By Emmanuel Afonne

The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, has commended the Flying Eagles for their third-place finish at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles humbled the Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 4-0 on Friday to clinch the bronze medal, setting a record of finishing on the podium in the competition a record 13 times.

Dare, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Toyin Ibitoye, described the bronze medal as better than nothing.

The minister charged the team to put to good use lessons learnt at the tournament as they prepare for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May.

“We were disappointed that we couldn’t play in the final or win this competition as planned but this convincing victory over Tunisia has redeemed some of the pain we felt last Monday after the game with The Gambia.

“A bronze medal is better than nothing.

“Now we have to also focus on doing a lot better at the World Cup in Indonesia in May.

“There is very little time left but I believe the coaches now know where their focus should be in improving the team,” the statement quoted Dare as saying.

The FIFA Under-20 World Cup is scheduled to hold between May 20 and June 11 in Indonesia. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

By Emmanuel Afonne

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on Friday in Egypt finished third at the ongoing Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a 4-0 thumping of the Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

The third-place playoff at the Cairo International Stadium saw the Nigerian side going ahead in the 9th minute through Ibrahim Muhammad.

Ahmed Abdullahi doubled the lead a minute after the half-time break, before Jude Sunday grabbed a brace in the 48th and 90th minutes to clearly establish Nigeria’s superiority in the game.

Sunday’s first goal was a fantastic solo effort and his second was scored with a fierce drive from the edge of the box in stoppage time.

The Tunisian team had a better ball possession rating of 54 per cent against the 46 per cent recorded by Nigeria’s Flying Eagles but it was not enough to make any difference.

Nigeria and Tunisia, alongside finalists Senegal and The Gambia, will represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup scheduled to be hosted by Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senegal will take on The Gambia in the final match of the competition on Saturday at the Cairo International Stadium. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Isaiah Eka

Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Thursday in Uyo triumphed over DC Motema Pembe of Congo 3-1 in their Group B encounter in the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup.

The match day 4 fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium saw Ghanaian striker Paul Acquah scoring all three goals for the reigning Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions.

The first goal came in the closing minute of the first half, after a clear-cut pass from Ukeme Williams.

Acquah was on target again in the 56th and 90th minutes to complete his hat-trick.

The Congolese side got a consolation goal in the 78th minute through Mydo Kingu Yallet.

Tumba Ojene, the Coach of DC Motema Pembe, said during the post-match briefing that his players performed very well but were in a state of fatigue after a long journey.

He said they arrived the venue of the match and entered the field of play immediately after their lunch.

“The preparation to this match was in a very difficult condition. We spent 72 hours without training.

“Arriving Uyo also was in a very difficult condition and my players went into the match just after taking their meal and they were so heavy in the first 20 minutes of the match.

“When they came in for the second half, they were ready for the match and it resulted in a goal.

“Now, Rivers United have defeated us but it does not mean that they were superior,” Ojene said.

Stanley Eguma, the Coach of Rivers United, on his part thanked God for the victory, noting that the Congolese team played very well even though they were able to defeat them.

Eguma said he now has to review his team’s performance to enable him correct all the mistakes in preparation for the next match.

“Actually, our opponents played well, they gave us a good run for our money.

“They played well, I commend their efforts but our tactical plan paid off and gave us the three goals today. I feel we are still on course.”

He assured the club’s fans that the team would not disappoint them in their next game.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was earlier scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed to Thursday because of the Congolese team’s late arrival.

The win has now helped the Nigerian side to return to the top of their group’s standings, with nine points from three wins and a loss in four matches.

They have scored seven goals and conceded four, and are two points ahead of the second-placed team in their group.

Their next match is against visiting Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville, the only team to have beaten them so far in the competition and are currently placed third in the group. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne and Olawale Alabi

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, the Executive Director of Fame Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Wednesday in Abuja called for equality and better welfare for women athletes in the country.

Ogunleye-Bello made the call during the annual football tournament organised by the foundation as part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s event was tagged “Embrace Equity”.

Ogunleye-Bello urged Nigerians, especially the incoming administration, to look into the welfare of female athletes.

“As at today, female athletes do not get the support their male athletes get. It is sad and I think it is something that the incoming government or administration should look at.

“They should work together with relevant national sports federations to ensure that there is equality, and the welfare of female athletes is given top-notch attention,’’ she said.

The FAME Executive Director also pointed out that sports were an effective tool being used by the foundation to empower women.

“As we know, Nigeria is heterogenous in nature and the only thing that brings us together is sports.

“We have been Organising this annual tournament for the past five years and the idea is to bring women together to empower them, talk to them on issues surrounding sexual-based violence, leadership and more,’’ she said.

A total of eight teams took part in the competition, namely Team Bet9ja, Team Canada, Team FAME/AMAC, Team USA, Team East Africa, Team ASHWAN, Team ANFS and Team NAWOJ.

NAN reports that Team NAWOJ, which is from the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, emerged winners of the competition after a series of matches played from 9 a.m. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

By lieoma Okigbo

Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, on Wednesday in Abuja said women in Nigeria are getting more opportunities in sports.

Dare said this during an event to celebrate the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD), organised by the Fame Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

He said the narrative has since changed as it concerns women and opportunities in sports.

“First, let me congratulate all Nigerian women and young girls on the event of the IWD.

“This day that is set apart by global international organisations to recognise women validates the fact that women have moved up the ladder when it comes to different endeavours in life.

“More so, when it comes to sports, there is no longer any class ceiling and Nigeria is a good case. We went to the Olympics, the two people that brought us medals are female.

“The same was at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Ninety percent of the medals were won by our young girls who went there.

“So, I think that the narrative has since changed. You must pay attention to the women and I think that they are getting a better share.

