Inter Tertiary Games Begin In Lagos

The 2012 edition of the Lagos Inter Tertiary Games begin today.

The championship, which enters its fourth edition this year, is scheduled to end on Saturday, 10 November with at least 17 tertiary institutions taking part in the schools sports competition.

The tournament, which is facilitated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is organised by relevant sporting associations in Lagos State.

The schools will compete in Athletics (100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 4x400m), Basketball (men and women), Soccer (men), Beach Soccer (men), Table Tennis (singles-men and women), Volleyball (men and women) and Beach Volleyball (men and women).

Ahead of the championship, the participating schools were given the sum of 3.250 million Naira as preparation support (kits and training sessions) by the state government.

 The sum of N9.825 million was graciously approved by the sports loving governor of Lagos as prize money.

Table Tennis and Volleyball will kick start the championship on Thursday at the Sports Complex of the University of Lagos.

According to the programme made available to the media by the organisers, Table Tennis events will end on Saturday, while Volleyball ends on Monday.

Basketball events start on Friday with Football kicking off at both Unilag and Yabatech Sports Centres. Beach soccer and Beach Volleyball at Kuramo Beach on Lagos Island, while athletics events take place at Yabatech.

Among the institutions expected to feature in the competition are University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Nigerian Army School of Finance, Lagos State Polytechnic, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Yaba College of Technology, School of Fisheries and Marine Technology.

Others are Michael Otedola College of Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Grace Polytechnic, Ronik Polytechnic, Caleb University, Imota, Wave Crest School of Catering and Hotel Management, Ansal ud-Deen College of Education, Wolex Polytechnic and Lagos City Polytechnic.

Lagos State Polytechnics, LASPOTECH won the 2011 edition with 6 gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze medals and the winners were given N3.3m as well as giant trophies and medals for their efforts.

University of Lagos came second with  5 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze and they won N2m, Lagos State University, LASU came third with 4 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals, the athletes received N1.810m, while  Yaba College of Education, Yabatech, came fourth with 4 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze and the athletes were proud winners of N1.735m.

 In 2011, 1189 students/athletes participated for the 17 institutions in the last tournament.

Odegbami Lambastes Eagles.

Former Green Eagles ace winger, Segun Odegbami, has said that the current group of Super Eagles Football players do not have football pedigree to win the CAF 2013 African Nations cup in South Africa.

Odegbami, who praised Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi for paving the way for Nigeria’s Premier League to feature in competitive competitions, said the quality of Nigeria’s football players at the coach’s disposal disposal were good but they are not too good to win the continental soccer fiesta which is scheduled for January, 2013.

 The former shooting stars player, who acknowledged that Keshi was on the right direction to search for credible football players would be dedicated and determined to make the nation proud, adding that the Super Eagles would make impression as one of the favourites to win the competition but such feat require stronger players.

He said it would be difficult to Keshi to prepare a virile and a winning quad within a period of two months to the competition proper, adding that Keshi is a building a future team which would win the African Nations Cup in 2015.

 He said it would be a bonus of Eagles win the competition with the present players as he is convinced that Nigeria would definitely win the 2015 edition of the event with the building process embarked upon by Keshi.

Ebonyi State Warns States To Shun Poaching.

To work in tandem with the ideals of the founding fathers, Director of Sports, Ebonyi State, Emmanuel Utobo, has warned states to shun all acts of poaching of athletes as the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 draws near.

 Utobo said with the National Sports Commission (NSC) frowning at the act, it is only advisable for the states to make do with their athletes and concentrate on building a viable grass root development structure than relying on reaping from other people’s sweat.

 “The NSC has said that poaching of athletes from other states is against the rules. Unfortunately however we discover that most states are still involved in it. For me this is not healthy for competition.

The rules have been dispatched to all states and it is only natural that we adhere to it,” he cautioned. Utobo added that he expects a spectacle in terms of organization of the competition by host, Lagos, equal treatment of the participating states and athletes should be taken seriously as it will give everyone some sense of belonging.

 “I believe that we are in for one of the best NSF of all times no doubt, but I also expect that the organizers will do well to treat every athlete from the participating states equally.

They should see everybody as human and shun all forms of discrimination. “They should be fair in terms of where the athletes are camped and provide a level playing field for all.

We should avoid camping some states’ athletes far away from the venues and others very close. In fact in all aspects of the competition there must be transparency,” he stated.

 On the chances of Ebonyi in this edition of Nigeria’s most prestigious sports fiesta, Utobo said like expected, the athletes are battle- ready for the challenges that will be posted by other states, but added that the state will target victory in those sports that have been chosen for participation. His word:

“The spirit is high, the athletes are ready. We are concentrating on those sports that we have selected to participate in and we wish to come out victorious at the end of the day.”

Ondo Targets Top Place At Eko 2012

Ondo state have been primed to surpass their performance at the last edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) as they put finishing touches to their preparations ahead of the 18th edition slated for Lagos 27 days from today.

 This much was revealed by the state’s Director of Sports, Idowu Akinbulumo, as she assured that the athletes will give those from other states a run for their money in the various events.

 “Of course we are preparing and our expectation will not be anything other than doing better than the 4th position we finished at the last edition. Our target really is to win the competition.

I think we have what it takes to achieve that and we don’t intend to relent in our efforts,” she said. Akinbulumo said the state does not dump their athletes like other states do, and that that has been responsible for the level of consistency the state has enjoyed in terms of athletes’ performance in recent times.

“Our athletes are in-tact and rearing to go. They know what is expected of them and we do our best to make them feel wanted and respected and so we have a very good working relationship.

 “We are looking forward to a remarkable sports festival and we hope to have the best of everything, accommodation, transportation, and others.

 We had a great time in Rivers at the last edition and I hope Lagos will do better,” she said. The 18th edition of the NSF commences on November 27 and will end December 9, 2012.

NNPC/SHELL Cup To Start Across Nigeria.

The NNPC/SHELL Soccer cup has been regarded as a platform for the resuscitation of Nigerian Academicals football competition.

 Its representative, Tony Attah, who made thus statement while speaking with Sports journalists, on the 15th edition of the All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Competition, said the NNPC/SHELL Cup has become one of Nigeria’s leading youth football tournaments that feature regularly on the nation’s educational and sports calendar.

Attah, who believed the competition has transformed into a successful reference point for sports development through schools, said the non age-group event had provided a viable platform for all students to demonstrate their skills with a chance of being invited into the nation’s age-grade teams.

According to him, the competition has begun this week across the nation as the state finals would be concluded between first and second of December 2012 wile the zonal preliminaries scheduled to hold in nine centres would be decided in December.

 He believed that football players discovered during the competition would have the opportunity to grow into the national and international stars like Solomon Okonkwo, Isaac Promise, Chinedu Obasi, Femi Opabunmi, Ambrose Vanzekin and others.

 Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, Morrison Fiddi, said the competition taught students tolerance, respect, courage and self discipline.

President, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, urged corporate bodies to emulate the sponsor of All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship by investing in grassroot sports in a bid to improve the dwindling standard of sports.

 Mohammed, appealed to the sponsor to earmark certain amount of money to sponsor the discovered students to enroll in credible football academies in Nigeria, adding that part of the prize money meant for the eventual winners should be expended on sports equipment.

A total sum of eight million naira has been set aside for the winners as the winner gets three point five million naira, runner up to grab over two million naira while the third place team gets a million naira.

Manu To Reinforce Eaglets Against Mali.

Head Coach of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba, has assured that the Golden Eaglets would be better and stronger as the team steps up preparation for its third and final 2013 Under-17 Championship qualifier against Mali in November.

 The Nigerian team has scored a remarkable 17 goals and conceded one in four qualifying matches against Niger and Guinea and Garba has revealed that the team would even be reinforced against Mali for better performance.

 “We have said repeatedly that this team is still work in progress and the players in camp know that none of them is guaranteed a place in the team,” Garba said after the 4-0 win against Guinea in Conakry on Sunday.

 “There are even some good players who have passed the mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test and we are going to bring some in order to fortify the team for our next game against Mali.”

Adding some fresh players notwithstanding; Garba maintains absolute confidence in the capability of his wards in crossing the Malian Rubicon after the West African country dispatched Mauritania 6-3 on aggregate at the weekend.

 “The mentality of our players is strong and it is tuned towards just one thing: winning,” Garba confidently said. “There are four things that should be the hallmark of a good team and I tell you that our players have already tremendously showed them.

 These are commitment, composure, concentration and confidence, and that is why it is always difficult for our opponents to match us.”

 The Golden Eaglets returned from Conakry on Monday, departed Lagos on Tuesday for their base in Calabar to begin earnest preparations for their third round-first leg game against Mali at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium on November 18.

Guinea’s Keeper Salutes Eaglets

Ganaeka Ibrahima, Guinea’s petit goalkeeper has admitted Golden Eaglets superiority following the Junior Syli Stars 7-0 aggregate lost to their Nigerian counterparts in the 2013 under- 17 qualifiers.

 It was Ibrahima’s agility over the two-legged matches, that stopped the Golden Eaglets from recording a double figure score line but he only words of praises for the Nigerian conquistadors!

“The Nigerian team is good and have good quality," Ibrahima who was adjudged the best player with some instinctive saves during the first leg in Calabar, said through an interpreter.

“They played good football and it showed when we played them in Nigeria and here in Conakry.

Ibrahima has started displaying the hallmark of great goalkeepers with his sharp reflexes and incredible anticipation to dislodge opponents but the pint-sized keeper found himself at the receiving end as he was rooted in one spot when Alhassan Ibrahim struck a thunderous right footer straight into the net!

 “I didn't expect No 8(Ibrahim) to shoot and I thought he wanted to make a pullout for the No 9(Success Isaac) but the ball was already in the net before I realised it," he explained. “We lost to a very good team that is fit and strong and that was we congratulated them after the match.”

Willaim Sisters Arrive Nigeria.

The Williams’ sisters, Venus Williams, has finally arrived in Lagos, as widely reported in the local and international media.

 Venus, the older of the two world's renowned tennis icons, arrived in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital about 3:35pm, aboard a Delta Airline flight. She was welcomed to the hands of officials of Connect Marketing Services Ltd and scores of journalists, who had waited anxiously outside of the arrival lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

 Her sister, Serena, who has just clinched the WTA title which just ended in Istanbul, Turkey, is also due to arrive in Lagos at 9pm local time, also today. From the airport, Venus was led straight to a waiting convoy of vehicles and driven to Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island where another group of Journalists had also assembled to receive the tennis queen.

 Looking visibly excited about her coming to Lagos, she was accompanied by her managers, who however, did not allow her to entertain any questions from the journalists saying, Venus and Serena will speak to the media elaborately on the purpose of their visit during a Media Conference scheduled to hold on Wednesday 31, October 2012 in Lagos.

 Both Serena and Venus Williams are in Lagos as part of the Nigerian leg of a planned tour of two African countries, namely Nigeria and South Africa.

 They are here on the platform of Breaking The Mould (BTM) campaign, a women's empowerment programme put together by Octagon and its West Africa affiliate, Connect Marketing Services Ltd.

While in Lagos, they will participate in a number of supporting initiatives such as a tennis clinic, school visit, exhibition match and gala dinner among others.

 Through these initiatives, they will be motivating, inspiring and mentoring diverse audiences in particular women and young persons as well as other categories of people to be the best they can be, regardless of obstacles on their way.

 Serena and Venus Williams are considered fit as “Mould Breakers” as the story of their lives exemplifies how determination, passion, hard work and self-belief can turn dreams into reality, despite obstacles.

MOC, Technical Committee Embark On Final Facilities Inspection For Eko 2012

The Main Organisation Committee (MOC) and the technical committee for the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 will on Thursday November 1 embark on final inspection of facilities for the sporting fiesta.

According to the Secretary General, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Kweku Tandoh, the final inspection of venues that would host the 25 events to be competed at the championship would be inspected to ascertain their readiness.

 "Come Thursday November 1, we will be having the final inspection of facilities for the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012.

The inspection is going to be lead by a team from the MOC secretariat, secretaries and technical directors of the sports federations that would be taking part in the festival.

Other relevant sub-committees of the LOC, venues and facilities, accommodation and welfare, catering and feeding and the LOC secretariat itself would be part of the inspection to all the venues that have been listed as venues for the festival,” he said.

 Tandoh however, said that on Friday November 2, there would be technical meeting, where all the observations noticed during the inspection would be harmonized.

 He added: “The next day which is Friday November 2, we would be having a meeting which would be referred to as the technical meeting that would discuss observations that may have come up from previous day’s inspections and we will also finalize whatever needs to be finalized between the federations, the MOC and the LOC Secretariat.

At the end of the meeting, we will come up with a final document stating the readiness of Lagos State towards hosting the festival.” On the state’s readiness for the inspection, the LOC scribe said: “I can say Lagos is ready because since last week we have been hosting various states that have been coming for the inspection as the new format that has been set out by the MOC is that the states come on their own at their own time.

But the states’ inspections have been broken into batches, while the first batch came last week. The second batch is this week before the final inspection and we have been embarking on those inspections with the states.

Also, His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Fashola has been receiving a weekly status update as to the level of work in all the venues and we can say that as at today we are already in almost every venue for the festival.”

NFF Is Not Corrupt.

The present Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation is not in any way corrupt, as it has worked assiduously to reposition Nigeria football, according to the Chairman of NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama.

 “It is in line with the mission and determination to take our football to higher levels that drove the Board to the various re-engineering processes that have yielded the results we are now witnessing in our Leagues and the different age-grade National Teams, as well as the Super Eagles.

 “At this period, what the Aminu Maigari-led Board needs is massive support from Nigerians, not distraction. We are not there yet, but we request for total support from Nigerians in all ramifications to take our football to greater heights,” Inyama said on Tuesday.

 The Chairman of the Nigeria National League also condemned calls from unpatriotic Nigerians who are at it again stoking the fire of discontent and disparaging the NFF, at a time that all the National Teams have qualified for every available major competition and are ready to do the country proud.

“The present NFF administration has invested heavily in youth development programmes and the result is there for all to see, with the recent performances of the various age-grade National Teams including the U-17 boys.

 “Everyone agrees this team is one for the future and the NFF will guard it jealously to ensure the players graduate from this stage to the next level – that is, the U-20 squad.” Inyama commended the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari for the way and manner he has steered the Executive Committee, with sterling leadership qualities and doggedness.

 “It is important that Nigerians from all walks of life should join hands with the Aminu Maigari-led Board instead of distracting it from set goals and objectives of taking Nigeria football to the next level. “People come into the NFF Executive Committee through elections and anyone who wants to come on board should wait for the next elections.

The present Board is elected and should be allowed to serve out its term,” Inyama concluded.

Keshi Picks 24 Home Based For Venezuela Friendly

The national team, Super Eagles will next week begin earnest preparations for the CAN 2013 Nations Cup, as 24 home-based players will converge on Abuja the nation’s capital for the international friendly against Venezuela in Miami , United States .

 

 The game has been scheduled for November 14 and its one of the friendlies that has been lined up to toughen the Nigerian side for the Nations Cup championship.

 

Super Eagles spokesman Ben Alaiya quotes Team Scribe Dayo Enebi Achor, as advising all invited players to resume at the Bolton White Apartment unfailingly on Sunday, November 4. 

They are to report with the international passports and two passport photographs (embassy size).

The listconsist of two goalkeepers, nine defenders and 13 midfieders and strikers. Below is the full list of invited players that will as usual be led by home based skipper, Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves.

NFF Commends Eaglets, Super Falcons

The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday praised the Golden Eaglets and the Super Falcons for excellent performances in the past 24 hours.

The Eaglets on Sunday defeated Guinea 4-0 in Conakry in the second leg of their 2013 African Under 17 Championship, to qualify for the final round of qualification series on a 7- nil aggregate.

While on Monday in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, the Falcons edged Cameroon’s Lionesses 2-1 to pick up three vital points in their opening match of Group B at the 8th African Women Championship.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama said the performances of the Golden Eaglets and the Super Falcons followed on the heels of excellent outings by the Flying Eagles and the Super Eagles to qualify for next year’s African championships.

 “The NFF is delighted that our National Teams are now giving their all in important games and we will continue to ensure the teams prepare well for major championships within the limits of our resources.

