Paul Odoh Junior To Miss European Trip.

 

 

 

 

 

Though Paul Odoh (jnr), the son of Late Proffessional golfer Paul Odoh secured sponsorship, a whistle blower questioned the age category he played.

 

 He is believed to be either 11 or 12 years old but he played in the aged 10 category. 

 

Spokesperson for the Kids Golf International, Ireti Ibironke, explained that golf was a game of integrity and KGI as an association take matters of any falsification seriously. All efforts to verify Paul's age have proven futile. 

 

The young man is good player no doubt and if he were to be indeed 10years, he won both the singles stroke event and the match play. Unfortunately, the medals were not presented to him due to the allegation which remains to be proven otherwise. 

 

Iretti added, Nigeria has passed the age of no accurate birth records, baptismal certificates or school records to verify age. 

 

The odds are not looking well for the great team of players from Minna cantonement golf club that attended the recently concluded 1st KGI All African Junior Golf Championships. 

 

The trio Paul Odoh (jnr), John Odoh and Peter Idoko who all qualified for the U.S Kids European Championships have failed to secure sponsorships to make the trip in June.

 

Sworn affidavits for children in this age upto 30years ago should be a thing of the past and more so, our parents did what they did to remain in civil service.

Time has moved on and we as parents should take more responsibilities towards our children's records. As an organisation, we are growing young ambassadors of Nigeria for the future, so our reputation with the U.S Kids Golf Foundation, the UK and US Embassies, the PGA, USGA and other golfing bodies is at stake if we take issues like this lightly. 

 

It will be in the interest of everyone especially young Paul, who no doubt is destined to be great golfer start on a good note and avoid controversies like this surrounding him. 

 

However, that responsibility lies in the shoulders of those who are guiding and guarding him until he is old enough to make decisions himself. We are unable to contact the President of the foundation to comment on the matter.

 

Port Harcourt fracas unacceptable – 1 GAME

Football without Violence campaign has condemned the attack on Ocean Boys players and officials which marred Saturday’s game against Sharks in Port Harcourt.

 

Reports in the media had it that unidentified men invaded the dressing room of the visiting team, attacked and inflicted severe body injuries on the players and officials.

 

Amid fears that league venues in the country could no longer guarantee the right security for players, officials and spectators, Philip Obaji, 1 GAME founder and Executive Director on Sunday said: “The situation in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) is worrying, you’d rather not want to be seen at match venues.

 

“Obviously, we strongly condemn Saturday’s attack on players and officials of Ocean Boys. Such a situation is unacceptable. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured,” he added in a statement.

 

“This is an attack not only on innocent people but on the image of the NPL and we call for full investigation and holding those responsible to account.

 

“We share the concerns about the threat that violence posses. And this is among the reasons we cooperate so strongly with the NPL in term of not only security support but also advocacy and educational support for followers of football,” he concluded

Ibile Games Is For Senior Secondary Schools. Oshodi

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi has cleared the air on eligibility of school athletes for the forth-coming Lagos State Sports Festival, tagged Ibile Games.

The Sports Commissioner, who is also the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee for the Games, said that the 20 schools sports approved by the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation, will feature during the games.

Oshodi also made it clear that participation is not restricted to public schools run by Lagos State, but all Senior Secondary Schools operating in the state, be they Military, Federal, Special Education, Private Schools or Tertiary Institutions like the International School, Lagos which is run by University of Lagos, unilag.

He added that the impressive response of the schools and their eagerness to excel informed his directive to the Technical Committee to extend the closing date for registration so that more schools will have the opportunity to let the world know what they are capable of achieving outside the classrooms, especially in sports.

Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Babatunde Fatai Williams disclosed that the students will compete for honours in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Football, Gymnastics, Judo, Karate, Scrabble, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball and Weightlifting.

Only Deaf Athletics and Deaf Table Tennis are the Special Sports that will feature in the Schools’ category .
Chairman of Media and Publicity. Committee, Deji Balogun disclosed that zonal eliminations will commence on Monday, 7 May in all the zones, while successful athletes will battle for honours during Ibile Games 2012 from 14-26 May.

Eagles Can’t Play In Kaduna – Johnson

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Security Committee, Effiong Johnson says it would be impossible for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna to play host to Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying matches owing to security threats the Northern city possesses.

 

The NFF Executive Committee will meet later this week in Abuja to decide which city gets the nod to host the Super Eagles and their opponents as the preliminary stage of the 2013 Nations Cup enters its second leg and the 2014 World Cup qualification phase begins.

 

An inspection team from the NFF last week took a look at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan and the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar in view of an alternative venue should Kaduna not pass the security test for the forthcoming matches.

 

But having witnessed series of bomb attacks in recent times, with the most recent occurring last Thursday, Johnson said he will be the first to vote against Kaduna when the issue comes up at the NFF board meeting.

 

“I don’t believe Kaduna will get it. Everybody knows the town is not safe. It is clear for all to see. I’ll personally vote against it when the matter comes up at the board meeting later in the week.

  

“Football keeps all of us together. It is important for us watch and enjoy matches in peaceful environments. As Security Committee chairman, I’ll not be party to putting the lives of players, officials and spectators in danger,” Johnson conclud

Adeyemi Bero Promises Outstanding Performance At EKO 2012 Games.

Lagos State Tennis Association, LSTA, is optimistic that the state's tennis players to the EKO 2012 Games in November, will record excellent performance to place them top of the sports medals table.

LSTA Chairman, Adewunmi Adeyemi Bero, who made this statement onStaurday at the final of the Association's closed championship, said they had concluded plans to organise regular tournaments to prepare their wards for the Games and also to keep them fitter ahead of the event.

Adeyemi Bero, said bulk of the tennis players who would feature at the Games would be made of talented and discipline tennis players who are ready to work hard to excel, stressing that the players would be in camp for a period of six months prior to the Games.

