By Ahmed Ubandoma
 
 
Mr Dave Jegede, the Technical Director, Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) says the kiddies Karate Championship is capable of boosting sports development in the country.
 
 
Jegede was speaking on Saturday during the opening of the championship organised by the Classic Martial Arts at the indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
 
 
He said that the competition was aimed at discovering and utilising new talents and skills in order to prepare them for greater opportunities ahead.
 
 
Jegede said: ”The championship is to help us grow grassroots athletes aside the fact that karate helps in self defence.
 
 
”It also helps us to grow and feed athletes into the sporting world.
 
 
”So, if they start early, just the stage they are right now, they get the necessary orientation, they will be groomed.
 
 
” They need to equip themselves for subsequent championships in the future, as we all know it now karate is in the Olympics.
 
 
”So, starting from this stage helps them to have a beautiful course, good vision, and help us prepare better athletes.”
 
 
Jegede, who commended the courage and determination of the kids, expressed optimism that their future was bright in the sporting world.
 
 
He added: ”Their performance is outstanding as a result of their constant training because they grew up doing it so since they have this kind of exposure and experiences.
 
 
”It will give us an edge over other athletes that might be starting new, even in the Olympics.”
 
 
Also speaking,  the Chief Instructor, Classic Martial Arts (CMA), Shihandai Johnson said that the championship was introduced to promote karate as a sport among the kids.
 
 
”The idea is to promote karate to a point where children will be so engaged in it as a physical activity and also as a means of self discipline.
 
 
”The essence of the championship is to catch them  young, to catch the promising athletes from the pool so that we can groom them for national and international competitions.

”So, starting from this stage helps them to have a beautiful course, good vision, and help us prepare better athletes.”
 
 
Jegede, who commended the courage and determination of the kids, expressed optimism that their future was bright in the sporting world.
 
 
He added: ”Their performance is outstanding as a result of their constant training because they grew up doing it so since they have this kind of exposure and experiences.
 
 
”It will give us an edge over other athletes that might be starting new, even in the Olympics.”
 
 
Also speaking,  the Chief Instructor, Classic Martial Arts (CMA), Shihandai Johnson said that the championship was introduced to promote karate as a sport among the kids.
 
 
”The idea is to promote karate to a point where children will be so engaged in it as a physical activity and also as a means of self discipline.
 
 
”The essence of the championship is to catch them  young, to catch the promising athletes from the pool so that we can groom them for national and international competitions.
 
 
”So, for those who are able to win medals, and go up to other competitions, there are promises of engagements  in other international competitions abroad.
 
 
” Because, we are taking it from the lower level so that these kids will grow up as teenagers to become champions in the art of karate,” Johnson said.
 
 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition featured kid-athletes between five-to-seven years category, male and female categories between nine-to-eleven years, as well as female category aged between eleven-to-thirteen years.
 
 
The competition also featured different types of techniques in karate which include: Kata, Kihon and Khumite. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), a global representative body for professional footballers, has advised foreign players against signing for Egyptian clubs.

A statement issued by FIFPRO said the decision followed series of alleged frequent contractual disputes and abusive behaviour by club officials.

The statement has already triggered a strongly-worded response from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

FIFPRO said a player moving to a club in the country had “a high chance of resulting in legal proceedings”.

“In recent times FIFPRO has seen a spike in labour conflicts in Egypt, concerning both the non-payment of salaries and abusive behaviour such as the confiscation of passports, forgery, and blackmail,” the statement read.

The body warned players against handing over their passports to club officials, even if told it was required to obtain a residency or work permit.

It added that the retention of travel documents had been used to force players to sign termination agreements.

FIFPRO also warned players not to sign blank contracts and to retain one signed version of the contract, while also ensuring the correct currency was stipulated on it.

The EFA, which oversees the country’s professional clubs, has however firmly rejected FIFPRO’s allegations.

“EFA is extremely frustrated with the statement issued by FIFPRO, which contains several erroneous pieces of information.

“We can confirm that even if some incidents occurred, they represent individual cases that do not apply to all Egyptian clubs.

“We have 268 foreign players in different tiers and over the past four years, we have only received two complaints regarding passport withholding.

