regarded as a crucial match to determine the afte on Nigerian side in the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Royal Hoopers Maintain lead, beat Union Bank.

Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt still maintain its hold at the Atlantic conference standing of the Nigeria Basketball Federation organized DStv Premier League with a 66-56 points victory over Union Bank basketball club of Lagos .

Union Bank basketball drew the first blood when captain and guard, Azuoma Dike tore apart the defense of the Hoopers to make an easy lay-up while Paul Okojie added another basket to take the lead to four points to nothing in the opening minutes of the highly tactical game played at the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Union Bank went on to win the first quarter by 16-11 points to set the stage for a pay-back as the Coach Ogoh Odaudu tutored Royal Hoopers who had the fans behind them turned the table against the Rotimi Savage coached Union bank to win the second quarter by 15-10 points to even scores at half-time 26-26.

The atmosphere became charged at the resumption of play after the second quarter break as Royal Hoopers turned the heat on Union Bank with beautiful combinations from Moses Daudu, Anyebe Ujoh, Musa Usman, Yusuf Abubakar and Ikachi Ochoma who were at the element both offense and defense to open up a 13-point lead going into the last quarter as they won the third quarter by 24-11 points.

Though Union Bank tried all it could muster to cut down the margin with good inside play by its forward Onyeka Ekpete but a step-up by Royal Hoopers forward Victor Anthony who appeared unassuming but very effective and two quick three points from Moses Daudu and Moses Daudu ensured that the home team though lot the fourth quarter by 16-19 points to run away with a final score-line of 66-56 points to take its record to 6-2.

Royal Hoopers forward, Victor Anthony led the floor with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steal and one block-shot. Musa Usman contributed 12 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

Yusuf Abubakar added 11 points and 5 rebounds with point guard Moses Daudu grabbing 9 rebounds and giving 5 assists for their victory.

Hoopers Head Coach, Odaudu said the team was committed to its course of qualifying for the FIBA Africa Championship Zone-III elimination as no team would be underrated in the league.

Lagerback Beckons On Maradona For Help

Obviously, its not a news that Nigeria lost to Greece in their second group match of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Lagerback, is now begging the Argentina side to help Nigeria scale trough the hurdle but the Swede coach has forgetting that South Korea also have a stake in the World Cup as the team's victory against Greece had spurred them to fight for a place in the second round.

The gesture in a simple language shows that Super Eagles is not strong enough to outwit the Asian side in their next outing and the statement also underrate the South Koreans who were outstanding in their first group match.

Similarly, the on going FIFA World Cup has shown that football is fast growing across the continents or how can you explain the defeat of France to Mexico or the defeat of Spain to Switzerland. So Lagerback should endeavor to work better on players psyche that overrating his players ahead of the South Koreans who are on the verge of reaching the next stage unlike that Nigeria that are yet to secure a point.



Lets assume that Nigeria will survive South Korean, is the Super Eagles of today really strong to make the country proud at the elimination stage where there is no hope for another league match, thus we should learn to accept that Super Eagles are not Supeb enough in this year's edition but the event should serve as a preparation gorund for next editions.

The Swede being optimistic is a good gesture yet he neeeds to be informed that Nigerian football players are average layers and the Asian side are more determined as they are on the verge of qualifying for the next round courtesy of their first match victory unlike Nigeria that had lost its first two matches, thus deeming its chnaces of being part of the second round.


Sincerely, the participation of Nigeria's Super Eagles is not win the World Cup but to start a build up ahead of the next World Cup through Lagerback if the NFF officials consider it necessary.NFF should take the courage and blame for the team's performance so far because it is obvious that if Lagerback has been with the team for months prior to the tourney, there would have been better cohesion among the football players.

The Swede coach indeed understands Nigerian footall as well as the football players but he needs enough time like Clemence Westerhof to build a virile squad that could face ny team in the world.The introductio of Haruna Lukman is a revealation that Nigeria's Super Eagles could still present better players in subsequent ditions if the NFF are serious about regenerating Nigerian football.

