By Aderonke Ojediran
Elias Gora, a retired sports administrator says grooming young athletes is necessary for the country to regain its top position in sports in the comity of nations.

Gora, a former Secretary General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

“Often time sports administrators tend to ignore the aspect of grooming athletes. We have said it times without number, deliberate thoughts and action need to be taken.

“Since the likes of Blessing Okagbare, tell me one athlete that is as formidable as she was when she was younger, this is what happens when we fail to train, dearth of professional athletes.

“Before Coronavirus came, check our performances in London and Rio de Janeiro, we honestly can’t keep hoping on God for miracles without putting in the hard work.

“Now with the pandemic, I honestly don’t know what to expect in 2021Tokyo; it is only the wrestling federation and taekwondo that I hear of their training programmes, that have been consistent,” he said.

Gora who was Nigeria’s Chef de’ Mission at the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games said that the best outing the country ever had at the Olympics was in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.

“Till tomorrow our best performance was during the Atlanta Games and Sydney, since then what have we got to show for our participation at the Olympics.

“Look at Canada and Australia, when their performance wasn’t at far with their expectations; they went back to the drawing board and decided to focus on some sports; one of it is swimming and till tomorrow they rake in medals for their country in this events,’’ Gora said.

He said that sentiments and nepotism should be put aside in order to get out the best in terms of selection of athletes and coaches for the country.

“As long as we keep looking beyond, tribe, religion and what have you, I believe a lot will fall into place.

“Sport administrators should always bare it in mind that at the end of the day, result is all that matters,’’ he said.

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Defending champions Team North West and South South have qualified for the finals of the U-17 National Boys Cricket championship to hold on Sunday.

The tournament sponsored by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) is ongoing at the Edo Boys High School, Adolor, in Benin.

To get to the finals, North West defeated the North Central cricket team by seven wickets on Saturday , while North Central won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 42 runs all wickets out in 16.4 overs.

In the second innings North West scored 44 runs for the loss of three in 9.2 overs.  Theophilus Jeremiah emerged player of the match.

In the second match of the day, Team South South won the toss and opted to bat. They scored 154 runs for the loss of four wickets in 30 overs.

South West scored 101 runs, all out in 27.3 overs. South South won by 55 runs.

The tournament which began on Thursday is expected to end on Sunday. (NAN)

 Tokyo Olympic organising committee president, Yoshiro Mori, apologised on Thursday after he was harshly criticised for his sexist remarks.

Mori acknowledged that his remarks were “careless. I would like to offer an apology,” he told Kyodo News.

Later in the day, Mori told reporters he had no intention of resigning.

Speaking at an online meeting of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) on Wednesday, Mori suggested that women talked too much at meetings of boards of directors.

“Board of directors’ meetings with many women take more time,” he said, according to local media.

The 83-year-old was referring to JOC’s plan to raise the percentage of women on its board of directors to 40 per cent. Currently only five of its 24 members are women.

“Women are competitive. When one person raises a hand to speak, others apparently feel compelled to speak up as well.

“So, everyone speaks,” he said, referring to his experience as a former president of the Japan Rugby Football Union.

“Somebody told me that if we increase the number of women, we have to also restrict their speaking time to an extent. Otherwise, they’ll never stop, which is problematic,” he said.

Mori also came in for criticism from a fellow member of the Japan Olympic Committee.

“Gender equality and consideration for people with disabilities were supposed to be a given for the Tokyo Games.

“It is unfortunate to see the president of the organising committee make such a remark,” JOC director Kaori Yamaguchi was quoted by Kyodo as saying.

Mori, who has had a long career in politics, was one of the most unpopular prime ministers in modern Japan. He was known for a string of gaffes and for low approval ratings.

His comment comes at a time when up to 80 per cent of the Japanese believe the Games will be postponed again or cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest surveys.

However, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese organisers are pressing ahead with Games preparation.

Tokyo and its surrounding regions remain under a coronavirus state of emergency until March 7 amid a resurgence of virus infections.

Even before the postponement of the Games, many Japanese had expressed concerns about their surging costs.

Japan could end up spending more than 3 trillion yen (29 billion dollars), officials estimated.

This is four times the original budget of 734 billion yen when Tokyo was bidding for the 2020 Games in 2013, calling for a “compact Olympics.” (dpa/NAN)

Olympic officials on Wednesday unveiled the first of many COVID-19 rules for the Tokyo Games this summer, banning singing and chanting during events.

They are also going to mandate participants to wear masks at “all times” except when eating, sleeping or outdoors.

The measures, which also included rules barring international federation officials and staff from using public transport without permission, are unlikely to comfort a wary Japanese public.

The Japanese public are increasingly opposed to hosting the Games during a global pandemic.

Officials acknowledged that the Summer Games in Tokyo would be “different” from any past Olympics, but reiterated that they would be able to hold the postponed event safely this year.

“There will be a number of constraints and conditions that the participants will have to respect and follow, which will have an impact on their experience, particularly when it comes to the social aspect of what the Olympics experience can be,” said Pierre Ducrey, the director of Olympic Games Operations at the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Tokyo Olympics were delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and is scheduled to begin in July.

New rules in a “playbook” jointly published by the Tokyo Olympic organisers, the IOC, and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) range from regular hand-washing protocols to disinfecting dining tables after eating.

Delegations and staff will also be required to appoint a COVID-19 liaison officer, who will be responsible for ensuring that the participants follow the guidelines.

Serious failures to comply with virus rules could lead to expulsion from the Games, the playbook said.

Officials said the rules unveiled on Wednesday were for delegates of international federations competing in the Games, adding that they would publish updated guidelines in April.

This will be with more details expected on testing and isolation and more specific guidance for athletes.

Japan has fared better than most other advanced economies in fighting the coronavirus, with fewer than 6,000 deaths recorded so far.

But new infections in Japan rose to record highs in early January, triggering a state of emergency in Tokyo and some other areas.

The government extended the emergency in most of those places on Tuesday.

Nearly 80 percent of the public are opposed to holding the Olympics as scheduled this year, according to recent polls, concerned that an influx of athletes will further spread the virus.

A medical association representing Tokyo doctors combating the coronavirus told Reuters this week medical staff would not have the time to volunteer to help at the Olympics.

This is because they have been under too much strain dealing with the third wave of the pandemic.

The country, which is last among the Group of Seven advanced industrial nations to begin vaccinating its population, is set to begin its vaccination campaign later this month.

Some have expressed worry that this will further stretch medical resources.

Asked about such concerns, an official from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee said it was important to achieve a balance between supporting the local medical system and hosting the Games. (Reuters/NAN)

By Olanrewaju Akojede

The organisers of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Monday announced April 10 as the date for the 2021 edition.

The Project Consultant of the race, Bukola Olopade, in a statement in Lagos, said the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon had been moved from Feb. 13 to April 10.

“On behalf of our Host City, Lagos, the Center of Excellence, our Headline Sponsor, Access Bank and other partners and sponsors, we sincerely apologise for having to postpone our race from Feb. 13 to April 10.

“This is because of the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has forced the cancellation or postponement of sporting events worldwide, especially mass participation events like marathons and road races.

“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon organisers and sponsors had put machineries in place to go ahead with the race on Feb. 13, especially all the COVID-19 protocols set by the World Athletics body.

“We also got the approval of all the government agencies including the Lagos State Safety Commission which approved an elite only race,” he said.

Olopade said the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare had also approved Feb. 13 for the race.

“But on second thought, as responsible corporate citizens, it was agreed that the race should be moved since most organisations are on lockdown till end of February.

“Also with the prediction that by March, we would be experiencing a downward trend in the number of infections and vaccine would be available.

“The Organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon are inundated with calls from Athletics Federations around the world and elite runners who wanted to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Lagos.

“Since the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been approved as Olympic Games qualifier by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the World Athletics,” he said.

Olopade thanked federations and elite runners worldwide who had chosen the race to qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo.

“Our new date of April 10 still falls within the IOC deadline as runners have till May 31 to qualify for the Olympic Games.

“However, the decision to accommodate 10km family and fun runners or not will be in the hands of the technical and medical personnel working with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

“We have seen the benefits of running that Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has revived in Lagos and Nigeria, especially the health benefits.

“The 10km race is for the people and as Project Consultant, I love to see thousands coming for our race but runners’ health is paramount,” he said. (NAN)

By Olanrewaju Akojede

The organiser of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) says the earlier suspended league will resume on Feb. 10.

Its Media Officer, Dapo Shotiminu, made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Shotiminu said that the one month suspension of the league was lifted by Aisha Falode, NWFL’s Chairperson.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that management of NWFL had on Jan. 11 suspended the women’s league as a result of shortage of COVID-19 test kits for players and officials.

“After a compulsory postponement of the 2020/2021 NWFL, Premiership matches by one month, its Chairperson, Falode, has announced the resumption of league matches on Wednesday, Feb. 10,” Shotiminu said.

He said that resumption of the league would take effect in all designated venues across the country.

“The NWFL season will now resume after all the 14 clubs had complied with the COVID-19 preventive protocols that were established before the commencement of the league on Dec. 9, 2020.

“All the clubs’ players and officials have been tested and results have been submitted to the NWFL Secretariat after thorough verification.

“Though, there are numbers of positive tests from the results, the affected clubs have been instructed to keep these players out of the team’s camp and replace them with other players who tested negative.

“The clubs are supposed to monitor these positive cases and ensure proper treatment and isolation until they come out with a clean bill of health,” he said.

Shotiminu said after the treatment regime, a fresh test would be conducted, and results to be submitted must show negative status of the affected players before they could return to the league.

He said that the dates on the match fixtures had been adjusted and copies sent to all the clubs for their matches.

“We are not going to wait for anyone again; we have lost five weeks working to ensure we prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our elite league and also save the lives of our players and officials.

“We cannot afford to wait any longer. The league will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 going into Week Five out of 26 weeks to be played with a total of 182 matches,” he said.

Shotiminu said that the Week Five fixtures have Confluence Queens against FC Robo at the Lokoja Stadium, while Delta Queens battle Bayelsa Queens at the Agbor Stadium.

“Edo Queens will host Nasarawa Amazons at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

“In other matches, Abia Angels battle Sunshine Queens, in Umuahia; Ibom Angels tango Rivers Angels in Uyo; Osun Babes take on Dream Stars of Lagos at the Osogbo Township Stadium.

“The Pelican Stars will slug it out with Royal Queens at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar,” he said. (NAN)

By Moses Omorogieva

The maiden Abuja City International Marathon has been scheduled for Oct. 2, Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nilayo Sports Management Ltd., disclosed on Monday.

Olopade said in a statement that the Abuja City International Marathon was a race that would excite Nigerians and athletes alike.

“The race is going to be a world-class event, given the precedence with the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and other races across the country.”

He said discussions had been concluded with a telecommunications company and a financial institution for the event’s sponsorship, disclosing that the unveiling of their sponsors and partners would soon hold.

Olopade said also that the route of the Abuja City International Marathon had been measured and calibrated by a World Athletics Grade ‘A’ measurer, Norrie Williamson, since 2018.

“Williamson was the measurer of the marathon routes of four Olympic Games —- Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 —- and several other iconic cities marathons.

”He described the point-to-point route of Abuja City International Marathon as one of the best he has measured around the world.

“Abuja is an amazing city with a lot of exciting sights. This is the reason why we are particular about making the race an international marathon that will attract the cream-de-la-crème of road running across the world.

“We are working on this project with the World Athletics, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. We are set to put Abuja on the world map,” he said.(NAN)

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Piety Lucky,  the Most Valuable Player at the National U-17 Cricket Female finals has received full academic scholarship to university level following her remarkable performance at the tournament.

Musa Ehizoje, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), made the announcement after the final match of the event at the Edo Boys High School Adolor, Benin.

Lucky, who plays for the South South team scored a century on the first day of the competition (on Friday), against South West, making her the first female in North-West to achieve the feat.

The 14-year-old, who was elated by the gesture, said she didn’t plan to attain such height.

“I am so happy to have reached this height. I didn’t plan for it, I just wanted to play.

“I am thankful to the organisers of this event for gifting me a scholarship. I will always try to be better at my game,” Lucky said.

Uyi Akpata, vice president of the federation lauded Lucky for her brilliant performance.

“This is just one of the achievements of this tournament and the scholarship given to Piety is one of the benefits from participating in sports.

“She displayed a great performance and I had to speak to a few friends about her performance and they agreed to sponsor her till her university level,” Akpata said.

Meanwhile South South defeated North West in the finals of the three-day tournament to emerge as champions. (NAN)

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), sponsors of the National U-17 Cricket championship, on Sunday in Benin said they would continue to support the tournament for the next three years.

Chioma Giwa-Amu, a representative of the company said this at the closing ceremony of the second edition of the National U-17 Cricket Female finals in Benin on Sunday.

Giwa-Amu said she was particularly overwhelmed by the girls’ performance and it had endeared her to the sport.

“I had so much fun watching you. I will have to say that you have introduced me to cricket.

“You all played very well. But, remember that it is not always about lifting the trophy but about making the sport grow.

“We didn’t hear so much about cricket before now in Nigeria but with all that you are doing we can see that PwC has put their hands into something good. We see lives being changed.

“PwC have made a pledge that we will continue with this, at least for the next three years. We will continue to sponsor you and see how we can make the sport grow better.

“We thank you for making us proud and showing us that we are putting our money into something worthwhile,” Giwa-Amu added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the South South zone’s team emerged champions of the tournament held at the Edo Boys High School Adolor in Benin. (NAN)