Fashola Inaugurates L.O.C Members Ahead of N.S.F

Governor of Lagos state, Mr Babatunde Fashola has inaugurated local organizing committee for the 18th National Sports festival which the state will host later in the year.

The 29-man LOC headed by deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire was charged by the Governor to deliver the best games ever in the history of the National sports festival.

Inaugurating the committee for the Lagos 2012,Governor Fashola said the caliber of people that would drive the hosting of the mini olympics would not only ensure successful games but a spectacle that will exceed the standard of the previous festival.

The governor who opined that there is too much of Government presence in sports development stated that the festival which will be driven by the private sector through its efficiency and power if enterprise....

Governor Fashola reposed confidence in the committee which had some members of the state executive as well as giants of Nigeria corporate, legal, political and social
world to set the precedence for hosting excellence National Sports Festival.

Chairman of the local organizing comittee, Princess Orelope-Adefulire who expressed gratitude of the committee for the opportunity to serve said Lagos would meet the obligations and responsibilities of hosting.

The deputy Governor, added that Lagos would matched its excellence in hosting the tournament and play by the rules regarding the agreement signed with the National Sports commission respecting the mini olympics Games

Vice chairman of the LOC who doubles as the state commissioner for Sports, Wahid Enitan Oshodi promised that Lagos would host the best games with the help of the corporate world, adding that the quality of people in the committee has given him the confidence that the Games would be a huge success

Lagos State Boxing Coach, Babafemi, Retires.

Head Coach of the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association, Obafemi Babafemi, has retired from the state civil service.

Babafemi, who joined the service in 1976 as a programme athletes, completed his mandatory thirty five years in the service of Lagos State Government.

The former national champion, told sportsweight.blogspot.com, that he was fulfilled to retire as the association's head coach because his outstanding records in the sports have been his source of happiness.

The retired boxing coach, who obtained grade 3 coaching certificate in 1980 at the Nigeria Institute for Sports, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to enagage the association's current head coach, Victor Enyika and his staffs on regular refresher courses to maintain the association status.

Babafemi, whose performance in the state earned him an invitationto the national camp where he led the national team alongside the former national coach, Samson Aransiola, to Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, said he would be ready to return to the association as a contract staff if the state deem it necessary to extends sucn offer on him.

Babafemi,led the Lagos pugilists as an assistant coach to Joe Mensah, the association's head coach to Bendel 81 National Sports Festival.He continue working with Joe Mensah until the Togolese Nigerian boxer retired in 2000 after Bauchi 2000National Sports Festival.

As the Head coach of the association, Babafemi, led boxers to Abuja 2002 after which he was invited to the national camp.

He represented Nigeria at the World Boxing Championship in Yugoslavia in 1978 where he lost at the quarter final.He was part of the Lagos boxers who featured at the 1st International Boxing Championship in Germany in 1978.

Ajose Lambaste Nigeria Boxing Federation.

World Boxing Council Lightwelter challenger, Segun Ajose, has lambasted the Nigeria Boxing Federation,NBF, over its shoddy and unprofessional training programmes ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Ajose, who defeated Ali Chebah in the WBC final eliminator bout in 2011, said it was disheartening the NBF is yet to commence rigorous training programmes for the Olympic Games when their counterparts have engaged their wards in series if training tours in the last four years prior to this year's edition.

The Nigerian pugilist, said Nigerian boxers who are expected to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games should have be in camp in the last fou years to be in good frame of mind to outwit their opponets having acquired enough experience through the Federation's exclusive training programmes couple with a tour of Cuba.

Ajose Condemns WBC Decision..

World Boxing Council Lighterwelter challenger, Segun Ajose, has expressed his dissatisfaction over the decision of WBC to wait for the fight between Eril moralese and Danny Casillas.

Sportsweight.blogspot.com, reports tat the Nigerian boxer having defeated Ali Chebah in the final eliminator bout in 2011, is expected to confront Erik Moralese but WBC upturned the scheduled bout as Ajose has to wait for three months to fight Moralese.

In a bid to be in good shape prior to the WBC Lightwelter bout, Ajose has resolved to fight Andy Morale, a British pugilist as he has commenced the first phase of his training programmes under the supervision of Joe Mensah and Sangotokum, stressing that WBC decision would not affect his determination to redeem the image of Nigeria by beating the WBC Lightwelter title holder.

Ajose, said he was working hard alongside his team to have the bout in Nigeria as he explained that he had met with the officials of the National Sports Commission but nothing yet has come out of the meeting towards his quest for hosting the event in Nigeria

Flamingoes to play Kenya in Abeokuta

The Under 17 Women National Team,Flamingoes, will host their Kenyan counterparts for the second leg of their FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

Led by Head Coach Peter Dedevbo, the Flamingoes arrived in the Rock City on Friday and will have a ful week to train on the turf of the MKO Abiola Stadium before Saturday’s qualifying match against the Kenyans.

“We are happy to have won the first leg by 2-0, but we have pushed that to the back of our minds as we prepare for the return leg match”, said Coach Dedevbo, who led the Class of 2010 to the quarter finals in Trinidad and Tobago.

He said further: “We have settled down well in Abeokuta and have everything to fully concentrate on our training programme. The NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has also charged us to ensure that we go all out against the Kenyans on Saturday”.

Patience Okaeme scored one goal in each half to lift the Flamingoes to victory at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on Saturday last week.

Victory on aggregate will reward the Nigerian girls with a final round clash with either Botswana or Zambia in March.

Nigeria's Participation In Pre - Olympic Tourney Is A Waste, Amedu

Former Board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, Colonel Sam Amedu, has shed more light on the reason why the Nigeria's male basketball team may fail to secure the ticket at the forthcoming Pre-Olympic tournament holding in Venezuala in June 2012.

Nigeria's D'Tiger was invited for the tourney after Angola that came second at the African championship is planning to withdraw from the qualifier.

According to him, the Nigerian male basketball team are not in good shape to contend with the world best in the sport, Greece, Slovania, Porto Rico among others that are far better in the area of organisation, commitment to excellence as their players are among the best ranked basketball players.

Amedu advised the NBBF to utilise the money earmarked for the Pre- Olympic tournament to the Nigerian basketball league, refresher courses for coaches, and provision of quality basketball facilities to further promote the sport, stressing that the NBBF would need between two hundred thousand(200,000) and three hundred thousnad (300,000) dollars to feature in the Pre - Olympic qualifier.

He said such huge amount of money could be expended on the Nigerian youth teams where they would be exposed to international tournaments in bid to acquire experience.

NFF Congratulates IGP Abubakar

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on Thursday congratulated the newly-appointed Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, on his elevation to the post by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday.

The Acting Inspector General of Police is a thoroughbred football person, having served on the board of then Nigeria Football Association and also as chairman of the Security Committee of both the FIFA World Youth Championship Nigeria 1999 and the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, also hosted by Nigeria.

In his letter dated January 25, 2012 and addressed to the IGP, Maigari wrote: “This is to heartily congratulate you on your appointment as Acting Inspector General of Police by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) on Wednesday, 25th January, 2012.

“Certainly, this appointment is a testimony to the confidence reposed in you by President Jonathan and indeed the Federal Government, and confirms your outstanding leadership qualities and competence, fearlessness, intelligence and diligence.

“On our part, the Nigeria Football Federation applauds you for your magnificent contributions to the development of Nigeria football in several areas, starting with when you served as Board Member between 1996-1999, and as Chairman of the Security Committee of the FIFA World Youth Championship Nigeria 1999.

“We boldly proclaim your reputation as a thorough, fair and dispassionate individual, and our prayer is that the Almighty God will accord you the unique wisdom and diligence to justify the confidence that has been reposed in your person by Mr.President”.

Lagos Seeks Corporate Support For Adopt- A-Talent Sports Program

In a bid to ensure that the objectives of the Adopt-A-Talent Sports Program are achieved, Lagos State government has sought the support of corporate organisations in the country.

The support, which will come in form of partnership, would be in cash and value-in-kind for the athletes.

Prince Wale Oladunjoye, the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Raji Fashola, who headed the Central Working Committee of the project, said the committee in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development had put in place a lot of benefits for the sponsors, among which is a platform for the sponsors to be part of the machineries established by the Lagos State government to drive sports and human capital development programmes of Fashola’s administration.

He said the partnership would also be an avenue for the sponsors to build enduring relationship with the state, with the government providing channels to enable corporate bodies endorse their brands on various events and emerging sports stars.

Apart from the annual recognition and patronage from the State Government, the sponsors would also get possible tax incentives from the State and the Federal Governments.

“The sponsors will be on government protocol list for state functions and important sporting events. Company’s names will be on the Hall of Fame of the sports program-this will be displayed in a prominent location during the program’s events,” he said.

The Adopt-A-Talent Sports Program is designed to discover and create a pool of budding talents below the age of 18 years in the various disciplines, expose them to a scientifically structured all-year-round training program.

Governor Fashola had approved for the first phase of the program sports like Athletics (100m, 200m, 400m 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m relays), Soccer/Beach Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball, Boxing and Table Tennis.

Other sports added to the second phase, which starts in January, 2012, are Swimming, Gymnastics, Judo and Karate.

“The average cost of adopting an athlete in any of the sports is less than N15, 000 per month,” Prince Oladunjoye said.

NFF Appeals Court Ruling, Files Stay-Of-Execution Notice.