 “The Eaglets, in a way, avenged the defeat of the Super Eagles in Conakry during the qualifying series for the 2012 African Cup of Nations while the Falcons have now paid the Cameroonians back for that penalty shoot-out blot that stopped our girls from the London 2012 Olympics,” said Inyama.

 It would be recalled that the NFF flew the Falcons to Ghana for a one-week final training camp before the tournament and also hiked the team’s win-bonus to $3,000 per player.

 NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu assured that the Federation will give every support to the Falcons in their next match against Ethiopia on Thursday and for the Eaglets in their final round of qualifiers against Mali.

 “We are already putting arrangements in place for the Eaglets to return to Calabar immediately they come back from Guinea on Tuesday, in order that they can start preparation for their first leg match against Mali, which comes up on 18th November. Governor Liyel Imoke (CON) and the wonderful people of Cross River State have been very supportive and we appreciate them.

 “As for the Falcons, we are putting heads together to see how we can further motivate them to fire from all cylinders against Ethiopia, as a win in that match will guarantee our semi final place even before the clash with Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.”

Maigari Assures on Nigeria Pitch Awards

President of Nigeria Football Federation,NFF, Aminu Maigari,  has assured that the Federation would give all necessary support for the successful staging of the inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards, which come up in December.

“As President of the Nigeria Football Federation, I would like to assure all Nigerians that the Federation in conjunction with Matchmakers Consult International will organize a world-class awards ceremony which will be a landmark event in Nigeria.

 “The Federation is convinced that the organizers have put in place a nomination and awards process that is transparent, credible and that will ensure the participation of major stakeholders in Nigeria Football.

“We welcome the Nigeria Pitch Awards at this time in the life of our football because the Federation believes that recognizing and celebrating our hardworking players will not only spice up our football but will engender keen and healthy competition among our footballers and officials. As Nigerians would have observed, this is the first time the Nigeria Football Federation would be fully endorsing and backing a Football Awards in Nigeria.

“We have worked with Matchmakers Consult International before and we know the quality of events they organize. Last year, Matchmakers Consult showed what they could do, with the organization of the FIFA/NFF Players’ Agents Workshop. This informed our endorsement and support for the Nigeria Pitch Awards,” Maigari concluded.

Coaches, Players, Football Administrators Commend LBA Awards.

Nigerian League football players, coaches and football administrators have commended the organisers of league Bloggers Awards for considering it necessary to recognize the nation’s league players with an award.

The awards which was conceived to recognize and celebrate outstanding football players in the Nigerian Premier League took place on Sunday at the Etal Hotel and Halls, Lagos, featured twelve categories.

The League Bloggers Awards according to one of its founders, George Akpayen an online publisher, said the awards debuted in 2009 as Naija Premier League online Awards and since January, 2012, the LBA has celebrated Player/Manager of the month Awards.

Andrew Abalogun of ABS F.C won the Rookie of the year award; Theophilus Afelokhai of Kano Pillars grabbed the Best Goalkeeper award.

Tamen Medrano, a Cameroonian and Sunshine star player, won the Best Foreigner award, Gabriel Adigwe, was adjudged as the Best Referee award just as 3SC of Ibadan picked the Best Designed club Jersey.

Kano Pillars Departs Nigeria Ahaed Niger Invitational Tourney.

Nigeria’s representative in the 2013 confederation of African Football, Champions League, Kano Pillars Football Club will depart the country today for an invitation competition in the Republic of Niger.

Kano Pillars F.C according to its Head Coach, Baba Ganaru, will compete with league leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso and Republic Niger.

Ganaru, while speaking with Sportsweight.blogspot.com at the 2nd edition of the League Bloggers Awards on Sunday, said the invitational tournament was a build up to their CAF champions’ league campaign as plans have been concluded to recruit seven football players in a bid to fortify the team ahead of next Nigeria Premier League Season.

While commending Kano state government for its enormous support, said the team would miss the service of Gabriel Reuben who have always been invited by the Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, to the senior national team, adding that the team management is working hard to recruit a football juggler who is as skillful as Gabriel Reuben.

The coach, who praised Nigerian League players, said it was disheartening that the nation’s league which have bunch of football talents lacks credible corporate sponsorship.

Messaih F.C Wins Extra Joss Soccer Cup.

Inability of Apapa Golden stars to convert its scoring chances has deprived the team from winning the maiden edition of Extra Joss Soccer Championship sponsored by Kalbe International as Messiah football club emerged the winner with six – five win.

Gbadamosi Wakilu of Messiah F.C scored the first goal in the early minute of the match as Wahab Ojora equalized before the close of first half.

Apapa Golden stars dominated proceedings in the second half with the determination to win the tournament, but their zeal was shattered as the team missed three glaring chances which could have sealed the aspirations of Messiah F.C.

Wahab Ojora, who scored Apapa Golden star only goal missed two goals while Messiah F.C was convert its only scoring chances in the first half.

For its feat, Messiah F.C grabbed the sum of seven hundred and fifty naira as the tournament’s prize money while Apapa Golden stars the runner’s up got five hundred thousand naira while MFM Ikeja went home with three hundred and fifty thousand naira just as Lucky Babes got one hundred and fifty thousand naira.

Allen Isaac of Apapa Golden stars was adjudged the competition’s Most Valuable Player, Festus Ehiabi, Best Goalkeeper, Sikiru Olatubosun, of MFM Yaba, Highest Goal scorer while Maryland F.C won the Fairpaly Award.

A Team of All stars eleven to play a friendly against Team Lagos, football team ahead of the EKO 2012 Games.

Club Athletique Bizertin Signs Apapa Golden Star ace, Ajawara.

The huge investment of Apapa local government on sports development has started yielding fruits as one of the football players of Apapa Golden Stars, Austin Ajawara has signed a two year contract with Club Athletique Bizertin of  Tunisian.

The deal according to the Executive Chairman of Apapa local government, Ayodele Joseph was made possible through a tour of Tunisia.

 Joseph, explained that Ajarawa, who initially play for the club’s junior team now play with the club’s senior team after an impressive trial is likely to attract a lucrative deal in the soccer season following his performance in the Tunisian league.

The team, Club Athletique Bizertin which had paraded former Super Eagles and African Footballer of Year, Rasheed Yekini, during the 1988/ 89 league season, is second on the just concluded Tunisian league with 65 points.

The council boss, said his involvement in sports had drastically reduced crime rate in Apapa and its environ as the gesture has given the youths a platform to display their talents, adding that the council had concluded plans to begin a school sports competition in 2013 where the pupils would compete in various sporting activities.

He said the Apapa Golden Stars would surpass the feat achieved in the last concluded Lagos Junior League, adding that the tour of Tunisia was to expose them to international football in order to attract invitation to the national teams.

Messaih F.C Commends Kalbe International.

The management of Messiah Football club has attributed its victory as the champion of maiden edition of Exrta Joss Soccer championship which climaxed over the weekend at the Legacy pitch, Surulere to prayers and dedication to succed.

Messiah football Club of Ifako-Ijaye, a team financed by Messiah Cherub and Seraphim, Ona-Igbala, defeated Apapa Golden stars by six goals to five on spot kicks after the match ended one good apiece.

Its team manager, Beecroft Adedeji, said the team was confined to a month fasting and prayer in a bid to record an outstanding victory at the grassroot football competition sponsored by Kalbe International.

Adedeji, who acknowledged that Apapa Golden Stars paraded credible football players but were unfortunate to win the event, said the Church’s General overseer, Micheal Abiodun Oganla had sponsored three football players to take part in international trials with some European clubs.

He commended the organisers for staging a unique football which was different from other grassroot competitions as he charged them not to relent in their efforts to continue with the event in a bid to discover and nurture players to stardom.

Perez, Dinu Win Lagos Governor’s Cup

The grand finale of the 2012 Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship ended with Spain’s Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain and Cristina Dinu of Romania made history to win the Men and Women’s Singles of FCMB/Etisalat Nigeria sponsored ITF pro circuit at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan on Saturday.

Perez, who had earlier won the Men's Singles of the first leg, beat other contenders to the crown in the trophy and $15,000 prize money as he defeated South African Ruan Roelofse in straight sets of 6-0,6-4, while Romanian Dinu, who had also won the first leg defeated Switzerland's Conny Perrin in straight sets of 6-2,6-3 in the Women's Singles.