“Both matters were immediately resolved after our intervention,” it said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Clubs like Zamalek, Egyptian Premier League champions for the last two seasons, Al-Ismaily and Pharco have in the last few years been handed hefty fines and transfer bans.

This was due to non-payment of salaries and breaches of contracts. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Emmanuel Afonne

A former Chairman of the defunct Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Victor Baribote, says President Bola Tinubu needs to appoint someone with a vast knowledge of sports as Minister of Sports.

Baribote told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, while reflecting on former President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in sports, that this was highly necessary for the sector to meaningfully thrive.

NAN reports that Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare served as ministers in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development during Buhari’s two-term tenure as President.

“Appointing someone who knows nothing about sports will worsen our problem and even make us to lose some of the achievements recorded under the past government,” Baribote said.

He said appointing “just anybody” to head the sports ministry would be like employing a carpenter to attend to patients in a hospital.

Baribote said that former Sports Ministers Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare combined to make Buhari’s administration a success.

He said that sports under Buhari recorded about 70 per cent success compared to previous administrations which could not achieve up to 40 per cent success.

“They (both Dalung and Dare) cannot be scored very high. But, in all honesty, if I must score them it must be above average because the country’s performance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is the best of its kind since Nigeria started participating.

“Again, under Dare, the usual rancour between athletes in general and the ministry on welfare package was minimal. So, it was better than what we used to have before,” the former member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee said.

He however pointed out that no comparison should be made between the administration of Dalung and Dare because the terrain they operated on were different.

“The terrain was toxic when Dalung was in charge because of several court cases. But, during Dare’s tenure, those cases were not so pronounced.

“Dalung as a lawyer wanted to do the right thing and implement most of the judgments from the side of law but the system in sports did not allow him to do that.

“For instance, when the Supreme Court gave a judgment in the case between Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa, people stood on it and Dalung being a lawyer wanted to do the right thing.But someone somewhere in Presidency wanted something else.

“So, I cannot rate them from the same angle, going by the circumstance they operated on. Dalung did his best and Dare also tried to do his best. They were in two different situations, and I cannot compare them,” Baribote said.

The former NPL chairman however warned that the disobedience of court orders under the previous administration should not be allowed in sports again in order not to set a bad precedent.

He noted that Dalung made a lot of enemies trying to enforce some of the court judgments in sports, and was also misunderstood by the “enemies of rule of law”.

“And some of these people in sports did not understand the workings of the judiciary and the law. Dalung is a lawyer and wanted to respect the law, but some felt that they can disrespect the Supreme Court.

“To many, Dalung is a problematic person. But I don’t see him that way. On the other hand, Dare was able to solve the problems of athletes and Sports Federations.

“Sports is full of aggression. You have to attack your opponent while running around the field, even when he is your friend. So, it is something you put in your energy and that translates even to the administrators.

“So, you cannot say this sports minister has done better than the other,” Baribote added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced a 14-player squad for the ninth edition of KwibukaT20 Women’s Tournament in Rwanda.

Musa Ehizoje, the federation’s Public Relations Officer (NCF), disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the team would leave the country on Friday.

The Nigerian team are scheduled to begin their campaign in the tournament on Saturday against the host country, Rwanda.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team, which will be making their third appearance at the event, has a squad with a good blend of youth and experience.

The longest-serving and most-experienced player, Blessing Etim, will lead the team as captain and will be supported by Favour Esiegbe as vice-captain.

Other familiar names include Salome Sunday, Piety Lucky, Rachael Samson and Agatha Uadiale.

The duo of Oseyande Omokhiobhio and Omonye Asika returns to the team after missing out during the NCF Women’s Invitational in March.

However, bowling sensation Lillian Ude will not be in Kigali due to academics.

The tournament begins on Saturday and is scheduled to end on June 19, with Kenya, Uganda and Botswana joining Nigeria and hosts Rwanda in the event.

The tournament is in commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda.

The Full List
1. Blessing Etim (Captain)
2. Favour Eseigbe (Vice-Captain)
3. Esther Sandy
4. Salome Sunday
5. Lucky Piety
6. Agatha Obulor
7. Omonye Asika
8. Oseyande Omonkhobhio
9. Adekunle Adeshola
10. Abigail Igbobie
11. Sarah Etim
12. Rukayat Abdulrasaq
13. Racheal Samson
14. Peculiar Agboya
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

By Damilola Nubi

The Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) has appointed Yemi Idowu, a foremost sports philanthropist, as its Patron, following his support toward grassroots sports.