The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday went to the Court of Appeal, Abuja to challenge a Federal High Court declaration that both the NFF and NPL were not properly incorporated and therefore not known to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Federal High Court pronouncement was made on Friday, 20th January, 2012 as the Judge Donatus Okorowo delivered judgement in a case brought by former chairman of Nigeria Referees Association, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja over his disqualification from the NPL elections of May 8, 2010.

On Wednesday, the NFF filed a motion-on-notice for stay-of-execution of the High Court’s judgement at the same High Court, while the body filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

The Nigeria Football Federation is seeking ‘‘An Order staying and/or suspending the execution, further execution and or compliance with all or any of the Orders in the judgment of the Honourable Justice of this Honourable Court delivered on the 20th January 2012 pending hearing and determination of the Appeal against the judgment filed on the 25th day of January, 2012 and now pending before the Court of Appeal,
Abuja”.

Oshodi Charges Newly Apppointed Association Chairmen To Uplift Standard of Sports.

Lagos State Commisioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development Wahid Enitan Oshodi, has congratulated the newly appointed chairmen of the various Sports Associations of the State Sports Council.

The inauguration takes place on Tuesday at the indoor sports hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

According to him, the appointment of the sports association chairmen was based on their keen interest and past contributions to sports in general and your specific sport in particular, stressing that he is confident the satate had chosen the right people to help reverse the downturn in our sporting fortunes and chart a period of unprecedented sporting growth and development in Lagos.

While reminding them of their responsibilities, Oshodi, said the Sports Associations formed the bedrock of sports development in Lagos as the Ministry would observe its supervisory role over the growth of sports and propagation.

He said the team were fortunate to serve under an administration led by a truly sports loving Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola,who recognises the need for funding in sports and has also pledged financial support towards sports development in the State, especially the welfare of our athletes.

He encouraged them to engage Corporate Nigeria in a bid to promote sport as he believed that sports all over the world is private sector driven, and the state government would appreciate the gesture if the associations chairmen leverage on the move to add value to sport improvement.

He explained that the state government introduced the office of the Honorary Secretary to each Association to assist in liaising with the outside world on behalf of the Association and also help secure necessary sponsorship and support from prospective private sector partners.

Lagos Set To Inaugurate 36 Sports Associations.

Honourable Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in Lagos State, Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi has disclosed in his Office that the recently constituted thirty six (36) Sports Associations in the State would be inaugurated on Tuesday, 24th January 2012 at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Multipurpose Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The 36 Sports Associations which were reconstituted on Friday, 30th December, 2011 will kick start the build up to the 18th National Sports Festival to be hosted by November 2012 by organising competitions and tournaments for the budding talents that abound in the State.

Enitan Oshodi stated earlier that, the State Government will be watching each Sport Association performance with an appraisal to be carried out every six months. We will definitely be changing members as we go along.

Each Sport Association would be issued with guidelines on the effective running of the Associations in order to realise maximum result for the various budding talents that abound. The Athletes are to be the ‘focus’ in this new dispensation, he concluded.

Kwara United Pips Dolphins, 1- 0.

Eight teams in the Nigeria Premier League secure home victory in the week four league matches played over the weekend across the nation.

Kwara United, beat the league's defending champion, Dolphins by a lone goal as Wikki Tourists managed to beat Kano Pillars by a lone goal.

Akwa United also recorded a home victory against Jigawa Stars by a lone goal margin as Warri Wolves beat Lobi Stars by two goals to One while Enyimba FC defeated Sharks F.C by two unreplied goals.

Enugu Rangers subdued Kaduna United by three unreplied goals as Heartland F.C beat ABS F.C by two goals to one while Gombe United defeated 3Tornadoes by three goals to one.

Sunshine Stars and Ocean Boys played one all draw as 3SC and Rising Stars played barren draw.

Flamingoes Lash Kenya 2-0 in Nairobi

The Under 17 Women National Team, nicknamed Flamingoes, on Saturday in Nairobi started their campaign for a place at this year’s FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup finals on a bright note, when they defeated their Kenyan counterparts 2-0 in a first round, first leg match.

Patience Okaene scored in the 27th and 63rd minutes of the encounter at the Nyayo National Stadium to set Nigeria on a sure course for a place in the second and final round of qualifiers come the month of March.

“The girls played well and dominated the game, and they showed the right spirit throughout”, said Aisha Falode, Coordinator of Nigeria’s Women National Teams, who was with the team in Nairobi.

It could have been a virtual roasting of their hosts but Ugandan FIFA Woman Referee Irene Namubiru disallowed a goal scored by Yetunde Adeboyejo in the first half of the encounter.

Nigeria will host the return leg of the fixture on Saturday, February 4.

Three countries will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals to be staged in Azerbaijan between September and October.

The Flamingoes participated in the two earlier editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, in New Zealand (2008) and Trinidad and Tobago (2010), reaching the quarter finals in the last edition before losing to eventual winners South Korea in extra time.

Nathaniel Boys Whips Lagos Island East.

Nath Boys began the New Year in full throttle as they cruised past their fierce rivals Lagos Island East on Saturday morning.

Nath Boys continued their ever improving form and controlled proceeding right from the whistle and had a deserved penalty which was waved off by the centre referee.

The lekki boys were constantly floating balls into the Lagos Island East area and the pressure payed off in the 33rd minute as Rauf Kola Bello grabbed his 5th goal of the season with a beautifully executed header leaving the island goalie rooted to the spot.

Alade Muyiwa came off the bench and levelled affairs for the visitors early in the second half bringing has season tally to 12 goals in 8 matches.

But their joy was short lived when diminutive forward Aminu Abubakar restored his sides lead in the 55th minute. Apatira Damilola then compounded the woes of the Island boys with a brace which sealed an outstanding victory to the Nath Boys.

Despite playing majority of the match with a man down Ikorodu west totally dominated an ill organised Lagos Mainland side.

With goals from Ismail Sunday, Michael Chibueze, Fadeyi Sunday and Niyi Odunlade the Ikorodu team showed that they can bounce back from a their loss to Apapa last year.

German Side Ingolstadt04 Chase Eagles Star

As the Super Eagles technical crew continues to grapple with raising a home-grown national team, some of the players invited to camp for the task have been inundated with request for trails by top European clubs.

Recently, Enyimba’s Kalu Uche went on trial with Moroccan champions Wydad Athletics Club, and he’s scheduled for another trip to Egypt in the coming days.

But it’s Heartland’s Obinna Nwachukwu, who runs the right wing for the national team and was very impressive in the goalless draw against Angola, last week that is attracting German Bundesliga 2 side Ingolstadt04.

The player, who has hidden his joy at the opportunity given to him tom play for the Nigerian side, is one of those tipped by the technical crew to break into the main team and has already received his visas for the trip to the club, that is based in the sprawling German City of Munich.

“I have been given the clearance by the national team coaches to go and test the waters but I’m sure I will be back on time for all out games”, Nwachukwu declared after getting his traveling documents last week.

The German side founded in 2004, has a seating capacity of 15,000 and many see it as the ideal place for an upcoming star like Nwachukwu to break into international limelight if he fits the bill.

Maigari: No Issues Over Keshi’s CAN Trip

NFF President, Aminu Maigari, has called on the media to play down on controversies in the drive to rebuild the national team, as that will not help new boss, Stephen Keshi, the players and especially the majority of Nigerian ball fans who want the team to return to winning ways very quick.

Reacting to the controversy generated by the departure of Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi for pundits jobs in South Africa, specifically for the Gabon-Equatorial Guinea 2012 Nations Cup championship, Maigari said the issues were magnified beyond what was actually on the ground.

“The Technical Committee Chairman, Barr Chris Green and his team were actually on top of the matter and were briefing all members of the Executive Committee as and when necessary, so there was no issues at all on the trip by Keshi and his assistant to South Africa.

Maigari, said he has been impressed so far with the attitude to work by Keshi and his team and commended Green and his team for keeping an eye on them. “From the way things are going we are going to see a brand new national team in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Keshi left the country last night for South Africa, and promised once again, that the major thing on his mind despite the pundit job is how to make the Super Eagles great again. “Its not by accident that we were part of the 1994 Golden Age and God permitting, we’ll make Nigerian soccer fans happy again”, he declared.

NFF invites 30 for U-20 Women’s Team

The Nigeria Football Federation has invited 30 players to the camp of the U-20 Women National Team, also known as Falconets, in preparation for the African qualifying series for this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals.

The Falconets tumbled the bookmakers’ predictions by reaching the Final of the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, which took place in Germany in the summer of 2010. They eventually lost by two goals to hosts and favourites Germany in that final.

Since the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was launched in Canada in 2002, Nigeria has qualified to represent Africa in every edition, making it to the quarter finals in Thailand in 2004, Russia in 2006 and Chile in 2008.

Chief Coach of Women Professional League club, Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon has been appointed the Head Coach of the Class of 2012, who will be aiming to reach the finals to be staged in Uzbekistan in August/September this year. He will be assisted by former Super Falcons’ captain Florence Omagbemi and Chris Nwaehi, with Taiwo
Ajobiewe as goalkeepers’ trainer.

The Falconets have a World Cup qualifying fixture away to Sierra Leone mid-February, with the return leg scheduled for Nigeria two weeks later.

The invited players are to report at the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, 20th January, 2012 with their birth certificates and/or international passports.

Girls ready to do Nigeria proud - Falode

The Nigeria U-17 Women’s National Team, nicknamed Flamingoes, have vowed to do the nation proud when they confront the Kenyan U-17 Women’s Team at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, says the Coordinator of all Women National Teams, Aisha Falode.

