By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh has called on the private sector to key into the “Adopt a facility” scheme of the ministry.

The minister made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the handover of the renovated Abuja National Stadium training pitch by AfriKing Homes to the ministry under the expanded ‘Adopt a facility scheme.’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the expanded scheme encourages the private sector to ‘adopt’ and invest in sporting facilities in the country.

Enoh commended the real estate company for the successful completion and handover of the strategic project within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

NAN reports that the company assumed responsibility for rehabilitating the training pitch earlier this year as part of the “Adopt-A- Pitch” initiative by former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

Enoh urged other corporate entities to follow suit and actively participate in similar ventures.

He reiterated that by the provision of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP), the ministry was ready to collaborate with the private sector to advance sports development.

“This is no-easy feat, and it is driven by passion and benevolence, love for the sports and love for the country.

“The Sports Ministry commends this effort and is proud of Afri Kings Homes Ltd. for this gesture. It is a partnership that we will continue to nurture for national interest.

“Incidentally, the Ministry of Sports Development under my leadership has also committed itself to sustaining the programme under which AfriKings Homes undertook this project.

“The only difference is that it is now called Adopt-A-Facility programme. In the view of the Ministry, a facility encompasses more. As we deal with several other sporting federations, we want to ensure the window is open for all federations to thrive,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of AfriKing Homes, Kingsley Awodi, highlighted the company’s dedication to the project.

He stated that the rejuvenation of Practice Pitch 1 of the stadium was a part of the company’s corporate responsibility to support the government in enhancing the nation’s sporting infrastructure.

He assured the minister of the company’s unwavering commitment to the maintenance and upkeep of the facility for the next two years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Muhyideen Jimoh

As ministers mark 100 days in office, the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh has pledged to step up his holistic drive to reposition Nigeria’s sports sector.

The minister made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja at a news conference to mark his 100 days in office.

He said the last 100 days had been laced with meeting stakeholders with a view to setting a clear direction on sports development in the country.

Enoh reiterated his administration’s resolve to focus on grassroots development, infrastructure, training and implementation of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIIP).

“What we have chosen to do (on this 100 days in office) is to have a meeting at the ministry’s level, with all departments and directors and provide a clear direction about what the focus is and what the future looks like.

“What we are trying to do is to open up the sector in terms of engagement with stakeholders, we want to navigate the sports eco-system,” he said.

The minister said going forward, fostering grassroots development, establishing a functional Anti-Doping Commission, restructuring the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and implementation of the NISP would take the front burner.

“We are committed to the submission of the National Anti-Doping Commission Establishment Bill to the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly for ratification within the forthcoming weeks.

“Having a legislation that sets up the National Anti-Doping Commission is going to be one of the clearest and strongest actions that the country would have taken to tackle doping,” he said.

Enoh also stressed the need to monitor and nurture young athletes discovered from the annual National Youth Games (NYG) and ensure better funding/efficiency for the sports federations.

He called on all stakeholders to join the ministry in its efforts to reposition the sports sector in line with global best practices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enoh assumed duty as the 36th Minister of Sports Development on Aug. 21 with a pledge to reposition the sports sector. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, has called for renewed focus on quality training and exposure for indigenous coaches in order to take Nigerian sports to a higher pedestal.

The minister made the call on Tuesday in Abuja when the leadership of the Sports Coaches Association of Nigeria (SCAN) led by its President, Gabriel Opuana, paid him a courtesy visit.

Enoh described coaching as a critical aspect of sports development that must be given more attention in Nigeria, if the country is to return to its glorious days in sports.

” There must be a conscious plan for the progress and development of our coaches because the quality of our teams in different sports is largely going to be a function of the quality of coaching.

“The sports sector is a very dynamic one with the teams increasingly and ever changing, so you need to be up to date with your coaching,” he said.

The minister pledged the ministry’s readiness to work with relevant stakeholders to beam focus on the coaching sector with a view to raising the standard in line with international best practices.