Olabisi Joseph, NSSF President, described Idowu as a strong supporter of school sports.

She added that his involvement in grassroots sports development endeared him to the federation, to consider him as Patron.

“As a distinguished sports personality and a prominent figure in the Nigerian sporting landscape, your vast experience in the sports industry, your dedication to promoting sports at the grassroots level, coupled with your philanthropic initiatives, has positively impacted the lives of many aspiring athletes.

“Your association with our federation will undoubtedly inspire and motivate our young athletes to achieve excellence.”

“Also, your dedication to sports, unwavering support for young athletes, and commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria have made you an ideal candidate for this prestigious role,” she said.

Joseph noted that the new Patron is expected to be instrumental in shaping the future of sports in Nigeria.

She added that the patron would guide, dance, also support in developing strategies to enhance the quality of sporting and education programmes.

“The patron will be securing sponsorships for events, and expanding the reach of the federation,” she said.

In his remarks, Idowu, thanked the NSSF for the gesture, while pledging his continued commitment to school sports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idowu is also instrumental to the upgrading of the famous Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle to standard sports development facility.

“I want to thank the NSSF for considering me for this. I believe that we can all work together and improve the fortunes of school sports in Nigeria.

“Sports is my passion and it has been my idea to support it at grassroots level. With this, my involvement in school sports will increase.

“I believe we have short, medium and long-term goals to take our school sports to an enviable position in the world,” he said.

Idowu disclosed that as a short term goal, a National School Football tournament would be staged across the country.

He added that the finals would take place at the famous Maracana Stadium in November, later this year.

NAN also reports that Idowu is a co-founder and Director of the Successful Lagos Junior League and Chairman of Nath Boys Sports Club.

Nath Boys produced key members of the U-17 world cup winning team in 2013 and players like Wilfred Ndidi of English Premier League Leicester City FC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The former Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, and Dame Julie Okah-Donli, ex-Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have called for more women participation in Golf to produce women professionals in the game.

They made the call at the celebration of Women’s Golf Day on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event, with the theme “Be the best version of yourself that you can be”, was organised by the Ladies Section of the IBB International Golf and Country Club.

Lalong said he was excited to see women golfers playing the game with passion and seriousness.

“I encourage more women to join the game of golf. It is a game for elite, including Presidents, especially in the United States. It is a very good game for everyone, both male and female.

“Golf is a game that you cannot quantify the advantages and benefits to people; so to see women engaged in the game is good. Like they say, what a man can do, a woman can do better.

“I am very positive that we would soon begin to produce great women golfers in the country. We have the academy in Jos, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other places.

“So, we should not lose hope. One day we will produce the likes of Tiger Woods. I have seen a lot of young ladies that play golf. There is hope for Nigeria and Africa to produce great women golfers,” Lalong said.

Similarly, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, who is also the Vice Lady Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, said there were young girls that played as professionals and some playing to become professionals.

“Here in IBB, we encourage as many young girls as possible to come out and play golf as their male counterparts, and as a matter of fact, we are going to sponsor some of them.”

Meanwhile, the Lady Captain of the IBB Golf and Country Club, Mrs Comfort Olateju, said to achieve the theme of the celebration, there was need to involve cardies to play with.

“This is because, we want to empower and celebrate female golfers around the world and we want a kind of empowerment that would be sustainable.

“There is going to be a lecture where each woman player would be encouraged to adopt a cardy and empower her in the area of mentorship.

“The benefits of playing golf is an exercise; as you walk and go round, you are seeing the trees and nature that improve our health,” Olateju said.

In same vein, the competition Secretary for the IBB Ladies Golf Section, Mrs Jane Ahmed, said the celebration of the International Women Golf Day started in 2017.

“The whole idea of this year’s celebration is to empower girls and for ladies to network; so the day is for uniting, bringing in new golfers, networking and empowering the young ones.

“So we in the IBB and Ladies Section have chosen to empower female caddies, because, you must start from your immediate environment.

