SPORTS
Anambra Sports Commission Set to Reposition Sports Associations
The Anambra Sports Commission is set to unveil sports associations for sports development in the state, its Chairman Patrick-Estate Onyedum says.
Onyedum said this during a familiarisation visit to his office by Tony Nezianya, the newly elected Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in Awka.
According to Onyedum, the Commission has taken inventory of the performance and contributions of the previous boards, whose tenures have elapsed.
”We have identified that this will be the way to begin our quest for sports development from the grassroots.
”There is no doubt that a few made sterling contributions for which we are indeed happy but a number of them are moribund.
”We shall seek the approval of the government to reactivate the associations by formally dissolving the previous boards,’’ Onyedum said.
He said the idea was to use the association to discover the numerous talents that abound in the state which must be made clear to the chairman of their executive committee members.
”We shall certainly have some goals in mind in reconstituting the boards. We shall allow new associations and new sports to be grown in our state.
‘’They must hold regular meetings and competitions by raising funds from the private sector in support of their sport that will invariably be supported by the government. Government cannot develop sports on its own,”.
Onyedum, who served the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, said he hoped to allow relatively new federations to be established in the state.
‘’We shall allow them so long as it will facilitate the human development index of the state as well as our quest for medals and honours to the state from local and international competitions.
‘’We do not have all the resources we require to develop our sports and infrastructure. We shall encourage those that will attract the development of infrastructure to support the growth and development of sports in Anambra.
Earlier, Nezianya requested Onyedum to allow federations like the Nigeria Triathlon Federation to start an affiliate Association in the state.
Triathlon, an Olympic sport, comprises three-in-one sports including Cycling, distance running and swimming, where an athlete can win an Olympic Gold by amassing points.
‘’There are some others that may wish to make similar requests. Let us welcome them. They may be the ones that can secure the state the honours they have been looking for,’’ he said.
Nezianya had served twice in two Olympiads from 2001 to 2005 and 2005 to 2009. (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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