“The Ministry of Sports Development is going to give a lot of attention to the coaching aspect of our sports development.

” A lot of time, we pay more attention to the athletes themselves than to those who produce these athletes, those who bring out the best of these athlete.

” So it is important we re-direct our focus,” he said.

Enoh said plans were underway to reposition the National Institute for Sports (NIS), starting with exploring ways to partner with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the areas of training and research.

He thanked the coaches’ association for the visit, while charging them to do more as critical stakeholders in the sports eco-system.

Earlier, Opuana said the association was an umbrella body for all Nigerian coaches both within and outside the country.

He said properly trained coaches could serve as the catalyst for Nigeria’s resurgence in sports.

“It is difficult to think of the future of sports in Nigeria without the active participation of qualified coaches in such a way that their dignity and integrity is acknowledged and guaranteed through access to quality education, jobs, sports amenities and facilities,” he said.

Opuana therefore called on the minister to immediately set up a proactive committee to raise funds through the private sector for the development of sports since government alone cannot do it.

He also stressed the need for early preparations for Nigeria to do well in the forth coming African Games in Accra and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Opuana said the association would continue to work with other stakeholders to create the conducive environment for sports coaches to produce top athletes for the country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

By Victor Okoye

Nnenna Ahube, Lady Captain of the Bonny Island Golf Club (BIGC), NigeriaLNG Ltd., has emerged as the winner of the 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahube who represented the Eastern Zone finished as the overall winner on Sunday after playing 251 gross over three days.

Ahube playing handicap (HCP) 12, returned a gross scores of 85, 81 and 85 on a three consecutive days totaling 251 gross.

The result saw her triumph over no fewer than 125 lady golfers who competed for the prestigious 2023 Nigerian Ladies Open trophy at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.

“I came all the way to represent the Eastern zone and today, I am taking the trophy home from Abuja to Bonny Island.

“I played with amazing ladies from different golf clubs across the country.

“It was just my lucky day. I mean, it was exhausting but golf is what it is,” Ahube said.

She, however noted that the course was quite challenging as it was her first experience playing at the TYB International Golf Resort Resort and Club.

The BIGC lady captain expressed joy that she was able to surmount all the challenges at the end of the pulsating encounter.

“On the zonal competition which was my first day, I played six on hole one but then the three days of the championship, I played pars on them.

“And then we got to hole three where the flag was placed in a very difficult position.

“I saw some people play 12, 14, but I made it. I was three on the green and ended up playing out 7.

“So, those were my highlights and most challenging holes on the final day,” she said.

Ahube was closely followed by Blessing Obaje from Northern zone with a total score of 253 over 18 holes in the handicap 0-18 category.

Comfort Adokole with 255 gross and Rita Izoje with 261 gross finished as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

In the Auxiliary prizes, Obioma Elijah shot 230 metres off tee, which was adjudged as the longest drive on Day 1.

Grace Ogeili with a 245 metres off tee effort, won the prize for the longest drive on Day 2.

Angel Ajuzie won the nearest to the pin prize with her 4.2 metres effort on Day 1, while Faith Otunyo won nearest to the pin with a 6.7 metres effort on Day 2.

NAN also reports that Sandra Emina and Igho Ugbehu of the Southern Zone won the zonal competition which had West, East and Northern zones vie for honours.

Sandra Komakech and Blessing Obaje who both represented the Northern Zone finished second.

The duo of Helen Ayo and Nnena Ahube of the Eastern Zone settled for the third position, while the pair of Hauwa Adamu and Susan Marcus of the Western Zone finished at the bottom of the log.

The Northern Zone representatives impressed the judges the most in the march past parade and were adjudged the winners, followed by the Eastern Zone in second position.

The Western and Southern Zone finished third and fourth respectively.

The 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open which was organised by LGAN began on Thursday and ended on Sunday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Victor Okoye

The Nigeria Boxing Referees/Judges Association has rejected the move by a former president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Kenneth Minimah, to withdraw Nigeria from the International Boxing Association (IBA).