According to him, the association is planning to organize inter - state tennis championship to put their athletes in competition mood as he explained that the state government had resolved to provided adequate welfare packages to the state's athletes to the Games, thus preventing them to be poached by other states.

Ganiyu Yusuf, the former Lagos State number one tennis player, won the tourney after beating Mathew Oviawe by two straight set of 6 - 2, 6 - 4, to grab the sum of sixty thousand naira(N60,000).

Yusuf, who defeated Basil Jacobs, said the need to organise regular tennis competitions is imperative because the state's tennis players would be playing against tougher tennis players and it would augur well if the association could also tactical and technical training programmes.

The tennis player, commended Mathew Oviawe for displaying good tennis artistry that almost pave the way for him to win the second set, stressing that Oviawe stand a chance to win either a Gold or Silver medal at the EKO 2012 Games if he could start rigorous training programme.

Oviawe smiled home with the sum of 30,000 thousand naira as the duo of Basil Jacobs and Benedict David got 20,000 thousand naira each.

In the ladies category, Racheal Akeredolu beat Segun Lesi, 6 - 4, 6 - 4 to get 50,000 thousand naira while Lesi went home with 20,000 thousand naira as the duo of Esther Lasoju and Yetunde Arogundade got 15,000 naira each.

NFF Endorses Nigeria Pitch Awards

The Nigeria Football Federation has given go-ahead to sports consultancy and management company, Matchmakers Consult International, to organize the Nigeria Pitch Awards – an annual awards ceremony for
all categories on the football field.

Matchmakers Consult International, which organized the highly successful two-day FIFA/NFF Players’ Agents Workshop in Lagos last year, also received the approval to organize an international charity
football match and a seminar on ‘Kicking Out Human Trafficking from Football’ on the margin of the awards ceremony.

In its letter of approval, the NFF referred to the successful two-day FIFA/NFF Players’ Agents Workshop organized by the company and said it was looking forward to a truly glamorous Nigeria Football Awards that will fulfill all sectors and stakeholders.

Chief Executive Officer of Matchmakers Consult, Mr. Shina Philips, said: “This is magnificent. We are excited at the opportunity to organize a show-stopping Football Awards that will reward persons in
all playing positions on the field, as well as officials, players’agents, State Governments and the media.

“We are very appreciative of the NFF for giving us this go-ahead and we will strive to do even better than we did for the Players’ Agents Workshop. We will consult all stakeholders and midwife a process that
will give birth to a credible selection and awards programme that will leave no one in doubt about its transparency.

“Already, we are in the process of contracting an international rating agency that will verify and guarantee the transparency and veracity of the entire awards process. Nothing will be taken for granted. Of
course, this awards is NFF’s way of showing appreciation to our numerous footballers and stakeholders, and it is open to players within and outside the country”, explained Philips.

The annual red carpet and glamour show will be preceded by an international seminar on ‘Kicking Human Trafficking Out of Football’, while the international charity match will be held with the support of
international football and human trafficking agencies across the globe.

Some of the football megastars pencilled down for the match are former World Player of the Year and World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane (France), another former World Player of the Year and World Cup winner Ronaldinho (Brazil), former African Player of the Year award winners Didier Drogba (Cote d’Ivoire), Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria), Samuel Eto’O Fils (Cameroon), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria), as well as Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Teko Modise (South Africa) and Joseph Yobo, Captain of Nigeria and the country’s record international player.

The objective of the match is to draw international attention to the problem of human trafficking in football, and proceeds from the gates will be donated to the fight against human trafficking in the game.

Eko 2012: Akinwunmi Charges Eko Football Team To Stay Focused.

Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA),  Seyi Akinwunmi, has charged the Eko female Football team  to remain focused in their build up ahead of the National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012.

The F.A Boss, who paid an unscheduled visit to the players and their coaches after they defeated Samd ’Or F. C by two unreplied goals in a friendly at Onikan Stadium on Friday, appealed to the girls to aim high and make Lagos State proud at the forthcoming festival.

He told the football players that they are the Eko Football ambassadors and they must justify it by putting up good performances on and off the pitch when the event kick off in November, 2012, adding that the F.A would engage them on tour of  orphanages, schools, hospitals and television stations as the association's ambassadors.

The LSFA boss also revealed that a team of doctors would visit them in camp to carry out medical checks and also to ensure that they are in good condition of health.

Mexico 2012: Nasidi Retains 26 in Under 15 Camp.

Head Coach of  Nigeria's Under 15 team, Danladi Nasidi, has picked 26 young football players after the team's first phase screening which was concluded over the weekend in Abuja.

To this end, the selected football players will return for the second phase scheduled for next month, ahead of the Eight-Nation Adidas Under 15 Tournament taking place in Mexico between 18th -24th, of June, 2012.

Only 18 players will be selected from the returning group of 26 for the Eight-Nation Adidas Under 15 Invitational Tournament taking place in Mexico.

About 50 players from top-notch football academies such as Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin and the Abuja-based FOSLA Academy, and some players from the COPA Coca-Cola UK Summer Camp of 2011 took part in the exercise at the Football Turf of the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium, Abuja.

Among the selected players are Muraina Sanni, Anas Mohammed, Ajayi Abiodun, Obasi Chigozie, Philip Samson, Hamza Tanimu, Etiboy Akpan, Chidera Eze, Ekene Onwuka, Clement Ogbobe, Njoku Jacob, Sogo Alaofin, Uche Chinedu, Abdul Ahmed, Adewale Makanjuola, Bonaventure Dennis, Awoniyi Taiwo, Udoh Akpan, Lazarus John, Elijah Joseph, Solomon Nsude, Ajetomobi Ojo, Isah Hussaini, Abbas Ibrahim, Mbotidem Okoh and Abubakar Babaji.

Akinyele Points Way Forward For Eagles Revival

Former Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), and one time Information Minister, Chief Alex Akinyele, says Nigeria is on the right path to rediscovering its national pride through football with the appointment of Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the national team.

