By Emmanuel Afonne

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has started talks with the Heritage Times (HT), a notable global media platform, to advance the course of grassroots sports development in the country.

A statement signed by Ikenna Okonkwo, Secretary-General of SWAN, said that the partnership would also ensure that the memory of active and late Nigerian sports icons were preserved through a well-harmonised compendium.

SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, who led a delegation to the Heritage Times headquarters in Abuja, was quoted in the statement as saying that the association would ensure that the partnership got the desired mileage.

Isaiah commended Publisher of Heritage Times, Moses Siasia, for his determination and contributions in the media which had benefitted many journalists, including sports writers.

“You have continued to manifest as a shining light in both the media industry and other sectors within Nigeria and beyond. We are also aware of so many initiatives you have embarked upon to develop the potentials of young Nigerians.

“Indeed, such efforts reduce the pressure on the government to engage the young population. We can only urge you not to relent.

“It’s our desire to partner your organisation to do what you ordinarily have passion for in the area of discovery and empowerment of talented Nigerians.

“And there’s no other better means of engaging the youth meaningfully other than using sports as a tool.

“So, we are ready to go all the way with you and make more impacts across the country,” Isaiah said.

Siasia, while responding, pledged the readiness of his organisation to partner SWAN in using sports as a leading employer of labour across the globe to unify Nigerians through timely and regular use of media channels.

He said his organisation was ready to offer the needed support in strengthening the unity of the country through sporting tournaments at the grassroots, as a way of advocating peace.

Siasia said, “We should be thinking about how we can partner in grassroots football and basketball competitions, as well as other areas of sports.

“This should be open to the vulnerable, people who are exceptionally talented but lack the means; this should be a means to support them to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

“Also, in Niger Delta, North East, South East and other parts of the country, we can use sporting activities to foster unity among the people in these regions prone to crisis.

“Sports brings everyone together in the table of peace, so we must not neglect that,” he said.

On the proper documentation of the memory of late and living sports legends, Siasia stated that energy should be deployed in preserving the memories of legends of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

“You can do this so that our people can read and study. It is a way of preserving their history for the selfless services they offered to our country; the likes of Samson Siasia, Finidi George, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Rashidi Yekini and those before them.

“We are ready to support all efforts to keep their memories alive, and this is the best we can do to appreciate them.”

Siasia urged sportswriters to use their pen to drive awareness and sell the Nigerian brand, especially the national premiership so that it can form a talking point in public discourse.

He tasked sportswriters to work tirelessly to leave a legacy for which they would be remembered for at all times. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

By Victor Okoye

Mouktar Mohammed, the Chairman, FCT Football Association, says Nigerian clubs can become a success story in terms of growth and development, using the FC Bayern Munich model.

Mohammed spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday from Munich, Germany where he is currently on a tour of Bundesliga side, FC Bayern Munich Football Club.

He said that Bundesliga clubs have continued to lay down the standards for the rest of the world, in terms of financing, structure, sponsorship and followership.

“I had the rare opportunity to see the dynamics that have made the clubs in the German top-flight the most profitable in the world football.

“I think Nigerian clubs can indeed learn a lot from Bundesliga sides that go into commercial partnership with local companies in their respective areas.

“They draw financial strength from such contracts, rather than go cap-in-hand to state governors, who in Nigeria will starve them of funds,” he said.

The FCT boss said the tour brought to the fore the begging question of why Nigerian clubs always begging from hand- to-mouth from self-serving state governors.

He alleged that these governors usually see the clubs as mere pawns to be used in their hands to fester their selfish and inordinate desires.

Mohammed said that unlike the Nigerian League, the Bundesliga is financially strong and founded on a business model.

“This is basically to discourage control by a single entity, which accounts for great support that a team like Bayern enjoy from residents of Munich.

“Unlike the government ownership club structure in Nigeria, German clubs in the Bundesliga operate under the 50+1 rule structure that stipulates that teams are majority- owned by German club members.

“Bayern, for instance, draw its support from locals in Munich, creating a sense of belonging for the fans, who see the club as their ,“ said.

He said that all these generally accounted for why a club like Bayern had sold all its tickets for the 2023-2024 season since February.

Mohammed said that it was irrespective of the fact that the Bundesliga had the lowest ticket prices and the highest average attendance out of Europe’s five major leagues.

The football administrator also said that youth development was the cornerstone of German football success.

“Unlike in Nigeria, where football clubs run without academies to mint the next youngsters that will take over from the league stars, Bundesliga sides have world-class academies.

“These academies regularly churn out players that go as far as playing in the country’s top-flight league.

“A case in point is the Bayern Academy, which, to their credit, has been a ready supply chain of players for Bayern’s main team.

“A classic example is Thomas Muller, a true and true Bavarian, who grew from the academy team to become a top striker for the 32-time Bundesliga champions,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Victor Okoye

The Sports Performance Reward Fund (SPRF) says it intends to raise N10 billion as reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth.

President of SPRF, Musa Kida, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a world news conference to unveil plans of the Fund.

Kida explained that the funds would be raised from the private and public sectors, from individuals and organisations at home and abroad.

He said that the funds would be available as reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth who attain podium success at the Olympics, Commonwealth, Africa Games and major World Championships.

“At the moment the proposed rewards are as follows: Olympics: Gold – N10 million, Silver- N7.5 million and Bronze- N5 million.