This is contained in a communique signed on Monday in Abuja by Etim Okon, the association’s president, after their meeting.

According to the communique, members of the association also declared their full support for the emergence of Azania Omo-Agege as the interim President of NBF.

“The Nigerian Boxing Referees/Judges Association, a federating body of the NBF wishes to state inter-alia:

“That we are still federating under the International Boxing Association (IBA).

“That we have not joined nor do we intend to join the so-called ‘World Boxing’.

“That if a few persons parading themselves to represent this association does so, they do that representing their parochial interest and not the generality of this association.

“That at no time was a meeting or form of plebiscite conducted to ask where we will like to federate under,” it said.

The members of the association stated unequivocally clear that they were totally and wholly with the administration of Omo-Agege.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omo-Agege is the interim President of NBF and Vice-President of the African Boxing Confederation (ABC) and the IBA. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Victor Okoye

Lami Ahmed, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Zonal Vice-Presidential candidate for the North, has called for participation of more women in the game of golf.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmed is vying for the position of the LGAN Zonal Vice-President, North, at the upcoming elections.

The election is expected to take place immediately after the 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open, organised by LGAN in Abuja.

The event began on Thursday and is expected to end on Sunday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club.

Ahmed told NAN on the sidelines of the tournament on Saturday that her agenda was to ensure the active participation of ladies in the Northern Zone, in golf.

“When I become the zonal vice-president, North, by the grace of God, my agenda will be majorly focused on the Northern ladies.

“One of the things I want to bring on board is to have more women playing golf.

“I will also ensure that more clubs in the North that are in existence and don’t have the ladies section become active in that area.

“I want to meet one-on-one with the captains of these various clubs to give opportunities to the ladies, their wives, sisters, and so on, to play,” she said.

She also said that her concern was the well-being of the Ladies in the North, adding that playing golf was a sure way for them to stay healthy.

The former Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club also pointed out that golf was one out of the few sports one never retires from playing.

“Golf is a game of life and we are also interested in the well-being of women and one of the ways to improve our well-being is to ensure that ladies play golf.

“If you compare all the games that people play now – football, table-tennis, squash, and so on, golf is one of the very few games that you can play from cradle to your old age, and it is very healthy.

“So, women should be entitled to play such a game that is so beneficial to their health,” she said.

She described golf as a unifying factor, adding that there was a need for ladies in the North to develop a strong bond that could go beyond the game.

“I also want to see a United Northern ladies where we come together to build a team and become friends so that we can take relationships beyond golf.

“Golf brings us together but we are first of all human beings before becoming golf players.

“So we must play together, love each other, come out and enjoy ourselves for recreation,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited By Emmanuel Afonne

By Victor Okoye

Some members of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and golf enthusiasts have showered encomium on their president, Juliet Monyei-Inyere, as she prepares to bow out from the association’s top position.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Monyei-Inyere will be handing over to her successor at the the end of the 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open in Abuja.

The 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open, which is being organised by LGAN, began on Thursday and is expected to end on Sunday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.

A cross section of LGAN members and golf enthusiasts who spoke with NAN on the sidelines of the tournament on Friday said Monyei-Inyere was an outstanding president who left an indelible mark on the association.

AVM David Solomon, the vice-president, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), who represented the president, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, at the event said the out-going president had left a good legacy for her predecessor.

“LGAN has been a very strong association and the ladies have been up and doing.

“The out-going president to my mind has done very well. She is a mobiliser and has tried to mobilise the women.

“We have met in several of their opens and she did very well,” he said.

Runsewe urged the LGAN members to rally round and support the incoming president so as to ensure the legacy in which Monyei-Inyere has built is sustained.

“LGAN must strive and the ladies must be seen to be very participatory in the game of golf and I am confident that they are up to the challenge.

“Somehow, whenever the ladies organise events, it is always a good one.