Falode, who travelled to Nairobi with the team on Thursday night, said she had spoken to the players and they are determined to stop the tap of poor results for Nigerian National Teams in competitive international football.

“I have been assured by the girls that they will give it their all. Nigeria is top of the Premier League table in women football in Africa, and we cannot afford to slip. The Flamingoes know what this means and they have assured the technical crew that they will go all out on Saturday against the Kenyans.

“I have also watched their training sessions and the practice matches they have played and I am convinced they will fly the flag well”, stated Falode, a member of the Media Committee of the Confederation of African Football.

The Flamingoes square up against the Kenyan U-17 Women’s Team in the first leg, first round of the African qualifying series for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which takes place in Azerbaijan, September/October this year.

Uganda Referee Irene Namubiru To Handle Flamingoes/Kenya Match

Ugandan FIFA Woman referee Irene Namubiru will be at the centre during
Saturday’s match at the Nyayo Stadium.

Sh is to be assisted by compatriots Diana Mukasa (1st Assistant), Marex Nakitto (2nd Assistant) and Aisha Ssemambo (4th Official). The match commissioner is Souaadatou Kalkaba from Cameroon.

To reach the first edition of the inaugural edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals which took place in New Zealand in 2008, the Flamingoes defeated Guinea home and away, edged Ghana on aggregate and lashed Cameroon 3-0 after a 1-1 draw in Yaounde.

In the race to Trinidad and Tobago, the Nigerian girls outplayed South Africa home and away.

After the Kenyan hurdle, the girls of Peter Dedevbo will be up against the winner of the fixture between Botswana and Zambia to determine one of the three African tickets to Azerbaijan.

Nigeria’s Flamingoes off to Nairobi

The Under 17 Women National Team delegation flew out of Lagos to Nairobi on Thursday night ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against their Kenyan counterparts.

They departed aboard Kenyan Airways, and were led by Alhaja Ayo Omidiran, deputy
chairman of the House of Reps’ Committee on Sports and Social Development, a member of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee and a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation.

The Kenyan girls saw off the challenge of the Mozambique U-17 Women’s team to be eligible to play the African champions, and have posted impressive results in build-up games ahead of this encounter.

But the Flamingoes have not been lacking in firepower and confidence either, after they lashed Women Professional League side, Nasarawa Amazons 2-1 and then victimized another Women Professional League club, Confluence Queens of Makurdi 8-0 in Abuja.

“We know the enormity of the task ahead of us, which is to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. But we’ll take it one match at a time. We will approach the match in Nairobi as if there wouldn’t be a second leg. Our determination is to win right there in Kenya”, said Flamingoes’ Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo.

Dedevbo led the Nigeria U-17 girls to the quarter finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago in September 2011 and has told his girls there is no way they can fail to reach this year’s finals in Azerbaijan.

“As a country, we have a record of playing in every edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. It is not going to be this year that we would fail”, he assured.

Dedevbo and his assistants organized a screening programme for new players in December and then invited 31 successful ones back to camp at the beginning of January.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari told the girls just before departure that the nation expects nothing less than outright victory from the Flamingoes on Saturday.

“The nation, right from Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) to the ordinary ball fan on the street, expect you girls to win and win very well in Nairobi, in order to make the second leg here at home a formality.

“We have confidence in you that you will not disappoint”, said Maigari.

Baring Visa Hitch, Keshi Off To S’Africa

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, is expected to jet out to South Africa, this Thursday night, if he gets his visa on time from the South African Embassy.

The former national team skipper, again declared yesterday that the controversy over his trip to do analysis during the Nations Cup championship starting this weekend was totally unnecessary. “I have said time and again that there is no issue in this pundit business, all the big coaches across the world do it and they use it to enrich their resume, so why are Nigerians agitated.”

Keshi, said the controversy might be because Nigeria did not qualify for the Nations Cup, adding that he understands the feelings of the average soccer fan, in the country. “As I’m talking to you now, I have drawn up the programme for the games against Liberia, which is a friendly and Rwanda, which we all know is a Nations Cup qualifier.

“Infact, the two games will be on my mind even when I’m not around, so let no one think I’m going there to have fun, because I will be back more prepared and ready for the task of rebuilding the national team”.

NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barr. Chris Green, has already said that the Federation, has given Keshi and his Assistant, Dan Amokachi, all clear for the pundit job in South Africa, with some conditions which both parties have agreed upon.

CAN 2012 Pundit Job Is To Improve Eagles

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, said he is not at war with his employers over the pundit job that he plans to embark upon, neither is his assistant, Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, fighting the NFF over the matter.

He revealed that he has spoken to the highest authority in football in the country and was shocked at the media frenzy over the matter.

“The team is off camp and I have said I will always grab any opportunity to learn and I see the CAN 2012 Nations Cup as an opportunity to get fresh insight into coaching. I just wonder why people want to make the job of managing the national team difficult, when it’s actually easy, if the NFF tell me otherwise I will respect their opinion and the officials know that I and my assistants are very loyal”.

Keshi, also spoke on the camp site for the national team ahead of the duel against Rwanda on February 29, in Kigali. “I have heard people quoting me and say I have proposed a number of countries as camping sites, there is nothing like that and at the appropriate time, we will know where we will camp for the all-important encounter against Rwanda.”.

My Eagles Are Role Models-Keshi

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, at the weekend insisted that the home-based players he has called to camp in preparation for the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifier are the best in the country and he would rely on them to deliver the goods.

He also said he was certain of the players he would invite for the all-important qualifier against Rwanda, from Europe warning players in camp to go and display what they have learnt in the national camp at the various clubs.

He again asked the players to give him the reason to invite majority of them to the national camp when the duel against Rwanda as is at hand. “I have ranged the bell time and again and the promise I have for my players is for them to demonstrate their strength against weaker or stronger opposition and they will be invited for bigger action”.

Keshi, who addressed the players before they left for their various clubs at the weekend, also warned that any player that is reported as recalcitrant will stop being invited to the national camp.

“Every player here is good and that was how most of us that you now see as heroes started, but first of all you must be disciplined, focused and ready to don the national colours, if at anytime I see anything contrary, then such an player will never be invited to the national camp again”.

Keshi emphasized to the players that the local league, will forever remain the basis for the discovery and strength of the Nigerian league, and any player who is not ready to respect local coaches will never be a great player anywhere in the world.

“I worked under Coach Bazuaye and Udemezue in the national camp and others like them, you people too must work under your current coaches with respect, because that is the only way to rediscover Nigerian football. I have given you little and I’m sure you club coaches will give you more, If I hear any negative thing about you conduct, forget the Super Eagles”.

Governor’s Cup Champion, Nina Upsets 19th Seed, Pennetta

The ongoing Australian Open recorded the highest profile casualty on day one when No. 136 player, Russian star Nina Bratchikova upset No. 19th seed, Flavia Pennetta in a thrilling encounter that ended 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.

Nina, who was in Nigeria last year’s October for the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship fought her way from the qualifying round to the main draws of the Australian Open to make her presence felt in the first day of the Grand Slam.

Nina, who won the women’s doubles event of the first leg of the 2011 Governor’s Cup beat Pennetta in the first set 6-3, fell 1-6 in the second set. She, however, braced herself up in the last set to send packing her opponent with a resounding 6-2 win to book a place in the second round of the championship.

The 29 year-Old Russian’s performance saw her scaling the hurdles of the qualifying round of the Aussie Open when she defeated Irina Khromacheva.

It would be recalled that tournament favourite of the Governor’s Cup in 2010, Slovak Zuzana Kucova was stopped from achieving her dream of winning the Women’s Singles back to back by Nina Bratchikova with a straight sets victory of 7-5,6-1 in the final watched by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Speaking on the victory of Nina against Pennetta, Tournament Director of the Governor’s Cup, Prince Wale Oladunjoye said that Nina has been a regular face in Lagos in the past few years and he believes that the Russian star has a good future in tennis.

“I’m happy to hear the success of the player in the Australian Open which started on Monday. This also points to the reason the organisers of the Governor’s Cup bring emerging tennis stars to Lagos to rub shoulders in a good competitive environment at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

I want to say that we’ll continue to attract the best to Lagos; an emerging mega city of the world,” Prince Oladunjoye said.

Nigerian Teams Will Play More Friendlies, Says Pachon.

The FIFA Match Agent appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation last year to secure friendly match-ups with the world’s top teams, Jairo Pachon, for Nigerian teams has pledged to get more matches with the leading lights of the international game for the Super Eagles, and other Nigerian team.

Pachon, a 35-year old Colombian who operates under the family business, Eurodata Sport and Culture Marketing Limited, said he is determined to work hard to get more quality friendly matches for the Super Eagles, and indeed other Nigerian National Teams.

“We are just starting, in my opinion. But the important thing is our focus and commitment to getting many more matches and also top quality. We started with Argentina last year – the Guinness The Match - and this year, there will be another top quality country.

“Football is a serious business and you will get what you want if you market very well and know what you are looking for”, said Pachon, who holds a master’s degree in business studies from the Europe Business School, London with specialization in marketing.

Jairo started working with the Nigeria Football Federation in November 2008, when he organized the international friendly between the Super Eagles and the Colombian Senior Team in Cali. Colombia won 1-0. Since then, he has been involved in organizing friendly matches between the Super Eagles and Republic of Ireland (London, May 2009), France (June 2009), Saudi Arabia (May 2010), Paraguay (May 2010), North Korea (June 2010), South Korea (August 2010), Argentina (June and September 2011), Ghana (October 2011), Botswana and Zambia (November 2011) and Angola
(January 2012), among others.