 Perez and Dinu once again entered the history book of names of players that had won the Governor’s Cup back to back. Indian Sania Mirza won both the Futures 1 and 2 of 2004’s Women’s Singles, while in 2009, El Amrani Reda of Morocco and Slovak lady, Zuzana Kucova won the first and second leg of that year men and women’s singles respectively.

 The final ceremony of the 2012 Governor’s Cup was fun filled with a lot of side attractions. Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was the Special Guest of Honour played exhibition matches with the Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun and the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, Engr. Sani Ndanusa.

Fashola, who was cheered throughout the duration of the matches by students from about 26 schools in Lagos and other dignitaries lost his match to Balogun 0-2, but defeated Ndanusa 1-0. Governor Fashola, who presented the trophies to Perez and Dinu, described the winners as the true champions of the Governor’s Cup.

He praised other players who played especially the foreign stars who were part of the competition to feel Lagos’ hospitality. “I know that next year’s competition will be bigger and better than this year.

I expected to see the faces of these players and many more others in the 13th edition,” Fashola said. Winners of the doubles’ events, Kamil Capkovic of Slovakia and Ruan Roelofse of South Africa (men) and Switzerland’s Conny Perrin and South African Channel Simmonds and their runners up.

Dignitaries that watched the finals included Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, President of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Barrister Sam Egbuchulam, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, LOC, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Enitan Osodi, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas and a host of others.

NFF Hails Eaglets

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has saluted the wonderful performance of the Golden Eaglets following their 4-0 second round-second leg win over Guinea on Sunday.

The team's head of delegation to Conakry, Alhaji Muazu Suleiman as well as Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director, Technical at the Glass House, made this comment after theteam book ticket for the African Youth Championship.

 The Nigerian youngsters completed the rout of their Guinean counterparts with three first half goals by Success Isaac, Alhassan Ibrahim and Kelechi Iheanacho while substitute Musa Yahaya added the fourth goal on the stroke of regulation time.

 “No matter what anybody would say, you can’t take away the quality in this team and they have proved it once again,” stated a visibly happy Alhaji Suleiman who was also the team’s leader of delegation when they defeated Niger 4-1 in Niamey.

 “This is about the only team in Nigeria today that anybody that watches them would agree that they are very good, so I was not surprised about their excellent performance. “Sometimes, we are playing well and we are getting the results and we really have to thank Almighty God.

“I think the only difficult game for them so far was the 3-0 win against Guinea in Calabar because of the pressure of the Super Eagles that had beaten Liberia 6-1 a day earlier but they have shown today how good they are happy and we are so happy with this great performance.”

 Speaking in the same vein, Ikpeme, noted that team has again demonstrated their strength as a quality team that can beat any team anywhere, adding that the 4-0 margin win against Guinea is another indication that Nigerian football on the right course.

 “I’m so happy with your performance today because of the way you have played and beat Guinea right here on their home ground,” he said.

“You won convincingly today but the artistry that you guys displayed today has given us confidence that the future of Nigerian football is bright indeed if you can keep your heads.

Golden Eaglets Thrash Guinea in Conakry

The Golden Eaglets on Sunday confirmed their superiority over the Junior Syli Stars of Guinea with a 4-0 win at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry to qualify for the 2013 African Youth Championship Under-17 on a 7-0 aggregate.

 Eaglets performance was a far improvement on their 3-0 win at home in Calabar fortnight ago as they virtually dominated the home team virtually throughout the duration of the match. Success Isaac, Alhassan Ibrahim and Kelechi Iheanacho and Musa Yahaya were the goals scorers as the Nigerian youngsters proved that their last victory at home was not a fluke.

 Attacking midfielder, Bernard Bulbwa was the hero of the day when he created the three first half goals much to the delight of the technical crew. In the 23rd minute, Bulbwa broke free from the right wing and evaded his markers before sending a pin-point pass to Isaac to score the opening goal of the match.

Bulbwa was also the originator of the second goal in the 37th minute when he set up Ibrahim on the right wing. Ibrahim surprisingly shot straight into the net to the bewilderment of the usually adventurous Guinean goalkeeper, Gandeka Ibrahima who was anticipating a pull out.

 The two goals took the fire off from the Guineans but the Eaglets are not tired yet. Bulbwa was again the architect of the third goal when he exchanged passes with Success who finally gave Kelechi Iheanacho the last ball to push into the net in the 40th minute.

 The Eaglets continued with their excellent ball distribution in the second half and could have added more but the final goal of the game but for some glaring misses.

 The Guineans were reduced to 10 players after Keita Malick was shown the red card after a rough tackle on Chidera Eze.

 The last goal did not come until the stroke of regulation time when two second half substitutes, Chidera Eze and Musa Yahaya worked their way into the box with the ball to Success who delivered an inch-perfect pass to Yahaya for the final goal.

 “We thank Almighty Allah for this win,” Eaglets Head coach, Manu Garba (MFR) said afterwards. “Though we made few mistakes but the most important thing today is that we have shown what we are capable of doing any time.

 “We won’t rest on our oars until we secure our qualification ticket to the Under-17 tournament in Morocco,” he added.

Ogunbote, Reuben,Iorfa, Gwar,Afelokhai Win LBA Awards.

Head Coach of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, Gbenga Ogunbote, has been adjudged as the Manager of the year at the 2012 League Bloggers Awards,LBA, which took place on Sunday at the Etal Hotel and Halls.

Ogunbote, edged other managers, Maurice Cooreman of Warri Wolves, Lodewijk de Kruif of Heartland F.C, Stanley Eguma of Dolphins F.C, in the Manager of the year (Africa) category.

Former Green Eagles striker, Dominic Iorfa, won the Nigeria Premier League Manager of the Year category.

Kano Pillars' midfielder, Reuben Gabriel, emerged winner of the Player of the Year category at the 2012 League Bloggers Awards (LBA)

The Nigerian midfielder edged three others, Godfrey Oboabona of Sunshine Stars, Sibi Gwar of Niger Tornadoes and David Tyavkase of Lobi Stars to the prestigious award in the season under review in the Nigeria Premier League.

The football player capped the evening on a high by also scooping the Best National Team Player.

The other nominees for this category were Ejike Uzoenyi of Enugu Rangers, Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves and Azubuike Egwuekwe of Warri Wolves.

A delighted Gabriel said he was honoured to be the winner of the Player of the Year and also Best National Team Player as he thanked his teammates at Kano Pillars and in the Super Eagles, his coaches as well as his fans and  the organisers of the awards.

"This will only encourage me to do well in future for my club and country whenever I represent both teams in any competition."

Other winners are Sibi Gwar of Niger Tornadoes won the Highest Goal Scorer, Andrew Abalogu of ABS was adjudged the Rookie of the Year, Theophilus Afelokhai of Kano Pillars grabbed the Best Goalkeeper Awards, Tamen Medrano of Sunshine Stars and Cameroon, Best Foreigner/Joetex Frimpong Award as Kano Pillars won Club of the Year Awards.

Ashinze Joins LBA Train

Nigerian league legend, Joseph Ashinze, is expected to boost the presence of football figures at the 2012 League Bloggers Awards (LBA) this Sunday.

The 2012 LBA is the first privately-organised end-of-the-season reward system for the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

Ashinze has said he will be part of the LBA taking place in Oregun area of Lagos.

"Yes I'll be part of the event by God's grace. It's an honour to have the opportunity to be part of the football community this way after so many years," he said.

He is also expected to present the golden boot to top scorer, Sibi Gwar who scored 16 goals in the season under review.

"That will be a huge honour to play such a role at the event," he rounded off.

Ashinze holds the record as the only player to have won the top scorer award in Nigeria's top flight back-to-back in 1988 and 1989.

In 1988, Ashinze scored eight goals while with Rangers to emerge the leading scorer that season.

A year later he moved to Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland) and scored nine goals after taking his chance with the departure of striking duo of Mike Obiku and Uwakwe Eke that season.

Eaglets Fly To Conakry From Cotonou

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets, will fly into Conakry, capital of Guinea from Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Friday for the second leg of African Youth Championship. .

Eaglets’ delegation of 18 players and technical and administrative officials will travel to Cotonou on Thursday and fly to Guinea aboard an ASKY Airline flight on Friday afternoon.