“You can see it from the ambiance, colour, feeding and hospitality arrangement which is top notch,” he said.

Lami Ahmed, Dr Lami Ahmed, former Lady Captain of IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja, and LGAN Zonal Vice-presidential candidate for the North said Monyei-Inyere was a good leader.

“Our president is a fantastic person. Her slogan is ‘We move’ because that’s who she is.

“She is very active and very resourceful. She is a team player as well as a relationship builder,” she said.

She noted that one major thing which stood out during the out-going president’s tenure was her ability to bring everybody together.

She said Monyei-Inyere brought unity amongst ladies and reduced internal crisis and clashes in LGAN.

“So, she will be remembered as a good leader and a very happy player because wherever she is she radiates.

“She was also able to project the association beyond the borders of Nigeria.

“Like today, we have players from not just from every part of the country, but also from other parts of Africa playing with us,” she said.

Nnenna Ahube, Lady Captain of Bonny Island Golf Club (BIGC), said the out-going president had done so much for LGAN and was crowning her success with a well-organised and befitting tournament.

“She is ‘We move’ lady. She is a conqueror and an amazing person.

“She has indeed brought LGAN this far and we can’t look back and not remember all that she has done for the association.

“She is, indeed, a mover and shaker,” she said.

Ali Peters, the Vice Captain, TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, said the out-going president had moved LGAN forward and championed the active participation of women in golf.

“On behalf of the captain and the grand patron, we welcome the ladies here today and congratulate Monyei-Inyere on the end of a very successful tournament.

“The out-going president has, indeed, done very well to move LGAN forward. She has encouraged more ladies to come and united them.

“She is also promoting more active participation of women in the game of golf,” he said.

Peters noted that the LGAN tournament was the first event to be hosted by the club following its re-opening by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja.

“Our well-expanded greens and new club house are a beauty to behold.

“We are happy that we are attracting big events to this golf course and we look forward to more events here.

“That is why the army is also investing to make sure that people can come and recreate, play golf and also enjoy our club house,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Victor Okoye

No fewer than 128 players are set to slug it out for honours in the BSL Abuja Squash competition scheduled to take place between Nov. 27 and Dec. 2.

Boye Oyerinde, President, Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the week-long competition would see a pool of 64 players in both the female and male categories compete for mouth-watering prizes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prestigious squash competition is expected to serve off at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja.

Oyerinde said that a one million naira prize purse have been earmarked for the competition with an equal prize pool of N500,000 for each category.

He said there would also be a 250,000 naira prize money for the runners up, while the semi-finalists will smile home with 100,000 naira each.

Oyerinde said that there was a provision for other cash prizes for the quarterfinalists, Round of 16 as well as Round of 32 players.

“The Abuja Squash Open 2023 which is being hosted by BSL Sports will bring together top-tier players from across the region.

“The stakes are high, making the competition fierce and thrilling for participants and spectators alike.

“This prestigious event, powered by Child Care and Wellness Clinics, promises an exhilarating week of intense competition, camaraderie, and sportsmanship,” he said.

He noted that in a significant boost to the squash community, the tournament had garnered support not just from the federation alone, but other esteemed partners.

He said their collaboration underscored the event’s significance and sets the stage for an exceptional sporting spectacle.

Pascal Ezeh, Creative Director of BSL said registration for the event was open to all categories of players who wish to showcase their talent on the squash court.

He said that there would also be other side attractions, including a raffle draw which will see a lucky winner smile home with a brand new car as well as rackets, squash balls and many more.

“Interested players can register online at BSL Sports Website www.bslsports.net to secure their spot in this thrilling competition.

“BSL Sports is committed to promoting squash as a sport that embodies discipline, teamwork, and passion.

“The Abuja Squash Open 2023 promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together squash enthusiasts, players, and supporters from diverse backgrounds.

“We are immensely grateful for the support from Child Care and Wellness Clinics, the PSA World Tour, the Nigerian Squash Federation, and the Abuja Squash Club,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh