By Georgina Adegbie

Nigeria’s national under-18 male handball have qualified for the International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy Intercontinental Championship.

They qualified after beating their Guinean counterparts 37-36 in their final match on Friday to end the competition in Brazzaville, Congo unbeaten

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian side did not have it easy as they were level 17-17 with Guinea after the game’s first half.

But they were steadfast, and gained a one-point lead to win the game played at the Nicole Oba Gymnasium.

NAN reports that the team have maintained a 100 percent record in their performance from the Africa Zone 3 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.

They had defeated Burundi in their first match 45-30, before beating hosts Congo 28-22 on match day 2 and Zambia 55-16 on match day 3.

On the other hand, their under-20 counterparts were however not as lucky in spite of defeating hosts Congo 37-18 on Friday.

The victory was not enough for them to advance as they lost to Guinea on the head-to-head rule.

NAN reports that the national under-20 side had lost to Guinea 26-28 in their first game, defeated Madagascar 51-30 in their second and beat Zimbabwe 50-19 in their third game.

The IHF Trophy Continental phase competition which started on Monday ended on Friday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

A Spanish judge has ordered that Brazil football player Dani Alves be jailed on remand without bail following an alleged sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub.

According to the regional court system on Friday, the 39-year-old who has denied any wrongdoing was taken to the Brians 1 jail outside Barcelona.

Earlier on Friday, Alves appeared before a Barcelona judge after local police detained and questioned him.

The public prosecutor had requested he be jailed without bail pending trial.

Alves’ representatives did not respond to a request for comment.

His Mexican club Pumas UNAM announced they had terminated his contract with immediate effect.

“The club reiterates its commitment to not tolerate acts by any member, whoever they may be, that go against the club’s spirit and its values,” Pumas sporting president Leopoldo Silva said.

“We cannot allow the conduct of one person to damage our work philosophy, which has been an example throughout history.”

The alleged victim had filed a complaint earlier this month and the case remains open over a crime of sexual assault, Catalonia’s court system said in a statement.

Alves had said earlier this month that he was at the club with other people but denied any such behaviour.

“I was dancing and having a good time without invading anyone’s space,” he said. “I don’t know who this lady is… How could I do that to a woman? No.”

Alves played for FC Barcelona from 2008 to 2016 and briefly returned to the LaLiga team for the 2021/2022 season.

He has played for the Brazil national team since 2006, making 126 appearances and scoring eight goals. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

Defending champion Rafa Nadal bowed out of the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday after suffering an injury during his 6-4 6-4 7-5 defeat by American Mackenzie McDonald.

Nadal’s elimination shakes up the men’s draw and puts a twist in the Grand Slam titles race, with nine-times champion Novak Djokovic able to draw level with the Spaniard’s 22 major championships should he take a 10th crown at Melbourne Park.

Nadal appeared to suffer a strain in his left hip area while running for a backhand deep in the second set at Rod Laver Arena and after receiving attention from a trainer he took an off-court medical time-out when trailing 6-4 5-3.

He returned grim faced to play out the match but his movement was clearly affected, particularly on his backhand side, paving the way for McDonald to end the Spaniard’s bid for a third title at Melbourne Park.

Before the injury McDonald had played superbly to take the first set, going toe-to-toe with the 36-year-old Spaniard and winning most of the ferocious baseline exchanges.

“He’s an incredible champion, he’s never going to give up regardless of the situation so even closing it out against a top guy like that is always tough.

“I was trying to stay so focused on what I was doing and he kind of got me out of that with what he was doing. But I kind of just kept focusing on myself and got through.

“Last time I played him was at Chatrier, he kicked my butt,” said McDonald, who took only four games off Nadal in the second round of the French Open in 2020.

“It’s tough to hit through on clay but I liked my chances on hard, I really wanted to take it to him on hard court. I’m really glad I got my chance and got away with it,” said McDonald.

After Nadal’s time-out, he returned to court to a big ovation and earned another round of applause when he held serve.

His gloomy expression told the story, though, and he declined to retrieve a drop-shot in the next game, shaking his head at his worried entourage.

McKenzie took the second set when Nadal whacked a forehand into the net, and the Spaniard thudded his racket into his chair at the change of ends.

Leaning heavily on serve and relying on touch, Nadal dragged McDonald deep into the third set but was finally broken to 6-5 when the American bolted forward to flick a passing shot past him.

Nadal attacked the net in a desperate last stand but there was to be no repeat of the “Miracle of Melbourne”, when he came back from two sets down in last year’s classic final to beat Daniil Medvedev. (Reuters/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Play was suspended at the Australian Open on Tuesday afternoon because of extreme heat.

With the temperature into the mid-30s, the tournament’s heat stress scale, which also took into account humidity and wind speed, hit five just after 2 p.m. (0300 GMT).

This caused the play to be stopped on the outside courts.

Play continued under the roofs of Rod Laver, Margaret Court and John Cain arenas.

The decision came just before the start of Andy Murray’s clash with Matteo Berrettini on Laver, enabling it to start indoors.

Tuesday has been forecast to be the hottest day of the tournament, with the possibility of thunderstorms and cooler temperatures from Wednesday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development (FMSYD) has set up a five-man “independent committee” to review the final medals table of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF).

Ismaila Abubakar, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, disclosed on Sunday in a statement that the committee has seven days to complete its assignment.

“The FMSYD has received complaints about the final medals table of the 21st NSF held in Asaba from Nov. 28 to Dec. 10.

“After an initial review was done, the Ministry has decided to take a further step of setting up an independent committee to immediately do a further review.

“This process is normal in situations such as this, in order to ascertain whatever the challenges were with the Festival Medals Table computation.

“It is also normal to have them resolved even after the Festival,” Abubakar noted.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the committee was made up of experts who had managed the technical arm of previous NSFs.

“They are: Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, Madaki Elias Gora, Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Okaro who will serve as Chairman, and Lekan Alabi, the Ministry’s Statistician who will be the Committee Secretary.

“They will be joined by a representative of the Delta State Sports Commission.”

He added that the Committee was expected to, among other things, determine what went wrong with the medals table computation from the stand point of knowledge and experience of previous festivals.

“It is also to establish the exact and correct medals table by ridding the table of any double entry and inaccuracies and make recommendations to guide against future occurrence”, Abubakar noted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hosts Delta were declared winners of the 21st NSF on Dec. 10 with 320 gold, 200 silver and 128 bronze medals.

But that total haul of 648 medals was an unprecedented haul and very well far ahead of that of second-placed Bayelsa.

Bayelsa had 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze medals for a total of 337, while 2020 NSF runners-up Edo had 78 gold, 94 silver and 167 bronze medals for a total of 339.

This raised several eyebrows, even though many state sports officials were reluctant to speak on this, especially in view of Delta’s intimidating dominance of the Festival. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Ijeoma Okigbo

No fewer than 250 players are expected to participate in the forthcoming second edition of the South South Female Cricket League.

Theophilus Ibodeme, Regional Development Officer (RDO) South South of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Ibodeme said a total of eight teams, grouped into two will be participating in the league beginning which kicks off in Benin, Edo on Saturday to Feb. 5.

“The league is sponsored by the zonal representative on the NCF board, Uyi Akpata, who also doubles at the president of the federation.

“This is the first women league ever in North-West Africa region under the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The aim is to unite the states in the zone, promote female cricket, empower more women in sports, improve the skills of the players and keep them fit.

“Each club has more than 30 players registered for the league. This number includes senior players and developmental players,’’ Ibodeme added.

The NCF official, who also doubles as assistant coach of the National Senior Women’s team, said the game would be played on a home and away basis.

“The teams are grouped into A and B.

“Group A has three teams from Edo and one from Delta while Group B has two teams from Akwa Ibom, One from Bayelsa and another from Rivers.

“The top two teams in both zones will play Super Four with the top two in the Super Four play in the finals to determine the winner of this year’s edition,’’ he said.

