SPORTS
Aisha Buhari Cup: Sports Minister Donates N50m, Hails Competition as Promoting Unity
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has donated N50 million Naira to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Aisha Buhari Cup to ensure the success of the competition.
The minister, who made the announcement on Tuesday when the LOC paid him a courtesy visit in his office, added that the international women’s football invitational tournament, billed for Lagos in September, had the potentials of boosting the development of women’s football and uniting the nation.
He commended the LOC for the wonderful work they had done so far and the efforts made to host a successful competition, in spite of challenges.
“I knew you started all these with little or no funds, but seeing how much progress you have made and positive strides you have taken showed me that you are miracle workers.
“I have read a lot about what you have done even when I was at the Olympics,” he said.
The minister assured that all necessary support would be provide to make the competition a huge success, because of its potential to further encourage more participation in the women’s game.
“When the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick told me of the plans to stage the competition, the first question I asked him was if he had enough time to see it through.
“He said yes and I promised to lend him my support hundred percent. I’m glad that the event is now a reality, the competition will not only excite and inspire our people, it will also unite us.
“Whatever will unite people has the full support of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, so my support is total, especially since it has to do with women’s football.
“FIFA is unapologetic about the development of the women’s game, the competition is going to attract more women to football,” he added.
Earlier, the LOC Chairman for the competition and NFF first Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi thanked the minister for all the support in hosting the competition.
He noted that six of the top women football playing nations in Africa including: Ghana, Morocco, Cameroon, South Africa, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and host, Nigeria, would be taking part in the competition.
Akinwumi, however, appealed to the minister to assist in fast tracking entry visas for the participating teams.
The Aisha Buhari tournament is to take pace in Lagos from Sept. 13 to Sept. 21 at the Agege Stadium and the refurbished Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan. (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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