He was also involved in arranging friendly match for the Under 23 National Team (Olympic Eagles) against Costa Rica in San Jose, May 2011; friendlies and invitational tournaments for the U-20 National Team (Flying Eagles) prior to their participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia last year and; friendlies for the Senior Women’s Team (Super Falcons) ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany in 2011.

“No doubt, we have enjoyed our working relationship with the NFF and what we seek now is to be able to get more top-quality games, and of course, good results on the pitch will go a long way in assisting our quest”, said Jairo Pachon.

Chukwu To Bury Late Mum On Friday.

The late mother of former Nigeria captain, Christian Chwukwuemeka Chukwu, will be buried in Enugu State on Friday, January 20.

Mrs Rebecca Ezinne Chukwu died last month after a brief illness.

Chukwu, a member of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, disclosed that a church at the St. Phillips Anglican Church, Umuikeowo Community, Obe Town, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State will preceed the internment. The church service will start at 10am.

The creme-de-la-creme of the country’s football family is expected at the burial of Mrs Rebecca Chukwu, mother of the first man to captain the Senior Men’s Team of Nigeria to lift the African Cup of Nations (1980) and who was Assistant Coach when the team won the trophy for the second time in Tunisia in 1994.

Chukwu was also Assistant Coach when the Super Eagles participated at their first FIFA World Cup finals in the United States of America, also in 1994.

“I am inviting all my friends in the football family to join me in paying last respect to my wonderful mother”, Chukwu said in a statement.

The man fondly called ‘Chairman’ was Head Coach of the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2005.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said on Monday that the Federation would be well represented at Friday’s burial ceremony of the late Mrs Rebecca Ezinne Chukwu.

“ ‘Chairman’ Chukwu served this nation excellently and creditably as a player and as a Coach, and is still serving as a member of the NFF Technical Committee. The NFF will be well-represented at the burial of
his mother”, said Maigari.

Match Appoints Pamodzi For World Cup Hospitality Sales

Match Hospitality has appointed Pamodzi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited as its official sales agent in Nigeria for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The partnership will see Pamodzi Sports Marketing sell a range of ticketed packages and add-on services for the tournament, which will be held in Brazil, as well as for the FIFA Confederations Cup in the same country in 2013. Sales of hospitality packages for the 2014 FIFA World Cup were launched worldwide in November 2011.

Jaime Byrom, the executive chairman of Match Hospitality, said: "Match Hospitality is delighted to partner with Pamodzi Sports Marketing in Nigeria. Pamodzi Sports Marketing’s approach, strong client base and relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation will add immense value to Match Hospitality."

Pamodzi Sports Marketing chairman and chief executive Mike Itemuagbor added: "This
appointment presents a huge opportunity for Nigerians to take advantage of, and be part of, the excitement that abounds for the 2014 World Cup hospitality programme presented by Match Hospitality."

Last year, FIFA extended its global contract with Match Hospitality until after the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Eagles Camp Calm Despite Venue Switch

Players and officials of the national team, Super Eagles, were still in battle mood after they were told that the team will no longer be travelling to Cotonnou , Benin Republic to take on the Palancas Negras of Angola in an international friendly.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, had told the players during dinner on Saturday evening that the plan to travel to Benin Republic, has been shelved and that the players should get ready to play against Angola in Abuja or any part of the country that the Nigeria Football Federation, may direct the team to.

Most of the players did not express any surprise at the change of venue but rather were concerned whether the game will take place or not. To which they were assured that the game will surely hold, as the Angolan side is expected to fly into Nigeria in a chartered flight.

There was no training on Sunday morning as players and officials were given the time off to go to their various places of worship. As has become the tradition Sunday evening training which begun at about 4:20pm, and lasted for over two hours was rigorous, intense and targeted at bringing out the best in the players in the scheduled friendlies against Angola and Liberi

Keshi Keeps 26 Stars Guessing Over First Team

Before now, there was palpable anxiety in the camp of the Super Eagles, especially among players over who will be dropped from the team for the friendly games against Angola and Liberia , this week, but all that changed Sunday afternoon.

This is because Big Boss Stephen Keshi and his technical crew have decided that all the 25 players still in camp should remain for the game against Angola on Wednesday.

Keshi, said the reason is to give all the players a sense of belonging and to have a further look in on those who were already pencilled down for the exit door.

However, after the Angolan game the team will b pruned down and Keshi admonished that those who will eventually be asked to return to their clubsides should not feel that thy were not good enough but a case of international football rules which forbids taking more than a certain number of players for games, including friendlies. “If I have my way I will take all of you to the games but we know the rules and those who will be dropped will eventually b recalled in the near future, because we are rebuilding and we need the cooperation of all”.

Players still in camp: Chigozie Agbim, Godwin Paul, Moses Ocheje, Ikemute Odah, Azubuike Egwueke, Kola Anubi, Papa Idris, Osas Omomo, Kabir Umar, Gbenga Arokoyo, Bathlomew Ibenegbu, Izu Azuka, Ejike Ozoenyi, Stephen Morah, Sunday Mba, Sunday Emmanuel, Uche Oguchi, Godfrey Obaburuwar, Juwon Oshaniwa, Rabiu Ibrahim, Barnabas Imenger, Obinna Nwachukwu, James Onyebuchi, Reuben Gabriel, Ossai Uche, Kalu Uche.

Kalu Uche’s Return Boosts Camp

Enyimba of Aba striker Kalu Uche, breezed into the Super Eagles camp, Sunday afternoon and was part of the team that trained in the evening in preparation for the duel against Angola on Wednesday.

Kalu, who picked up a knock before he departed for trials with Wydad Atletic Club (WAC) of Morocco , looked sharp in training and ready for action against the Angolans. Even when the medical crew was asked if any player was unfit, it was only Warri Wolves left back Osas Omomo, that had a knock on his knee and was immediately attended to by the medical team.

Speaking on his Moroccan experience, Uche said, he did not sign any deal with the Moroccans, because the terms were not favourable, but added he would still travel out of the country in the next week. “I may be going to Egypt for trials after our two friendlies against Angola and Liberia , but the Morocco chapter is closed for now.”

The national team will continue its build-up today at the training pitch of the National Stadium with Keshi fully in control.

Maigari To Eagles: Lets Play To Win

NFF President, Aminu Maigari, has called to enquire about the readiness and well-being of the national team ahead of their friendly against Angola and when he was told all was well, he said he did not expect anything less.

“We have a mature handler in Stephen Keshi and he has assembled some of the best local players, so the world expects him to hit the ground running after just three weeks, but I still seek patience for him”.

He thereafter challenged the players and officials to see every game as a potential victory for Nigeria , to wash away the pains of the recent past. “We must play to win to bring back Nigerians who were not too happy with our recent outings and I’m sure we’ll not be disappointed on Wednesday”.

Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, had earlier told the players during training that they should see every international friendly encounter as a Nations Cup final. “We did not make it to the Nations Cup, yet those who made it still respect us to bring their A team to play us, you are Nigeria’s A team today and must approach Wednesday game like a Cup final” he charged the team.

Ajani Compounds Keshi Selection Headache

With the technical crew still tinkering with players to use or not to use in the encounter against Angola , on Wednesday, with 26 players in camp, as at Sunday evening the camp has further swelled to 27.

Latest to hit camp is Ibrahim Ajani, of Sunshine Stars of Akure, who took special permission to feature for his side against Dolphins in their 0-1 loss to NPL defending champions, Dolphins fc.

Ajani, who was the second highest goals scorer last season, was brimming with confidence as he trained with the rest of the squad on Monday evening, thus adding to the selection problems that the coaching crew will have ahead of the friendly.

Also, Osas Omomo of Warri Wolves who had a slight knock on Sunday, was back in training on Monday, but the physiotherapist, asked him to just walk round the stadium as he continues his recovery. He looks out of the Angolan friendly, unless miracle happens.

Keshi, is not expected to name his team for the match until Wednesday morning moments before the team departs for the encounter at the Abuja National Stadium.

Eagles Train Despite Strike

Against all odds the Super Eagles Monday evening trained at the training pitch of the Abuja National Stadium, ahead of Wednesday’s friendly cracker against the Pelanca Negras of Angola in Abuja .

Initial fears were that the strike situation called by labour unions which practically paralysed Abuja city, would not allow the team to train, due to security concerns. But Head of the Eagles Security team, ACP Gideon Akinsola, after making contacts with both senior and junior officers, assured the team that the labour leaders have nothing against the team and therefore the team can go for training.

At the training pitch, Head Coach Stephen Keshi, was fully in charge, drilling the players on what he expects against Angola which will be parading its full Nations Cup squad against the Eagles made up entirely of home-based professionals.

After over two hours of rigorous training the team retired to its Bolton Hotels and Apartments Suites in Zone 7, satisfied that it has enough armoury in its arsenal to tackle the Angolans.

