By Victor Okoye

Aminu Rinji, the Acting Chairman, Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi, says the club is set to take its rightful place in the country’s apex league.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wikki Tourists were relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

The Bauchi-based club side finished 9th out of 10 club sides in Group B at the end of the 2022/2023 abridged league season.

Rinji told NAN on Monday in Abuja that the Interim management of the club was doing a wonderful job, to bring back smiles to the faces of fans.

He said the performance of the team during the pre-season was a testament to the fact that the club was on its way back to its glory days.

“With the way things are going in the camp of Wikki Tourists, I can assure you we will be back in the next NPFL season Inn sha Allah.

“The feel good factor is back in the team which was evident during our pre-season games.

“The atmosphere in the stadium during the games tells you all you need to know about the massive work that is been done behind the scene in this team,” he said.

The chairman said that the team was now focused on achieving its goals within the shortest possible time.

He said that the club had put some new innovation and procedures in place, to checkmate all malpractices and misconducts which led to its decline in the past.

“Wikki Tourist now has focus and goals to achieve within a period of time. Every player has to fight to get a contract and fight for his place in the team.

“No bribe will give you anything in this football club anymore. If you doubt what I am saying ask the players,” he said.

He revealed that everything had been put in place to ensure that the players were comfortable and are willing to fight for the badge again.

Rinji said that the interim management was also working hard to ensure that talents are being developed at the grassroots.

“We want to ensure that the players earn good salaries so as to avoid any form of distraction.

“There is a plan for the home grown talents. Baggio is already back in the team and I have heard of a boy from Shira who is doing fabulously well.

“The Interim management wants to build a synergy between Wikki feeder and the U-15 with the main team,” he said.

He urged the players to work hard and make the state proud so as to justify the confidence reposed in them by the club management.

The chairman said that the club was still in the market in search of players who would add more value to the team.

“Wikki Tourist isn’t Manchester United but we now have a goalkeeper that can play with his legs and can do better than Andre Onana.

“We are in the market for a modern day number nine who can score goals. We shall be back in the NPFL next season Inn sha Allah,” he said.

He appreciated the governor of the state as well as the commissioner of Sports for all their efforts to revive and restore the fortunes of the club.

“They really are trying beyond their best possible to restore the club to its rightful place, but patience and prayers will always be key.

“Indeed, football has come alive again in Bauchi State,” he said.

NAN reports that Dec. 1 has been proposed as the commencement date for the 2023/2024 abridged NNL season.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Chimezie Anaso

Anambra’s female team on Sunday started their campaign in the volleyball event of the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba with a 2-1 win over their Kano state counterparts.

The Anambra girls secured the hard-fought victory in the game played at the Ogwashi-Uku Township Stadium on day one of the competition.

They are however expected to have a busy day on Monday when they face Lagos and Delta in their second and third matches respectively at the competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that victory in these games will earn the Anambra side a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

Speaking later, Ndudi Ijomah, coach of the Anambra team, described the match against Kano state as keenly-contested.

Ijomah said the victory was a good one and a morale-booster.

”I am hopeful we will make it to the semi-finals in spite of having a tight schedule,” he said.

Other matches on Day 2 of the volleyball event will see Bayelsa facing Bauchi state, Kano state taking on Delta, and Oyo state up against Kaduna state.

Later in the day, Oyo state will face Bauchi state, Lagos take on Kano state and Kaduna state up against Bayelsa.

Meanwhile, in the male category of the event at the Games, Anambra will set out with matches against Adamawa and Akwa Ibom.

Sokoto state will take on Kaduna state, while Delta face Bayelsa and Lagos meet Oyo state.

Also, Lagos go up against Bayelsa, while Delta face Oyo state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawale Alabi

Opeyemi Gbemiro

Ekiti Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has recalled the General Manager of Ekiti State Sports Council, Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, from the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta, over the athletes’ poor kitting.

Adeyemi’s recall was announced on Sunday through a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun in Ado Ekiti.

The statement directed the GM to immediately account for the poor kitting of the state’s athletes at the opening session of the competition.

It described the development as unfortunate, adding that the state will take full responsibility of the regrettable incident.