 

Akinyele, who was Chairman at the induction ceremony of new members into the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR),  at the Airport Hotel in Lagos Thursday, said he knows Keshi well and worked with him in the era of Clemence Westerhof as coach, while Keshi was skipper of the national team.

 

He added that as far as he was concerned the NFF made the best choice in appointing Keshi and the coach himself has started on a good footing by rebuilding the national team from home. “Charity begins at home and Keshi understands that fact, all he needs is for all Nigerians and especially the NFF to give him full support and autonomy. Soon the country will be back to the top of football in Africa”, he said.

 

Akinyele, praised the pragmatic approach of the players and the technical crew of the national team and asked that the team should be encouraged by all and sundry to rebuild what he described as the pride of African football. “Criticisms can come but it must be constructive and the young man must be given the freedom to build a new team for the country”.

 

Keshi Lands Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

The national team; Super Eagles will reconvene in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Sunday May 6, ahead of the international friendly against Peru in Lima, May 23 and the upcoming Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers in June.

 

Nigeria has three crucial qualifiers against Namibia, Rwanda and Malawi in June.

 

Eagles Spokesman, Ben Alaiya quotes National Team Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor, as saying that the clarification becomes necessary to avoid controversy over the date of arrival in camp of players and officials of the national team. He also declared that for now, the friendly against Gabon, has been put on hold until both parties agree on a mutually beneficial date.

 

Similarly, Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is expected in the country on Sunday, April 29, from the United States, where he has been on holidays to start preparing grounds for the team’s resumption for crucial friendlies and qualifiers in the coming weeks.

 

List of players for camping is expected to be released in the coming days, though as the Big Boss Keshi has said himself, there are not expected to be much changes in the team, as his building process is nearing a crucial stage where he has to have a standing team for the qualifiers.

 

First Deepwater Beat First Bank To Title.

With a phase left in the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Zenith Bank Women Basketball League, defending champion First Deepwater basketball club secured a 69-63 points win against  First Bank basketball club  in the second phase of the league in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The defending champion rose from a 33-35 points lose at halftime break to push back the Elephant Girls in the third and fourth quarters by 14-09 and 22-19 for a final scores of 69-63 points to beat the bankers yet to a third straight title.

Results of some other games played  yesterday, Immigration basketball club of Kano went down to FCT Angels basketball club of Abuja by 37-54 points, Plateau Rocks basketball club of Jos also kissed the court with a 46-50 points lose to Delta Force basketball club of Asaba while Sunshine Angels basketball club of Akure had the better of AHIP by 69 - 48 points.

Action continue today with four game on the bill, Immigration will do battle against city rival AHHIP, Customs will have its hands full when it confront Sunshine Angels, Plateau Rocks takes on defending champion First Deepwater basketball club in the last game of the day.

NFF Lauds NSC For Retreat Programme

The leadership of Nigeria Football Federation has heaped plaudits on the Honourable Minister for Youth Development and Supervising Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji
Abdullahi, for organizing a one-day retreat for parastatals and sport federations in Abuja on Thursday. The theme of the retreat was Understanding Extant Rules.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, who led Members of the NFF Executive Committee to the event, said: “This is a very good programme. It is important to have functions like this periodically so that the Sports Commission and the parastatals and sport federations under it can understand ourselves better.

“The NFF administration is happy with the way and manner the Honourable Minister/Chairman of NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has been carrying on, and we will always give him and the NSC Management ample support anytime such is required. This retreat has, no doubt, served a great purpose. There has been light shed on a number of grey areas and I think we all understand that what matters is mutual regard and
respect and for each of the different arms to know its mandate”, said Maigari.

The NFF President attended a programme in Accra, Ghana and only flew into the country on Thursday morning, but was among the first persons at the Conference Hall of the SGF, Federal Secretariat venue of the Retreat.

Honourable Minister/Chairman, NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said the one-day retreat was organized in order to consolidate on the gains of recent peace moves and seeming understanding among all sporting bodies and groups in the land. He also reiterated that the parastatals and sport federations have to know their limits of authority and levels of autonomy within the structure.

Mr G. C. Ukomadu delivered a paper on ‘Relationships Between MDAs and Its Parastatals: What The Extant Rules Say’, while Mr. Olalekan Adebola from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation spoke on ‘The Role of MDAs in Ensuring Parastatals Compliance with Extant Rules on Reporting System of Accounts to the AGF’.

At the end, Minister Abdullahi said: “I think this programme has been quite useful. I have always said that among us all, there is nothing personal. We are all doing whatever we are doing in the interest of Nigerian sports and the nation itself. So, if we understand ourselves better, we will be able to relate better and the results would show on the field and elsewhere”.

Also at the Retreat were Chairman of the Sports and Social Development Committee of the House of Representatives, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, another Member of the Committee Bello Ka’oje, Executive Director of the National Institute for Sports, Dr. Simeon Ikhioya, heads of various sport federations as well as directors and deputy directors of the NSC.

FIFA Futsal World Cup: Oyekale Invites 26 To Lagos Camp

Head Coach of the Five-A-Side National Football Team, Oladunni Oyekale has invited 26 players for screening ahead of the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying match against Gabon in Lagos on Sunday, May 6.

The players are drawn from the four teams that made it to the semi finals of last year’s Ultimate Five-A-side National Football Championship.

The four teams are: Sholly Babes FC of Lagos, which emerged champions of the competition; MacJeff FC of Port Harcourt that finished runners-up; Inter FC of Enugu that won the bronze medal and Pensioners FC of Enugu that finished in fourth place.

