Paralympic Officials Begs President Goodluck Jonathan Over Unpaid Balance.

An appeal has gone to the President Jonathan Goodluck and the honourable Minister for Sports,Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi over the unpaid balance of Paralympic officials as directed by the President.

The president had at an award dinner in honor of the country's team to the last London 2012 Paralympic Games to the athletes and all their officials. But the National Sports Commission,(NSC) paid some officials and left out some claiming that they are not officials.

The affected officials, the loaders, medical and machine repairer at a media briefing held at the Lagos Swan Secretariat Saturday said that the NSC paid 500,000 thousand and 1million naira as against the 2.5million announced by the President.

The aggrieved officials informed that they were accredited for the games as officials and that if they were not officials as been claimed now by the NSC, they will not have access to the games village and event venues.

They also disclosed at the briefing that, they are the ones loading weight for the Special athletes and even act as helper to them during the training tour and the games proper.

 ''We are appealing to the President to please come to our rescue because others have been paid while we are yet to get our full payment. Also, the minister should help us because we don't know while ours is not yet paid, this is our sweat and should not be denied of this gesture'', they said .

While reacting to the development, the Special Assistant, Media to the minister, Julius Ogunro said that the affected persons were not officials that the ministry' 'just help them''.

Meanwhile, information available to sportsweight.blogspot.com showed that there names were on the list of officials sent to the presidency for the award.

Team Lagos Begins Close Camping On Thursday.

After series of tournament organised to hone the skills of its athletes in readiness for the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos, tagged EKO 2012, Team Lagos will commence close camping on Thursday October 4.

The 851 athletes called up for the camping will be housed in nine centres across the state.

 The centres are Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in Ikorodu for chess, scrabble, Abula, Ayo, Dambe, Kokowa, Langa, wrestling, judo, para-table tennis and para-lifting; Myoung Barracks in Somolu will host hockey, handball, cricket, badminton and tennis;

Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere will house squash, athletics, deaf athletics, gymnastic and kickboxing; National Youth Service Camp (NYSC) Camp in Iyana Ipaja will be for football, taekwondo, weightlifting, and para-athletics while Union Bank Sports Club in Eric-Moore will welcome deaf table tennis and table tennis.

Volleyball and basketball camping will hold at the Police College in Ikeja, Jalisco Gymnasium in Oshodi will host boxing while Epe Recreation Centre will be for cycling.

 According to the chairman of Team Lagos Technical Committee, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, the team would be in camp for 54 days, while also urging the athletes to work hard during the exercise in order to make the state proud during the festival.

“We have been working for the past months with our coaches and athletes and we are double sure they will do the state proud by performing creditably well,” he said.

 He thanked Governor Fashola and the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi for their effort at improving the lives of youths through grassroots sports development and exposing them to world class competitions.

For Head Coach, Lagos State Sports Council, Kally Agogo, the coaching crew are fully prepared for the closed camp, with a minimum of three coaches for each sport.

 He stated that the coaching crew would be working round the clock during the closed camping to bring us the best in the athletes. “We are ready to engage our athletes during the closed camp with vigorous training activities to make them fully ready for the festival come November”, Agogo said.

However, the athletes have vowed to honour Governor Babatunde Fashola with good performance at the festival for what the governor has done for sports in the state with. Athletes’ representative, Olayide Fijabi, a gold medallist at the 17th edition in Port Harcourt, assured they have been motivated to do well at Eko 2012.

Cote d’Ivoire , Niger for CCSF Open Taekwondo Championship.

Athletes from Cote d’Ivoire and Niger Republic are among the hundreds of participants that will compete at the 1st Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Open Championships scheduled for this week in Abuja .

The Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation, the tournament is one of the initiatives specifically geared towards helping Nigeria and West Africa consistently produce Olympics champions.

The tournament holds at Sheraton Hotel and Towers on October 4 to 7 with total prize money of N2.8million at stake for successful competitors . Aside the two African nations, states like Kano, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Ondo, Oyo, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Imo, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Plateau, Benue, Niger and Abuja.

Teams from the Nigeria Police, Airforce, Immigration, Custom and Civil Defence will also be part of the competition. The foundation believes that the lack of constant exposure to world class tournaments, training camps, equipment and training methodologies had been the cause of Nigeria’s and West Africa’s poor showing at major championships.

 For them, Nigerian and West-African athletes can only achieve the desired results if they are exposed to the same standards enjoyed by their opponents in other parts of the world.

The championship according to the organisers is one of the many steps being taken by the CCSF to deliver value to West Africa taekwondo, and accelerate the performance of national/regional athletes at top global sporting events.

The inaugural edition is a four-day programme designed to bring together both accomplished and upcoming taekwondo athletes from all across Nigeria and West Africa to showcase their skills at the world-class organized event.

The CCSF aims to make the tournament one of the biggest and best-organized sporting events in West Africa and it will be the first of its kind in Nigeria because it will be using the four Olympic Weight categories, as opposed to the regular eight-weight category format used in other National/West-African tournaments.

For kiddies, a pre-tournament will be held in Abuja prior to the main tournament, with the top eight kids in each age category earning the available 64 slots for the Kiddies event in the CCSF International Taekwondo Opens.

The management and execution team will be made up of local and foreign experts in order to ensure that the tournament proceeds flawlessly and captures the imaginations of all present. In the adult Olympics category, the top three athletes will be rewarded with N150, 000, N100, 000 and N50, 000 as well as medals and certificates.

Winners will have individual photos with Africa ’s first three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije. Other awards include best player award male and female, fair play Award, future champion award male and female, best team award, best officiating official award while branded taekwondo uniforms will be given to first 100 registered fighters with souvenirs dole out to all participants.

Galadima Prays For Eagles In Saudi

Former NFA Chairman, Ibrahim Galadima, who is presently in Saudi Arabia Arabia, says he has been praying for the success of the national team in the holy land, where he is currently on pilgrimage and believes that the team will qualify for the SA 2013 Nations Cup. Galadima spoke to Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, from the Holy land said he and his family have been praying for the success of the national team, after the last mishap, when the team failed to qualify for the Equatorial Guinea-Gabon Nations Cup championship. Hear Galadima: “I wish the team well and I have been praying for the team and Coach Keshi, because I believe he has good thoughts to move Nigerian football forward and he must be supported. Tell the team that we are in support of their qualification ambition and I’m sure that the team will make it to South Africa”. NFF President, Aminu Maigari, has said one of his cardinal programmes as leader of the Nigerian football family will be to unite all past and present leadership and players, as a united front remains one of the way to reinvent Nigerian football.