The teams are defending champions Ekpoma Supernova Cricket Club (CC), Adolor Amazons CC, Delta Force CC, Idia Royals CC, Pathfinders CC, Smashers CC, Dazagon CC and Rangers CC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Emmanuel Afonne

The President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Dame Martin Louis, has formally congratulated Habu Gumel, the recently elected President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

A statement signed by NOC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Tony Nezianya, quoted Louis as also congratulating other elected members of the NOC for their successful election.

“I will like to send my congratulations to Engr. Habu Gumel for his re-election as President of Commonwealth Games Nigeria in the recent elections.

“Please note that, as always, our team is here for you so please feel free to communicate when required,” Louis said.

It would be recalled that Gumel polled 21 votes to defeat his opponent Sanni Ndanusa, a former Minister of Sports who polled 19 votes at the NOC Congress in Jalingo, Taraba State.

The latest victory had now seen Gumel with a record fifth term in office having served first term as NOC President in 2001, and then serving two consecutive terms which ended in 2010.

Ndanusa appeared to had truncated Gumel’s push for third term having won and led the NOC from 2010 to 2014.

Gumel eventually bounced back in 2014 and had consistently defeated Ndanusa in other subsequent elections.

In other positions contested for, Solomon Ogba of the Bobsled & Skeleton Federation defeated Francis Orbih of the Badminton Federation, 24-16 votes for the position of 1st Vice-President.

Ishaku Tikon of the Table Tennis Federation was elected unopposed for the Second Vice-President position with 38 votes, while former D’Tigers Captain, Olumide Oyedeji, secured 24 votes to emerge as the third Vice-President, beating Daniel Igali of the Wrestling Federation, who had 15 votes.

Olabisi Joseph of the School Sports Federation emerged as the fourth Vice-President after polling 23 votes to beat other four contestants.

Tunde Popoola of the Hockey Federation emerged as the General Secretary with 24 votes and Abdullahi Mohammed as the Deputy General Secretary unopposed with 40 votes.

Musa Kida, the President, Nigerian Basketball Federation, was elected Treasurer with 22 votes after he defeated Bappa Aliyu who polled 18 votes, while Tony Nezianya was elected Public Relations Officer.

Nezianya, a sports administrator and veteran journalist, who retired as a Director at the News Agency of Nigeria, had served the NOC in this same capacity between 2001 and 2009. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Emmanuel Afonne

Prestige Football Academy, an Abuja-based club, said on Friday it had intensified plans to establish a football school in the FCT, to enable youths to develop their football talents.

The Manager of the academy, Uchendu Nwabara, said in a statement that the football institution, when completed, would combine secondary school education with football training.

Nwabara said the aim was to achieve holistic development of the players in line with modern sports business concept.

“We want to create opportunity for every player to achieve his or her career in a reputable club locally or internationally, with high academic standards as well as social and health development,” he said.

According to Nwabara, beyond establishing the school, the academy is planning to recruit 30 players between ages 14 and 20 in an exercise expected to hold from Jan. 9 to 21 in Abuja.

Nwabara explained that the recruitment was part of efforts to develop football career of some talented youths in Abuja.

He said that 14 of the 30 recruited players would be taken to Ghana for trials where scouts from UK, Italy, France, Poland, Qatar and Ghana would watch them play and subsequently land them deals with foreign clubs.

Nwabara said “qualified players from ages 18-20 will sign contracts with clubs, while the minor ages of 14-17 who excel in the trials can still be selected by the clubs to inject into their respective academies based on agreement with the academy”.

He said the screening, which attracted a token amount, would take place at Baze University Sports Field, Abuja, while that of Ghana would take place in Obuasi, Kumasi, Cheetah FC Stadium in Accra, Ghana.

The football manager said a curriculum had been designed for the academy to assist the players develop their football career alongside their academics.

“Our curriculum is mostly associated with teaching football skills and education which includes different approaches to football training, drills and exercises, learning and assessment as well as instilling quality relationship between coaches and the players.

“We have developed a curriculum that provides an opportunity to create relevant, coherent and engaging environment for all players and coaches.

