SPORTS
Kogi State Handball: Stakeholders Calls for Leadership Reform
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Handball stakeholders in Kogi State have called for a comprehensive leadership reform within the state’s handball association to restore the sport’s prominence.
Addressing journalists after a visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaojo Anyebe in his office in Lokoja on Tuesday, the stakeholders outlined the achievements and setbacks of Kogi State handball since its inception in 1991, pointing the need for immediate change to revive the state’s handball culture.
They noted that Kogi State’s handball history includes significant accomplishments from winning national underage tournaments in the 1990s to representing Nigeria in international competitions.
Kogi’s under-15 boys’ team won gold in Italy in 1995, while local teams performed well in various national championships uptile 2019.However, the stakeholders noted a decline in participation and development initiatives, which they attribute to issues within the association’s leadership.
They revealed that since 2020, Kogi’s Confluence Stars, the state’s premier league team, has struggled to participate in the league due to financial constraints and a lack of support.
This situation according to them has led some players to seek opportunities with teams in other states, undermining team cohesion and player morale.
Additionally, the once-thriving Confluence Queens female team, which participated in national tournaments until 2020, has since disbanded”
Stakeholders attribute much of the sport’s recent decline to the leadership of Jibril Saidu, the current chairman of Kogi State Handball Association. They allege that Saidu’s decision to withdraw sponsorship, along with personal conflicts, has prevented Kogi from participating in critical national events. This includes the under-12 and under-15 championships held in Sokoto over the past five years, where Kogi teams were notably absent.
In response to these challenges, the stakeholders called for the dissolution of the current board, citing a lack of effective leadership and commitment to the state’s handball development.
They propose the formation of a new board that will prioritize regional representation, involvement from former players, and individuals with strong sponsorship capabilities.
The stakeholders also endorsed Okpanachi Mark Ogah as the next chairman, describing him as a capable leader who they believe can restore Kogi State’s handball legacy within two years.
Speaking during the visit, His Royal Highness, Oba Luke Oludoyi from Isanlu who is one of the handball Stakeholders appealed to the Commissioner to give them necessary support in making handball sporting activities in the state a laudable venture for the overall growth of the State Sports Sector.
On his part, Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah said he is ready to further the ideals of the stakeholders and rebirth a new and active handball sport in Kogi State.
He assured that if given the mandate, the Kogi State handball team will take its rightful place again as champion.
Responding, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Monday Anyebe, noted that Kogi State Government is committed to ensuring that the sports sector in the state continues to receive the necessary support towards enhancing sporting activities in the state.
The Commissioner said under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo all sporting activities will be given adequate attention and Support.
He called on members of the handball stakeholders in the state to be united and continue to promote the activities of the handball sport in the state.
Also Present during the visit includes the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of sports, Jibo Haruna Muhammed, the Director Kogi State Sports Council, Onipe Obakachi and other Directors of the Ministry.
SPORTS
NPFL: Late Penalty Kick Helps Kwara United to Narrow Win
A penalty kick awarded late in the game on Sunday helped hosts Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin to a 1-0 win over Katsina United.
The win was in a match day 18 encounter in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played at the Kwara Stadium Complex.
The hosts did dominate possession, especially in the first half, but they struggled and failed to convert their goal scoring chances.
Junior Aimufua and Issa Gatta posed occasional threats from the flanks but were unable to break the deadlock.
The first half saw Kwara United losing Akeem Akanni who was forced out of the game due to injury and was subsequently replaced by Sodeeq Yusuf before the break.
The second half saw relentless pressure from Kwara United in the search for a goal, but Katsina United employed delay tactics to disrupt the flow of the game.
However, substitute Ismail Gatta, who replaced Wasiu Alalade in the 53rd minute, became the hero in the 87th minute after confidently converting a penalty kick.
This was after a Katsina United defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.
Kwara United’s Head Coach, Tunde Sanni, later insisted that his side was still a work in progress even though he praised their resilience against a tough Katsina United.
“We are proud of the young players we are using. Modern football favours youthful energy over big names,” he said.
Sanni also assured the club’s fans that Akanni’s injury was minor and he should return to action soon in about one or two weeks.
Report says that Kwara United are now in 11th place on the log with 23 points, and an outstanding home game against Enyimba International of Aba.
They will face the Shooting Stars in Ibadan on Sunday in their final match day fixture in the first stanza of the league.(NAN)
SPORTS
Tottenham Edge Manchester United 4-3 in Thrilling League Cup Win
Dominic Solanke’s brace helped Tottenham Hotspur edge a rip-roaring League Cup quarter-final game with Manchester United by a 4-3 win.
The win ensures that Tottenham are still in hunt of a first trophy since 2008.
Spurs were in cruise control when Solanke rifled home his second in the 54th minute to add to his first-half opener and Dejan Kulusevski’s effort 46 seconds into the second half.
Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster pressed the self-destruct button, though, as his two errors set up a nervy finale.
First Manchester United substitute Joshua Zirkzee tapped in after Forster’s pass out from the back had been intercepted before Amad Diallo blocked his clearance to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes left.
Ange Postecoglou’s men were teetering on the brink of collapse at this point, but captain Son Heung Min scored directly from a corner with two minutes left despite protestations from keeper Altay Bayindir.
It ensured Jonny Evans’ stoppage-time header was a mere consolation as Spurs march on towards the semi-finals.
The loss left Ruben Amorim to pick the bones out of the third defeat of his short tenure. (dpa/NAN)
SPORTS
NPFL: Nasarawa Utd pip Lobi Stars 1-0 in North Central Derby
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)