Eagles Nest Open For Lone Stars As Agbim Leads Stars In

The Super Eagles camp at the Bolton White Apartment flung open on Sunday afternoon and as has become the tradition, home-based skipper Chigozie Agbim was the first to hit camp. 

 

At the last count almost all the invited players had arrived camp and it was good to see by the manner of order given by Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.

As expected, Head Coach, Keshi was already on ground welcoming his players and training is expected to resume on Monday morning at the training pitch of the National Stadium in Abuja.

 

 There has been no case of poor attendance in camp and that is why the team handlers have decided that training will resume on Monday morning.

The next phase of the team’s camping will be when the foreign based players arrive for the trip to the match venue in Calabar, Cross River State and there have been talks of the team leaving Abuja in one piece ahead of the encounter, going by the interest the match has generated among Nigerians.

Agbim, who led the 23 home based stars to camp has assured that the team is in the right frame of mind for the game against the Lone Star of Liberia, declaring that the strength of the team can only improve when the foreign based players arrive. 

“We can handle the pressure, because we have been doing that but both home and foreign based players have a singular goal and that is the ticket for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

Sam Sodje Wants Keshi To Parade Match Fit Players.

Out favoured Super Eagles defender,Sam Sodje, has said that it would be a disaster if Nigeria's Eagles fail to beat Liberia in the final return leg in Calabar, in October, to qualify for the African Nation Cup in South African in 2013.

Sodje, who last played for the Eagles under the rein of Amodu Shuaibu as the team's Head coach is yet to play for the team ever since Stephen Keshi was apointed as the Eagles Head Coach.

The defender, said the technical crew must parade football players who were match fit and ready to commit everything in them to book a ticket for the continental soccer fiesta, stressing that Stepen Keshi has been able to bridge the gap between the Nigeria Premier League players and the nation's foreign players by creating a platform for the home based Eagles to exhibit their talents.

He believed that he deserve an invitation into the present squad of the Eagles because he is still playing an active football and he would not force himself on the team's technical crew but rather would want his current form and experience to fight for his inclussion into the Eagles.

Ayeni Inaugurates Ten Man L.O.C Ahead Of Speaker's Cup

A ten man Local organising Committee for the 2012 Speaker's Soccer Cup has been inaugurated.

Chairman House committee on Youth Sports and Social Development, Honourable Babatunde Ayeni, said the inaugurated of the Local organising Committee for the annual competition mitiated by the Lagos state House of Assembly was to broaden the scope of the competition.

Ayeni said the competition which would enable the state's lawmakers to be closer to their communities, would also serve as a training ground for the Eko 2012 Games in November, adding that the Ministry of Youth Sports and Development has supported the event with a view of elevating the status of Speaker's soccer cup.

He said the speaker's soccer cup would making use of the fifty seven local governments and local council development areas hat are featuring in the Lagos unior League as the competition would be played on knock out basis, adding that a sprts consultant Q Sports management has been the mantle to seek sponsorship for the event.

The committee menbers are Deji Aladegbemi, Bodunrin Olanipekun, Aromire Taofik,Adisa Ibrahim, Folake Obajimi,Joseph Samuel, Atunishe Adeyemi, Abolore Sobayo, Hassan Nojim, Habeeb Halib.

Eagles Must Be Very Careful Against Liberia.

Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation,Kashimawo Kaluko, has advised the chief coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, to create an atmosphere of peace in the team's camp in a bid to book a ticket for the South Africa 2013 African Nations Cup.

While speaking with sportsweight.blogspot.com, Laluko, said the Eagles Coach must endeavour to learn from the past especially during the home match against guinea in the final round of the African Nations Cup Qualifier where the match ended two goals apiece.

The coordinator of Pepsi Football Academy, who believed that the Eagles have what it takes to beat the Leone stars of Liberia in the return leg in Calabar, said the coach should instil confidence and goodwill to excel against their opponent since Nigeria failed to qualify for the last edition of the African Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea.

He said Stephen Keshi should desist form putting blame on his football players for their misfortune in any match as he believes such attitude could jeopardise the team zeal to feature in the 2013 African Nations Cup despite the arrays of football players in camp.

He also urged the Nigeria Football Feredation, NFF to play a vital role in ensuring that the football players as well as the technical crew are provided with necessary materials and support that would motivate the players to perform beyond expectation.

2012 Nigeria Cup Hots Up At Ikoyi Club 1938

 The 2012 Nigeria Cup, which is taking place at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 is generating keen interest and excitement among participants.

Twelve years old Paul Coker stunned all other competitors to win the junior tourney in the ages 14-17 category with 99 gross C/B (18 holes). Trailing behind him was 11 years old Georgia Oboh who scored 99 gross (18 holes) and in the third position was Ademilade Afolabi with 46 gross (9 holes).

Folabunmi Fayemi won the ages 5-8 category, while Avani Prashanth and Osime Egbakhumeh came second and third respectively. The male category of the caddie competition was won by Peter Friday.

In the second position of this category was Emmanuel Segun, while Segun Balogun came third. The guest game was won by Mrs. Sung, while Mrs. Alaba Adetunji came second.

 The Gross winner was Mrs. Evelyn Oyome, who beat Mrs. Pamela Wu into the second position. Mrs. Evelyn Oyome won both the Longest Drive Hole and the Nearest to the Pin Hole.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of this year’s Nigeria Cup, Tayo Babalakin said that a cocktail party will be held on Friday, while the grand finale of the tournament will hold on Saturday, 29 September.

A dinner to draw the 16th edition of Nigeria Cup to a close will hold on Sunday, 30 September at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

The championship, organised by the Nigerian Community of the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 to celebrate the country’s independence. is sponsored this year by UBA, Access Bank, Heineken, Diamond Bank and Bi-Courtney Aviation Service.

Extra Joss Competition Kicks Off On Saturday.

All is set for the maiden Extra Joss cup youth football championship which kicks off this saturday with the opening ceremony at the Legacy football pitch inside national stadium, surulere.

The inter-local councils tournament is been organised by Ministry of youth, sports and social development in collaboration with Kalbe International and Orange Drugs Limited.

 32 teams participating in the tournament were drawn in eight groups of four teams each with the top two teams advancing to the next stage.

The teams are drawn from Ikeja, Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry and Lagos while Team Lagos that will participate at the 'eko 2012' national sports festival will also be part of the tournament.

According to the coordinator of the tournament, Uthman Ola Okunnu, the tournament will unearth talents that will become future stars.