Players called, who are expected to resume training at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Saturday are: Onyekaozulu Okolo, Onwukanjo Chijioke, Onuoha Joseph, Okafor Ebuka, Chisom
Akunebu, Chukwudi Nwokeye, Kingsley Sokre, Ginodon Julex, Okoh Tochukwu, Chukwudi Orlando, Pascal Chukwudi, Victor Ajuluchukwu, Chidindu Madu, Israel Banigo, Junior Ukwenga, Emmanuel Madu, Prince
Napoleon, Oluwaseun Taro, Taye Oche, Olaniyi Jejelola, Feinard Ahmed Abokede, N. Obomate, Michael Joel Okoro, Kabiru Nosiru Olumide, Ishola Kehinde and Jones Adefolahan Adepoju.

Oyekale said on Thursday that the players will train three times daily in order to catch up on lost time and due to the peculiar nature of five-a-side football, which is highly technical and also feeds on endurance level.

The winner of the fixture between Nigeria and Gabon will proceed to the final stage of the qualifiers, to play the winner of the fixture between Tunisia and Egypt, no doubt the best two futsal playing nations in Africa. This year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup will hold in Thailand between 2nd – 18th November.

Lagos State To Stage IBILE Games In May.

The Lagos State Multi-Sports Festival, Ibile Games will kick off  next month at various sports centers across the State.

According to the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, the festival will parade grassroots athletes in the colors of the various Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.

The budding talents will compete for honors in Volleyball, Hockey, Basketball, Football, Table Tennis, Handball, Swimming, Athletics , Wrestling, Boxing and Weightlifting among others.

Head of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, Deji Balogun, said Schools Sports which had now been transferred to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, will feature during Ibile Games.

On parade will be young talents from Senior Secondary Schools who will vie for honors in Athletics, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Handball, Hockey and Swimming while Special Schools will also have their separate Competitions in Athletics, Football and Table Tennis.

According to him, the choice of multiple venues is informed by the desire of the State Government to test-run existing facilities in order to determine their readiness to host the 18th National Sports Festival, “Eko 2012”.

The Games will be rounded off with a colorful Closing Ceremony scheduled for Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday 26th May, 2012 where Governor Babatunde Fashola will present trophies and other mouth-watering incentives to outstanding Sports Men and Women who excel at the Games.

Bolowotan FC, Others Cruise Into Quarter Final

Nation-Wide League Division One A side, Bolowotan Football Club and other clubs yesterday qualified for the quarterfinals of the on-going Lagos FA Cup competition.

 

The Bolowotan Boys saw off the FA Cup giants’ killer, the Apapa Golden Stars by 2-1 in a thrilling encounter that was played at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium. 

 

To this end, the team will now keep a date with Kelly Football Academy in the last eight of the competition.

 

In other matches played, Fame Football Club scaled the hurdles of Nation Wide Division Three Zonal League outfit; AS Rascine beating them by 2-1, just as Mountain of Fire Headquarters FC defeated Sky FC by 4-3 penalties after the match ended goalless in regulation time. 

 

Meanwhile, the Round of 16 matches will be concluded today as Union Bank will step out against God’s Own Revelation at the Onikan Stadium. 

 

Splendid Football Club will also have their hands full with C.O.D United Football Club at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere.

Shittu Applauds Nigeria Racing Eagle' Audi Car

Super Eagles' defender, Daniel Shittu has decribed the coming of Nigeria into the world of Motorsport as a good development for sports in the country.

The Queen Park Rangers, QPR, of London star who was at the unveiling ceremony of Nigeria Racing Eagle' Audi R8 LMS at the legendary Brands Hatch Race Circuit, Kent, London recently said that with the country having a team to represent Africa at the elite Motorsport GT Series, Nigerian stands to benefit from the glamour inherent in Motorsport world.

The football star noted that the Audi R8 LMS car is a good one which will help the Nigerian drivers handling it excel in the Motorsport championship.

The Audi R8 LMS was draped in the famous Nigeria Green and White colours with the Nigeria and Pride of Africa flags proudly flown over the car at the unveiling.

In the wake of the unveiling, Nigeria was featured for the first time in the 62 years history of Autosport Magazine, the most prestigious and best selling Motorsport magazine in the world. The current edition talked about Nigeria Racing Eagle, the pioneering racing team in elite motorsport GT Series.

It  also highlight Nigeria’s potential of hosting International Motorsport Series in Nigeria by 2013 and  the eagerness of the World of Motorsport coming to Africa led by Nigeria Racing Eagle team to make it a reality.

"I am delighted that the emergence of the Nigeria Racing Eagle has brought the attention of the world Motorsport to Nigeria, while the team is pushing the boundaries of successfully participating in global Motorsport competitions," Ribi Adeshokan, Team Principle/Owner, GRC Motorsport.

Top NFF officials Visit 1 GAME

 

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee Christopher Green and his Security Committee counterpart Effiong Johnson on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the 1 GAME office in Calabar.

 

The NFF Executive Committee members said there were in the 1 GAME campaign office to reaffirm the support and commitment of the nation’s football governing body towards achieving a violence-free game.

 

Speaking on the visit, Technical Committee boss Christopher Green said he was excited at the prospects of the campaign and promised the NFF’s continued support for zero tolerance to football violence and fanaticism.

 

“What 1 GAME is doing is highly commendable and I’m excited at the progress it has made. It’s a great thing to be here today, at a place where great people sit to formulate ideas that will protect the image of football and keep it safe.

 

“I must say that the NFF is proud of the achievements of this campaign and will continue commit to the objectives of the 1 GAME initiative,” Green said.

 

On his part, Security Committee head, Effiong Johnson said it was important to show support to the campaign and visiting the 1 GAME office was one way to express gratitude for the efforts of the anti-violence initiative.

 

“There is no better way to say thank you than being here to shake hands with those who deserve it. 1 GAME has been on the forefront of the campaign against football violence and they must be applauded,” Johnson said.

 

The visit of the NFF board members was the first of its kind by any official of the ‘Glass House’ to the 1 GAME campaign office, a situation the initiative’s founder Philip Obaji was quick to commend.