The Nigeria Football Federation has put the Embassy of Nigeria in both countries on notice, as the Eaglets chase a spot in the last round of the qualifying campaign for next year’s African Under 17 Championship in Morocco.

 The Nigerian cadets missed the last two African U-17 Championships but an impressive tally of 83 goals in 18 matches, including friendlies, have marked the Class of 2012 as a squad to watch. Nigeria won the first leg 3-0 in Calabar on Sunday, 14th October.

 The Guinean Federation has confirmed that the second leg match will take place at the September 28 Stadium in Conakry on Sunday, starting from 4.30pm Guinea time, 5.30pm Nigeria time.

Retreat On Sports: Kanu applauds President Jonathan

Former Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu has praised President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for his huge support for and keen personal interest in Monday’s one-day Presidential Retreat on Sports held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

The fleet-footed ace, who is also Nigeria’s Football Ambassador, said: “I am ultimately impressed by President’s Jonathan’s personal interest in Nigeria sports. He has shown several times that he is a lover of the youth and a lover of sports.

“Anyone who is a lover of sports is a lover of the youth. And football is the King of sports. The President was very supportive of the idea of the Retreat and committed his time and energy to see to its success. This is no mean feat. I believe the whole country should appreciate His Excellency for this.”

Kanu, who captained the U-23 National Team to win the Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 and also won 86 caps for the Nigeria senior team, played in three FIFA World Cup finals – 1998, 2002 and 2010.

He added: “The Retreat was a very useful one. Most of the speakers contributed meaningfully and positively, to enrich a probable roadmap for the sustainable development of our sports.”

LOC Must Provide Adequate Security, Transportation At Eko 2012, Says David

Worried over the state of security in the country in recent times, the Director of Sports in Benue State, Orngu David, has called on the Local Organizing Committee, L.O.C, of the National Sports Festival, N.S.F, to ensure the provision of adequate security during the games.

Speaking on the level of preparedness of the state ahead of the Games, David said though Lagos had been primed to host the most glamorous festival of all times, if not taken seriously, traits of insecurity could hamper the smooth progress of events when the hostilities gets underway.

 He advised the Local Organising Committee to provide adequate security and free flow of traffic throughout the duration of the festival.

 He said the state's athletes were training hard to win laurels in Lagos, adding that what would make the difference for the average athlete is when their efforts are rewarded with a prize.

Ekiti will surpass previous performance at Eko 2012, Says Adewunmi

Barely 37 days to the National Sports Festival (NSF) to be hosted by Lagos State, the Director of Sports in Ekiti State, Benjamin Olukayode Adewunmi has said that the target for the state is to surpass previous performances.

The sports administrator said with the athletes set for closed camp in two weeks time, coupled with the level of preparations so far, it is only natural that their hard work will translate into success at the festival.

Adewunmi expressed confidence that Lagos would host a land- mark game owing to the degree of facilities on ground, adding taht the recent ongoing development would make it easier for the state government to host a successful Games billed for Novemeber through December, 2012.

He further revealed that though other States have poached not less than five of his athletes, the vision of the state to move up the ladder in terms of position will not be deterred, stressing that Benue State will storm Lagos State with a compact team of a 100 –man contingent .

The sports festival is scheduled to kick-start November 29 through to December 9 this year.

Lagos Lawn Tennis Club Applauds Standard Of 2012 Governor’s Cup

The management of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, LLTC, has applauded the standard of the ongoing 2012 Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Club.

President of the club, Barrister Sam Egbuchunam said that all members of the LLTC are glad to be part of the success story of the ITF pro circuit sponsored by FCMB Plc and Etisalat Nigeria this year, adding that the club ensures that it put in place world class facilities for the Local Organising Committee, LOC to run a smooth championship.

“Part of what we did in the beginning was to ensure that we had a Grand Slam arena ready for this year’s Governor’s Cup and I’m glad that even the foreign players and their parents testified to what they seen this year of the facilities at the club,” said Barrister Egbuchunam.

“The success of the Governor’s Cup this year is a glory to us, the hosts. All members of the club are happy to be part of history that took place this year and we are all looking forward to the final ceremony on Saturday with high expectations.

“I believe that the foreign players we spread the good news of the Governor’s Cup that Lagos is a friendly city with good people. This I know we pull more players to the 13th edition of the Governor’s Cup next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, second round casualties were recorded Wednesday by the remaining Nigerian players in the second leg of the competition.

Nigeria’s number one male player,Shehu Lawal, failed to shine as he was sent packing by tournament’s number three seed, Japanese Kento Takeuchi in straight sets of 6-1, 6-1.

Number two seed, South African Ruan Roelofse beat Clifford Enosoregbe 6-1, 6-1, while Sanni Adamu lost to Sherif Sabry of Egypt 1-6, 6-3, 2-6. Top seed in the Women’s Singles defeated Fatimah Abinu in straight sets of 6-1, 6-0. Blessing Anuna bowed to South African Chanel Simmonds in 0-6, 1-6 game.

In order results, Number one seed in the Men’s Singles advance to the next round at the expense of Egyptian Karim Hossam who he defeated in straight sets of 6-1, 7-5 to set up a quarter final duel with Lopex Perez of Spain on Thursday.

Egypt’s Karim Mohammed Maamoun was able to scale the hurdle of Zimbabwe’s Mark Fynn in straight sets of 7-6, 6-1.

In the Women’s Singles, Madagascar teenager, Zarah Razafimahatratra lost to Chinese Jia-Jing Lu 3-6, 1-6.  Swiss Conny Perrin defeated Slovak Anja Prislan in 6-2, 6-2 game, Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia beat Alexandra Romanova of Russia 6-1, 6-1 to set up a quarter final match against Chinese Lu.

Imoke Charges Eaglets To Conquer Guinea.

Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, has charged the Golden Eaglets to go for an outright win when they meet Guinea at the September 28 Stadium in Conakry on Sunday.

 The Nigerian youngsters take a 3-0 lead to Conakry for the second leg of their African Under-17 Junior championship qualifier and the governor has enthused that his adopted team has the capability to beat Guinea yet again.

The Governor spoke through the state's commissioner of sports, Honourable Patrick Ugbe who met the team before their final training session at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

 “Once again, I congratulate you for your wonderful performance in your last match against Guinea and you know we are happy to have you with us in Calabar but first and foremost, I bring to you greetings from His Excellency, Governor Liyel Imoke,” began Ugbe. “As you conclude your preparation for the second leg game in Conakry, we are here to bid you farewell and wish you the best of luck.”

He said he was optimistic of the chances of the Golden Eaglets judging by their last performance asking them however, never to be complacent.

 “We believe that there is no way Guinea can stop you and you must not allow Guinea to stop you. For us in Calabar, we are expecting your return because we know you still have one more country to play before your qualification for the Under-17 tournament in Morocco.

“Don’t fear Guinea, just go there with determination and do the country proud as you have been doing since the beginning of your campaign.”

Ugbe further made a clarion call on the players to play for the collective good of the team.

“Lastly, don’t forget to play as a team. There are going to be eleven of you on the field but you can only succeed if you play as a team. Don’t be selfish, play as a team because that is the part to success. We wish you well as you go to Conakry," he added.

The Golden Eaglets would depart Calabar for Lagos on Thursday en route to Conakry via Cotonou and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured that there would be seamless transition from one point to another on the trip. 

Bamanga Tukur Takes Bash Ali’s Case To Jonathan

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  Bamanga Tukur, CON, has taken the case of World Boxing Federation, WBF, Nigerian champion, Bashiru Lawrence Ali fondly called Bashi Ali to President Goodluck Jonathan for the Federal Government’s intervention to help actualise his dream Guniness Book of World Record Fight in Nigeria.

Bashi Ali had tried fruitlessly to secure a Nigerian venue for his World Boxing Championship against Gunn Bobby of United States of America without any success due to lack of funds. The proposed fight is for the Guinness Book of World Record to register the Oldest Fighters in cruiser weight category.

Tukur, Tafidan Adamawa, in a letter to President Jonathan said he had discussed the matter with Bash Ali and he is convinced that Nigeria would benefit immensely from the publicity which the fight will generate,stressing that the PDP would gain a lot by associating with such a sporting event.