 For the opening ceremony, Yobo FC and Jobi FC will confront each other in an exhibition match, while participating teams will take part in a colourful match past to formally kick-start the tournament.

Matches will be played at Legacy Pitch and National Institute for Sports (NIS) at the National Stadium in Surulere with final holding on October 27.

 Trophies and cash rewards will be given to the top four team while awards like MVP, highest goal scorer among others would also be up for grab at the tournament.

RLG Backs 3 Kilometre Beach Marathon.

All roads lead to Lekki Beach for the first of its kind, three kilometre Lagos Beach Marathon fixed for Saturday.

The beach marathon organised by the Community Agenda for Peace,CAP, with the financial support of RLG Communications Nigeria  Limited has attracted over sixty four marathoners.

Chief Executive Officer of CAP, Obuesi Phillips, who claimed that the event about sports and tourism, urged Nigerian leaders to acquaint themselves with many ecological crisis connfronting the nation especially the scourge of ocean erosion and coastal areas protection.

Phillips,who believed that the inaugural edition of the Lagos Marathon would serve as a platform to celebrate Nigeria's Green Independence, requested governmental interventions for the control and combating of ocean erosion along the Lagos coastal corridors.

He said CAP had reached out to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, in a bid to make the event a full fleged annual sporting activity, adding that the race wold begin from Alpha  beach and end at the Lekki Beach as a seasoned Karate coach would engage the participants on a light exercise prior to the event.

Corporate Affairs Manager of RLG  Communications, Mandilas Didam, said the beach marathon was staged not just to celebrate Nigeria's independence anniversary and promote tourism but to draw government attention to the erosion of the Lagos coast.

Didam, said the initiative was coming at a time when the erosion of Lagos coastlines need urgent attention.

" RLG Communications is an environmentally friendly, people oriented and proudly indigenous company which are the reasons why we are sponsoring this event".Environmentally friendly because by training people to fix computers and mobile phones we eliminate E- waste so the erosion of the Lagos coastline is of concern to us" Didam said.

"RLG Communications Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of rlg communications Ghana which in turn is a subsidiary of the Agams group of companies which has its tentacles in ICT, consrtuction,finance, arts and craft among others."We have presence inn Ghana,Nigeria,Gambia,Dubai,China and with plans to open shop in other jurisdictions in the near future" 

Jonathan Flags Off Eko 2012 Games Torch Tour Sept. 25

The countdown to the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 commences tomorrow September 25, when President Goodluck Jonathan flags off the movement of the Torch of Unity for the festival in Abuja.

The President will be joined at the event by state governors including Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as well as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Deputy Governor Lagos, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and other members of the LOC.

According to the Secretary General of the LOC, Kweku Tandoh, the flag off of the Torch Tour would mark the official countdown to EKO 2012. “On the 25TH September in Abuja, we will witness the flagging-off of the movement of the Torch of Unity for the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012.

The Festival Torch is expected to go round all the other 35 states of the federation and the FCT during a 60-day period before arriving in the host state, Lagos," he said.

Tandoh added that the Torch symbolises unity and friendship and these are some of the ideals of the National Sports Festival.

He said: “The Torch of Unity symbolises the unity and friendship that is engendered by the spirit of the National Sport Festival.

The Games were actually conceived after the civil war as one of the tools of building friendship, unity and bonding amongst the various federating units of the nation.

Flagging off of the Torch Tour reminds us that the festival is a national event that involves the whole of Nigeria, so every state in the federation will have the Torch with them for some days thereby creating awareness amongst the people in those states.

It also shows that we as one nation, will be gathering in Lagos State to participate in the 18th National Sports Festival, come November 2012.”

Eaglets Dedicate Win To Late Goalkeeper’s Mother.

The National Under 17 team has dedicated their 6-0 win recorded against Junior Menas of Niger to the memory of late Mrs Iyabo Sarah Adewale.

The mother of the team’s goalkeeper, Adeyinka Adewale died on the eve of the Golden Eaglets’ 4-1 away winning in Niamey penultimate Saturday where the lad gave a good account of himself.

Though he did not make the 18-man list for yesterday’s game in Calabar, his teammates said they resolved to beat Niger as a mark of solidarity to their teammate.

“We are one big family in this team,” Wilfred Ndidi, the assistant captain of the team said. “We really felt bad for Adeyinka when we heard about the death of his mum which was very painful because she was still very young.

“We have been praying for Adeyinka and his family members since we learnt about the unfortunate incident, and we told ourselves that we must win this game for him because he contributed greatly to our first leg away win in Niamey,” noted Ndidi.

 A visibly happy Adeyinka said he was happy about the honour done to his family by his colleagues even as he asked Nigerians to continue praying for the team.

Repton Triumph 4-1 Over Lagos Pugilists.

Repton Boxing Club of Landon on Saturday confirmed dominance over Lagos boxers with a resounding 4-1 victory at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

 The Lagos boxers had avenge previous defeat 4-2 on Thursday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, but the visitors landed full force against their host to validate their supremacy in the annual International amateur boxing contest

 In the first bout, national champion, Sikiru Fatai lost to Ohara Davis of the Repton Boxing Club in the 62 kilogramm bout, while Rilwan Oladosu defeated Tommy Tear of Repton by unanimous decision in the 64 kilogramm.

 Upcoming boxer Saheed Lawal was overwhelmed by Karol Ozimkowski in the 69 kilogramm category. Nigerian born boxer, Ben Falaja of the Repton club of London subdued Ganiu Hammed in the 69 kilogramm.

But the highpoint of the boxing contests was between another Nigerian born boxer, Umar Sadiq of Repton and Wasiu Balogun.

The lanky boxer stole the show with technical knockout in the second round, forcing the Lagos boxer to bow out in the second round of the 81kg clash of the night, at the indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium.

Meanwhile, The Lagos team had lost in previous editions 5-3, 6-1 in 2010, and 4-4, 3-2 in 2011.

Record Entries Expected At 2012 Governor's Cup

Thirty five countries have signified their interest to feature in the 12th edition of the Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, which will hold from 13-27 October, 2012 will feature a record numbers of participating foreign players across the world.

 The tournament is geared towards attracting future champions across the world to Lagos State-the emerging Third (3rd) Mega City of the World, in showcasing the heavy infrastructural development from 1999 and the tourism potentials of the state. +

The move has generated more interest as tennis players have been requesting from the secretariat of Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, letters of invitation to enable them process their visas to Nigeria to feature in the International Tennis Federation, ITF approved Futures, which will be played at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.