For the records, there were no security threats, during and after training, thus underlining the fact that the common man and indeed the opulent understand that the national team is representing every strata of the Nigerian society

Have Not Been Drilled Like This Before, Azubuike Egwueke

“This is my second time in the Eagles camp and I have not been drilled like this before, I have to prove to the world that we can hold our own against any team because at this moment we are the real Nigerian national team. Personally, I will put in my best and I know by God’s grace we’ll be victorious”. -Azubuike Egwueke, Super Eagles defender

“We have learnt a lot from this set of coaches and we must acquit ourselves well before every Nigerian on Wednesday. Nigerians should just keep praying for us and those who can make it to the stadium should come out en masse to cheer the team to victory”-Chigozie Agim-Super Eagles goalkeeper

“I have been impacted on positively on the pitch and I will show it against Angola on Wednesday. What I’ve experienced in camp is too significant for me not to do well against Angola . Insha Allah, we shall come out victorious”. Papa Idris-Super Eagles defender

At the moment, we are the national team of Nigeria , the Team A, the foreign based players will soon find that out. And with the calibre of players we have here, victory is sure for us because we are focused, strong and ready for victory-Kalu Uche, Super Eagles striker

Put Euro-pros Under Pressure-Galadima Tells Eagles

Former NFA Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, says the idea of raising a home-grown national team, should be commended, even as he asked the players to take their friendly games seriously.

Speaking from his Kano base Galadima, said Wednesday’s international friendly against Angola in Abuja, is the type of game that the team needs not only to get its bearing but to send signals to foreign based players that it’s no longer business as usual in the national team.

The NFFA and Stephen Keshi, who has decided to take this risky route should be commended, because games like this will build their confidence and give players in our league a sense of belonging knowing that they can be called upon to play for the national team, if they distinguish themselves in their clubs”.

On Kano Pillars Gambo Mohammed, who refused to honour a call to the Super Eagles camp, Galadima said there was no doubt that the player is a talented one but he lacks discipline. “I even confronted the club’s General Manager over the matter and he told me that apart from that they even gave him transport fare to the camp, yet he refused to honour it, such players have no place in the national team in my opinion”.

Home Eagles Vow To Down Angola

Despite the unstable socio-political situation in the country, the national team currently in camp preparing for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda say they are battle ready to devour Angola in Wednesday’s international friendly.

For goalkeepers Chigozie Agbim and Godwin Paul, the game should serve as a test of character of the team and the coaching crew and that they will show against the Southern African country. “We have learnt a lot from this set of coaches and we must acquit ourselves well before every Nigerian on Wednesday” declared Agbim.

Centre-half Azubuike Egwueke and pair mate Papa Idris, were also in war like mood. “This is my second time in the Eagles camp and I have not been drilled like this before, I have to prove to the world that we can hold our own against any team because at this moment we are the Nigerian national team”, Egwueke declared.

Idris on his own said: I have been impacted on positively by th technical crew and I will show it on the pitch against Angola on Wednesday. Insha Allah, we shall come out victorious”, he said.

Midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim and petit wing wizard Ejike Ozoenyi, spoke in similar vein, with Ozoenyi, saying that he wants to prove to the world that all he has been doing with the ball in training, he can do better during match situations.

Returnee striker, Uche Kalu was even more daring when he spoke. According to him, many foreign based players would soon discover that they have no place again in the national team, because the present squad has better players that can play for any national team anywhere in the world.

Keshi To Eagles: Prove Doubters Wrong

Super Eagles boss Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has once again assured home based professionals that the era when they were used as training materials in the national team was gone and buried.

Speaking to the team after their last work out at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday morning before their clash on Wednesday against Angola, Keshi told the players that he is ready to accommodate any of them who proves worthy in the plane to Kigali, Rwanda for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier.

This is the umpteenth time Keshi would be given that assurance but on Tuesday morning he gave the players a new challenge. “The world is watching and waiting, I have been receiving phone calls from all corners of the country of people who intend to come and watch you guys and see what you have to offer. Many still don’t believe that you can do it, go out there and prove them wrong and leave the rest to me”.

He praised the spirit of competition and learning exhibited by the players in the last three weeks but said that will not be enough until they prove it in a match situation. “ Angola is bringing their Team A, you are the Team A of Nigeria, prove to them that you are their masters in this game and the world will start respecting you. You can do it” he sounded off.

Angola storm Abuja with 39-man delegation

A 39-man contingent of the 2012 African Cup of Nations-bound Palancas Negras of Angola arrived in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The delegation touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 4.33pm aboard a chartered aircraft, which will fly the team back to Luanda on Wednesday evening immediately after the match.

President of the Federacao Angolana de Futebol, Mr. Pedro de Morais Neto led the delegation, which also included vice presidents of the Federation, the Head Coach, four Assistant Coaches, team manager, journalists, psychologist, team doctor, physiotherapist, equipment manager and 22 players. The team trained on Tuesday night at the mainbowl of the National Stadium.

They were received on arrival by General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Musa Amadu and the Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, as well as a battery of media representatives.

The Palancas Negras and officials are quartered at the Transcorp Hilton hotel, and will have a light walk-out on Wednesday morning. The match co-ordination meeting will also take place on Wednesday morning, at the NFF Secretariat.

FIFA referee Aguidissou Crespin from Republic of Benin will be at the centre, to be assisted by compatriots Padonou Prosper (1st Assistant) and Fassinou Alexis (2nd Assistant). Nigerian FIFA referee Bunmi Ogunkolade will be the fourth official.

The Nigeria Football Federation reiterated on Tuesday that gates will be thrown open for the match.

Amadu said: “We want Nigerians to come out en masse to the National Stadium, Abuja and bond together, and also support the Super Eagles in this match against Angola. It is an important game for our team as it prepares for the African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda next month”.

The Super Eagles will fly out to Monrovia on Friday for another international friendly match, this time against the Lone Star of Liberia, which will take place at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 15th January.

Coach Jose Carlos Vidigal expects a tough game from the Super Eagles as his wards set into the final stages of preparation for the three-week, 16-nation African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, starting next week.

On his part, Nigeria’s Coach Stephen Keshi will have a good look at the boys he has been grilling at residential camping since last month, with a view to seeing which of them would be good enough to win shirts in the team to face Rwanda in a 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Kigali next month.

Keshi, Vidigal Salute Gritty Display

Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Okecukwu Keshi and his Pelanca Negras counterpart, Lito Vidigal, were full of praise for their teams and particularly the Nigerian side after the goalless draw at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday.

Vidigal, said he was right when he fielded his strongest squad against Nigeria , because any team that Nigeria presents in any competitive games was always going to be difficult to beat.

“We had to change tactics when we saw that the team was stronger than we thought but I’m happy that we came away with a draw against a Nigerian side as big and determined as the one we saw today. It’s still shocking that the team did not make it to the Nations Cup.

On his part, Keshi said he was satisfied with the performance of his players but expected victory from them. “We were a little bit wasteful with the chances we had and that is why I will always say we are rebuilding, refocussing and pumping confidence into the boys. Nigerians will start seeing the result very soon, but they must be patient with the boys, because they are still growing.

The Eagles depart Nigeria for Liberia for another international friendly against that country’s national team on Friday, while the Angolans have since departed Abuja for Nations up hostilities in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea .

Angola Hold Eagles In Abuja

Honours were evenly shared Wednesday evening at the National Stadium, in Abuja , when Nations Cup bound Pelanca Negras of Angola , held a fully home-based Super Eagles of Nigeria to a scoreless draw.

It was Coach Stephen Keshi first competitive game in charge, since taking over about two months ago and after barely three weeks of camping the home lads in preparation for the all-important 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against the Wasps of Rwanda in Kigali .

The game started on a rather tense note with the visiting team dictating the early part of the game. As expected, dangermen, Manucho spotting number 9 jersey and Flavio, in jersey 16, led the assault against the Eagles which caused Coach Keshi to rise to his feet after barely five minutes of kick-off.

The blitz fizzled out as quick as it came as the trio of Sunday Mba, Ossai Uche and Obinna Nwachuckwu seized the initiative from the midfield from the Angolans. Petit Rangers International left wing star, Ejike Ozoenyi, was the star of the game as his dazzling run down the left flank, got fans asking for more.

Ossai Uche missed a clear chance in the 12 minutes, Mba followed suit in the 34th and Obinna blasted away in the 42nd. By now it was obvious who the better side was.

The half ended goalless.

Things didn’t turn better for both sides in the second, but the home side looked the more enterprising, as Angola looked like a side that did not want to lose a game before the start of hostilities in the Nations Cup.

Coach Vidigal, was forced to pull out Manucho when he was arrested by the Nigerian centre back duo of Papa Idris and Azubuike Egwueke. While striker Uche Kalu who stepped in for Kabir Umar and Barnabas Imenger, missed glaring chances in the closing stages of the entertaining encounter watched by close to 10, 000 Nigerians soccer fans. To most soccer fans, it was a fair result as they hailed Keshi and his crew for a job well done under three weeks.

Maigari Hails Home Based Eagles.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has commended the performance of the Senior Men’s Team, Super Eagles, made up of home-based players against the ‘A’ team of Angola in an international friendly in Abuja on Wednesday, 11th January.

“I believe that for the first time in a long time, Nigerians were afforded the opportunity to see what the home boys are capable of doing. Hitherto, they had always been used as training materials and the foreign based players would come a few days to a match and snatch the shirts.

“Now, the NFF has decided that everything would have to be in merit. We are delighted to have a new Head Coach who supports the vision of the administration and is ready for the hard work that is needed to get there.

“Mr. Keshi will get all the support that is necessary from the NFF for the continued camping of the home boys, and we will ensure that friendly matches are available to expose the team and give the players’ experience and confidence”, said Maigari.

The home boys, playing their first international after four weeks of camping in Abuja, which included the Yuletide period, stood firm against the ‘A’ team of Angola, which is heading to the 2012 African Cup of Nations finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, at the National Stadium, Abuja and came close to nicking the match with bold and beautiful moves.

Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwueke, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa and Papa Idris, midfielders Gabriel Reuben, Uche Ossai and Obinna Nwachukwu and forwards Sunday Mba, Kabiru Umar and Ejike Uzoenyi who started the match showed comfort, calmness and class on the ball against the vastly experienced Palancas Negras.

Maigari continued: “Already, we are reaching out to some State Governments to help with the camping programme of the team. There have been a couple of positive responses and we will move the team to any of the States that is ready, once the team returns from Liberia.

“You can recall that this is the same way that Mr. Clemens Westerhorf started his building of the team that qualified Nigeria for her first FIFA World Cup finals, won the African Cup of Nations finals in 1994 and impressed at the World Cup finals.

“The bulk of that team eventually won the Olympic football gold for Nigeria at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, USA – the first for Africa”, stated Maigari.

The Super Eagles will depart for Monrovia on Friday for the international friendly with the Lone Star of Liberia, which is scheduled for the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on Sunday evening. The team will return to Nigeria on Monday.

Keshi Rates Liberia High

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has warned his players not to expect an easy ride in the game against the Lone Star of Liberia, declaring that it would be a tougher game than the match against Angola ’s Pelanca Negras.

Keshi, who was reviewing the Angolan game as well as previewing Sunday’s encounter against Liberia in Monrovia with the players, said the Liberians are tough, more physical and will struggle for every ball come Sunday. “Apart from that they have a compact pitch, where you are going to confront hostile fans and they will further put you under pressure. You must be ready for the challenge and don’t expect that you will have an easy game.”

He revealed that he has played against Liberian national team as a player and coach and each time he came away with the notion that they are a crack side that any team underrates at its own peril.

He however challenged the players to forget the missed chances of the Angolan game and focus on Sunday’s game. “I want victory on Sunday and you must not look at the VIPs that will come for the match to give victory to Nigerians.” The team will depart Abuja on Friday for Monrovia .

Agari: Keshi Has Started Perfectly But…

Former NFA board member Ben Agari, has described as inspirational and a giant stride, Stephen Keshi’s fielding of a 100 per cent home based squad against the Pelanca Negras of Angola last Wednesday in Abuja in an international friendly.

Agari, said he has not seen the Nigerian senior national team play with such gusto and commitment in the last five years, even though the game ended goalless.

“We have seen that the liberation of our football fortunes lies with the home-based players and Keshi must be encouraged and the NFF must go look for money to sustain his camping of the national team for a long time”, he said.

Speaking further Agari said because he was so impressed with the team’s performance, he was forced to call NFF President Aminu Maigari, during the game to congratulate him for a job well done with the appointment of Keshi and the initiative to start with home grown talents.

The Benue born football administrator, however cautioned Keshi and his crew not to fall into the booby traps that past Nigerian handlers fell into by turning themselves into players’ managers which subsequently affected their selection patterns during games.

“I know Keshi is a thorough bred professional and will not allow that, but his assistants must also avoid that because it was part of the problem of the last coaching crew regime, when they turn themselves into players agent. I congratulate Keshi and I pray he remains on the course of professionalism and success will surely come to him and the victory hungry Nigerian football public”.

Eagles Dream Goals Against Liberia As Angola Keeper Salutes Team

The Super Eagles resumed training on Thursday in Abuja for the inauguration challenge duel against the Lone Star of Liberia, with one thing in mind, how to convert the several begging chances that they create into goals.

From Skipper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Oboabona Godfrey, Papa Idris and Azubuike Egwueke, who all shown like a million stars in the encounter against Angola’s Pelanca Negras, to midfielder, Sunday Mba, Ejike Ozoenyi, Ossai Uche and strikers Kabiru Umar and Uche Kalu, a resolution seemed to have been passed to go goals wire when it meets its next opponent on Sunday.

Hear Egwueke: We didn’t quite start well because it was our first game together but we still made a lot of efforts to dominate the game and never allowed our opponents to play. The only thing that we didn’t do was scoring, by God’s grace that will not happen in Liberia .

Mba on his part, was even angry with himself, noting that he missed at least two chances to score. “But we have another opportunity to prove ourselves and if the coaches still call me up to play I promise I will deliver the goals this time. The confidence is gradually building.”

Kalu said he was confident that he would be part of the team to Monrovia on Friday and he will justify his inclusion by scoring against Ellen Sirleaf Johnson’s country. “These set of coaches led by Stephen Keshi have so much confidence in us and we can’t afford to fail them”, he said.

Meanwhile, Angolan first choice goalie, Carlos Alberto Fernandes, has described the Super Eagles as one of the best sides he has ever played against in Africa , wondering how they did not make it to the 2012 Nations Cup. "Very good team, but maybe, bad luck. I won't be surprised if they win the next edition of the Nations Cup", he said.

Flamingoes Intensify Preparation For Kenya

The Under 17 Women’s National Team,have stepped up their preparation for the 2012 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Kenya.

CAF has confirmed that the first leg of the qualifying fixture will take place in Nairobi on January 21, with the second leg due in Nigeria two weeks after.

On January 2, the 31 players who survived the screening exercise supervized by Head Coach Peter Dedevbo resumed camping at the FIFA Technical Centre, Abuja, and were immediately met with an address by Dedevbo.

“Nigeria is the biggest powerhouse in women’s football in Africa, and what I must tell you is that everyone expects us to not only defeat Kenya, but go ahead to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. There are millions who also expect us to do well at the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.

“So, I must welcome you with a challenge of total commitment to the cause, and remind you of the importance of patriotism in everything you do”, said Dedevbo, who led the Class of 2010 that reached the World Cup quarter finals in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nigeria has featured in the past two editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, starting with the inaugural edition in New Zealand in 2008.

On Thursday, the Flamingoes edged Women Professional League club, Nasarawa Amazons 2-1 in a friendly game played at the FIFA Football Turf of the Technical Centre. The match was watched by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

Amadu said: “I think the technical crew members are doing a good job. The team is taking shape and I believe that come Saturday next week, we should get a good result in Nairobi”.

On Saturday, January 14, the Flamingoes will square up against another Women Professional League club, Confluence Queens of Lokoja, also on the FIFA Football Turf of the Technical Centre, Abuja.

The Flamingoes will fly to Nairobi aboard a Kenyan Airways flight next week.

NFF, LFA Agree To Shift Friendly Match.

The Nigeria Football Federation and the Liberia Football Association on Friday agreed to postpone, by two weeks, the international friendly match between the two countries’ Senior Men’s Teams, earlier billed for Sunday, January 15.

Officials of the two countries agreed to this shift in view of certain circumstances which would certainly have normalized within the next fortnight.

“The Nigeria Football Federation and the Liberia Football Association have both agreed to postpone the friendly match between their senior teams by two weeks, after which circumstances that have necessitated the shift would surely have normalized”, stated Barrister Musa Amadu, General Secretary of the NFF.

The match between the Super Eagles and the Lone Star will now take place at the end of January.

Only The Best Will Tackle Angola, Liberia

It was confession time for Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi on Thursday, but this time not about any vice on his part, but the fact that not all the 25 players still remaining in the national team’s camp will make to the two international friendlies against Angola and Liberia .

Addressing players and officials Keshi, who is still yet to make a decision on those who will make the trip, told the squad that all of them are good for the games ahead but went biblical, when he said “many are called but few are chosen. If you don’t make it this time, you might b the first to be called next time, so no bad blood please.

The message was clear and the determination on players faces to impress the coaching crew was obvious at the end of the day, Nigeria will present the best home-based squad against Angola and Liberia on August 11 and 15, in that order.

Celebration As Eagles Physio Hits 42

It was celebration galore on Wednesday, again, when the national team Physiotherapist, Wale Oladejo clocked 42 to the delight of players and officials in camp at Bolton White Hotels and Suites.

Unknown to many the birthday man has made arrangement to entertain players and officials of the team, during lunch without letting anyone know. But unlike Assistant Coach , Dan ‘the bull’ Amokachi who slaughtered a ram on New Year eve to mark his birthday, Oladejo chose to mark his birthday in a low key manner.

All Super Eagles players were offered soft drinks, officials took wine of their choice, with Head Coach Keshi toasting to the medical personnel’s long life, prosperity and wait for it quick recovery of any national team player suffering from any form of injury to which Oladejo and the team doctor, Abdulahi Gyarang assured will be taken care of.

Since the team resumed camp over two weeks ago, there have been two birthdays and one birth and a near perfect health and harmonious condition in camp.

Focus On Angola, Liberia Win

Contrary to views in some quarters that the national team is being distracted by the planned strike by labour unions over the removal of oil subsidy, players and officials were in gay mood at Thursday morning training, led by Head Coach Stephen Keshi.

Addressing the players moments before serious training started Big Boss Keshi, said he was sure that the two friendly games scheduled will be played as the NFF was working out the modalities for the test friendlies.

He thereafter took the players on shooting, dribbling skills, headings and under pressure reaction by national team players.

All the players in camp seemed to have gained equal level of confidence making it difficult for the coaching crew to decide on those that will feature in the games against Angola and Liberia . However, from Azubuike Egwueke, who captained the team against Lobi Stars to Papa Idris and the four alert goalkeepers it has been great expectation on what Angola and Liberia will offer.

Keshi himself has repeatedly told the players to go ahead and prove that they have the capacity to play big games and help him reduce the number of foreign based players that will be invited, otherwise there will be no sentiments.