“Players are to have a clear purpose of representing the team and to provide a reference point not only for football but also for their education.

“We offer team assessment that provides the opportunity for self discovery, cognitive and mental development and we evaluate players’ skills and performance standards.

“We engage in local and international friendly matches to enable each player to attain his full capacity in football and we inculcate confidence, self esteem, knowledge and create the opportunity for players to participate in competitions at various levels.

“In general term, our educational football academy consists of everything that promotes intellectual, personal moral values, social and physical development of the participants,” Nwabara said.

He added that the academy was in partnership with FIFA-verified agents, including Istepan Saraka from UK, Geinnaro Gisonna from Italy, Onur Demr from France, Janusz Dziedzic from Poland, Hamad Al-Hal from Qatar and
Emmanuel Samjohn based in Ghana.

He also said that competent coaches and intermediaries were among those facilitating the signing of players.

“We have a reservoir of international collaborators who conduct scouting competitions from time to time and select the best players for foreign clubs”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Victor Okoye

The Initiator and founder of Mark ‘D’ Basketball Championship, Igoche Mark has restated his commitment towards the growth and development of grassroots basketball in the country in 2023.

Mark who stated this in his new year message on Sunday in Abuja, said that the Mark ‘D’ Ball brand had contributed so much to game of basketball in the country.

He said that basketball competition had indeed helped resurrect the moribund state of domestic basketball in the country.

Mark said the brand and its affiliations have continued to contribute to the sustainable development of basketball at the grassroots.

He noted that the brand’s little impact in the game of basketball in 2022 was as a result of partnership with stakeholders; players, coaches among others.

He said that the brand will continue to contribute its own little quota in spite of all the challenges.

“Although, the year was one with bags of mixed feelings, as our doodle attempt to get the ball bouncing was fought with great resistance by the enemies of the game, alongside state actors.

“These enemies ensured that the D’Tigress became the biggest porn in the year 2022, while feeding fat on their bonuses and allowances.

“`They succeeded by denying our ladies the chance to participate at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sidney, Australia.

“In spite all these glitches, our sterling reputation remained the same; as our resolve is to become a tricky pony in the slam and dunk game in the year 2023 and beyond.

“We are on course to achieve greatness in the new year for the sport we love so much, in spite of their proclivity to always stunt the growth of the domestic game because of greed,” he said.

He said that the 2023 edition of the Mark ‘D’ Ball Basketball Championship promises to be the best ever.

Mark said that plans are ongoing to ensure that this year’s edition surpasses the previous tournaments.

This he said include quality, welfare of players, coaches and officials, number of participating teams as well as the competition’s prize money.

“Let me use this medium to inform all stakeholders that 2023 edition of Mark ‘D’ Ball Basketball Championship will become a reference point in Africa, as we will soon let the cat out of the bag.

“This is wishing you a new year filled with possibilities. May the new year bring you more happiness, success, love, and blessings,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Ten-man Porto upset Juventus to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw in spite of losing 3-2 to the Italian side on Tuesday.

Sergio Oliveira’s extra-time free-kick for Porto’s second goal proved decisive for the visitors.

Porto dominated the first half and took the lead in the 19th minute with Oliveira’s penalty taking them into the break in front as they looked comfortable at the Juventus Stadium.

But with the first attack of the second half Juve’s Federico Chiesa, who scored their goal in the 2-1 last-16, first-leg defeat in Portugal, arrowed a strike into the top corner to give his side hope four minutes after the re-start.

The game turned further in Juve’s favour as Mehdi Taremi needlessly got sent off for picking up a second yellow card in the 54th minute for kicking the ball away, with Chiesa levelling the scoreline on aggregate with his head in the 63rd minute.

The hosts had chances to win the tie but the game went to extra time and the drama was far from over as Porto won a free-kick which Oliveira drilled home to spark wild scenes of celebration amongst the players and coaching staff.

Adrien Rabiot’s header three minutes from time for Juve ensured a grandstand finish in an enthralling encounter, but Porto held on for a famous victory.