The NFF through Lagerback should beam its searchlight on other Nigerian football players in Europe and beyond and create an enabling environment for them to join the Super Eagles. The introduction of Brown Ideye and Lukman Haruna is a welcoming development and it should be sustained because it is obvious that some players after theis world Cup would step aside for young ones to redeem the image of the national team.

To this end,Nigerian soccer fans should not expect Nigeria to win or reach the Quarter final or even survive the second round even NFF manouver there way through as we all know how we qualified for the World Cup.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com, takes a look on the comments of both team during a post match interview.

Greece coach, Otto Rehhagel.

Unfortunately, the game started just like the last one and we went a goal down. My team needed quite some time to recover. We were dominant after the red card, but there are plenty of examples where the team with the extra man goes on to lose. However, we reacted well to conceding the first goal, showed tremendous passion and belief, and turned the game around. Argentina are world-class, they’re clearly better than us. We still have a chance, but it’ll be very hard. We’re the underdogs against Argentina, that’s for sure, but we’ll give it our best shot. For now, we’ll just enjoy the fact we’ve beaten Nigeria.

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Lars Lagerback.

The positive thing is that we still have a chance of qualifying, although we need a helping hand from Argentina. We need a fresh start, and we’ll do that by beating Korea Republic. We were comfortably in control, but we had problems reorganising after the sending-off. I’m pleased with my players’ attitude in the circumstances. We played well in the second half and managed to create a couple of decent chances.

Vasilios Torosidis, Greece scorer

I don’t care what happens now. I’m just delighted for the team, and for the fans who never stopped believing in us.

Joseph Yobo, Nigeria captain

Until the sending-off, we had the game under control. After going a man down our aim was to try and dig in for the draw. Our attitude was good in the second half and we showed character, but it’ll be very hard now. We’ve lost both matches and it looks like we won’t make it to the next round, even if we win our last game. We’re basically out of the tournament.

Picture: Courtesy of FIFA.COM

Ibadan, Ilorin come alive for Milo Conference finals

The ancient cities of Ibadan and Ilorin will be agog, as teams converge for the Western and Central conference finals of this year’s Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

In Ibadan , representatives from Oyo, Edo, Delta, Lagos , Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Kogi states will assemble at the Liberty Stadium for the Western conference final.

Also in Ilorin , teams from Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna , Abuja , Niger , Plateau, Benue and Gombe states will jostle for honours at the Central conference final.

The spokesman Of Nigeria School Sports Federation, Kudu Biu Omar, said the screening of teams would hold today while the group matches would commence tomorrow.

Omar, said the Federation is interested in the development of the game in schools and they would do everything possible to ensure that mercenaries are not employed by teams to take part in the tournament.

Omar, said the Federation is expecting all the teams to give their best considering the standard during the regional finals in Enugu and Kano .

The regional finals in the Central and Western conferences will end on Wednesday June 23 in each venue.

To serve as deterrent to others, NSSF disqualified the Bayelsa male team from the Atlantic Conference final of this year’s Championship in Enugu for fielding ineligible players.

Meanwhile, Ebonyi, Enugu , Adamawa and Kano have secured places in the grand finale of the championship,

The teams emerged champions during the Savannah and Atlantic conferences finals to confirm their spots in the Lagos finale holding later in the year.

Adamawa’s Government Girls Secondary School defeated Zamfara’s Government Girls Day Secondary School by 18-16 points in the final of the Atlantic conference.

But efforts by Adamawa to have its male team at the grand finale were thwarted as the Yola-based Gen. Murtala Mohammed College fell to the host, Ahmadiya College of Kano by 85-79 points.

Home fans spurred the Kano boys to victory against the hard-fighting Yola team to record the biggest score line this year in that explosive encounter.

South Africa Embassy Denies Nigeria Football Supporters Club Visa

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria files out today against Greece in their second group match in the South frica 2010 FIFA World Cup, hundreds of Nigeria Football Supporters Club are still stranded in the country.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com, reports that Seven days into the commencement of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , members of Nigeria Football Supporters Club are still stranded in the country while a minimal number of the club members were able to secure visa.