 

“I’m glad Green and Johnson came calling. Both men are key players in football administrationin the country and have reaffirmed the commitment of the NFF and their respective Football Associations toward achieving a violence-free game,” Obaji said.

 

NFF Inspection Team Satisfied With Calabar Stadium

Visiting Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, inspection team said on Tuesday that it was satisfied with what it saw at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar after inspecting the facilities on ground ahead of the crucial Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifier between Nigeria and Rwanda.

Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Christopher Green said shortly after the team which also comprised of Security Committee Chairman Effiong Johnson and Director, Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme inspected the practice pitch, main pitch, dressing rooms, floodlights among others that he was impressed with what he saw on ground.

“Expect for the main pitch which needs a few touches, I must say we are satisfied with what we’ve seen on ground. The dressing room is in good condition, so also are the floodlights and others. We are impressed.

On whether Calabar has been chosen as the venue of the match, Green said it was at the Jurisdiction of the NFF board.

“We’ll make our submissions to the board and they will decide on what action to take.”

The NFF had previously picked the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna as venue of encounter but with the recent bombings that took place in the Northern city and pressure from many quarters, the football body has been forced to reconsider its position.

When asked if Kaduna was safe for the encounter as against Calabar, Security Committee Chairman Effiong Johnson was silent on the issue.

“All I can say is that we will make a recommendation to the NFF board who will then come up with a decision,” Johnson said.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will on June 15 play the Wasps of Rwanda in a yet to be decided venue.

Anas Mohammed Out Of Soccer Action.

Meanwhile, U-15 National Team’s defender Anas Mohammed from Kano State has been ruled out for the remainder of the team’s first phase training camp, after he injured his knee in training on Monday night.

The JSS 3 student of Government Secondary School, Kano, hit his right knee on a concrete pavement stand close to the team’s training pitch after losing his balance, while trying to make a cross in training on the night.

Team’s doctor, Olarinoye Ayodeji, said he would be out for at least one week.

“He needs to rest the leg for at least one week, because the impact made with the pavement has caused him a great pain, but it’s not something serious.”

Fourteen year old Anas who was also part of the Under-13 National Team that won the 2010 International Youth Championship played in England, has however revealed, on Tuesday morning that he was feeling much better and hopes he will be reinvited to the team in May, for the final stage of the team’s camping.

“I’m feeling good now, my knee does not hurt like it did yesterday, although I cannot run yet, but I know I will be fit to play again in few days.”

Thirty players will be picked from the forty five currently in camp, for the final phase of camping in May.

Under 15 National Team Beat Texas Academy.

The Under 15 National Team, on Tuesday  continued their preparations for the Eight-Nation Adidas U-15 Football Tournament (Mexico 2012), with a 4 -1 demolition, of Abuja based  Texas Football Academy, in a friendly match played at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of Abuja National Stadium,

The coach Danladi Nasidi-led side dominated the encounter which was watched by an appreciable crowed and opened scoring in the 30^th minute when whiz kid, Ekene Nwuka capitalized on a defensive blunder by Texas to sneak in the first goal with a cool one on one finish, from the right hand side of the visiting team’s goal post.

Two minutes later, U-15 National Team’s goalkeeper, Sogo Alaofin launched a quick counter which found gangling striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who bullied his way through two defenders to lob the onrushing Texas goalkeeper, for the second goal of the encounter and also his second in as many matches for the team.

The score line stood at 2 – 0 at half time and both teams made as many as five changes. On resumption for the second 45 minutes, the visiting team put up a better display than they did in the first half, winning corner kicks and free kicks, which they failed to convert. The national team however extended their lead to three, 15 minutes into the second half, when substitute Ahmed Mohammed outpaced two defenders to fire to the left hand corner of the opposition’s net.

Texas however got a consolatory goal in the 78^th minute of the match when striker David Okon converted a penalty which was awarded as a result of a foul committed by Philip Samson in his 18 yard box. The national team then put the icing on the cake two minutes to the end of the match, when Abubakar Ibrahim scrambled the ball into the net after Texas defense failed to clear their line, following a corner kick.

Coach of the visiting team, coach Glory Akinnoment, said he was satisfied with the experience his boys gathered from the match.

“It’s a very good experience, we have been expecting an opportunity to play the national team, we are happy because we have learnt a lot from the match and for the national team boys, they are simply amazing, because I saw a very good job that is being done for now, there is a good team work, the boys are so agile and fast on the ground, and I think they will do well in Mexico.”

Meanwhile, the U-15 National Team’s supervising officer, Coach Siji Lagunju, of the NFF Technical Department, said his team still needs more time to prepare, before they will be ready for the tournament coming up in June.

“We played well, but there are still some things we need to correct, I just wish we had more time to train them so that they’ll be a near perfect team, the opposition today were bigger boys, stronger boys and they played well also, it was a fair game irrespective of the result.”

The U-15 National Team remains unbeaten in over 16 training matches played at the FIFA Technical Centre, Abuja, and their victims include the Senior Women National Team, the Super Falcons, Falconets as well as the Flamingos.

NFF Organizes Futsal, Beach Soccer Courses

In recognition of the potential that Nigeria has to make good impact in the sectors of Five-A-Side (Futsal) and Beach Soccer in the world, the Nigeria Football Federation has concluded arrangements to organize
introductory courses for Coaches and Referees in the two specialities this week.

While the Beach Soccer course will take place at the Confluence Beach Hotel, Lokoja, the Futsal course will hold at the FIFA Technical Centre, Abuja from Wednesday, 25th April – Saturday, 28th April.

Nigeria’s FIFA Instructor in beach soccer, Mr. Sunday Okayi, who is also the only African FIFA Instructor in the game, says the nation has huge potential in the game considering the vast coastal lines
available.

“With the nation’s vast coastal lines, it is the experts’ considered opinion that the development of beach soccer is imperative. Not only will its development engage our teeming youth population, taking them
away from crime and other social vices, it will also serve to boost our cultural and sports tourism.