Sportweight.blogspot,gathered that players from about 15 countries have sought for letters of invitation from the NTF as at 9 September, with the federation expecting this number to be triple by Thursday 27 September when the entries for the first leg of the championship will close.

Some of the countries are South Africa, Spain, Belgium, USA, Kenya, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Portugal, Canada, Italy, Germany, Israel, Botswana, India and China.

Secretary of the NTF, Mrs Nkana Mbora disclosed that Indian tennis players have sent a large number of request for letters of invitation. Meanwhile, the ITF says on its website that players should put in their registration for the first leg,Futures 1 of the competition, latest by 14:00GMT of 27 September, while withdrawal deadline has been fixed for Tuesday, 2 October by 14:00GMT.

Giving details on the format of this year’s competition, the ITF says the qualifying matches for the first leg will be played weekend of 13 and 14 October, with a Sign-in deadline of Friday, 12 October before 18:00 local time. The Main Draws of 32 fixtures will begin on Monday, 15 October.

 According to ITF, registration for the second leg of the championship, which will serve off on Monday, 22 October closed on Thursday, 4 October by 14.00GMT, while withdrawal deadline has been fixed for Tuesday, 9 October by 14:00GMT.

The qualifying matches for the second leg will hold in the weekend of 20 and 21 October with the Sign-in deadline on Friday, 19 October before 18:00 local time.

 The total prize money for the Governor’s Cup since it became an ITF approved circuit has been $80,000 for Main Draw players with the men’s category carting home the sum of $30,000 with hospitality, while the women’s category wins $50,000 without hospitality.

With the humane nature of former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, partial hospitality has been accorded by the organisers to women players-concessionary accommodation plus transportation to and from Airport, competition venue and hotel accommodation.

The main sponsors are Etisalat Nigeria, FCMB Plc with other co sponsors like Julius Berger Plc, CCECC, Stomberg Limited, Plycon Limited, SMC Limited, Globe-HFP Limited, LASACO Assurance Plc and NASTON Limited just to mention a few.

The sponsors, who are Friends of the Governor, have been supporting the competition in both individuals and corporate capacities.

Niger's Coach Salutes Eaglets.

Head Coach of Junior Menas of Niger’s, Soumaila Tiemogo has given the Golden Eaglets a resounding applause following his side comprehensive ten- one aggregate loss to the Nigerians in the 2013 African Under 17 Youth Championship qualifier.

 The Nigerien youngsters were handed a 4-1 defeat in Niamey with a further 6-0 defeat at the weekend in Calabar. Tiemogo, who recently led his side to win the 2012 Airtel Rising Stars Tournament in Nairobi, said his boys gave a good account of themselves against a better team.

“I think we played well over the two legs but we met a well-organised team,” Tiemogo said through an interpreter. “The Nigerian team simply outclassed us and I think there is nothing to be ashamed of because we were beaten by a very good team.”

It would be recalled that Suleymanu Kabirou, the Junior Menas’ captain, had raised an alarm that it would be an uphill task for them to avenge their 4-1 loss against the formidable Nigerian lads.

"We were shocked with the good handling of the ball by the Golden Eaglets," Kabirou reportedly said after the first leg game in Niamey." It was as if we were watching football on a playstation machine.

" Tiemogo who refrained from picking any single player as the best amongst the Golden Eaglets, said the strength of the Nigerians lie in the fact that they play as a team with a very strong mentality.

“Football has gone beyond individuals, though I saw some good players on the Nigerian side, what impressed me most are their collective style of play. They are a good team that simply outclassed us,” he added.

Manu Fancies Eaglets’ Against Guinea.

Head coach of Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba, believed his wards would be ready to take on their second round opponents in the elimination matches towards a place at the 2013 African Under 17 Youth Championship to be held in Morocco.

Guinea are yet to kick a ball in the qualifiers after getting a draw into the second round on account of their presence at the last African Championships in 2009. Nigeria on the other hand, had missed out on qualifications for both the 2009 and 2011 editions in Algeria and Rwanda.

But Garba has enthused that the Nigerian team was ready to take on any team following the manner his wards steamrolled Junior Menas of Niger with a 10-1 aggregate score line in the first round.

“With all modesty, we are ready to take on any team and we don’t mind if it is Niger or Spain,” the usually reserved Garba said matter-of-factly. “In football, there are three areas to measure performance and that are composure, commitment and concentration.

We are proud that these boys have these attributes and they can only get better. “Whatever the situation is, we have told them never to lose concentration and we are happy that they were not carried away even when they were comfortably leading with four goals against Niger,” he explained, adding that the team is yet to reach its limit.

 “We rested some of the players today against Niger so that we can see what others can do. Above all, we don’t have a first or second team in this Golden Eaglets and this sort of give us the confidence that whoever gets the nod to play would represent the country well,” he noted.

“We shall be ready for Guinea because our preparations for the upcoming matches are well on course,” Manu stated. The Golden Eaglets are expected to play Guinea at home on October 14 with the reverse fixtures in Conakry two weeks later

.“We shall be ready for Guinea because our preparations for the upcoming matches are well on course,” Manu stated. Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets have been given a brief three days recess in order for the players to loosen up after strenuous training regimen.

 “Work and play should go hand-in-hand and we want the players to relax so that they can be refreshed when we commence training again,” an official of the team volunteered.

Nigerian Rugby Team Departs On Wednesday For Morocco.

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation,NRFF,will on Wednesday depart the Country for the African Sevens Championship in Russia.

Its Head Coach,Steve Lewis,who had been to the United Kingdom and the northern part of Nigeria to monitor activities of the Nigerian rugby Players in a bid to present a formidable Squad,said he had a virile rugby team that has resolved to book a ticket for World Rugby Sevens.

Lewis,whose team would be competing alongside Cote D'Ivoire, Madagascar, Zambia and Morocco,said he had knowledge of most of his opponents in his group having engaged each other in the last concluded African fifteens Rugby Championship in Botswana, adding that the rugby players are in good frame of mind to record their names in the international Rugby Board hall of Frame.

The Rugby Coach,explained that the team would train on Thursday and Friday to perfect their strategy ahead of the competition which would produce two African rugby teams from the eight countries participating in the event to represent the continent in the World Rugby Sevens Championship.

Lagos Boxing Hall fame Will Motivate Lagos Boxers To Top Medals Table,Wale Edun.

The Lagos Boxing hall of fame,LBHF,has said that the international Boxing Fight which featured Repton Boxing club of London and the Lagos State Boxers is a good competition to propel the State's boxers to excel at the EKO 2012 Games in November.