“They’re getting better opportunities. The doors are opening for them. We just need more women and young girls to walk through that door,” Dare added.

The Minister, however, lauded Fame Foundation for organising the annual football tournament and called on more well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to replicate same for the empowerment of women.

This year’s edition of IWD is tagged “Embrace Equity”.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Emmanuel Afonne

Sports Minister, Sunday Dare has congratulated Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen for clinching the prestigious ‘Best Foreign Athlete’ Award in Italy.

Osimhen who plies his football trade with Italian Serie A side Napoli has scored 19 goals in 21 games already this season.

Dare in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Toyin Ibitoye described it as a “remarkable achievement”.

“The award is well deserved owing to the hard work, dedication, discipline and professionalism demonstrated by Victor Osimhen this season.

“He is a great ambassador of Nigeria and a role model to the youth.

“His achievements have shown that you can get to the top of the ladder in your career if you believe in yourself and stay focused.

“Victor Osimhen is on the verge of inspiring his club Napoli to their first serie A title in three decades.

“We are proud of all he has achieved. He should not relent,” Ibitoye quoted Dare as saying.

The Italian Footballers Association (AIC) also named Victor Osinhen Serie A Player of the Month for February.

He netted four goals in four league appearances for Napoli last in February.

Osimhen is also in the running for the Lega Serie A Player of the Month.

With 13 games to go, Napoli are odds-on for Serie A glory, having a huge 15-point advantage over second-placed Inter Milan.

Some street hawkers are already selling mementoes in Napoli colours and with a “three” on them in anticipation of a third title.

Shops are also selling cakes and Easter eggs decorated with Osimhen’s trademark face mask, which he wears on the pitch following a face injury.

Osimhen is in his third season at Napoli after previous stints in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and in Ligue 1 with Lille. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Sports and Youth Development Minister, Sunday Dare and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed have constituted Technical Committee to work on the specifics of the incentives package approved in the ‘National Sports Industry Policy’.

The Policy was passed by the Federal Executive Council on Nov. 2, 2022.

A statement issued on Tuesday by Toyin Ibitoye, Special Assistant, Media, to the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare stated that the committee will be chaired by both ministers.

Ibitoye stated that the Committee would have representations from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ministry of Finance as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Nigerian Customs Service.

“The Technical Committee is expected to work out the fine details of the fiscal incentives outlined in the policy, which emphasises ‘Sports as business’, and also prepare grounds for more private sector participation in the sports sector.

“The approval to apply the Renovate Operate Transfer (ROT), Build Operate and Transfer (BOT), Integrated National Financial Framework (INFF), Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) is also a novel aspect of the policy.

“Any other innovative PPP financing model for the provision, rehabilitation of sports facilities in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is also an aspect of the policy.

“The incentives as outlined are tax exemption and rebate for a period of five years for investors in the value chain of sports.

“Land provision and waiver for certain fees on lands meant for sports, single digit loan interest rates for corporate organisations and private individuals investing in the sports value chain are the other incentives,” Ibitoye stated.

He also added that “Independent Government Grant” through the establishment of an Independent Athletes Welfare Fund (AWF) from which athletes representing the country can draw support for education and trainings were also part of the incentives. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, has charged the Flying Eagles to put behind Monday’s semi-finals loss to The Gambia at ongoing Under-20 Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) and focus on the World Cup.

Dare gave the charge on Tuesday in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Toyin Ibitoye.

He expressed regret over the team’s inability to play in the AFCON final but commended them for picking a World Cup ticket.

“The Honourable Minister encouraged the boys. Everybody is disappointed we didn’t make it to the final but that is football for you.

“I believe they will redeem themselves by winning Friday’s third place match.

“Now we have to also focus on doing a lot better at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May.

“There is very little time left but I believe the coaches now know where their focus should be in improving the team,” the statement quoted Dare as saying.

The Flying Eagles lost 0-1 to their Gambian counterparts in the second semi-finals of the ongoing Under-20 AFCON played at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on Monday.

Having lost the encounter, the Nigerian team will now square up against Tunisia on Friday in the third place match.

Tunisia had also lost their semi-final match after they were beaten 3-0 by Senegal who now have a date with The Gambia in the final on Saturday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Emmanuel Afonne

Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, is to be conferred with a “Special Recognition Award” in the Republic of Maldives, an aide of Dare disclosed on Monday.

Toyin Ibitoye, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, in a statement quoted the Maldives’ Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Ahmed Mahloof, explained the award.

Mahloof said it was in recognition of Dare’s contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria and Africa.

“In recognition of the work you have carried out for the development of sports in your country and the African region, we will be conferring the “Special Recognition Award” on you,” he said.

Ibitoye said the conferment ceremony expected to hold in the Republic of Maldives on March 16, would be attended by the Maldivian President, Ibrahim Solih.

He added that world renowned athletes, as well as Maldivian athletes, among others, would also be in attendance.

The minister’s aide said the award would add to various others Dare has bagged “in recognition of his stellar performances since assumption of office as Minister of Sports and Youth Development”.

He listed such awards to include the Award of Excellence in Public Service given by President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as those by the National Telegraph and Blueprint newspapers.

“Others are the Youth Award in the U.S., African Illustrious Minister of the Year Award, among many others.

”Apart from the various awards, Dare has initiated a lot of programmes like the Adopt initiative as well as produced the National Sports Industry Policy, the 10-year Football Development Masterplan and the Talent Hunt Programme.

”He ensured the return of the long and middle distance races, and the cross country race in Nigeria after almost 40 years in the doldrums.

“Dare also embarked on the rehabilitation of sports facilities across the country, efforts that have impacted positively on Nigerian sports,” Ibitoye stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi