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)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
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.
Bago Orders Immediate Repairs of Wind-Damaged Buildings at NYSC Camp
Share From Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed the immediate rehabilitation of buildings damaged by a windstorm at the National Youth Service Corps...
2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today
ShareNigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying...
Ghana Military Convoy Attack Kills Three Civilians, Seven Assailants
ShareFor Somalia’s malnourished children, already suffering the twin catastrophes of looming famine and radical cuts in foreign aid, the U.S.-Israeli...
Imo Deputy Governor Resigns
ShareFrom Marcel Duru Owerri The Commissioner for Information and Strategy Chief Declan Emelumba has said that Imo State Deputy Governor, Ekemaru has resigned. Speaking...
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorists’ Structures in Mandara Mountains
ShareThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has sustained its counter-terrorism offensive with precision airstrikes that destroyed terrorists’ structures and logistic hubs in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno....
NDPC Awards Heirs Insurance Brokers 2025 Compliance Trust Mark
ShareHeirs Insurance Brokers Ltd. (HIB) has been awarded the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Audit Compliance Trust Mark for 2025....
Senate Raises the Alarm as States Mobilise Against Fresh Covid-19 Threat
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Nigeria’s public health system has come under renewed scrutiny as the Senate called for urgent funding...
Tinubu Kicks- Off 2027 Re-Election Bid, Picks APC Nomination Forms
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has formally set in motion his bid for a second term in office,...
APC Adopts Charter of Equity in Imo
ShareFrom Marcel Duru, Owerri The former Commissioner in Imo state on Environmental Transformation and General Supervisor and coordinator of All...
Ex-Zamfara Kaura, Declares Intention for Second Turn
ShareFrom Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau A former Zamfara Senator, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura has declared his intention to contest for Zamfara North...