Its Chairman,Wale Edun,said the Lagos State pugulists were on the right track of success owing to their exposure to international boxing competition couple with the availability of a world class boxing gymnasium at their disposal as well as the backing of the Lagos State Government and support from the corporate bodies.

Edun,said the efficacy of regular Saturday boxing show was well pronounced last Thursday where the State boxers under the aegis of Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association outpunched their counterparts from the Repton Boxing Club of London in the International Boxing Competition by four win to two in an event organised by the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame.

He said LBHF had been able to smoothen the path of success of the State's boxers by given them Facility match practice as well as international exposure,Stressing that LBHF is investing heavily in boxing in other to align with President Goodluck Jonathan directive of restructuring Sports.

He said plans are in top gear to create an avenue for the State boxers to go for a return leg in London.

Allinace Autos Hands Over Five Vehicles To L.O.C

As part of its unique contribution towards the 18th National Sport Festival tagged EKO 2012, Alliance Autos Nigeria Limited has handed over five Nissan vehicles  to the Local Organising Commitee.

 The Company's Managing Director,Regis Cromeur,said their decision to partner with the Lagos State Government in hosting a successful Natinal Sport Festival,was underpinned by their belief that Sports has major political and economic significance in contemporary Society.

While acknowledging the hard work being put into the organisation of the games by the Local Organising commitee Secretary General,Kweku Tandoh and his team,Cromeur,noted that the gesture would encourage other organisations to partner with the Commitee,Lagos State Government and the National Sports Commission to stage a hitch-free games.

 The Commissioner for sports Wahid Enitan Osohdi,who represented the Deputy Governor,Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire,the chairman of L.O.C,thanked the owner of the World renowed Nissan brand in Nigeria,for its support towards the games in november.

 Osohdi,who assured that the vehicles would be put to good use in carrying out the L.O.C activities effectively said Alliance Automobile has set the pace for private sectors to partner with the State Government adding that the gesture would go along way to develop Sports in Nigeria  since Government alone cannot fundSports effectively.

Manu, Amuneke so sure of Golden Eaglets.

The Golden Eaglets have vowed to win their first round, second leg African Under-17 qualifier against Junior Menas of Niger in their qualifier at the U.J Esuene. Sports Stadium in Calabar this weekend.

Head coach, Manu Garba, said winning the match against Menas of Niger was crucial to the team in order to secure their progress to the second round of the tournament.

 “We want to win at home as we did two weeks ago in Niamey and we are leaving nothing for chance,” noted Garba.

Speaking on the popular Good Morning Calabar TV show on CRBC, assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) was even more forthcoming about the chance of the Nigerian side.

The team assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, said the team would approach the match with the same wining spirit that see the Eaglets beating their opponent four - one in an away match in Niamey.

 “We know there is a hug interest in this game after our 4-1 in Niamey but we shall be ready for the game," Amuneke said.

“We are realistic about our expectations and we are approaching the game with the same winning mentality." "Of course, we want to win but we must work for it,"the former African Footballer of the Year said."We are confident they would rise to the occassion."

Already, there is the small talk that the match is going to be a walkover for the Golden Eaglets on account of their flattering 4-1 win in Niamey but Amuneke has begged to differ, insisting that football is not as easy as people thought.

Pressed to predict the outcome of the match, Suleiman Abubakar, Eaglets' coordinator, assured that the team would give good account of itself following its performance in their first leg in Niamey Niger.

 “We don't count our chickens before they hatch and we don't want to talk about how many goals we are going to score," Abubakar emphasised." What we can assure the fans is good football and hopefully the goals would come.

IRB Coaching Team Arrive Lagos And Kaduna For Coaching Clinic.

The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation NRRF, today confirmed that an International Rugby Board, IRB, coaching team will arrive in Lagos on Monday to hold a series of  ‘coach the coaches’ clinics in Lagos and Kaduna next week.

The IRB team will arrive from Kenya on Monday before flying to Kaduna for two IRB Level One Match Official coaching and refereeing clinics on 26/27 September and in Lagos two days later on 29/30 September.

In making the announcement, Jide Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer of the NRFF, said that it recognized the importance of proper coaching to the development of rugby at all levels in Nigeria while maintaining international best practices.

The NRFF and IRB will also hold a technical planning session in Lagos to chart a way forward for the Nigerian growth in the world’s second biggest ball sport.

The NRFF also announced that it is in the process of establishing a National Rugby Coaching Institute, NRCI, to build the capacity of rugby officials across the country.

The key focus of the NRCI is to consolidate the education imparted by the IRB Coaching Tour and prepare the coaches for the iTRY Rugby Schools Programme, Model Rugby Club Expansion Plan, Amina Foundation Development Programme

Lagos State To Begin Prepare Series Competition.

As part of plans to record an outstanding performance at the 18th national sport festival tagged Eko 2012, the Lagos State is set to organise a competition tagged "Lagos Prepared Series " Scheduled for next month.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com reports that renovation works had begun at the Lagos State Sports Council, Rowe Park, Yaba, Agege, Teslim Balogun and Onikan Stadia as the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social develoopment, Main Organising Committee and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Social development,had paid to some of the venues approved for the EKO 2012 Games.

 Commissioner for youth sport and social development,Wahied Enitan Oshodi,who made this statement,said the essence of the Lagos prepared series was to engage the State's athletes in a competitive tournaments to make them record a outstanding performance at the Eko 2012 Games in November.

 According to him,the event would create an opportunity to compete with their counterparts in others as the move would enable each sport association to ascertain the readiness of their Wards for the Games.

The former Chairman of Lagos State Table Tennis Association, said the Lagos state Football Association was on the verge of organising a football Competition which would involve all the national League Clubs as well as the State football teams to the Eko 2012,Stressing the move would enable the team's technical crew to present a virile team at the Games.

 The Commissioner,said winning a Gold medal in the football event would put smiles on Governor Bbabatunde Raji Fashola for his huge investment in football and other Sports.

Kable International Eramarks 14 Million On Extra Joss Soccer Cup

Fourteen million naira has been earmarked for the maiden edition of the Extra Joss Football Championship scheduled to begin next Thursday at the Legacy Pitch Surulere.

The grassroot football competition which will attract thirty- two drawn from five Divisional Football Associations across the state is being sponsored by Kalbe International in conjuction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development.

While speaking with sports journalists, the Country Manager Kalbe International, Didik Novandi, said his curiosity over the abundant talented football players in the state motivated him to partner with the Ministry responsible for sports,adding that the gesture is to create an avenue for football scouts, coaches to discover credible players who could replace ageing Super Eagles.

Novandi, said Nigeria's Golden Eaglets had placed the nation's name in a vantage position in FIFA's hall of fame for its performance in the FIFA uUnder 17 World Cup while the Eagles are yet to record such feat, adding that there is need to concentrate in rebuilding the grassroot football to discover talents.

Novandi, said it was disheartening that none of the football clubs i the state are featuring in the Nigerian Premier League as he believed that the tournament would serve as an avenue for the clubs to select talented football players to fortify their teams ahead of the next season.

The Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, commended Kalbe International for supporting the state government in adding value to grassroot football.

NSC Short Change Paralympians.

Yakubu Adesokan

Crisis looms between the country’s athletes to the recently concluded London 2012 Paralympic games and the officials of the National Sports Commission (NOC) over the federal government largesse as the athletes are set to petition presidency.


The President, Jonathan Ebele Goodluck had announced monetary awards to the athletes and their officials for making the country proud at the games during the ceremony in their honour penultimate weekend.

Goodluck had announced 5million naira for gold medalists, 3million naira for silver, 2.5 for bronze medalists, 500,000 naira for all athletes that did not win any medal and 2.5million naira each for all the accompanied officials, coaches, secretaries, medical teams and the loaders. But to the surprised of the athletes they have been short changed by the NSC officials with only medalists being paid fully.

 It was revealed to Sportswriters by some of the officials that they only received 1million naira when the alert came. A member of the medical team told sportswriters that he got an alert for 1million naira while the coaches also confirmed the same thing when asked.

The 3 loaders according to investigation were paid 500,000 naira as against 2.5million announced by the president. The affected officials pleaded not to be mentioned so as not to be dealt with but have all resolved to petition the presidency over this ugly trend wondering why the president should asked them to be paid some amount and they were paid another.

Meanwhile, some of the federation secretaries kept sealed lips over this development when contacted but the other officials even showed the alert to sportswriters.

“We have resolved to petition the Presidency over this development because this really took us by surprise, when the statement made at the ceremony and only for us to get alert (Wednesday and Tuesday) for another payment, we only need to know why or maybe the president has changed his mind without telling us”, the officials said while chatting with sportswriters Thursday.

Lagos State Set To Organise Lagos Prepare Series.

As part of plans to record an outstanding performance at the 18th national sport festival tagged Eko 2012, the Lagos State is set to organize a competition tagged "Lagos Prepared Series " Scheduled for next month.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com reports that renovation works had begun at the Lagos State Sports Council, Rowe Park, Yaba, Agege, Teslim Balogun and Onikan Stadia as the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social develoopment, Main Organising Committee and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Social develoopment,had paid to some of the venues approved for the EKO 2012 Games.

Commissioner for youth sport and social development,Wahied Enitan Oshodi,who made this statement,said the essence of the Lagos prepared series was to engage the State's athletes in a competitive tournaments to make them record a outstanding performance at the Eko 2012 Games in November.

 According to him,the event would create  an opportunity to compete with their counterparts in others as the move would enable each sport association to ascertain the readiness of their Wards for the Games.

The former Chairman of Lagos State Table Tennis Association, said the  Lagos state Football Asssociation was on the verge of organising a football Competition which would involve all the national League Clubs as well as the State football teams to the Eko 2012 where outstanding football players would be invited to camp beef  up the Team Lagos Football team ahead of the Games.

The Commissioner,said winning a Gold medal in the football event would put smiles on Governor Bbabatunde  Raji Fashola for his huge investment in football and other Sports.

Patrick Ugbe Cautions Eaglets.

The Golden Eaglets have been told explicitly that the only way they can make it to the top of their trade was to shun undisciplined conducts.

This much was stated by Mr. Patrick Ugbe, the Cross River State’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development after watching the team’s midday training session at the practice pitch of the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar on Tuesday.

The commissioner said tight duty schedule had prevented him from seeing the team upon their return from Niamey where they recorded a 4-1 win against Junior Menas of Niger.

“I bring to you special greetings from His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross River State,” said Ugbe, a seasoned broadcaster. “We are very proud of your achievement against Niger in Niamey and we want you to complete the job on Sunday.”

He said he was impressed with the diligence and general conduct of the team, enjoining the players to be disciplined and focussed: “Your coaches are your role models because they have played at the highest level before and you must listen to them if you want to succeed,” he said even as he reminded the players about the need to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

 “Football is a team game and if you are disciplined and play together as a team, no other team would be able to stop you. I wish you well and pray for your victory on Sunday. Calabar is a good venue and we are confident that you are going to win all your qualifying matches here,” he added.

Responding, Manu Garba (MFR), Golden Eaglets’ Head coach, said the team was full of gratitude to Governor Imoke and the good people of Cross River State for all the assistance and support being rendered to the team.

“Once again, we want you to convey our special greetings to Governor Imoke and we hope he would continue to support us. We are at home in Calabar and we want to thank you for all the support so far, we are very grateful,” stated Garba.

Golden Eaglets Tackle Junior Menas On Saturday.

The eagerly awaited first round, second leg 2013 African qualifier between Nigeria and Niger will hold on Saturday  as scheduled.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, confirmed late Tuesday night that the game would go ahead on Saturday so that the Nigerien contingent would be able to meet up with their travelling arrangement after the game.

All arrangements were geared towards hosting the game on Sunday in order to encourage huge turnout of spectators at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium but the change to Saturday became necessary after consultations between the NFF and the Fédération Nigerienne de Football.

In a related development, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has picked Algerian match officials for the Sunday’s second leg game.

The centre referee is Sofiane Bousetter while Bouabdallah Omari and Mohammed Bechirene would serve as Assistant Referee 1 and 2 respectively.

The fourth official is Mehdi Charef while Ivorian Sinko Zeli who was the centre referee when Nigeria beat Namibia 4-0 in a Nations Cup qualifier in 2000 at home would serve as Match Commissioner.

Meanwhile, match tickets for the Golden Eaglets-Junior Menas match has been fixed for N200 for popular side. The covered seat would go for N500 while the State Box is as low as N1000.

The cheap price tickets, according to officials, are to encourage a huge turnout of spectators to watch the Nigerian youngsters in their first qualifier on home soil in Calabar.

NRRF Announces Provisional Squad.

The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation,NRRF, has released a provisional squad for the Confederation of African Rugby sevens tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

The squad consist of twenty rugby players who will be trimmed to twelve to compete for a berth at the International Rugby Board Sevens World Cup in Russia next year.