“We have 30 female caddies and we have chosen to see how we can sit together and help them in their individual circumstances; This is the first time we are doing this, and we hope it will yeild fruits,” Ahmed said.

One of the female caddies, Miss Hanatu Timothy, a champion for Carddies from Adamawa, said she was happy to play in the Lady’s Day.

She expressed optimism that Olateju, Okah-Donli, Ahmed and others would empower her and her fellow Caddies to take their game to the next level. (NAN)

====================
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Carol V. Utulu

Delta Queens Football Club of Asaba secured a 3-1 victory over Confluence Queens of Lokoja as the NWFL Super Six got underway in Asaba on Tuesday.

The match played in the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium witnessed a low turnout of spectators though, as both teams faced off in the opening game of Group B.

Delta Queens’ Effiong Ekpeyong registered the first goal of the game in the 13th minute when her volley inside the penalty box beat the Confluence Queens’ goalkeeper.

However, the goal seemed to be a tonic to spring to life for the Lokoja side and the Confluence Queens equalised in the 27th minute through striker Martha Peter.

She capitalised on a defensive error by the Delta Queens backline to restore parity.

The equaliser however did not dampen the spirit of the home fans, who cheered every move of their darling team, amidst drumming and singing.

The home side regained the lead in the 31st minute, when attacking midfielder Vera Samuel’s thunderous shot from outside the penalty box beat the Confluence Queens goalkeeper.

When both sides returned for the second half, Delta Queens dominated possession as they pushed for more goals, with swift counter-attack play and great ball distribution.

Two minutes into the five added minutes, Delta Queens extended their lead through Ekpeyong during a goalmouth scramble.

The home team held on till the final blast of the referee’s whistle to claim the maximum three points at stake and go top of Group B table.

Delta Queens’ coach, Tosan Blackson, later told reporters that the team was well prepared coming into their first game of the Super Six tourney.

“The game was a good one. We gave our best because we need the three points to consolidate our position.

“Although every team participating in this Super Six is no push-over because they all did well to qualify to be here, but I am optimistic that Delta Queens will win this trophy.

“We enjoyed great support from our home fans and we are determined to pay them back with the trophy,” Blackson said.

Also, the Technical Adviser of the Confluence Queens, Whyte Ogbonda, commended his players for their fighting spirit in spite of the loss.

“Although we lost today, I give kudos to the girls, because they gave a good account of themselves. This is football for you.

“On Wednesday when we will be playing our second match of the group against Edo Queens, there will be an improved performance from my team,” Ogbonda said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the first game of the day, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt defeated FC Robo of Lagos 2-0 to lead Group A.

The six teams at the Super Six are Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens and FC Robo in Group A, while Delta Queens, Edo Queens and Confluence Queens are in Group B. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

By Emmanuel Afonne

Twenty-two states of the Federation have declared intention to stage the 2023 Olympic Day Run as part of activities to promote the Olympic values of excellence.

A statement issued by Tony Nezianya, the Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), listed other Olympic values to include friendship and respect as enunciated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“The event has been scheduled to run through one of the NOC Commissions, The Sports–For –All,” he said.

Nezianya listed the 22 states of the federation that have entered to stage this year’s Olympic Day Run to include Anambra, Edo, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kwara, Ondo and Gombe.

Others are Sokoto, Ogun, Osun, FCT, Jigawa, Taraba, Delta, Oyo, Sokoto, Kano, Imo, Nasarawa, Kogi and Borno.

According to Tony Nezianya, the event will be celebrated nationwide in the participating states with the slogan, “Let’s Move”.

“The aim is to encourage people to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, corresponding to the minimum time recommended by the World Health Organisation for good health.

“Olympic Day has always been celebrated by our NOC with fanfare nationwide, even though the scope was limited a few years back during the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic.

“This year will not be an exception as many states are already preparing to organise the programme in their various States.”

Nezianya also quoted the NOC Secretary-General, Babatunde Popoola, as saying that the remaining 15 states were being expected to declare their interest, as NOC President, Habu Gumel and other dignitaries would flag-off the event.

The NOC encouraged corporate and philanthropic individuals to donate financially or support us with their products given the mileage it would give to the company. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu