SPORTS
Storm kept VP Osinbajo Away From NSF Official Opening — Gov. Obaseki
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo missed the official opening of the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin due to the storm at the city’s airport, Edo’s Gov. Godwin Obaseki said on Tuesday.
Obaseki, in his address at Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the festival tagged “Edo 2020”, said the vice-president tried to be at the venue of the event.
“But his plane had to be diverted due to the bad weather,” he said.
An afternoon downpour delayed the commencement of the ceremony, which was later held amidst colourful cultural presentations by several artistes and troupes.
Obaseki, however, commended Osinbajo for finding time out of his busy schedule, even though, he could not finally make it.
Osinbajo was due to stand in for President Muhammadu Buhari at the event which marked the opening of the April 2 to April 14 competition.
“We are grateful, for he has taken time out his busy schedule to be here with us this evening even though he could not finally make it.
“He is a friend of Edo and we appreciate this gesture,” Obaseki said.
However, in the absence of Vice-President Osinbajo, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, stood in to deliver President Buhari’s message to the festival.
He described the festival as an avenue to showcases Nigeria’s best talents in over 32 different sports events.
“The NSF is the biggest sports fiesta in the country, where both professionals and home-based athletes converge to display their prowess.
“Although the 20th National Sports Festival is supposed to have taken place one year ago, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it suffered several postponements.
“However, the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that youths were engaged productively through sports, is notable.
“So also are the doggedness of the Edo Government to host the festival and the unwavering commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
“Now, we are glad today that we finally are having the festival. It is indeed a befitting festival,” the president said.
He commended the young athletes who have converged in Benin for the competition, saying the festival remained one of the veritable tools for uniting the country.
“The NSF is also a tool to bring our young men and women to interact, to make friends, to compete and it also provides an avenue to discover talents in various sports who will represent the country in the global sports arena.
“I therefore thank the government and people of Edo for keeping their promise of hosting the festival in spite of the numerous challenges brought about by the postponement which occurred almost a year ago.
“The investment made in sports infrastructure and allied structures by the Edo government signposts the direction our sports development must take in Nigeria.
“No doubt, an investment in both our both men and women and sports infrastructure is most desired.”(NAN)
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)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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