Their inability to secure visa entry into South Africa was as a result of the South Africa High Commission refusal to issue them entry visa.

The NFSC members numbering about 300 have been visiting the embassy since two weeks now but have not yet been issued visa as necessary documents; proof of accommodation, flight scheduled were provided and have also paid visa fee.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com reports that the NFSC leadership and its members have been visiting the embassy for weeks, yet nothing has happened as the embassy officials according to investigation always asked them to come back everyday.

While speaking with the club's Deputy President General, Waidi Aderenle, said the South Africa home office in Johannesburg have confirmed the gennuity of their documents and that they now wonder why the visa have not yet been issued for today's Super Eagles match against Greece.

Adenrele said the club has resolved to withdraw the Greece match tickets for their members with visa who intend to travel Wednesday night.

“It is sad the way they are treating us, World Cup on African soil and Nigeria Supporters Club members were been denied visa, it is a sad development and we are not happy with this”, he said.

MTN, Lagos State Government Splash Ten Thousand Rands On Bablo, Bibire And Adeniji Streets

As part of efforts to fulfil its promises, the Lagos State is organising a competition for the best three teams of third season of MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship at the Zoo Lake Sports Club, Parkview Johannesburg, South Africa.

The State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, made this known in South Africa while meeting with sports journalists on the plans for the winners of the championship.

The Commissioner for Sports, said the tournament would come up Tuesday morning in a bid to give the players opportunity to relax ahead of tomorrow's Super Eagles match against Greece.

Adeniji-Adele, said the competition which would be in a round robin format would played among Bablo Street of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Bibire Street of Igando Ikotun Local Council Development Area and Adeniji Adele Street of Lagos Island Local Government.

According to him, the sponsor,MTN Nigeria and the State Government has approved a sum of ten thousand Rands as cash prize for the tourney of which the winner would get Five thousand Rands as the runners up grab Three thousand Rands while the tird pace team smile home with Two thousand Rands.

Grace and Lagos City Polytechnic Pull Out Of Tertairy Games

Grace Polytechnic and Lagos City Polytechnic have pulled out of the second edition of the Lagos Inter-Tertiary Games slated for next Thursday.

Despite the institutions withdrawal, Sixteen Institutions of Higher Learning have confirmed particiaption at the close of entries last Friday in the second edition of the Games .

Among the institutions that had registered are University of Lagos , Lagos State University, Lagos State Polytechnic,Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Yaba College of Technology, Federal College of Education Technical, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Caleb University, Wolex Polytechnic, Ansar-Ud-Deen College of Education and Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

According to the Chairman, Technical Committee of the Games, Ewa Henshaw, the contingent strength at the games have been restricted to a maximum of One hundred and fourteen percent.

Meanwhile, University of Lagos would host Football, Table-Tennis,Basketball and Volleyball events, while Yaba College of Technology would also host Volleyball, Football and Basketball at their campus.

Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology with the hosting of Beach Soccer, Beach Volley as Lagos State University LASU and the Legacy Pitch at National Stadium host Football matches.

Lagos State Unveils Pool Association.

The Lagos state Pool Association, LASPA, has been introduced into the new face of sports in the state sports council after the cue sport was unveiled yesterday at the Let's Go Bowling of Shoprite, Lekki.

Its Chairman, Olushola Mogaji, said the Association which has been registered with the State's Sport Council since February, 2010 decided to use the sport to inspire young adults into playing various important roles in schools, communities and the nation.

Mogaji, said Lagos being the centre of excellence has over the years produced someof the best sporting talents in the country, adding that the Association would redouble its efforts in bringing World Pool Championships to Lagos State.

According to her, the Association's vision is to discover budding talents from the streets of Lagos through amateur play, adding that research has shown that Pool is a cue sport is as popular as football on the streets of Lagos.