Tukur, Tafidan Adamawa, in a letter to President Jonathan said: “I have discussed the matter with him (Bash Ali) and I am convinced that Nigeria will benefit immensely from the publicity which the fight will generate.

 I am also convinced that our great party, the PDP will gain a lot by associating with such a sporting event.

 In the circmustance, Your Excellency, I have no hestitation in endorsing that our country sponsors the fight.

The PDP boss called on Jonathan to consider the proposal sent by Bash Ali to the Presidency on the staging of the world title fight in Nigeria and concluded in the letter that “it is my earnest hope and prayer that Your Excellency will cause the appropriate Ministry to consider the proposal with favour.”

Athletes, Officials Assured Of Qualify Accommodation By LOC.

Chairman, Accommodation and Welfare Sub-Committee of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Erelu Angela Adebayo has assured that the best of accommodation facilities would be offered.

The gesture according to Erelu Adebayo, is to ensure that officials and athletes taking part in the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 put up their best at the game.

With University of Lagos most of the athletes during the festival, Adebayo, believed that athletes should be comfortable in a bid to enable them to give their optimum performance during the games, hence the reason they are  giving them the best.

Majority of the athletes will be camped in Unilag while Yaba College of Technology and the Federal College of Education will accommodate the remaining athletes.
 
She added: “We have renovated the accommodation venues and this is a plus for the schools because when the students return, they will enjoy better facilities in their hostels.”

Secretary of the sub-committee, Uthman Okunu, stated that they had held a meeting with the security sub-committee to ensure that there is 24-hour security during the duration of the national showpiece.

He said representatives of 18 states would inspect the festival facilities on Wednesday, adding that the accommodation/welfare, venues/facilities, catering/feeding and transportation/traffic control sub-committees would conduct the states round the facilities.

Also, a member of the sub-committee, Abiodun Ogunrinde, added that, “beds, mattresses have been replaced at the accommodation venues. We observed that we need to power electricity at these venues and
possibly leave that as a legacy after the games.”

Lawal Attributes His Woeful Performance To Lack Of Competitions.

Nigerian ace tennis player,Shehu Lawal,has attributed his woeful performance in the first leg of the 12th edition of Governor's Tennis Lagos Cup to lack of regular competitions.

 Lawal,who informed Sportsweight.blogspot.com,that he had not featured in any organized tennis competition apart from the last concluded CBN tennis championship said early ouster in the first leg Governor Tennis Lagos Cup gave him the chance to prepare for the second leg which began on Monday at the Lagos lawn Tennis Court,Onikan.

 The Nigeria tennis player whos target is to reach the semi-final,said he was not scared of competing with any of the top seeded foreign tennis player stand a better chance of winning the annual international tennis federation approved event based on their exposure to international tennis circuits.

 He appealed to the Nigeria Tennis Federation,NTF,to assist Nigerians tennis players to attract corporate sponsors or Sports philanthropists to support them to participate in international tennis circuits to acquire ITF points and also to pave the way for them to meet with world's best tennis players.

NFF Rejects ‘Corrupt’ Statement.

The Nigeria Football Federation has rejected a statement by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi that the Federation is graft-ridden.

Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama said Governor Amaechi’s statement at the Presidential Retreat on Sports at the Banquet Hall of State House, Abuja was in bad taste.

 Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama said Governor Amaechi’s statement at Monday’s Presidential Retreat on Sports at the Banquet Hall of State House, Abuja was in bad taste.

“The present NFF Board is not corrupt and has been employing global best practices in its dealings. “While we are unwilling to join issues with the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, plastic allegations of corruption against persons and institutions are weighty and damaging and should not be thrown in flippant manner.

 He said the present NFF Board was not corrupt and has been employing global best practices in its dealings.

 “Of course, Governor Amaechi later told the NFF President and General Secretary at the private session that he was referring to a previous NFA administration.

But he failed to make that clarification in his public statement, thereby leaving his speech to mischievous interpretation.

 “The present NFF administration is employing global best practices in running Nigeria football and the Executive Committee members are elected, just like other top public office holders. They deserve regard and respect.”

 He said the Federation were unwilling to join issues with the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum,adding that allegation of corruption againstpersons and institutions are weighty and damaging and should not be thrown in flippant manner.

 According to him, Governor Amaechi later told the NFF at the private session that he was referring to a previous NFA administration but he failed to make that clarification in his public statement, thereby leaving his speech to mischievous interpretation.

 Inyama noted that unsubstantiated allegations of graft against public office holders have become trendy, but cautioned that highly-placed individuals have a responsibility to refrain from unjust attacks against agencies that work assiduously for the progress of the nation.

 “Football is the biggest factor that unites Nigerians and the present NFF is very much alive to its responsibilities of ensuring that joy is derived anytime a National Team steps out to represent the country.

The board has assiduously striven to employ highest etiquettes in all its dealings including management of scarce resources in executing its assignments.

 “The entire envelope of the NFF for this year is N1.9 Billion, while an average match of the Super Eagles cost about N120 million.

There are 11 National Teams, eight of which are always engaged in qualifying campaigns and championships. Yet, we get punched here and there for no justifiable reason.

 “The truth is that, without the financial support of the Governors of Cross River, Lagos, Kwara, Edo and Kaduna States, we would have found it difficult prosecuting all our international matches and competitions this year, and we thank them immensely,” Inyama concluded.

Tough Second Round Matches For Nigerian Tennis Players

Nigerian tennis players will face tough battles of the Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship as they face top seeds players in today's second round matches.

 In the Men's Singles, Nigerian number one Shehu Lawal will have his hands full when he confront tournament's number three seed,Japanese Kento Takeuchi in one of the matches to be played at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Adamu Sanni will face sixth seed, Egyptian Sherif Sabry, while Clifford Enosoregbe will go to war with Number 2 seed, South African Ruan Roelofse.

In the Women's Singles, Fatimah Abinu will settles score with top seed Nina Bratchikova from Russia, while Blessing Anuna will battle Chanels Simmonds from South African in another tough fixture.

 The tie between China's Jia-Jing Lu with a teenage girl from Madagascar, Zarah Razafimahatratra will be a delight match to watch in today's second round games.

 Razafimahatratra, a consistent product of junior tournaments in Africa is poised to repeat a stunning performance she put against Number 93 ranked Bratchikova in the first leg.

 In some of the first round matches decided yesterday, the pair of Nigerians Osariemen Airhumwunde and Rita Obasigie were beaten by the duo of Nidhi Chimula of India and Sofia Dmitrieva of Russia, 1-6,1-6 in the Women's Doubles

. The duo of Cristie Agugbom and Blessing Samuel who lost to Valeria Patiuk of Isreal Zarah Razafimahatratra 1-6,0-6.

 The pairs of Destiny Ford Da Silva and Sunday Igbinovia were made to labour to lose in their match against the duo of Alessandro Petrone of Italy and Borja Rodriguez Manzano of Spain in 7-6, 4-6, 7-10 game.

Swiss Embassy Grants Edibe Visa

The Swiss Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday granted entry visa into that country to highly-respected Nigerian Assistant Referee, Peter Elgam Edibe.

 Edibe stood the risk of missing an important FIFA course which would determine those to be considered for the final cut for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, following the intransigence of the Embassy.

Despite the well-travelled arbiter presenting all necessary valid documents, including letters and a return ticket from the world football-governing body, the Swiss Embassy had told him his application had come too late.

However, the Embassy eventually requested him to ask FIFA to route his ticket away from the Shengen zone, in order to be considered.

FIFA then sent Edibe another return ticket, and Tuesday evening, he was granted visa into Switzerland, for the seminar that started on Thursday. “I am very happy. The Embassy has issued me visa into Switzerland.

I will be departing on Wednesday,” an excited Peter Edibe said on the phone.

 The official will now fly out of Nigeria to Nairobi aboard Kenyan Airways on Wednesday morning, before connecting a Swiss Air flight to Zurich in the evening.

Tough Second Round Matches For Nigerian Players

Nigerian players will face tough battles of the Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship as they face top seeds in the second round matches on Wednesday.

In the Men's Singles, Nigerian number one Shehu Lawal will have his hands full when he confront tournament's number three seed, Japanese Kento Takeuchi in one of the matches to be played at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan. Adamu Sanni will face sixth seed, Egyptian Sherif Sabry, while Clifford Enosoregbe will go to war with Number 2 seed, South African Ruan Roelofse.