“Already, the NFF has approached world football-governing body, FIFA to conduct a high-level Coaching and Refereeing Course for us to enable us build a sound and professional capacity as we aim to kick-start the Beach Soccer League before the end of this year. We have faith that FIFA will accede to our request”, said Okayi.

The FIFA Instructor added: “It is in prelude to this high-level course that the NFF has decided to conduct this basic/introductory course for our Coaches and Referees”.

Nigeria finished sixth at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011, won the African Beach Soccer Championship in 2007 and 2009 and is ranked number 11 in FIFA’s all-time list. In December last year, the Supersand Eagles showed much ground Nigeria has gained against the world’s powers in the game by winning the COPA Lagos Invitational Tournament after trouncing four-time world championsBrazil, South Africa and England.

Next weekend, Nigeria will kick-start the race to this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup finals in Thailand by hosting Gabon in an African qualifying fixture, first leg in Lagos. The return leg takes place in Libreville two weeks later.

NTTF Secures $8,000 Scholarship On Ojo Onaolapo.

The Nigerian Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, has secured eight thousand dollars Olympic solidarity scholarship for junior international Ojo Onaolapo.       

A statement issued by the Federation's President, Kayode Abdulwahab-Omotose said that the scholarship would enable him compete at the forthcoming Slovak, Swedish and Morocco Open championships.

An elated NTTF President , said the gesture would enable Onaolapo to train at the renowned Werner Schlager sports Academy in Austria to sharpen his skills.               

According to him, the Federation was accorded the opportunity duue to series of meetings and consultation undertaken during the recently concluded world championship in Dortmund, Germany.

In a letter signed by Polona Cehovin Susin, ITTF Deputy Executive Director Education and Training, Polona expressed the desire of the international body to nurture talented youths to world stardom via the HOPES programme under whose auspices Ojo Onaolapo is being piloted.     

Onaolapo's coach, Dotun Omoniyi who will accompany the dual gold medal winner at the last national sports festival in Port Harcourt, has been working with the junior national players along with Bose Kaffo.

Meanwhile the NTTF which is expected to shoulder some responsibilities including financial outlays  has commenced action by registering Ojo for the Slovak Open  and will soon apply for visa to enable Ojo and his coach enjoy the facility.                          

It would be recalled that Ojo, who was picked  to join the Segun Toriola led senior national team to Germany last month, was spotted by ITTF  during the 2010 junior Olympics in Singapore where  he emerged as the only non Asian that got to the quarter finals of the table tennis event.      

He also enjoyed Olympic solidarity scholarship that was packaged by the Nigerian Olympic Committee  as he also played in Hong Kong enroute Singapore where he was tutored by coach Dotun whose sponsorship was borne entirely by NTTF that year.
       

Lagos FA Cup: Yobo, Kelly FC Qualify For Quarter-Finals

The duo of Yobo Football Club and Kelly Football Academy has qualified for the quarter-finals of the on-going Lagos State FA Cup competition in a match played at the newly refurbished Agege Stadium. .

Yobo F.C owned by the Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo defeated their Awori United counterparts by 6 - 5 on penalty kicks after it ended one goal apiece at regulation time.

Kelly Football Academy subdued their arch rivals, Stanley Global Football Club by 3-0 at Onikan Stadium on Monday.

The Lagos F.A Cup defending champions and National League outfits, First Bank Football Club will today file out against Young Stars FC at the Agege Stadium.

Bolowotan F.C will battle giant killers, the Apapa Golden Stars; Fame F.C will also keep a date with AS Racine F.C tomorrow at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere.

Meanwhile, Union Bank Football Club of Lagos will on Thursday slug it out with God’s Own Revelation, just as Splendid F.C takes on C.O.D. United Football Club in the Round of 16 of the competition.

Mexico Confirms Spain, Argentina, Denmark For Addidas Intenational Tourney

 The Mexican Football Federation, FMF, has confirmed that the Eight-Nation Adidas Under 15 Football Tournament tagged Mexico 2012, will go on as scheduled.

In a letter sent to the Nigeria Football Federation, the FMF said the tournament which would commence on the 18th of June will come to an end on the 24th of June.

The competitions which aims at bringing eight high-quality adidas teams, from all Confederations, will feature Nigeria, Spain, Argentina, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark and host Mexico.

The teams will be divided into two groups of four teams each on a round robin basis with the best two teams in each group advancing to the semi finals, and the winners of the semi finals will play the final on June 24th.

Nigeria's Under 15 team is currently in camp in Abuja for its first phase of camping which will last for 10 days, under the watchful eyes of Coach Danladi Nasidi.

The second and final phase of camping is expected to come up in the month of May.

FIFA Commends Bauch State Government.

FIFA Development Officer, Sampon Kablan, has commended Bauchi State government for the approval of a land space granted in the name of Nigeria Football Federation.

Similalrly, Kablan has approved 8th to 12th of May for the WIAWA Coaching Course that will see 20 Coaches of Nigeria Premier League clubs and 10 National Team Coaches come together for a refresher programme in Abuja.

He also proposed an administrative course that would involve 20 administrators of Nigeria Premier League clubs and 10 officials from the Nigeria Football Federation be held in Abuja between 2nd – 7th July, 2012.

NFF Applauds Bauchi Govt For Land Space.

The Nigeria Football Federation has praised the Bauchi State government for allocating 13 hectares of land for the proposed National Technical Centre in the State.

 Its President, Aminu Maigari, who made this remark after meeting with Governor Isa Yuguda, said the centre was one of the FIFA Goal Projects that the Federation is embarking on.

“The Government of Bauchi State has allocated 13 hectares of land to the proposed National Technical Centre in Bauchi State – one of the FIFA Goal Projects that we are embarking on and for which we already
have the go-ahead of world football-governing body, FIFA”, said Maigari. “For this great gesture, the NFF is full of appreciation to the Bauchi State government”.