"The sport which was founded by Rolatirade, a trade mark of Mogal Concept Service Limited would serve as a platform to establish a responsible environment conducive for maintaining and developing youths in th state., Mogaji assured"

While speaking with sportsweight.blogspot.com, Mogaji said the Association would continue to work with different partners in achieving success stories in the future.

She stressed that the Association plans to gather over three thousand youths anually for an experience of lifetime as they intend to use the sport as a tool to drive and empower the youth to desist from societal ills that ha splagued the society.

While describing Pool as a cue sport which entails using sticks to called cue to pocket balls of different color into six holes on the sides and corners of a rectangle table, Mogaji, said the Association would encourage youn peopleto learn the ettiques of the sport which would help to build the youths mind.

According to her, all arrangements have been concluded to stage the annual All Lagos State Youths 8 ball Pool competition which is designd to encourage more corporate bodies to partner with the State's Government to reform and improve the youtha through sporting activities.

To this end, a brand new Picanto car waiats the winner with acash prize ot two hundred thousand naira.

The event which attracted dignatries from differemt walks of life did not come to an end without the exhibition games where Kingsley Ogboso, the Association's Vice Chairman and Akinwale Sodade, the H.O.D Events, thrilled the audience with scintilating skills in a game which ended one game apiece.

Adamawa, Kano berth in Milo grand finale

After Ebonyi and Enugu states secured places in the grand finale of this year’s Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, the number of teams expected in Lagos has continued to swell with Adamawa and Kano qualifying from the Savannah Conference finals.

The girls and boys teams from Adamawa and Kano emerged champions during the final of the Savannah conference held in Kano on Tuesday. The team is now Lagos bound after confirming their places in the grand finale holding later in the year.

Adamawa’s Government Girls Secondary School defeated Zamfara’s Government Girls Day Secondary School by 18-16 points in the girls’ final of the Savannah Conference. But efforts by Adamawa to have its male team to be present at the grand finale was halted as the Yola-based General Murtala Mohammed College fell to the host team, Ahmadiya College of Kano by 85-79 points.

Being the biggest score line recorded so far this year in the championship, the support from the home fans was what spurred the Kano boys to victory against the hard-fighting Yola team in the explosive encounter.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) confirmed that Bayelsa’s boys’ team were disqualified from the Atlantic Conference final in Enugu for fielding ineligible players.

The federation spokesman, Kudu Biu Omar said, it was discovered during the screening that most of the Bayelsa boys were found to belong to a team, with some of them admitting not to be students.

The regional finals will move to the Western and Central conferences with the ancient city of Ibadan in Oyo State hosting the Western Conference, while Emirate seat, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital welcomes teams from Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Abuja, Niger, Plateau, Benue and Gombe states.

Teams that will compete at the Western conference in Ibadan are Edo, Delta, Lagos , Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Kogi states.

The regional finals in Central and Western conferences will hold from the 18th to 24th of this month.

Winners of MTN Street Soccer Depart Nigeria

Winners of the third season of MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship are expected to have arrive Souh Africa today ahead o the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The teams departed Nigeria yesterday through Arik Airline around 12 midnight alongside the Main Organising Committee and Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development officials.

The Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele, while presenting the teams to Media, said the players were the worthy ambassadors of Lagos and Nigeria having showcase thier talents to earn them a trip to South Africa where they would watch the first ever FIFA World Cup on an African soil.

Adele, said the trip to South Africa was part of the agreement signed with the proud sponsor of the tournament, MTN Nigeria, that the eventual winners would embark on a trip of South Africa, adding that the State has been able to redeem its promises of taking the players to South Africa.

Representative of MTN Nigeria, Saidat Lawal, said he telecommunication would never relent in its efforts to add value and expand te coast of the youths who are endowed with special skills to excel hence the reason the communication firm partner the Lagos State Government to help build a virile platform for football development.

Lawal, assured that the fourth season which would kick start in November, would be more attractive than previous editions as plans are in top gear to empower the winners with a tricycle, Maruti brand, for the players as well as the teams Managers.

According to her, winners of the third season would have the opportunity to play friendlies in South Africa with some football academies as she opines that some of the players could grab an lucrative offers.

Police Beat Customs 70-64 To Stay Atop

Police Baton basketball club bounced back to the top of the Atlantic conference standing of the Nigeria DStv Premier League with a 70-64 points victory over the Nigeria Customs Service basketball club in a mid-week game.

The Police side look shaky at the beginning of the game going down by 13-21 points to the Scott Nnaji tutored Customs side in the frist quarter effort by the Coach Mark Balogun tutored Police Baton to come into the game in the second quarter could only yield a 13 points apiece for both side with Customs going into the break with a 34-26 points advantage.

The Police Baton turned the heat on the third quarter to open up a five points lead with a 28-15 points win in the third quarter and consolidated it hold on the leadership in the fourth quarter which ended by 16-15 points in its favour for a cumulative scores of 70-64 points.

Earlier in the day Union Bank basketball club wade off a stiff challenge from Ebun Comets basketball to escape with a 69-63 points to climb to the third place of the Atlantic conference.

The banker won the first, second and fourth quarter (14-08, 14-12 and 25-20) while the former Nigerian champion (Ebun Comets) picked the third quarter by 23-16 points with Union Bank forward Onyeka Ekpete proving very reliable in the paint grabbing 13 rebounds while compatriots Samson John and Azuoma Dike netting 14 points each.

Comets youthful guard Obum Onyia scored game high of 23 points to lead other players in scoring.

However, Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt will this weekend takes its play-offs aspiration to Lagos for a double battle against Ebun Comets and Union Bank basketball club on Saturday and Sunday at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

The Hoopers had not find things easy at the Lagos centre of the DStv league as it lost the two games it played in its first trip to Lagos last month and Coach Ogoh Odaudu are weary of the task at hand as they are determine to pick a game this time.

The former Ebun Comets and Nigeria international turned coach knows the Comets inside out but with a crafty coach (Ayo Bakare) regarded as the best in local scene the Hoopers might not find things too easy against the youthful Comets side who proved bookmakers wrong last Sunday when they beat Lagos Islanders and almost caused a stir against Union Bank Wednesday.

Other games billed for the weekend in the Atlantic conference include Lagos Islanders taking on Union Bank basketball club on Friday and Nigeria Customs seeking a lifeline against Lagos Islanders on Sunday.

In the Savannah conference, conference leader, Kano Pillars basketball club will be at home to Plateau Peaks with a mindset to consolidate it hold on the conference table on Saturday, Tapgun Rockets who lost at home last week to Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi will take on fast improved Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna at the Admadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna while AHIP Giants will try its luck against Plateau Peaks on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

Mid-week Results in the Savannah conference, Tapgun Rockets 56-59 Yelwa Hawks, Atlantic conference, Union Bank 69-63 Ebun Comets, Police Baton 70-64 Nigeria Customs

Weekend Games

Atlantic Conference:

11/06/10 Lagos Islanders Vs Union Bank Lagos 16H00
12/06/10 Ebun Comets Vs Royal Hoopers Lagos 16H00
13/06/10 Union Bank Vs Royal Hoopers Lagos 16H00
13/06/10 NGR Customs Vs Lagos Islanders Lagos 18H00

Savannah conference:

12/06/10 Kano Pillars Vs Plateau Peaks Kano 17H00
12/06/10 Tapgun Rockets Vs Kada Stars Kaduna 16H00
13/06/10 AHIP Giants Vs Plateau Peaks Kano 17H00

Ibeju Lekki Honours 150 Athletes, Lays Lekki Stadium Foundation

The Ibeju Lekki Local Government has said the council's proposed new Stadium will help to rebrand and build a virile sporting activites in the local government and its environs.

Its Chairman, Prince Bayo Balogun, made this statement when the council was honouring the council athletes who won the last held Lagos State Sports Festival tagged "IBILE 2010" and the Cricket players who won the last Cricket tournament in the state.

About one hundred fifty athletes were honoured yesterday as they were financially motivated.

