SPORTS
2020 Olympics: I will provide selection options for Hughley
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Ahead of the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo, 24-year old Nicole Enabosi is confident in her ability to add enough quality as the D’Tigress hots up preparation.
Enabosi, who prides herself as a versatile player adept at playing multiple positions is confident of providing selection options for Coach Otis Hughley after she was invited to the team’s Atlanta camp.
Having watched the team play she said, “I think I can bring more to the defence.
I am a very handy player, love stealing the ball and playing full court defence.“I can also bring some versatility and match-up problems as I am a big guard and a small post (player)”.
She credited the team spirit and work ethics which she believes remains a cutting edge as preparation continues for the 2020 Olympics game in Tokyo.
Nicole who missed the 2018 FIBA World Cup in Spain due to injury said her return to the team has been made easier with the attitude of the players and coaching staff as they welcomed her back to the fold like she never left.
“Honestly, I don’t think there are any changes from the 2018 team and the current team. Both groups are easy going, easy to talk to and the coaching staff of both teams are really helpful.”
The 24 year old plying her trade in Slovakia said since she was not the only new face in camp, she never had a reason to feel out of place.
“I had a great time and I was able to bond with girls my age who were just getting out of college or in college while also learning from other older girls.
“They did a great job showing the ropes to the new players and being there for us to answer a lot of questions”, Nicole said.
Nigeria is grouped alongside world number one- USA, France and Japan.
Navas Extends PSG Deal Until 2024
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has signed a contract extension that keeps him with Paris Saint-Germain until 2024, the French champions announced yesterday.
Costa Rica’s Navas, 34, who joined the Parisians from Real Madrid in 2019, has started all the club’s games on their way to this year’s Champions League semifinals.
“I am very happy that I can continue my journey with Paris Saint-Germain,” Navas said in a video posted on PSG’s social media platforms.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men host Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League last four on Wednesday before the return fixture on May 4.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
Lagos State will host the second edition of the National School Volleyball Championships from April 21 to April 24 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Joseph, said in a statement on Monday that schools from across the country had converged for the four-day tournament.
She said the competition meant for secondary schools is organised by the NSSF in collaboration with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), with support from the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).
Joseph said the annual tournament aims to develop volleyball in the school system and identify outstanding athletes who will represent Nigeria at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) events.
She expressed delight at the growing interest among schools nationwide and urged participants to be worthy ambassadors of their institutions.
“In Nigeria, we are blessed with an abundance of talent in the school system.
“Volleyball, being one of the popular sports in schools, has ignited healthy rivalry among students.
“Sports stimulates learning, so we are building a total child through events like this,” she said.
Joseph added that standout athletes from the Lagos championship would be shortlisted to compete at the ISF World School Volleyball Championship in China.
She described the event as a unique opportunity for young players to showcase their skills before global scouts.
“Teams from Lagos, Osun, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ogun, Taraba, Bauchi and other states are competing for honours, with NVBF technical officials on ground to scout for talent.”
The maiden edition of the National School Volleyball Championships was held in Abuja, where host teams won both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
Outstanding players from the FCT, Plateau and Kaduna states later represented Nigeria at the 2025 ISF World School Volleyball Championships in China.
The World School Volleyball Championship is scheduled to be held from July 1 to July 10 in China.
Guinea will face Nigeria’s Flamingos in the final qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Guineans defeated Niger Republic 3-0 in the second leg of their qualifying fixture in Conakry on Saturday.
They won the contest 8-2 on aggregate, following their 5-2 triumph in the first leg last week.
The winner of the Flamingos versus Guinea clash will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos set up camp in Abuja for the clash with their fellow West Africans last week.
Newly appointed head coach, Akeem Busari invited 36 players to camp for the team’s preparation.
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