The project will form part of the three-arm FIFA Goal Project 2 for which the NFF already has provisional approval, working hand-in-hand with the FIFA Development Officer for West Africa, Mr. Sampon Kablan.

The other National Technical Centres are billed for Lagos and Anambra States.

NFF Confirms Oyekale For Futsal Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed, Oladunni Oyekale as the head coach of Futsal Eagles.

The Federation is making arrangements for the team to start camping in Lagos tomorrow in preparation for a FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying match against Gabon early next month.

While speaking on his appointment, Oyekale said he would rely heavily on players from the Ultimate Five-A-Side Football Competition that has been going on for a few years to prosecute the World Cup qualifier.

“Yes, we are inviting players to camp as from Wednesday. We are going to rely heavily on players from the Ultimate Five-A-Side Football Competition that has been going on for a few years now, for us to prosecute the World Cup qualifier. I have been following the competition myself and I believe we have players good enough to do the nation proud”.

Confederation of African Football has picked Tunisian referees to take charge of the qualifier against Gabon in Lagos on the 6th of May, 2012.

The Centre Referee is Chamssedine Lamti, with his compatriots Mohamed Abdi as 1st Assistant Referee, Thameur Salem as 2nd Assistant Referee and Salim Moez Ben as TK.

The Match Commissioner is Jose Lobato from Guinea Bissau.

The second leg will take place in Libreville two weeks later with Cameroonian officials in charge.

Lagos State Gymnastic Association To Set Up Gymnastic Foundation

Adebisi Adebayo and Isa Tunrayo emerged winners of the just concluded Gymnastic Inter - Clubs championship which ended on Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson indoor sportshall, Rowe Park, Yaba.

Adebayo, who emerged winner in the male event after amassing a total of sixteen point five zero, thanked Governor Babatunde Fashola, for engaging the state's athletes in a quarterly competitions as the move would spur them to excel at the Games in November.

To Tunrayo, who secured sixteeen points to top the female category event, explained that the tourney came at a time when the state's gymnasts are hungry for regular competitions to be in good form ahead of the Games since their counterparts in other states had begun preparations.

The Association Chairman, Adefemi Folusho, who also praised Governor Fashola, said the championship was a good beginning for them as it has enabled them to discover athletes who would be groomed for the IBILE Games, EKO 2012 and 2014 Games.

Folusho, who appealed to the state government to sustain the programme, said the tourney was not only design to discover and nurture discovered athletes but also to have a solid gymnastic foundation where gymnasts would be groomed for future challenges.

According to him, the association would design a structured training programme that would transform the discovered athletes to become future stars with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development.

M.O.C Applauds Fashola.

Lagos State Government has been commended for its continued commitment to host the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged EKO 2012, in November.

This was contained in a communique made available to Sportsweight.blogspot.com at the end of the first joint technical meeting of the EKO 2012,held on Saturday at the Sports Bar of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The meeting which was well attended by the secretaries General, technical directors of sports federations and states Diretors of Sports, charged the state government to speed up renovation and repair works to ensure that the relevant venues and facilities are ready on schedule.

The communique jointly signed by Abba Yola of Main Organising Committee and Kweku Tandoh of Local Organising Committee, noted that only twelve states had registered their intention to participate in the Games as only eleven states had registered the sports they intended to parade at the event.

While noting the progress made by the M.O.C at marketing the Festival Torch of Unity,the meeting was able to ratify te events for the five optional sports for the Games.

LSDA Plans Ahead Of 2014 Sports Festival In Calabar.

Lagos State Dart Association,LSDA, has concluded plans to start preparations ahead of the 2014 National Sports Festival in Calabar, Cross River State.

Its Chairman, Prince Adedayo Olowu, who made this statement after the association's inter- club championship which came to a close on Saturday at the Dart section of the Lagos State Sports Council Rowe Park, Yaba, explained that they decided to embark on the programme since the state's dart players would not be participating in the EKO 2012 Games in November.

Olowu, said the Inter - Clubs championship had helped them to discover new talented dart players in Godwin Ginikanwa and Pius Famakin as they would be exposed to regular competitions to make them relevant and in good form for the 2014 Games.

According to him, the cash prize for the grassroot championship was upgraded to encourage the players to continue stay put with them as he believed that the gesture would also motivate them to procure dart equipment, adding that players who failed to grab first - four positions were also honoured with cash prize.

Muri Fatai won the senior category followed by Babalola Fatai and Alao Mike as Olusesi Abiodun tops the Junior event as Famakin Pius came second while Godwin Ginikanwa settled for the third position.

F. C. E. Kano Wins 17th NICEGA In Omoku.

Federal College of Education, FCE, Kano has emerged the winner of the 17th edition of the Nigerian College of Education Games, NICEGA, hosted by Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers state.

FCE Kano, racked in 13 Gold, and 4 Bronze Medals to beat FCE, Zaria which won 9 Gold, 10 Silver and 7 Bronze medals to the second position, while FCE Okene came third with, 5 Gold, 1Silver, and 5 Bronze medals.

The closing ceremony held over the weekend featured the final of the male football event which was won by College of Education, COE Minna, 4 – 3 on penalties after the match had ended in a 1 – 1 draw in normal regulation time.

NICEGA President, Mohammed Sanusi, commended the host college, FCET Omoku , for hosting a hitch free competition and urged them to make maximum use of their newly acquired sports facilities by creating a Physical and Health Education department in the school.

In response, host provost, Nkasiobi Oguzor, said hosting the 2012 NICEGA had now provided the town of Omoku the privilege of having world class sports facilities that could be used in hosting events in future and also appealed to the corporate society to assist especially in sports related matters..  

“In this local government, we have Agip, Elf, N-Energy and Shell, it might interest you to know that known of these companies assisted us, the assistant we got from the state government was in kind, but we thank them for giving us some of the equipment we didn’t have.”

Results of some of the popular events showed that, F C E Kano, won the Gold in male basketball event, COE Minna emerged winners in the male hockey and Handball events while the overall winner in athletics was FCET Omoku.

Goalkeeper Isa Tanko who saved two penalty kicks for his team, COE Minna, during the finals of the male football event, said NICEGA 2012 is an experience he will never forget.

I’m very happy because this is the first time my school will win the gold in the male football event, I’m proud to be a member of the team and for the people of Omoku, they were hospitable, I will like to come here again,” Tanko said.

With the completion of the 2012 NICEGA, FCET, Omoku went into the record books as the first technical college of education to host NICEGA.The next NICEGA will hosted by COE, Minna, Niger state.

The next NICEGA will hosted by College of Education, Minna, Niger state.

Coach Bakare Sure of Nigeria Qualification.

Head coach of Nigeria senior men national team, Ayo Bakare, is confident that Nigeria will make it from the Olympic Qualification Tournament slated for second through eight of July, in Caracas, Venezuela.

Speaking at the close of the 3-Day first phase camping at the national stadium, surulere, Lagos at the weekend, Coach Bakare optimism stem from how the 14 home-based players called to the 3-Day camping responded to training with a positive mind-set.

He said about eight home based basketball players would make the final preparation for the  for the Olympic Qualification Tournament with at least four of them making it to Venezuela following their pefomances in camp.

The coach who qualified Nigeria for it maiden FIBA World Championship outing in 1998 is in the threshold of making another history as Nigeria chase it first outing in the men basketball event of the Olympic Games.

Coach Bakare took over the reign of Nigeria men national team with few days left to the 26th Afrobasket in 2011 in Madagascar and earn an Olympic qualification slot with a third place finish at the Africa basketball show-piece after two dismal outings in 2007 (Angola) and 2009 (Libya).

The Nigeria national team tactician applauded the coming of DStv (SuperSport) into the Nigeria league that the partnership has yielded positive result.

“If fund permit us to run our programme at full cause I have no doubt that Nigeria will be among the 12 finalists at the Basketball Event of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“I must praise the home-based players for responding to training positively and the full cooperation of the coaching which is made of me (Bakare) Sani Ahmed and Ayinla Johnson.

“I can beat my chest and say confidently that Nigeria will rule the Africa scene from the next Afrobasket whether I’m in charge, I say this because of the goal laid down which will make easy for any coach to follow and improve on.

“The coming of DStv/SuperSport (MultiChoice) into the Nigeria basketball scene has really changed the face of Nigerian basketball and I can confidently say that home-based players can form the bulk of our national team with proper planning and exposure which must include foreign training tours.

NFF Plans Faro Camp For Eagles

There are strong indications that the Super Eagles, may be heading for their familiar terrain in Faro, Portugal, as preparations peaks for the qualifying games for the South 2013 Nations Cup and Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Several factors may have led the Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation, making the choice of Faro, Portugal, which includes Nigeria’s long relationship with the  venue.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, Faro, has relative low cost of first class facilities at the site and the need for foreign based players to jell properly with their home based counterparts in the new-look national team.

NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Chris Green, confirmed that plans are afoot for such camping exercise but added that it could only be revealed after due consultations with the Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi.

“We are still weighing all options and once we agree with Keshi, then the programmed of cation will be rolled out, because we have three important qualifiers that we cannot afford to toy with in the next one month”.

Eagles Coaches Invade Leagues Venues.

In the spirit of fortifying the Eagles with credible football players, Super Eagles technical crew has designed a method of deploying at least four coaches to league venues to help discover football stars.

Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Dan Amokachi, said that every weekend all the assistants that have been appointed by Keshi, are always out in search of players who can add value to the national team on the home front.

Amokachi, said the team's technical crew was working hard in ensuring that the best football players are discovered with the  football scouts that are regular at league match venues.

“We are 150million people and we have over 10million of that population interested in football, so we are working to ensure that we get the best with the scouts that are usually  all over the place when NPL league games are being played”.

Meanwhile doubts have continued to mount over whether  the friendly international between the Azingo Nationale of Gabon and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, scheduled for Libreville, the Gabonese capital will hold next month, as clash in dates has been the contentious issue.

 Super Eagles Media Officer Ben Alaiya,said Nigeria and Gabon have crucial qualifiers coming up in the coming weeks and none of the them want to risk a qualifier for a friendly.

Keshi Keeps Eagles Discoveries Secret

Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, says he has made discovery of several football players for the national team and he would wait at the appointed time to call upon those who have impressed him in the task of rebuilding the national team.

Keshi, who is expected back in the country next week to prepare the national team for the South American friendly against Peru in Lima, declared that  he prefers to talk less so as to let his job to speak for him.

Meanwhile, Keshi’s assistant, Daniel Amokachi, says the national team as presently constituted has a couple of ‘good players’, that are bound to get a trophy for the country in the nearest future.

Amokachi, said the players had shown much commitment and determination that the football players who failed to get result should be immediately discarded whether they are local or foreign based.

Keshi

“I have been privileged to work with three or four coaches in the past, who keep re- circling the same set of players that never brought results but my boss, Keshi, is starting on a clean slate with players who are hungry for success and sooner than later Nigerians will appreciate what we are doing with the new Super Eagles”.

Bayo Keeps Away Dangerous Player..... Adeyinka.

Former Nigeria's Flying Eagles Star, Adeyinka Adedeji, has said that the late Super Eagle star, Adefemi Olubayo, defensive tactical approach to games always pave the way for success recorded while pllaying for Nigeria's Flying and Super Eagles.

Adedeji, who will soon unveil his next move to secure a professional club in Europe, said the deceased was a blunt defender who scare away strikers from causing havoc to his, adding that his sense of humour keeps the camp lively as all the players always want to share from his wealth of experience.

He appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation to immortalise the late football player through a regular football competition.