Balogun, whose Local Government had donated acres of land to construct a stadium which would houses a Cricket oval, football field among other, said the council's athletes and the cricket players had made them proud in all the tournamnet they had registered for.

He said the feat was a result of their commitment to the development of sports and also they were able to design a solid welfare package for their wards which has made them to give their best when ever they feature in any tournament.

He said the council decided to donated the acres of land for sports development because the people Ibeju Lekki deserve to have to themselves a befitting stadium where they would be able to perfect their skills, adding that the nearest stadium to them is the Onikan Stadum and it is necessary to have a sports complex this is similar to the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

He said the council's decision to name Chief Molade Okoya Thomas as the Committee Chairman of the stadium, was to help the council through his weight in the society to attract private, corporate and government support in construccting the stadium in good time.

The Onibeju Of Ibeju Lekki, Segun Salami, said the outstanding victories of their athletes at various tournaments was because they are endowed with credible athletes couple with theunflinching support of Prince Bayo Balogun whose administratio has empowered the youth through sports.

Lagos State Begins Move To Select Budding Stars

A comprehensive screening aimed at picking budding stars for the Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme has been slated for Teslim Balogun Stadium and Rowe Park Sports Centre.

The exercise which will begin next Friday will be preceded with a close camping at Games Village, Surulere and Teslim Balogun Hostels, where would-be talents are expected to converge next Thursday.

According to the spokesman of the coaching crew, Joe Mensah, over 200 applications have been received from parents, guardians and corporate bodies, signifying interest to register their wards in virtually all the six sports approved by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

The exercise, which will be segmented into sessions, would be conducted simultaneously at Teslim Balogun Stadium and Rowe Park Sports Centre in Surulere and Yaba .

Coach Joe Mensah further informed that the eighteen coaches employed for Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme would be on duty to select potential stars in Athletics, Boxing, Basketball, Volleyball, Beach Soccer/Soccer
and Table-Tennis before final selection.

Meanwhile, letters have been written to parents and guardians to release their wards for screening, while teachers in various schools have also been informed about the screening exercise.

Ebonyi, Enugu dominate Atlantic Conference finals

Ebonyi and Enugu States have confirmed their superiority at the Atlantic Conference final of this year’s Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

Both teams showed their class ahead of other teams that jostled for places in the grand finale of the championship holding in Lagos later in the year.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com, confirmed that in the final of the boys’ event at the Atlantic Conference, St Augustine Seminary, Ebonyi defeated Marise Brothers Juniorate, Abia 49- 46 to emerge as the conference champion.

While the girls’ team from Annunciation Secondary School , Enugu overcame Royal Girls Academy of Port Harcourt 25 -14 to confirm their place in the Lagos grand finale.

Being the host of the regional confab, the Enugu girls enjoyed massive support from the home fans to surmount the Rivers State team in the fierce final. However, Owerri Girls Secondary School settled for the third place at the conference.

Eight teams took part in the Atlantic conference with teams from Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River , Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra and Abia states contending for the conference title.

Meanwhile, participating teams have started honing their skills ahead of the Western and Central conference finals holding in Ibadan and Ilorin respectively.

International School , Lagos, ISL and Ilupeju Grammar School are the teams that will represent Lagos State in the Western Conference final of the Championship scheduled for Ibadan , the Oyo State capital, this month.

The ISL male team overcame Ilupeju Grammar School 49-24 in the state final while Ilupeju girls beat Christ the King International School to lift the title in the girls division.

With the victory, the Ernest Ijeomah-tutored ISL team confirmed its supremacy in the game, having won this year’s Ivy League, Doregos and the Lagos Sports Month Festival.
The team is aiming to qualify for the Milo grand final in Lagos by coming tops at the Western conference.

Ilorin , the Kwara State capital, will host the Central Conference where teams from Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna , Abuja , Niger , Plateau, Benue and Gombe states will compete for places in the grand finale.

The regional finals in Central and Western conferences will hold from the 18th to 24th of this month.