In the Women's Singles, Fatimah Abinu will settles score with top seed Nina Bratchikova from Russia, while Blessing Anuna will battle Chanels Simmonds from South African in another tough fixture.

The tie between China's Jia-Jing Lu with a teenage girl from Madagascar, Zarah Razafimahatratra will be a delight match to watch in Wednesday's second round games. Razafimahatratra, a consistent product of junior tournaments in Africa is poised to repeat a stunning performance she put against Number 93 ranked Bratchikova in the first leg.

In some of the first round  matches decided Tuesday, the pair of Nigerians Osariemen Airhumwunde and Rita Obasigie were beaten by the duo of Nidhi Chimula of India and Sofia Dmitrieva of Russia, 1-6,1-6 in the Women's Doubles, so also were the duo of Cristie Agugbom and Blessing Samuel who lost to Valeria Patiuk of Isreal Zarah Razafimahatratra 1-6,0-6.

The pairs of Destiny Ford Da Silva and Sunday Igbinovia were made to labour to lose in their match against the duo of Alessandro Petrone of Italy and Borja Rodriguez Manzano of Spain in 7-6, 4-6, 7-10 game.

Ex-Eagles sign up for LBA.

Former Super Eagles' stars, Jonathan Akpoborie and Daniel Amokachi have confirmed they will grace the 2012 League Bloggers Awards (LBA) in Lagos this Sunday.

Both former Nigerian internationals assured of their presence at the first edition of the end-of-season LBA this week.

And Akpoborie believes that the reward system put in place by the League Bloggers will help the "confidence" of players in the Nigerian top flight.

He commended the LBA for coming up with such an event to recognise the actors, especially players, in the league.

"The players need something like this to boost their confidence and spur them on to do more. It's a good move by the organise to recognise the players after all they've done in the league," said Akpoborie.

Twelve categories will be competed for in the 2012 LBA including the prestigious Player of the Season, which will round off the ceremony.

First Deepwater Through To Last 8, Maintain Hundred Percent Records.

Nigeria women league champion, First Deepwater Basketball Club confirm her rating at the ongoing final round of the Africa Champions Cup for Women holding in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire with a hundred percent record in the two games it had played in the preliminary round of the continent biggest women club competition.

The Oil and Gas ladies who laboured to beat Club Sportif SFAXIEN basketball club of Tunisia by 57-55 points on Saturday came back forcefully in her second group-B games with a 79-45 points spanking of Kenya Eagle Wings basketball club.

 The match played at the Palaise des Sport in Treichville saw the Coach Lateef Erinfolami tutored side out played their Kenyan opponent in all department of the game as it won all four quarters by 19-10, 22-16, 18-09 and 20-10 points with points guard Upe Atosu leading her team charge for a place in the quarter-finals with 24 points, 4 assist, 3 steal and 2 rebound.

First Deepwater made a good run on the free throw line with 64.3 percent but fall short in her execution of field goals scoring only twenty-six of her sixty-seven two-point field goal attempt.


The Nigerian side grabbed twenty-six rebounds and had fifteen assist, eighteen steal and fifteen turn-over. The two win is enough to guaranty a place in the quarter-final but coach Erinfolami says the goal of the team is to finish well in the group.

Club chairman, Engineer Babatunde Babalola was among the dignitaries who watched the dignitaries who watched the game against the Kenya urge the players and their handlers to remain focus so to do Nigeria proud.

Nigeria golden girl Nkechi Akashili also contributed immensely to her team victory as she recorded 15 points, 4 steal and 3 assist while Magdalene Ukato added 14 points, 3 assist, 2 rebounds and 2 steal.

The Oil and Gas ladies however gain two free points after walking over Arc-En-Ciel basketball club of Democratic Republic of Congo who failed to arrive Abidjan for the competition to lead group-B and will Tuesday battle defending champion Interclube basketball club of Angola before round up her group game against Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) of Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday.

Lawal, Maku Wins Doubles Event.

The duo of Shehu Lawal and Sunday Maku of Nigeria recorded an upset in the Men's Doubles against the pairs of Egyptians Karim-Mohammed Maamoun, the number 8th seed and Sherif Sabry, who they defeated in 6 - 3,4 - 6, 10 - 7.

The surprise victory saw the Nigerians earning a ticket for the second round of the doubles event. Lawal also won his Men's Singles tie against compatriot, Abdulmumini Babalola in straight sets of 7- 6, 6 - 4.

Clifford Enosoregbe beat Monday Igbinovia in 6 - 4,6 - 7,6 - 3 as Sanni Adamu aslo saw off Onyeka Mbanu in straight sets of 6 - 2, 6- luv.

 It was however a sad tale to tell for Kehinde Alade who lost to Egyptian Karim Hossam 6 - 3,6 - 3, as Henry Atseye could not complete his match against Germany's Mario Eckardt in 6 - 3,3 - luv due to injury.

 Italian Alessandro Petrone defeated Umaru Balami in straight sets of 6 - 2,6 - 2 tie. Injury also forced Samuel Omoile to abandon his mtch against Mark Fynn of Zimbabwe in the third set, though there was no good chance for him to win the match which ended in 6 - 4,4 - 6, 5 - 1(retired).

 In the Women's Singles, Fatimah Abinu secured a second ticket when she defeated compatriot Blessing Samuel 6-3,7-5. Blessing Anuna beat Abiodun Oyegoke 6 - 1,6 - luv.

In other results, Chinese Jia-Jing Lu defeated Nldhi Chlumula of India 6-2,7-6(4), Kyra Shroff of India beat Nigerian Chinenye Ndidi Izuogu 6 - luv,6- luv.

 Dalila Jakupovic of Slovakia defeated Shivika Burman 6 - 3,6 - 3, Madagascar teenager, Zarah Razafimahatratra beat Maria Munoz-Abreu of Venezuela 6 - 2,6 - 2

While Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria defeated Rhishika Sunkara of India 6 - 2,6 - 3.

Governor's Cup: Governor Fashola To Play Exhibition Match.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is scheduled to test strength on court as he plays an exhibition match during the final ceremony of the 2012 Governor's Cup billed for Saturday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

 The Local Organising committee, LOC, of the International Tennis Federation, ITF pro circuit headed by Chief Pius Akinyelure, said that Governor Fashola had agreed to play exhibition games with the Chief Executive Officers of the two major sponsors, FCMB Plc and Etisalat Nigeria of the tournament before the Men's Singles final serves off.

 Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye said that the exhibition match was another side attraction to make the final cereomony a glamorous one.

Garba To Pick 18 Players.

Head Coach of Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba, is expected to pick 18 out of the 30 players in camp ahead of the crucial second round-second leg African Under 17 qualifier away to Guinea.

 Golden Eaglets take a three-goal lead to Conakry but Coach Garba reckons that his wards are battle ready and would scale the Guinean hurdle.

 Manu said his football players had coped very well despite the tough schedule they have been going through."

 The Golden Eaglets failed to meet their high scoring standard of at least six goals per match as they squandered several opportunities in their first leg 3- nil win against Guinea in Calabar .

The team Assistant Coach, Nduka Ugbade, who described the team as a bunch of warriors stated that the team would perform better in the second leg clash against Guinea having corrected all the mistakes observed during the first match in Nigeria.

 The Eaglets have scored a total of 13 goals in three qualifying matches but conceded a goal which was a spurious penalty in the 4-1 win in their away game against Niger in Niamey.

Meanwhile,the team doctor, Ayodeji Olarinoye, has confirmed that the players are injury free and are in good health for the match.

BSWW Invites Copa Lagos.

Beach Soccer World Wide (BSWW) the governing body of World Beach Soccer has invited Copa Lagos officials to attend the Samsung Intercontinental Beach Soccer Tournament in Dubai.

The tournament will commence on the 30th of this month and Nigeria will be participating in the tournamentin a difficult group featuring Brazil, Japan and Switzerland.

 The success of the first edition of Copa Lagos, which was sponsored partly by FCMB, is thought to have been key in the invitation to Dubai.