“The directive followed the shabby appearance of the state contingent at the march-past event during the opening ceremony of the National Youths Games.

“Adeyemi is expected to explain circumstances leading to the shabby kitting of the state athletes at the opening session, which photograph is circulating online.

“He was directed to hand over to the next most senior official at the games and return home immediately.

“The official who will act as head of the delegation is to oversee the welfare and wellbeing of the athletes at the competition,” the statement read.

The commissioner said that the state government made adequate provisions for the team’s participation at the games.

He restated the commitment of Oyebanji administration to providing platforms for Ekiti youths to exhibit their God- given talents in line with its youth development and job creation agenda.(NAN)(nannews.ng).

By Olanrewaju Akojede

Lagos and Bayelsa States have set the pace on the medals table in opening day of weightlifting event at the 7th National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta.

According to the Media Officer, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Amaechi Agbo, both states have the highest medal haul at the ongoing U-15 youth games.

“Lagos State won three medals, two gold and a bronze in the women’s 45kg, while Bayelsa picked all the three gold medals in the 49kg men’s category.

“Ezenwa Chinaza was just two kilos away from winning gold medal in snatch but her 53kg lift could only fetch her a bronze.

“However, she made amends in the clean and jerk lifting 70kg to get a total of 123kg, which fetched her two gold medals.

“Ezenwa Esther from Abia won gold in snatch and bronze in clean and Jerk lifting 55kg and 67kg respectively,” he said.

Agbo added: “Christiana Ollorma from Rivers won all the three silver medals on offer with 54kg snatch, 68kg clean and jerk and 122 total.

“Matthew Martin Precious from Cross River won bronze medal in with 114kg lift.

“In the men’s 49kg category, Stephen Godswill from Bayelsa collected all the three gold medals at stake after lifting 56kg snatch, 67kg clean and jerk and 123kg total.”

He added that Rivers’ Samson Teron came second after he also picked all the three silver medals on offer, lifting 55kg in snatch, 66kg in clean and jerk and 121kg in total.

“It was also a similar one way traffic in the bronze medals with all three going the way of Adebayo Saheed from Osun.

“He lifted 42kg in snatch, 50kg in clean and jerk and 92kg in total to ensure that the state of the Living Spring picked all the bronze medals,” he said.

NAN reports that the weightlifting event of the 7th National Youth Games, NYG continues on Monday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed optimism that more Nigerian wrestlers will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He stated this on Saturday in Abuja after the inauguration of the ‘Work-Life Balance’ initiative which is a routine 5km brisk walk exercise meant to keep officers and men of the NCS physically and mentally fit.

Adeniyi who is also a board member of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) said this against the backdrop of only one Nigerian female wrestler securing Olympic qualification in the just concluded World Wrestling Championships in Serbia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only three-time Commonwealth Champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye, secured a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category at the just concluded Championship, to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.

Team Nigeria was represented by six female wrestlers at the championships.

The customs boss however maintains there is no cause for alarm, as there are still two more pre-Olympics qualifiers, where he hopes more Nigerian male and female wrestlers will qualify.

“I am not disappointed with the performance of the wrestling team in Serbia.

“The competition in Serbia is one of the various competitions lined-up to get slots at the Paris Olympics, there are still one or two championships.

“I am very sure there will be one (championships) in March in Egypt and those of our athletes who did not get the ticket, would have the opportunity to do so,” he said.

Adeniyi said with the quality of wrestlers in camp and the continued training and exposure being given to them, the sky is the limit.

“What we had in Serbia was just our women team, we also have our men in camp and they are in top condition.

“I believe our male and female teams stand a very chance with the level of preparation and exposure we are going to give them ahead of the outing in March,” he said.

On the ‘Work-Life Balance’ initiative, the Customs CG expressed optimism that the initiative will lead to better wellbeing and productivity for officers and men of the NCS.

The theme for the Saturday’s Walk/ exercise is: “balancing for better tomorrow ” and it had participants from other para-military agencies.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, says he is confident of a good outing for Nigerian wrestlers at the World Wrestling Championships in Serbia.

