SPORTS
UK not Banning Politicians from Attending
The British government has confirmed that members of the country’s parliament (MPs) are not banned from attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It however said on Sunday that there were no plans for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fly to Qatar in support of England and Wales.
The number of fans, organisations and cities choosing to snub this year’s competition has continued to rise due to concerns over the Gulf state’s human rights record.
The prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “No plans for the PM to attend, but we confirm travel nearer the time.
”Asked if there was a ban on attendance, he replied: “Not that I’m aware of.”
Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell announced last month that Labour would not be sending a delegation to the Middle East nation.
She said this was in a stand against Qatar’s criminalisation of same-sex relationships and its treatment of migrant workers.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, however, said he would be making the trip with two of his Cabinet members for the group stages.
He claimed he would use the platform “to promote Wales and engage in diplomacy.”
Last week the Welsh government said it would now not be attending Wales’ match against Iran.
This was in response to the events which have unfolded since 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the country’s morality police.
The decision was not related to the wider debate about whether the entire visit to Qatar was appropriate, the government said.
Politicians and political parties are not alone in having to grapple with the controversy surrounding the tournament.
National teams as well as celebrities, commentators and members of the royal family have had to make their decisions on the matter public.
The England and Wales teams decided against removing themselves from the running for the world’s biggest sporting event, with their games expected to go ahead as planned.
Both squads have instead opted for wearing the “One Love” armbands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
The Football Association of Wales said its players have been told they have the freedom to speak out on any issues that concern them during the 28-day-long World Cup.
None of the 32 sides taking part have pulled out in spite of calls by a number of local teams for a boycott.
Australian team the Socceroos became the first team to come out with a collective statement criticising host Qatar’s human rights violations.
In the impassioned video, team members said the “decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has resulted in the suffering and harm.”
They called for better labour rights and the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships.
A growing number of French cities, including Paris, have joined a boycott and will not show World Cup matches in public places or set up fan zones.
The mayor of Marseille claimed the competition had “gradually turned into a human and environmental disaster.”
Football pundit and former England striker Gary Lineker, who is commentating at the World Cup for the BBC, said there was a responsibility with reporting the tournament.
Fellow footballing legend David Beckham has been heavily criticised for accepting 10 million pounds (11.3 million dollars) to be an ambassador for Qatar.
A televised campaign he starred in, which claimed the World Cup will be carbon neutral, has been reported to British and European watchdogs.
Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, has said he has “no plans” to attend the World Cup due to a busy winter schedule.
He however added that he may look at going if England reaches the final.
But as the tournament nears, pressure to boycott the World Cup grows.
Campaigners have began to ask celebrities, such as Robbie Williams, who will be performing in Doha, not to support the World Cup.
Already, world football governing body FIFA has written to all teams competing, telling them to “now focus on the football” following a controversial build-up.
Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said, while responding to the development, that the reasoning behind the boycotts does not “add up.”
“There is a lot of hypocrisy in these attacks, which ignore all that we have achieved,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
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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