Some of the selected rugby players are Didi Akinluyi, Mark Olegbude, CJ Osazuwa, Olisah Ufodiama, Eji Uzoigbe, Obi Wilson, Peter Cole, Ese Enajerow,Ari Goualin, Nuhu Ibrahim, Temi Okenla, Abdul Malik Salihu, Yayaha Samson, Will Sharp, Chiso Uzochukwu and Rob Worrincy

National coach, Steve Lewis, who has spent the last three weekends assessing the players under consideration both at home and abroad in the most comprehensive rugby selection process, explained that the players selection was based on quality and skill.

Three weeks ago Lewis flew to the UK to watch two teams made up of Nigerian players on the fringe of national selection play in the Harpenden Pub Sevens in England. 

Both teams were knocked out at the quarter final stage of the annual tournament which was won by the England international team but gave the coach the opportunity to see several players he had never seen before.

Several players in the squad are still involved in knock out rounds of competitions for their clubs in the UK which may eliminate them from selection to the final squad.  Four players not named in the squadare nursing injuries and their fitness will be monitored by NRFF management in the UK before the final traveling squad is announced.

The coaching and trails sessions in Nigeria included a sevens coaching session, rigorous fitness tests and trials matches.

Every rugby club in the country was invited to nominate and send their best sevens rugby players to attend the trials held within Nigeria.

“The reason for announcing an enlarged provisional squad is because we are still not in a position to confirm the availability of several players who are still involved with their clubs.

There are also a few guys who are coming back from injury and we want to monitor their progress and fitness before a final decision is made.” said Lewis

The 20 man squad announced validates the selection process which has seen a net cast wide to find the players with the genuine ability to represent Nigeria with honour at the highest level of the game.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR MOROCCO

FORWARDS: Didi Akinluyi, Mark Olegbude, CJ Osazuwa, Olisah Ufodiama, Eji Uzoigbe, Obi Wilson

BACKS:  Peter Cole, Ese Enajerow,Ari Goualin, Nuhu Ibrahim, Temi Okenla, Abdul Malik Salihu, Yayaha Samson, Will Sharp, Chiso Uzochukwu, Rob Worrincy

UTILITY PLAYERS: David Akinluyi, Kene Ejikeme, Joe Mbu, Mike Worrincy

NFF Hails United Eaglets’ Crew

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has once again commended the Golden Eaglets technical crew over an uncommon camaraderie already established within the rank and file of the team.

Its Director Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme, made this statement at a brief dinner chitchat with the Golden Eaglets’ officials on Sunday. Ikpeme, said the federation had noted with keen interest the unity of purpose within the team, requesting them to consolidate on the healthy spirit in the camp.

"Again, I’m conveying to you special greetings from the NFF because everybody is happy with the job you have done so far," Ikpeme said at the team's Princeville Hotel camp.

 "Of course, the federation has noticed the unity and bonding between the coaching crew and other backroom staffers which of course have rubbed off on the entire team.

We are impressed with the way you have been carrying along with your assignments as if there are no challenges and we are happy about this,” he enthused.

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets' opened their African Under-17 qualifiers account towards the 2013 AYC in Morocco with a 4-1 away win against their Nigerien counterparts in Niamey penultimate Saturday.

 Yet team's coordinator, Suleiman Abubakar said the youngsters as well as the crew are not being carried away with the euphoria.

"We appreciate all the good things being said about our team but we know we can't afford to get carried away," stated Abubakar, the erstwhile Team Manager of Abuja FC who starred for Niger Tornadoes in his heyday.

 "We have resolved to keep working on our goals and without being told, we know how important is our coming game as such, we are focused on the task at hand,” he added.

Adopt-A-Talent Boxer Targets National Sports Festival Glory.

National champion in the flyweight category Mutiat Adebayo has her sight set on glory at the forthcoming 18th National sports festival 'Eko 2012' scheduled from November 27th to December 9th.

 Adebayo, one of the eight boxers in the Adopt-a-talent sports programme which had intensive training for the pugilists at the Jalisco sports centre, Oshodi thanked the Lagos State government for giving the athletes opportunity to combine academic and sports through the developmental project piloted by the office of the senior special assistant to governor Babatunde Fashola on grassroots sports development.

 The boxing protege, one of the 180 athletes that participated in the 10 days vacation camp organised by management of the adopt-a-talent, said she is living her dream of schooling and using boxing talent as an oysters.

"the training at the adopt-talent has been so great, we learnt so many new things in the camp and I say a big thank you to Governor Babatunde Fashola for making us special because we are going to school and doing sports" Adebayo said.

The Golden girl from the last festival in Port Harcourt 'garden city games' promise to repeat her gold medal winning feat on home soil in November.

"I'm a gold medallist in my weight division from the last sports festival and I'm expecting the same thing to happen by the grace God. I'm training hard and I know that God will help me to win same gold medal for Lagos" she said.

Athletes, Parents Count Gains Of Holiday Camping

Though the summer holiday camping of the Adopt-A-Talent Sports Programme ended last weekend, athletes, coaches and parents believe that the 10 days intensive training in camp has further brought the athletes closer to their dream in their various sports.

The athletes from 10 different sports were camped at the Nigerian Army Sports Centre, Myoung Barrack, Morocco, Somolu, Lagos State from 6-16 September.

They underwent series of trainings at University of Lagos Sports Centre, Yaba College of Technology, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, and Jalisco Sports Centre, Oshodi. Giwa Jimoh, a 15 years old table tennis player said the camping was quite interesting and challenging, adding that he was able to learn basic and modern things about the ping pong game from the coaches.

 “The camping was a good one for me and other athletes in camp. I want to thank our coaches for working round the clock to get the best out of us. During my stay in camp, I learned how discipline and endurance can bring the best out of an athlete,” he said. Kehinde Adeoye, a 17 years old basketball player, expressed gratitude to God for being part of the camping.

Adeoye said that the camping gave athletes from different sports to come together under one roof. Like Oliver Twist, Adeoye wants more camping from the Management Committee of the programme whenever schools are on holiday.

“The 10 days camping was a good experience for me. I really learned fast during the camping and I believe that what I learned I cannot forget it as this will help me in my career,” he said.

To Mrs. Olusola Onamade, whose son, Ayomipo, is a Karateka, the Lagos State government deserved a commendation with what was provided for the athletes in the camp. Mrs. Onamade, a former Karateka, who represented Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU at the NUGA and West Africa University Games, WAUG, during her school days, the athletes would gain a lot in the programme.

Karate coach, Olushina John, who has been in the sport in the last 26 years, said most of the athletes have exceptional qualities that will help them in Karate.

 “We are training these promising athletes rudiments of the sport and basic things for them to be mentally balance in order to enhance their strength to fight,” he said.

 Daniel Adekunle, who is assistant boxing coach to Joe Mensah, revealed that there are some outstanding young pugilists who he has identified.

“Boxers like Taiwo Abiodun in the 48kg, Rilwan Oladosu, who just came back from a bronze winning outing at a West Africa tournament recently, Mutiu Adebayo, a gold medal winner at the last sports festival are some of the boxers we have identified in the camp.

Because these athletes are combining sports with their studies make their future very bright,” said Adekunle, who is the Chairman of Lagos Boxing Club Coaches Association.

Lack Of Funds, Poor Preparations Affected My Performance, Ajose.

Nigeria's World Boxing council lightwelter weight boxer Segun Ajose,has attributed his defeat to lucas mattyzee of Argentina in the WBC lightwelter weight to lack of funds and poor preparation.

"It was a tough fight both of us happen to be proud  guy.both of us happen to do the best  in the division so we gave good account of ourself.the fans and judges love the fight .but i know i could have given a good account of myself  given the right preparation,i could have done better .

Ajose,who was devastated over the poor  lackadavsical attitude of the National sport commission towards his ambition of becoming a World champion,said he could have given good account of himself by outpunching Mattyzee,if he had enough funds and super b preparation expeacted of a champion.

"Mattyzee prepared more better than us and that is why he won the bout.he wasa better boxer on that day,it so sad that i know am more better than him ,am a technical boxer but on the  day because he came better prepared,he got the better option.

"I trained very hard for the fight ,but the preparation was not the way i wanted it given the right fund we could have done better .As have always said,preparation is always the key.talent is one thing,hard work is another but preparation is the best.and we did not get the best of preparation."


The pugilist said he arrived United State of America,ahead of the bout in less then a month to the contest while is opponent had been training rigorously two months to the contest as the Argentina Government  aided Mattyzee to stand in a position to win the fight by making  available credible sparring boxers and also sponsoring six coaching crew to United States.

" It is a common knowledge that Mattyzze got the best support from the Argentina Government.His coaching crew alone was sponsored by the Argentina government  and he cxame with six coaching crew  and other staff.he was better prepared,he was in camp longer,he got the best of sparring.he import the best sparring partners across the world that would suit turn to fight me.

Ajose, who agreed that Mattyzee deserved to win said he would observe a break to spend time with his family after which he would go for a warm up fight or a big fight in december,2012.

"I will take few weeks break,spend time with my family and paly football with my boy  and get back to training and wait on my promoter,manager to tell me the next thing most likely am going for a warm up fight  in  December,then a big fight for me i got use to whatever resources you have to ensure wining a world titles."
            
He beleived that Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola support was instrumental to his  victory against Ali Chebah in the WBC lightwelter weight eliminator bout.

"Governor Fashola,has been very helpful to us.you know when i fought again  Alli Chebah,Fashola's was very critical  and that is why i was able to beat  CHEBAH.I was prepared for that and the result was what you saw.i went inside and i performed the way i expect to perform.i won the fight because we got support from  the Lagos State Government."

"My own case i did not get any support from the federal Government and am not just a boxer who just come in on the radar  lately,have been representing Nigeria for a long time for decades.have won laurels  for nigeria in the  amateur, Professional cadress.support from the federal Government is not  something am happy about."

"I does not matter whether WBC,IBF or WBO  whichever organisation i got the opportunity,i will go for.At the level i am,i can box for any Governing Body i can box for a world title.i can still fight for  WBC,WBA,IBF or WBO.I am in the mixed especially with this fight.i showed how good i am even though."

The fans really want me back.its all about whoever want to fight me to step forward.

This time,we did not get the help because of the olympic.we did not meet with right  officials on time.so hopeful,when i get my news fight,i will get support fron the  State Government  or Federal Government.   

LDFA/LCM Soccer Cup Will Motivate Pupils To Focus On Sports and Education, Says Prince Oyekan.

One thousand and six hundred pupils from sixteen schools of five local governments will participate in the second edition of the Lagos Channel Management/ Lagos Divisional Football Association Under 13 Soccer tournament tagged Goalz School Event billed for first of October at the Campos Stadium, Lagos Island.


Chairman of the Lagos Divisional Football Association, Prince Ifalade Oyekan, who made the statement while briefing sports jounalists on the competition billed for the first of October, 2012, said the competition which would outlived was geared at creating a platform for the pupils within Lagos Island, Apapa, Eti Osa, Lagos Mainland and Surulere Local Governments to become the future stars of Nigeria since the future of Nigerian football rest on the grassroot football programmes.

 Prince Oyekan, said the association had concluded plans to embark on valuable projects such as Bore - hole and renovation works to the school that eventually win the competiton, believing that the gesture would go a long way to generate healthy rivalry among the participating the schools and it would also encourage many schools to invest on sports with the intension of wining the tourney to enjoy similar projects.

According to him, LDFA/LCM Under 13 Soccer Cup would afford the pupils to gain wealth of experience from former Nigerian football players such as Teslim Fatusi, Bode Babinton, Wasiu Adetoro, Ibeh Johnson among others who would engage them on the need to take to Sports and education, stressing that the move is in line with Governor Babatunde Fashola support for FIFA One Goal project which centre on education and football.

While thanking the sponsor, Lagos Channel Management Limited for extending its Civil Social Responsibility to LDFA despite its numerous humanitarian services to the society,Oyekan, said the association had expanded the scope of the event with the introduction of awards to football players who distinguish themselves in the One day tournament, stressing that the event would enable the pupils to focus on education and sports and also to keep the youths away from social vices.

Prince Oyekan, whose legacy is to bestow on the LDFA with two grassroot football competitions, said plans are in top gear to establish a primary school league for the pupils within the local goverment that under the association's jurisdiction, adding that the tournament could be avenue for the selection of Golden Eaglets players as the LDFA have a data base of all the football players expected to feature in the event.

LCM Head of Operations,Captain Phil Glenton, who believed that the participating schools should focus their wining strategy on team work, said the company which has been in Nigeria for a couple of years supported the LDFA quest to breed dynamic and skillful young football players who in the next ten to fifteen years would be the face of Nigerian football.

Glenton, said hosting the event of Nigeria's Independence day was an indication that the dredging company was in the nation to create an enabling environment for the youths to excel in their chosen professions, adding that the company on yearly supported Orphanages with a minimum of One million naira to each orphanage.