Adeniyi stated this on Saturday in Abuja at a special routine exercise/keep fit session for officers and men of the NCS, which included Serbia-bound Nigerian female wrestlers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six female Nigerian wrestlers departed Nigeria for Serbia to represent Nigeria at the Championships shortly after the exercise.

The Customs boss said the Nigerian contingent was specially invited to the exercise/keep fit session so as to support them physically and psychologically, ahead of their departure.

Adeniyi, who is also a board member of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), described the federation as the best performing federation in terms of organisation and performance at international competitions.

“This exercise is a special one because it is dedicated to our national female wrestling team that will be representing Nigeria at the World Championships in Serbia.

“If you look at all the federations inaugurated by the former Minister of Sports, the NWF happens to be one of the best, if not the best performing federation.

“The wrestlers have had a long camping period at the wrestling classics sponsored by the governor of Bayelsa to keep the athletes in good condition, so I believe we will do well in Serbia,” he said.

Adeniyi stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace exercise and sports generally as a way of life, so as to remain healthy and more productive at work.

Earlier, Purity Akuh, national wrestling coach, assured on the readiness of the team to make Nigeria proud and bring back medals.

He said the team had prepared well for the championships, which also serves as the first qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“This is the first Olympics qualifiers and I am very optimistic. With our preparations, by the grace of God we will make Nigeria proud, make the federation proud and bring back medals,” he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria will be competing in the 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76kg.

The contingent comprises Olympic medalist, Blessing Oborududu, Silver medalist at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships, Odunayo Adekuroye, among others.

The 2023 World Wrestling Championships will be held from Sept. 16 to 24, with close to 1,000 wrestlers competing in freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Dorcas Jonah

The Elite Global Golf Academy (EGGA) has trained new generation of golfers through Professional Golfers Association (PGA), South Africa, Dr Elijah Ogbuokiri, Chairman of EGGA, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

“EGGA may have succeeded in proving sceptics wrong as it has successfully completed training and mentoring three of its staff that were recently inducted as A Class Professional Golfers’ by PGA, South Africa,” he said.

Ogbuokiri named the successful A Class golf professionals as, Jimmy Paul Ogun, Ifeanyi Friday Onugu and Dan Abasiama Idem.

According to Ogbuokiri, the A class Professional Golf certification which the three acquired is recognised in over 40 countries of the world.

Also speaking, Uloma Ogbuokiri, the Chief Executive Officer of EGGA, expressed joy over the academy’s accomplishment.

Ogbuokiri, known as Lady Pro, said the training was in line with the mission of EGGA.

She said that raising new generation of golfers and helping existing golf professionals to become globally recognised was also part of the EGGA’s mission.

“We educate existing golf professionals and upcoming golfers as to the business angle and profitability of golf industry in Nigeria on a regular basis. We raise the standard to world class.

“Today we are here to welcome the 2nd batch of A class Nigeria professional golfers from South Africa exactly 10 years after my graduation in 2013.

”The road has not been easy but today we thanked God that we went to South Africa last week and came back successfully with three gentlemen, with their certificates from PGA South African,” she said.

Ogbuokiri said the team was able to meet the Nigeria Consulate-General in South Africa who celebrated with them at the graduation.

She said that her biggest accomplishment in golf so far was sowing seed in other people’s life.

“You can see that these guys are actually professional golfers now, recognised globally.

“The certificate they acquired is recognised in over 40 countries of the world. There is nothing that makes me happy more than nurturing and mentoring someone to rise up to become Global Golf Professional.

“It gives me joy because it has been my dream. Everybody in Nigeria thought it was impossible to do it. When I came back in 2013, many people were skeptical; is it true? Did it happen? Is she now a pro?,” she said.

Ogbuokiri expressed concern on the challenges of golf business in the country, stressing that the free fall of naira against the dollar had been very challenging.

“The financial aspect of it was the most challenging. They started the programme when Naira exchange rate was N270 to a dollar, by the time they were in year two, Naira jumped to N600 per dollar.

“In their third years, Naira was N800 per dollar. It was a challenge because it was three times of what they were suppose to pay,” she added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Muhyideen Jimoh

All 24 countries that will trade tackles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire have sealed qualification for the tournament.