“CommonWealth: Gold – N5 million, Silver – N3 Million and Bronze – N2 million.

“Africa Games: Gold- N3 million, Silver – N2 million and Bronze -N1 million.

“The rewards for medals at major world championships will be same as the Africa Games,” he said.

He said the main objective of the SPRF was to drive, motivate Nigerian youth with sporting talent to put in the hard work and sacrifice required to be the best in the world.

“Our goal is to establish a guaranteed and sure reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth.

“We want to make sports an oasis of excellence in Nigeria.

“For instance, if you can run 9.5 secs in 100 metres, on top of what government can or will do for you, we will motivate and help you.

“You will become a world champion and a millionaire,” he said.

He also said that the SPRF planned to attract massive private sector interest in sports and institute a private sector led sports culture in the county.

He said this was to ensure that Nigeria becomes a major sports power in the next three Olympic circles.

The president thanked the Minister for Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, for assuring the SPRF of his support, adding that the initiative was in line with the aspirations of sports business in Nigeria.

“We also thank all that have commenced contributions to this noble course and corporate bodies that have shown keen committed interest.

“We want to assure all that this is a time for all of us to get this right.

“We do hope therefore that the SPRF will get maximum support from the local and international media as well,” he said.

Earlier, Chioma Ajunwa, an ex-olympian who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the SPRF said transparency was key to the realisation of the objectives of the SPRF.

Ajunwa, who won Nigeria’s first gold medal at the Olympics (Long Jump), said “the SPRF intends to achieve this by keeping an open book that is there for all interested persons and parties to see.

“All donations, contributions and any manner of support is done on the website and those not done directly are reflected on the site.

“Also, all disbursements to recipients are posted on the website which is accessible to the public.”

She said that hard work, dedication and discipline was key to achieving her feat at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, while calling on Nigerian youths to stay focused.

Godwin Kienka, Executive Secretary, SPRF said that the Fund was committed to working with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to attract the private sector and change the narrative about sports in Nigeria.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Isaac Aregbesola

By Victor Okoye

Mouktar Mohammed, the Chairman, FCT Football Association has been honoured with an award in Paris, France for excellence in football development.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mohammed on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the award was for his immense contribution to growth and development of football in the FCT.

NAN reports that Mohammed, who was re-elected FCT FA boss for a second four-year term , has been hailed for the remarkable giants strides football in the FCT has achieved under his leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the award tagged Nigeria-France Sports Award and Gala was organised by OJB Media.

NAN reports that the ceremony was graced by some Nigeria ex-internationals, including Super Eagles stars, John Utaka, Osaze Odemwingie, Elderson Echiejile, Taye Taiwo among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

Today’s Google doodle celebrates the late Nigerian footballer Rashidi Yekini, who was remembered for being the top goal scorer of the nation.

Yekini, born on 23 October 1963 led Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

Google said, “Not only did he score the first goal of the game, but also the first World Cup goal for Nigeria.

Overcome with excitement and pride, he ran into the net and clutched it with both arms while cheering and crying tears of joy.

”Many consider it one of the most iconic goal celebrations in football history and it served as inspiration for today’s Doodle artwork.”

The doodle’s colour resembles the Nigerian flag. In the doodle, a goalpost can be seen and Rashidi Yekini in action.

NAN reports that the late striker was named the 1993 African player of the Year and was the top scorer with eight goals.

He made Nigeria qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 1994, where he scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal in a World Cup, in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria in the United States.

The legendary Yekini died on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48 and remains Nigeria’s all-time record goal poacher, scoring 37 goals in 58 international appearances for Nigeria between 1994 and 1998.(NAN)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Peter Amine

A former member of the House of Representatives, Suleiman Kwande on Thursday in Jos emerged the Chairman of Plateau Football Association (PFA)

Kwande was the sole candidate for the position after two other candidates were disqualified for failing to meet up the election guidelines.

Other officers elected included, Ezra Godit, 1st Vice Chairman, Patrick Abu- 2nd Vice Chairman, John Maren, Chairman of Chairmen and Mohammed Shuaibu, Executive member Plateau central.

Others are, Jonah Reng, Executive member Plateau North, Ajiji Ibrahim, Executive member Plateau North, Anani Salisu, Executive member Plateau South and Godfrey Ayuba, Executive member Plateau South.

The chairman in his acceptance speech, promised to work with all football stakeholders to prioritise the development of grassroots football in the state.

Kwande promised to constitute an advisory council of experienced football stakeholders who will constantly advise the board.

“My vision is quite broad but I will ensure that grassroots football flourishes. I will make sure that we start secondary schools’ games to discover young talents.

“Female football will also be one of my cardinal objectives as the FA chairman.

“I am going to have a special committee for all former chairmen so that we can get advice on how to run an all-inclusive government,’ he said.

In a remark, Babagana Khalid, NFF committee member who observed the elelction, said that the election was conducted in accordance with FIFA, CAF and NFF guidelines.

“I and NFF Director of affiliation have been here since Wednesday and we can certify that it is in accordance with the guidelines.

“Their number one priority should be the development of football at the grassroots which is the cardinal point of the NFF under the leadership of Ibrahim Gusau,’’ he said.

Audu Buba, Chairman of the NFF Stabilisation Committee in Plateau, urged football stakeholders in the state to support the newly elected officials.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly elected executives were immediately sworn in. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh