By Victor Okoye

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says the ministry is committed to developing sports at the grassroots through the continued organisation of the One Service One Medal (OSOM) Games.

Dare said this at the opening ceremony of the 2020 OSOM Games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 740 athletes are taking part in the event which is the fourth edition of the OSOM Games.

The Ministry of Sports approved the staging of the games in Abuja over a four-day period, with 15 events to be competed for by members of the Armed Forces and the  paramilitary.

This was after several postponements occasioned  by the COVID-19  pandemic.

Events to be competed  for include athletics, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting,  Tug-of-War, beach  volleyball, boxing, chess, squash, scrabble.

Others are golf,, tennis, shooting, table tennis and badminton.

The Minister of Sports who was represented by Nebeolisa Anako, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary,, said that the organisation of the annual event was one of the ministry’s grassroots sports development objectives.

“I am glad to inform you that through the organisation of the annual OSOM Games, the Ministry is actively achieving its mandate of creating a pool of potential athletes that can continuously represent the country in international competitions.

“I have been informed that over 740 athletes and officials have been accredited to participate in this year’s games.

“With the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, I strongly believe that the objectives of this games will be achieved in many respects,” he said.

Dare noted that the concept of the Games was for each Service to produce a star athlete that would win one medal at major international competitions/Games.

This was to be based on past records of the country’s podium performances at such international competitions.

“The OSOM Games was strategically designed by the Ministry in collaboration with the Military and Para-Military Agencies in Nigeria after the London 2012 Olympics to help sports development among them.

“This year’s edition of the Games is unique in many respects, as it falls within the Olympic year, whereby as a nation we will tap into the euphoria and excitements to produce the best that will represent and do us proud.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the quality of athletes present here today are capable of making our country proud anytime, anywhere,” he said.

NAN also reports that part of events to mark the opening ceremony was a march past by the various agencies, bike riders display by the Police Force, Tug-of-war, horse riding as well as oath taking by a representative of the athletes and officials.

Isaac Ogbole from FRSC represented the athletes, while Agnes Itam from the Nigeria Police Force took the oath on behalf of all the officials.

The Games which kicked off on Wednesday is expected to climax with the closing ceremony on Saturday. (NAN)

By Olanrewaju Akojede

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Wednesday expressed shock over the news of the demise of the former Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Bala Ka’oje.

The Public Relations Officer of NOC, Phemmy Adetula, in a statement in Lagos noted that the NOC President, Habu Gumel, described the demise of the former sports minister as shocking and unbelievable.

Gumel further described Ka’oje as a good man, gentle, resourceful and always willing to offer solutions to all problems while in office and thereafter.

“This is not the time to lose such an industrious son of our nation, but who are we to query God? Ka’oje will be solely missed.

“On behalf of the members of the NOC, we commiserate with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Kebbi State Government, his immediate family and the sporting community on this sad and irreparable loss,” he said.

Ka’oje, a master’s degree holder in structural engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was born 60 years ago in Kebbi.

He has since been buried in Abuja according to Islamic rites,” the statement added. (NAN)

This year’s NFL Super Bowl will feature a woman referee for the first time, as Sarah Thomas joins head referee Carl Cheffers, the league announced on Tuesday.

“Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official,” NFL EVP of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement.

“Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honour.”

Thomas is at the end of her sixth season in the league and will be one of seven officials for the championship game on Feb. 7 in Tampa Bay.

On Sunday it will be determined which two teams will face off.

The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) in the U.S. and has always been played on the first Sunday in February.

The Japanese Government plans to hold the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 without making vaccination against COVID-19 a condition for participation.

“We are considering comprehensive measures to hold a safe and secure games, even without making vaccines a condition,” government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said on Tuesday.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach has already on several occasions ruled out making vaccination compulsory for athletes.

The organisers however, are pushing for as many athletes and others who travel to Tokyo to be vaccinated as possible.

Some 11,000 athletes from around the world are due to take part, plus thousands of officials and media.

The question of whether spectators will be allowed is still open.

Japan plans to start vaccinating its population at the end of February, according to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government.

This will be around two months later than some western nations, as Japan wants to carry out testing domestically first.

The campaign will start with medical personnel. Those aged 65 or older are next in line, possibly at the end of March.

After that, vaccines will be extended to people with pre-existing conditions and those who care for the elderly.

The Tokyo Games, which were originally scheduled for last year but cancelled due to the pandemic, were postponed to this summer and are scheduled from July 23 to August 8.

Japan’s government has put in place a state of emergency for the greater Tokyo area and other prefectures as coronavirus infection numbers continue to pass new record highs.

Japan has recorded more than 330,000 infections so far and some 4,500 deaths. (dpa/NAN)

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowed on Monday to forge ahead with preparations to hold the Tokyo Olympics this summer, in the face of growing public opposition as Japan battles a surge in coronavirus infections.

Suga faces heightened scrutiny after Taro Kono, his administrative and reform minister, told Reuters last week the Games may not go ahead as planned, becoming the first cabinet member to voice doubt over their staging.

Kono’s comments added fuel to the fire after recent media polls showed close to 80 per cent of Japanese believe the Olympics, already postponed by a year because of the pandemic, should be delayed again or cancelled entirely.

“We will press ahead with preparations, with determination of building watertight anti-infection measures and holding an event that can bring hope and courage to the world,” Suga said in a policy speech at the start of a regular parliament session.

Japan has been less severely hit by the pandemic than many other advanced economies, but the recent surge in cases spurred it to close its borders to non-resident foreigners and declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and major cities.

Suga’s support ratings have tumbled as critics have described the government’s handling of the pandemic as too slow and inconsistent.

Monday’s comments echo a pledge by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach that the Tokyo Olympics will be a “light at the end of the tunnel” in the global pandemic fight.

Organisers face no shortage of logistical headaches, with tough decisions looming over how to welcome spectators and athletes while safeguarding against the virus.

The IOC expects just 6,000 athletes at the opening ceremony, down from an initial figure of about 11,000 from 200 nations, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Monday.

It plans to scale back the ceremony because athletes will not be allowed to arrive at the Olympic Village more than five days before they compete and must depart within two days of completion of their events, the paper added.

“We believe it is necessary to reconsider the number of participants at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and how they will enter the stadium,” the Tokyo 2020 organising committee said in an email.

This step would ensure the safety and security of the athletes and simplify operations, it said, while adding that a specific approach had not yet been decided in its talks with the IOC and other groups. (Reuters/NAN)

Inter Milan beat lacklustre champions Juventus 2-0 in Sunday’s Serie A classic and went top on goal difference ahead of crosstown rivals AC Milan.

Juventus are fifth with a game in hand and stayed seven points off the top, with AC Milan hoping to reclaim first place when they close Match Day 18 at Cagliari on Monday.

Inter Milan were one goal up at half time, thanks to a header from ex-Juve midfielder Arturo Vidal.

The former FC Barcelona player connected with Nicolo Barella’s cross on 12 minutes to net his first goal in the season.

The hosts also came close when Lautaro Martinez missed a tap in after Romelu Lukaku was denied by Wojciech Szczesny.

Juve lacked the speed to threaten the tight Nerazzurri defence and conceded again on 52 minutes, when Alessandro Bastoni sent Barella storming from the midfield to struck under the bar.

“[The goal] was important for me and for the team,” said Vidal, who won the first four in Juve’s record run of nine Scudetti. “We won a difficult game against the strongest team in Italy.

“We showed that we are fit to battle for the title. Wins like these give you the confidence to continue on, but we have to keep working everyday.”

The day’s opener saw Napoli pummel Fiorentina 6-0 to take third place as their inspired captain Lorenzo Insigne hit a brace and provided an assist.

The fast, diminutive Insigne struck clinically on five minutes and was unstoppable when he raced down the left flank to square for the third goal from Hirving Lozano.

Napoli’s other striker Andrea Petagna set up Insigne’s opener and also crossed for the second goal scored by Diego Demme.

Piotr Zielinski fired in off the left post to effectively wrap up matters by half time, and Insigne then converted a penalty kick before a late effort from substitute Matteo Politano.

“I am happy because as a Neapolitan it’s important to reach goals while wearing this shirt,” the Naples-born Insigne said. “But I am happier still about the win because we played as a team with a great performance.

“We made some mistakes in previous games but the good thing is that every three days you have a chance to bounce back.”

Napoli have a game in hand against Juventus and sit six points behind AC Milan.

In Bergamo, Atalanta were held to a 0-0 draw against lowly visitors Genoa, staying sixth one point behind Juventus.

The Bergamaschi also have a game in hand.

Elsewhere, Sassuolo salvaged a 1-1 draw against second-last Parma, thanks to a stoppage time penalty kick.

Crotone stayed last in spite of beating Benevento 4-1 with a brace from Nigerian striker Simy.

Benevento had Marco Sau red-carded for his protests after the hosts’ fourth goal.

Fourth-placed Roma lost 3-0 to Lazio in Friday’s city derby.

On Saturday, Bologna beat Verona 1-0, Sampdoria prevailed 2-1 against Udinese as Torino and Spezia drew 0-0.

Japan’s government on Sunday dismissed suggestions that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics scheduled for this summer could be cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have decided the venues and schedule, and the people involved are working on preparations, including infection control,” the Kyodo news agency quoted government spokesman Katsunobu Kato as saying.

The statement came after reports quoted Taro Kono, the minister for administrative and regulatory reform, as saying that “anything can happen” and “it could go either way” with the Games postponed from last year.

The government, local organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have said the Games are to go ahead amid a strict hygiene and safety concept.

But doubts remain as a state of emergency has been declared for the Tokyo region amid rising numbers of coronavirus infections.

A recent survey has also said 80 per cent of Japanese believed the Games would be postponed or cancelled again.(dpa/NAN)

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) said over 300 players were expected to feature in the forthcoming zonal female qualifiers of the Under-17 National Cricket Championship.

Taiwo Oriss, the Secretary General of the federation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, that more players were expected to register before the deadline of the competition, sponsored by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

“As at 3p.m today, Jan. 14, we have registered 205 players, the deadline for registration is noon on Friday, but before then, we are expecting more players to register.

“So far, we have some states that have indicated interest, while we are also waiting for others.

“We currently have three states from North Central, four from South West, three from both North West and South East and five from South South.

“We have no entries from North East and this is understandably due to the insurgency in that area,”Orissa said.

The NCF official added that the mandatory online registration also affected the number of entries received.

“Sometimes due to internet issues, the documents of players may not be updated as soon as possible, but we expect that before the deadline, everyone will be captured,” he declared.

Oriss also said preparations were on top gear ahead of the two-day competition to commence Saturday, Jan. 16

“The competition is going to be played at the zonal level.

“States within the zones are going to converge at a location and play against each other with a winner emerging thereafter.

“So, states have started traveling to their various locations for the tournament,” he said.

NAN reports that the best players from the zones would be selected to represent the region in the finals of the tournament scheduled for Jan. 29 to Jan. 31. (NAN)

Everton claimed a sixth win from nine away games this season as Alex Iwobi’s opener and Michael Keane’s late header earned them a 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The win moved Everton into fourth spot in the English Premier League (EPL) on Tuesday.

A lively opening saw Alex Iwobi fire Everton in front early in the sixth minute before Ruben Neves replied for Wolves in the 14th minute.

Wolves had looked the more likely winners in a dull second half but Keane’s towering header in the 77th minute sealed maximum points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Everton moved into the top four with 32 points from 17 games while Wolves dropped a place to 14th spot with 22 points.

Without injured striker and talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s goal threat looked diminished.

But Iwobi scored his first English Premier League goal for 15 months and England defender Keane proved an unlikely match winner.

“I thought we showed brilliant character. We had a few players missing today but showed the strength of the squad,” the former Burnley defender said.

“We are a massive threat from set plays. It wins us games. So, it is massive. I thought the lads did really well. Everyone worked their socks off.”

Everton have scored nine headed goals this season, more than any other team in the top flight.

Keane’s effort would have got a nod of approval from the club’s former aerial wizards such as Bob Latchford and Duncan Ferguson.

When Andre Gomes had the ball out on the left there appeared to be no immediate danger.

But his outswinging cross was met by a soaring Keane whose thumping header arrowed into the corner past a helpless Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

It was slightly harsh on Wolves who almost levelled again when Neves curled a free-kick against the outside of the post.

“Details. Details. Details. It is happening to us, we have to improve set-pieces focus,” Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo said after his side’s third league loss in five games.

Iwobi has often flattered to deceive since joining from Arsenal but his sixth minute opener was beautifully taken.

A sweeping move saw James Rodriguez pick out Lucas Digne and his ball inside was met sweetly by Iwobi whose first-time shot took a slight deflection off Conor Coady and past Patricio.

Wolves trailed for only seven minutes though as Neves showed great skill to direct a volley past Jordan Pickford from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s driven cross.

Everton were well-organised in the second half, however, and Keane’s header continued their superb away form.

“If you win here you have to have a good performance. We had a good game,” Ancelotti said.

“The game was in the balance. But we won, thanks to Michael Keane who scored a fantastic goal.”

Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the 2020/2021 English Premier League (EPL) after a Paul Pogba goal gave them a 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday.

The victory, in the re-arranged fixture at Turf Moor, put Manchester United on 36 points from 17 games with rivals Liverpool on 33 points.

This has come ahead of the clash between the two sides at Anfield on Sunday.

The breakthrough came in the 71st minute when Marcus Rashford floated in a ball from the right which Pogba met with a volley.

It deflected off Burnley defender Matt Lowton and beat the wrong-footed Nick Pope.

It is the first time Manchester United have been top of the league after 17 games, since December 2012.

Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire had an effort ruled out in the first half.

This was after referee Kevin Friend ruled he had pushed Erik Pieters as he rose to head in a Luke Shaw cross at the back post.

Burnley applied some late pressure and felt they should have had a penalty kick when the ball appeared to hit Maguire’s arm.

James Tarkowski also had a great chance to grab a point for the Clarets but failed to make good contact from a goalscoring position.