SPORTS
Bayelsa Gov Urges Early Preparation for Next Olympics
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has called on the nation’s sports administrators to start early preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Diri, at the opening of the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) in Yenagoa, said that sports administrators should do less talking and act more for sports to develop in the country.
“Nigeria should start preparations for the next Olympics now and do less of talking.
“Federations leadership should realise that Nigeria sports is in a mess and find a way to clean it, instead of internal wrangling and crisis being experienced in most of our sports federations.
“We should find a way of strength and encourage youth sports festival, that is where the future development of our sports,” he said.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhruadjakpo, said that the state government was making sports a major venture.
“We have decided to identify our area of strength which includes swimming, wrestling and boxing.
“The state will collaborate with the swimming federation to put up programmes that will enable us identify talents and enhance the potentials in the state.
“In wrestling, we have one of the best wrestling gymnasium in Africa; that is the reason Bayelsa is doing well in wrestling, we will keep improving and do more,” he said.
Diri commended role the NOC was playing in Nigeria’s sports development.
“History is being made after 20 years of last hosting of NOC event in the state, I want to commend the leadership of NOC for coming back to Bayelsa,” he said
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ismaila Abubarkar, said that Nigeria was prepared for the task ahead.
He said Nigeria was already making plans to make more champions from Bayelsa, as the state has made Nigeria proud at international sports events.
“Bayelsa has produced international champions like Danniel Igali, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling,” he said.
NOC President, Habu Gumel, in his welcome address, charged the sports federations presidents to produce constitution that would be used to govern their various federations.
“Only 10 federations as of now have constitution approved by NOC and international bodies.
” It important for all sports federations to have their constitutions ratified by their congresses and the international bodies in line with the international best practices,” Gumel said.
He, however, commended the host state and delegates for making the AGM a reality despite COVID-19 challenges.
“It is my delight and privilege to receive all delegates of our distinguished Olympic Family to the 2021 edition of the general assembly, here in the beautiful city of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Glory of all Land,” he said.
Gumel said the general assembly was both the business and social platform that brings together the top brass of sports in the country. (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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