Pillars Disown Gambo Over Eagles Snub

The Kano Pillars management, has openly declared that it has no hand and can’t explain why one of its players Gambo Mohammed has not reported to the national camp one week after he was released for national assignment.

Pillars Spokesman, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa, told the Super Eagles media team on phone from Kano , that he was at a loss over why the player has not resumed in the national team’s camp, as he was also not in the camp of the Pillars’side.

On the second player, Musa Musa, Mlikawa said he was not too sure whether a formal letter was written but that the team’s management will quickly work on the matter to ensure that if such a request was made the player is released immediately.

Eagles officials, have already said they were not too keen on players who will not respond promptly to national team call up as they may prove disciplinary worries whenever they come to camp.

Iorfa, John Zaki Hail Home Eagles

Lobi Technical Adviser, Dominic Iorfa, was full of praises for the Super Eagles after their friendly on Wednesday in Abuja , but added that the team is still work in progress and Nigerians must support the work of the national team handlers led by Stephen Keshi.

Chief Coach of Lobi Stars, John Zaki, was more open and objective in his assessment of the national team, declaring that the team has evolved and must be kept together in the rebuilding process. “This type of structure was the one that brought some us to national limelight and Keshi and his crew must be commended for bringing back the glory days of the national team. I saw a team that will bring us joy in the near future. It’s not easy to play a team that has been together like ours like this that is why we must commend the work the coaches are doing.

On areas of improvement, he said the coaching crew has enough experience and have been with the players for sometimes to know what to do to remake the team. “I’m just happy that we are giving the home-based players a chance to rediscover themselves.

On his part, Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, said the team still has a long way to go as he continues the rebuilding process. “We’re building a new team and we expect many obstacles, but we will cross all the bridges and raise a team that Nigerians will be proud.” He again reiterated the fact that he would not dump the home-based players as long as the give enough reason to be part of the national team.

Eagles Maul Lobi Stars 3-1

There was a marked improvement in the performance of the national team; Super Eagles as they continue their build-up for the forthcoming international friendlies in what has now been styled the rebuilding process of the national team.

Playing a 4-4-2 formation with Sharks Okemute Odah, starting in goal, Papa Idris pairing new skipper, Azubuike Egwueke, Juwon Oshaniwa and Kola Anubi completing the back four.

Ejike Ejike, played in the left side of the midfield, Kabir Umar, was also there, while Sunday Mba, and Obinna Nwachukwu completes the list upfront.

The game started on a cautious note, with former Super Eagles speed star, Dominic Iorfa directing the Lobi bench along side, John Zaki, against the star-studded Nigerian bench led by Stephen Keshi.

But it was the Lobi side that fired the first salvo, when number 4 shirted Terna Ikpeen, attempted a shot at Okemute that blew dangerously wide. Minutes later, the Eagles reacted and it was a spectacular goal as the combination of Juwon and Kabir, find Ejike in the vital area and he promptly blasted home for the opener, just after just seven minutes.

Kabir himself was to score the second goal deep into the half in the 34th minute after another fine exchanges between the midfield and the attack. By this time, the bench was animated with Keshi, beaming with smiles over the observations that his wards were finally putting into practice what he has been teaching them in practice sessions.

The first half ended 2-0 in favour of the Nigerian national team.

In the second half, the Super Eagles as has become their tradition made some changes with Chigozie Agbim, in for Okemute in goal and others like Godfrey Obenebo, Izu Azuka, youth corps boy, Stephen Morah, Gbenga Arokoyo and mosquito man Bathlomew Ibenegbu, all coming into the fray.

The half went on with a lot of events with Lobi goalie John Lawrence, the busier of the two. It was as if the game was going to be a 2-0 scoreline, until substitutes Izu Azuka, popped up to score a third for the national team, after being fed by the youth corps member deep on the left side of the attack.

That goal took out the sting in the Lobi side and they reacted immediately with a beautiful headed goal from Timothy Imenger. Officials of both sides expressed satisfaction with the game and wished for a batter time next time.

FIFA Referees Now To Handle NPL ‘Star Matches’

Only FIFA-badged referees will be listed to handle those games designated as ‘star matches’ when the Nigeria Premier League season kicks off on Saturday, so says Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Muazu Suleyman.

Speaking at the badging of Nigerian FIFA referees for the Year 2012 in Abuja on Wednesday, Suleyman said this is with a view to exposing the referees in order for world football-governing body, FIFA and continental body, CAF to appreciate their quality and give them more important assignments.

A total of 27 Nigerian referees received FIFA badges in various categories at the event that took place at the National Institute for Sports, inside the National Stadium, Abuja.

Also speaking at the occasion, which began with a minute’s silence in honour of FIFA referee Auwalu Barau who died exactly a month earlier, NFF President Aminu Maigari challenged the strive harder in their assignments in order to be accorded bigger duties by FIFA.

“There is no doubt that the Nigerian referee has proved himself time and again at international level in the past three decades. Yet, we just have to do more. Nigerian referees are not getting the kind of recognition that is deserving of the stature of Nigeria in international football.

“While the Nigeria Football Federation continues to make case for Nigerian referees to be assigned more international duties than they are presently considered for, it is also continent upon our referees to help this campaign with their conduct during the international games that they get.

“At every opportunity granted, Nigerian referees must ensure they comport themselves well and observe the rules of the game to the letter, which would in turn recommend them for higher responsibilities and also recommend other Nigerian referees for consideration for important assignments.

“This badge is sacrosanct. It is not to be defiled through improper conduct, graceless carriage, irresponsible behaviour and uncouth utterances. It is to be respected and treated with honour and deference”, said Maigari, whose speech was delivered by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

NFF Commends Seriousness In Eagles’ Camp

The Nigeria Football Federation has given thumbs up to Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi for the seriousness he has injected into the team’s camp since resuming barely two months ago.

General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu made the comment on Wednesday after watching the home boys thrashing Nigeria Premier League side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi 3-1 in a training match at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Abuja.

“One can see a seriousness that is commendable and there is also good fighting spirit in there. I think the new management of the team deserves applause for the way they have gone about their job and letting the players know thaty commitment is key”, stated Amadu, who attended the match with Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and chief media officer, Ademola Olajire.

Keshi ran out largely foreign-based players in two international friendlies in November – a 0-0 draw with Botswana in Benin City and a 2-0 defeat of Zambia in Kaduna – and looks forward to two more international friendlies this month as he builds a new Super Eagles ahead of the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali at the end of next month.

Goals by Kabir Umar, Sunday Mba and Izu Azuka gave the Super Eagles victory against the feisty Lobi Stars, also preparing for the kick-off of the Nigeria Premier League season 2011/2012 starting on Saturday.

The Eagles will entertain Palancas Negras of Angola in Nigeria on January 11 before flying to Monrovia to take on the Lone Star at the Antoinette Taubman Stadium on January 15.

CAF Unveils AFCON Ball

The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the official Adidas match ball for the African Cup of Nations 2012.

The ball is named ”Comoequa” after the Como River, which runs through the co-hosts of the tournament, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Comoequa shares the same construction as the Tango 12, the official match ball for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament.

This is the third ball Adidas has provided to CAF and it was the previous official supplier of the Wawa Aba ball in 2008 and the Jabulani ball in 2010.

NFF To Appoint Technical Director In January.

The chairman of Rivers State Football Association, Chris Green, has shed light on the pending appointment of a National Technical Director.

He said the Technical Committee had also made a recommendation to the NFF Executive Committee for the aappointment of a technical director.

Green, assured that a decision would be taken when the Executive Committee of the NFF meets this month.

Meanwhile, 31 players who survived the screening exercise for the new Under 17 National Women’s Team, also known as Flamingoes, have resumed camping in Abuja ahead of the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying.

The first leg against Kenya will take place in Nairobi on the 21st of January, 2012.

We Will Name Super Falcons’ Coach This Month, Says Green

The Nigeria Football Federation has resolved to ratify the appointment of a new Head coac of the Super Falcons this month.

Barrister Chris Green, who is chairman of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee, said the committee had made recommendations to the Executive Committee of the NFF as the Federation is expected to meet to deliberate on the recommendations and make a decision this month.

“We don’t understand the hue and cry by some persons who did very little to promote the women’s game and the women National Teams when they were in the position to do so. As far as the Technical Committee is concerned, we have made recommendations to the Executive Committee and the latter will sit to deliberate on the recommendations and make a decision this month”, said Barrister Chris Green, who is chairman of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee.

Green said the Technical Sub-Committee had high regard for the women’s game because women football has brought so much glory to the country in the past two decades, thus the NFF has no reason to treat women’s football with disdain.

“The truth is that some of those who are now crying wolf had opportunities to do far more for the women’s game when they in position of authority but chose to pursue other interests”, stated Green, who also noted that the Super Falcons have no engagement for now, before a 2012 African Women Championship qualifier at the end of May 2012.



Green,noted that the Super Falcons have no engagement for now, before a 2012 African Women Championship qualifier at the end of May 2012.

FIFA Appoints Maigari Committee Member

World football –governing body, FIFA, has appointed the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari as a member of its Players’ Status Committee.

The Players’ Status Committee is one of the most powerful committees in FIFA.

His appointment was contained in a letter FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation.

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, has announced at the 61st FIFA Congress in Zurich on 31 May and 1 June, 2011, the composition of the FIFA standing committees which has now been revised and completely restructured.

Maigari, a member of the NFF Executive Committee between 2006 and 2010, has been President of the Nigeria Football Federation since August 2010.

Pillars Duo Anger Eagles Crew

The technical crew of the national team maybe forced to report the Kano Pillars duo of Gambo Mohamaed and Musa Musa, to the NFF leadership, following their refusal to report to the camp of the team in Abuja .

Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi and his assistants, were not happy that after over a week of their invitation, the two players still refused to report to camp without any cogent reason. Other Kano Pillars players invited to camp have since reported.

“We want to give players from all kind of background the opportunity to break into the main national team, but the attitude of some of the players is not encouraging at all and we must checkmate them, because it’s indiscipline of the highest order”, Keshi said.

If the NFF reacts to the players’ absence, they may be barred from featuring for their clubs, when hopefully the Nigeria Premier League season starts next weekend.

Super Eagles Coordinator Emmanuel Atta, said Pillars club officials have also been evasive over the players continued absence from camp, noting that the duo are needed to fortify the team ahead of the forthcoming friendlies against Angola and Liberia.

I Never Wrote Off Black Stars-Keshi

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has reacted angrily to reports quoting him as saying Ghana Black Stars does not have the quality of players that can win this year’s Nations Cup being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea .

Reacting to Black Stars Assistant Coach, Kwesi Appiah’s tirade against him over the issue, Keshi said he was misquoted by the media over the matter.

“I was asked to name my favourites teams to win the Nations Cup and I said on paper, Cote D’ Ivoire and Senegal, have the strongest teams, but tournaments like that are full of surprises. Maybe, because I did not list Ghana and the question was asked on Ghana soil, the journalist decided to say I have written Ghana off. How can I write off a team that made it to the quarter finals of the last World Cup”.

He advised the Ghanaian team to step up preparations for the tournament, instead of wasting ample time reacting to what they perceived as an attack on the Black Stars. “Everything team that has qualified is capable of wining the championship, but you will agree with me that some teams are rated higher than others even by FIFA, that is what I simply said.”

Lobi Comes To Town, As Goalie Names Baby

The Super Eagles are expected to play a tough test match on Wednesday when they confront Lobi Stars of Makurdi, in a crunch tie at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium.

The game is scheduled for 10am in the morning and it would further give team officials an insight into the readiness of the team for the forthcoming friendlies against Angola and Liberia in the coming weeks.

There were strong indications that other Premier League sides will test their might against the home-based lads before the friendlies.

Meanwhile, one of the goalkeepers in camp Enyimba of Aba’s Godwin Paul, whose wife gave birth on Christmas eve while the player was in camp was given the opportunity to go for the naming ceremony of the baby at the weekend and came back beaming with smiles during Tuesday morning training.

When asked by ‘Big Boss Stephen Keshi, what the name of the baby girl is , he said ‘Queen’ to which Keshi promised that a king will be found for the bouncing baby girl.

Wahid Enitan Oshodi Speaks On National Sports Festival.

As the Lagos State Government gets set for the 2012 National Sports Festival, the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Develoment, Honourable Wahid Enitan Oshodi, speaks on the readiness of the state for the sports fista in November, 2012.


Lagos can set the pace for others to follow with 18th National Sports Festival, says Oshodi.

The recent signing of protocol agreement between Lagos State and the National Sports Commission (NSC) has kick-started the 18th National Sports Festival to be hosted by Lagos in 2012. However, the State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, who is an astute sports administrator, has also put his job on line to ensure that the state set the standard for others to follow in terms of hosting major sporting events. Oshodi, whose tenure as the chairman of the State Table Tennis Association threw up lots of talents for the country with his managerial skills and transparent style, which attracted lots of sponsors to the game. He told journalists recently that he was optimistic that the state hopes to use the festival to champion the needed revival of sports in the country.


What was the recently protocol agreement signed between Lagos State and NSC meant?

Well, they are two things. Legally the agreement set out the tasks that are to be imposed upon the state hosting the National Sports Festival as well as the work being done by NSC with regards to the festival.

More importantly, what it does now is that it tells us where our preparation needs to go. We have to double up our efforts with regards to our venues and accommodation for the athletes even training for our own athletes. January 2012 is going to be a very important month with regards to kick off. I have said that we will use six months to settle down to plan and we have done this.

His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has been supportive in all our works. Now, it is time for the work to show. Lagos will not leave on its past glory, we are setting out new glory in the coming year.

We have a massive crop of young athletes and it is time now to harness those athletes and get them develop for the future. Like the governor had said, winning the festival is not the main aim but the important thing about us hosting the festival is that we will host fairly for the first time in a long time, there will not be allegation of cheating, defection and we will ensure along with NSC that has given us the assurance, we will ensure that this will be a free and fair festival.

More importantly what you know with Lagos that you will have is that the fan base is massive. I keep on saying that every state has a massive fan base here in Lagos and it is our job to bring them to the stadium and halls to support their states.

What we intend to do is to put up a great show. Everybody talks about the Rivers State opening and closing ceremonies. These were good opening and closing ceremonies but there were one or two problems, as we all know during the festival itself. We must commend Rivers State but we must now try to improve upon what they did especially in the areas of organization, transportation and accommodation.

We have to improve upon these things festival to festival. Like I keep on saying that the Director General of NSC, Patrick Ekeji has been so supportive so far and we expect their support throughout.

The festival belongs to all of Nigeria. We will be hosting and we will show off the best of Lagos. The 2009 U-19 World Cup has come and gone and everybody remembered how fantastic that was and it is history now. We are looking forward to the future. We will deliver full stadium and this is something that has never really happened at the National Sports Festival. Our intention is to deliver full stadium at every event because what motivates the athletes is the support.

We will ensure that the stadiums are full. Our private sector partners will get the best of publicity. The brands that had supported us in the past, we know they will be on board again. So, Lagos is now hosting not by choice but by the fact that it is the centre of excellence in Nigeria. We have to also replicate this in sports as well.

The National Sports Festival at the end of 2012, we pray and we will work hard, I think will be a time for us to say Lagos you have done it again.

How hot has been the seat of the Sports Commissioner of Lagos State in the last six months?

When I came on board, I told my friends in the media that we would need some time to settle down. They said to me, you have been in sports for a very long time, why did you need to settle down? I said it is a different seat and we found out that it is a different seat entirely.

It is easier when you are chairman of an association or member of the sports council even as private sector supporter of sports, it is much easier. But here, when you are on this seat now, there are lots of decision that have to be taken especially going into festival year. It is an Olympics year, all the states have to support NSC as well and there are lot of works involve.

In Lagos, you are not just a commissioner for your ministry, we are a team and it is a team effort. We support one another and thankful my colleagues have been very supportive. Sports is what I was brought in to work on and this is my constituency and with the support I have received from the media so far, I think it has lessen the impact of the problem that we have. But we are working on those problems and we have set out plans to deal with most of the problems, as we have to continue to develop our infrastructure.

We have to develop school sports, which I believe is the main focus of this administration. We go back to the schools because Nigeria was a successful nation when school sports was strong.

In Lagos, we have to set the pace again. The ministry of education is partnering with us and we are bringing back the school games and events as well as getting equipment into the schools where talents will emerge. The most difficult part is trying to get load of schools in Lagos involve but we have to get to all of them because we don’t know where talent is hiding.

Dearth of qualified games masters in schools, what is Lagos going to do about this?
You have raised a good point in that way. But the first step I think is that we have over a thousand schools in Lagos – Senior Secondary School, we cannot definitely lure a thousand coaches. But what we can do is to train the Physical Education teachers so that they can give the students a basic foundation in sports.

Once we do that, that is when you identify the talented athletes and we bring them to the districts and upward to the centre. You are right because we also require more coaches but again I keep going back to His Excellency who have been supportive and he has assured us that we will have all the people we will need to do this work.

We are hopeful that in 2012 the plans we have made will begin to show and we are really thankful to Ministry of Education because co-ordinating the children is a very difficult task but they have managed to do that. Everybody should remember that there are 20 million people in Lagos, which tells you the story of the schools. But we have had a few school events already and what we have seen has encouraged us greatly. We know we can do more and we shall be doing more in coming year.

Why did you put your job at stake in terms of the state hosting the festival?

It is a simple thing and this is something I believe in Nigeria we have to look out more critically. If you are a man of honour and you set out to do a job properly and if at the end of the day, you fail completely.

I think honour behooves that you leave that job for somebody else to try. It does not necessarily mean you are a failure but it means is that probably somebody else can do it better than you. So it is a discussion between His Excellency and I have had.

His Excellency is fully in support of the sports festival but then he also look at it that in Lagos, we have other critical issues to deal with and we are dealing with those issues.

But at the same time, he recognizes the importance of physical well-being of the populace and he knows that the festival will encourage that. Not only will the festival encouraged that, it will help in boosting our economy, develop our infrastructure and most importantly, it will bring our youth together in one big event.

Like I said, I am very happy in my job and I don’t want to lose it and I am working hard to ensure that we succeed. But in Lagos, we don’t know failure. We plan properly, do our team work and pray to God that we succeed.

I believe the next template of how event should be held in Lagos. It is not going to be a sporting event alone, it is an entertainment event and we are bringing the best of the state out on show. We are hopeful, 2012 is going to be a very busy year as the Olympics is coming.

I am personally doing my work with NOC on the issue of sports arbitration. Something we feel will be very important and useful during the festival. Hopefully, the festival will be the first test of the sports arbitration.

There is a lot of work to be done and we will continue seeking for the support of the media.