 Reflecting on the achievements of last year, Juan Cusco, Vice President of Beach Soccer Worldwide, said the rapid rise of Copa Lagos showed the true potential of Beach Soccer in Nigeria,adding that Copa Lagos 2011 is one of the best Beach Soccer competitions in the world. Beach Soccer World Wide officials intend to use the trip to encourage the growth of Beach Soccer in Nigeria and to discuss the development of Copa Lagos.

Copa Lagos delegates will use the trip to boost their preparations ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2nd edition of Copa Lagos.

The trip will allow them to cast their eyes over the progress of the Sand Eagles who will be competing in Dubai.

 The Sand Eagles are in the stand out group of the tournament and will be reunited with Beach Soccer rivals Brazil.

 The pair clashed in a memorable encounter on the final day of Copa Lagos, Nigeria emerged 9-4 victors and claimed the Copa Lagos crown.

The Brazilian camp are determined to make amends in Dubai, the Sand Eagles will want to confirm to the World that they are a force to be reckoned with.

NFF Praises Sunshine Stars FC

Nigeria’s flag-bearers in this year’s CAF Champions League competition, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure gave a credible account of itself in the competition and deserves plaudits from Nigerians, says the Nigeria Football Federation.

The second leg in Cairo was always going to be a tough turf for Sunshine Stars after the two teams battled to a 3-3 draw in the first leg in Ijebu-Ode a fortnight ago, and in the event, the Nigerians lost 0-1 on Sunday to bow out of the competition as Ahly reached the final.

 Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama, commended Sunshine Stars FC for the efforts it invested in the competition and also commend the Ondo State Government for the support they gave the team.

 He said he team could had done better in the first leg against Ahly if not for the strike action embarked upon by the players before that match.

NFF Mourns Sylva Eleanya

The Nigeria Football Federation has condoled Vanguard Media Limited over the death on Saturday night of ace photojournalist Sylva Eleanya.

NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire, who worked with the respected photojournalist for almost ten years at Vanguard, was visibly distressed,saying the NFF is in grief over the death of Mr Eleanya.

Eleanya was a prominent face in Calabar just a week earlier when the Super Eagles defeated Liberia to qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said the Federation condoled with the deceased family, Vanguard Media Limited and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter.

He said Eleanya was a jolly good fellow who will be missed by all at the NFF and the entire Nigeria football family.

ITF Scouts In Lagos For Governor's Cup

To further show the recognition of Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship as one of the important pro circuits in its calendar, International Tennis Federation, ITF, has approved the presence of Scouts to monitor matches in the 12th edition of the championship from Monday, 22 October.

 The second leg of FCMB and Etisalat Nigeria sponsored competition, which Main Draws serve off Monday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, will end on Saturday, 27 October

ITF, through its Administrator, Professional Tournaments, Alistair Williams, wrote to the Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF and the Tournament Director of the Governor's Cup, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, to inform them of the approval given to the scouts who are called Sportradar (SR) – also known as Sportsdata, to be physically present at the venue of the tournament with their gadgets to monitor and record matches.

"I write to inform you that Sportradar (“SR”) – also known as Sportsdata – has been given permission by the ITF and the relevant National Associations to have data collection personnel (also known as “scouts”) attend and work on-site at specific ITF Pro Circuit tournaments," the ITF letter reads.

According to the ITF, "a SR scout will perform the following tasks when they are at work: Sit with a good view of the court and near the chair umpire. Record all match events, e.g. point win, by typing on a mobile phone handset and wear an earpiece/headset, which is used to confirm correct submission of a match event."

Commenting on the new development, Prince Oladunjoye said that the Local Organising Committee, LOC welcome the decision of the ITF to deploy the scouts to the Governor's Cup, adding that it shows the recognition and popularity of the championship in the world of tennis.

"We appreciate what the ITF was doing. This is a further development for our tennis and ITF's more recognition of the Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis," said Prince Oladunjoye, who is also the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Spain, Romania Stars Win Gov's Cup First Leg

The first leg of the 2012 Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship came to a thrilling end Saturday with winners celebrating their victories with trophies and dollars prize money.

In the Men's Singles, Spain's Enrique Lopez-Perez defeated hard fighting Egyptian Sherif Sabry in a grudge encounter that ended 7-5,1-6,6-4 to lift the men's crown and the $15,000 prize money for the first leg.

Perez described the final match against Sabry as a difficult one as he had thought of finished up the game in two straight sets.

"At a stage I began to lose energy, this made to call for any sugar drink from the referee. I was given a bottle of coke. This brought back the needed energy for me to win the third set of the final.
"I'm happy to win this game and this will give me the confidence to do well in the second leg," said Perez.

The women's singles final was another big fight between South African Chanel Simmonds and Romania's Cristina Dinu. Simmonds however put off a good fight but she could not match the pacy and the serves of the Romanian lady as she was defeated 7-5,4-6,6-4.

Dinu won the $25,000 prize money and the trophy.

The duo of Conny Perrin of Switzerland and South Africa's Chanel Simmonds beat the Russian pairs of Nina Bratchikova and Margarita Lazareva in straight sets of 6-1,6-1 to win the Women's doubles of the first leg.

Guinness Supports Eko 2012 With N100m

Guinness Nigeria Plc has identified with the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged Eko 2012, by supporting the sports fiesta with 100 million Naira.

The Guinness’ support involves a cash donation of N30 million, and products activation and other marketing tools valued at N70 million, a gesture that has made the company the official alcoholic drink for the
festival.

At the event held at the headquarters of the company in Lagos yesterday, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu, said the firm was happy to be identified with the festival, acknowledging the vital role sports play in unifying the country.

“We are proud to be associated with Eko 2012 because for us, it is a delight and joy to be part of the sporting fiesta considering the role sports play in unifying people together. We have been looking for such opportunity to support sports and this is another way to show our support to Eko 2012,” he said.

In his remarks, Secretary General, Local Organising Committee, LOC, Eko 2012, Kweku Tandoh lauded the company for showing interest in the festival, saying, this was in line with the intention of the state to stage a public-private sector fiesta that would become a template for others to follow.

 “We are glad that Guinness has decided to partner the LOC and the state to ensure that we stage a successful fiesta and we hope other corporate bodies will also come on board as the kick off of the games
gets closer,” Tandoh said.

Also in attendance at the event was the chairman, Marketing and Sponsorship Sub-Committee, Molade Okoya-Thomas.

Apapa Golden Stars, MFM Ikeja, Zoom Off Extra Joss Semi Final.

Apapa Golden Stars and MFM Ikeja have qualified for the Semi final of the maiden edition of the Extra Joss Soccer Competition sponsored competition sponsored by Kalbe International.

Apapa Golden Stars Football Club qualifed for the semi final after defeating MFM Yaba by five goals to three through spot kicks after the match ended barren draw in duration time.

MFM Ikeja Football Club scaled through the quarter final stage after beating Royal United Football Club by four goals to nothing.

To this end, Apapa Golden Stars will be meeting MFM Ikeja in the first semi final clash fixed for tomorrow at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere.

In Friday's quarter final pairings, Yobo Football Academy will lock horns against Messiah Football Club in the first quarter final match scheduled for the Legacy Pitch, Surulere while ASC Jobi Stars will challenge Lucky Babes Football Club.

Obaseki, Keshi, Ogunjobi For League Bloggers Awards.

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, NPL,  High Chief Oyuki Obaseki has confirmed he will be present at the 2012 League Bloggers Awards, LBA, in Lagos.

Also, Super Eagles' head coach, Stephen Keshi and former Nigeria Football Association secretary-general, Taiwo Ogunjobi have confirmed to be part of the dignitaries for the awards

Obaseki is excited that the LBA is private-initiative meant to support the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

"It's a good move from you individuals to have your own version of the awards for the league," said Obaseki.

Keshi, on the other hand, believes the 2012 LBA will serve as a way to spur on players in the nation's top flight to continue to give their best as they stand to be rewarded.

"There's always joy for every footballer who takes part in a championship, does well and gets rewarded. It's a good move by the League Bloggers Awards. We hope this will be an awards that has come to stay," Keshi remarked.

Ogunjobi added that the league and awards cannot be separated and believes the LBA has opened another chapter for the top flight.

"It's a good one as it is a process that will encourage players, coaches and all stakeholders in the league to do well so that they will get recognised for their performance," said Ogunjobi.

The 2012 LBA will hold in Oregun area of Lagos on October 28.