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Diri Proposes New Stadium for Bayelsa United FC

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has disclosed that his administration is considering constructing a new stadium following the promotion of the state-sponsored football team, Bayelsa United, to the elite Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Diri stated this on Tuesday night at a dinner in honour of the management and players of Bayelsa United FC.

Last Saturday, the team emerged champions of the Group B2 Southern Conference of the 2021/22 Nigerian National League (NNL) after defeating Cynosure of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 2-0 in their last game at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.

The governor said although the Samson Siasia complex, which hosts both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens, which also won the 2021/22 Nigerian Women Fooybal League (NWFL), will be re-modelled ahead of the new season, there was need for a stadium of international standard in the state.

He expressed the commitment of his administration in making Bayelsa a hub of sports in Nigeria.

He added that the state would soon organise a sports festival to complement its sports development policies and that the government had received positive responses from corporate organisations.

Diri congratulated Bayelsa United for surmounting all the odds that prevented it from gaining promotion to the elite league in the past seven years.

The governor noted that the victory has opened a new chapter for the team and the sports-loving people of the state, which he said would now witness top class football in the premier league.

He charged the team to remain focused and to target winning the NPFL trophy as well while assuring it of the state government’s continuous support, including further training for the technical crew and beefing up of the squad.

He announced the approval of the sum of N10 million as motivation to the team.

His words: “I like to join all Bayelsans to congratulate you and welcome you to the elite division of the Nigerian Professional Football League. Last year, when you contested for the FA Cup now renamed AITEO Cup, you were called giant killers because you were in the lower league. But you defeated clubs in the premier league to win the trophy.

“From then on, the sign was that we can do better. At the end of the day, you made yourselves and the state proud by winning that coveted AITEO Cup.

“Going forward, we have decided to ensure that our past glory is returned to our state. Sports is a veritable tool for youth development and we all know that football is like the king of sports.

“I like to inform you that this is the beginning of a new dawn of your footballing career. We want to signpost you to win the Nigerian Professional Football League so you can represent this country again on the continent.

“If the technical crew needs to go for refresher courses, please let us know. We are prepared to send you to anywhere. Whatever you need to beef up this team, we will provide the resources.

“I am happy to hear that we have 75 per cent of Bayelsans in the team. But I do not mind if you bring in international players.”

In his remarks, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo commended Governor Diri for the team’s victory, saying it was another feather to his cap in sports development and that it was the beginning of more laurels for the state.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that the governor’s passion for sports had resulted in the state recording numerous achievements in just two and a half years in office.

Earlier in his address, the chairman of Bayelsa United, Mr. Ebiki Timitimi, while appreciating the governor for the financial support to the team, noted that frequent pep talk through phone calls boosted the morale of the players.

Mr. Timitimi equally expressed gratitude to the deputy governor, who supervises sports, for being a pillar of support to the team wherever they travel for matches.

SPORTS

Former Liverpool Co-owner Hicks Dies at 79

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Former Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has died at the age of 79.

The American, who owned the club alongside George Gillett from 2007 to 2010, died surrounded by family at his home in Dallas, Texas.

“Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’ most cherished title was ‘Dad’,” read a statement from Hicks’ six children.

“No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family.

“He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are deeply honoured to continue expanding his legacy.

“Although we are devastated by this loss, we are profoundly grateful to have been his children.

Hicks and Gillett sold Liverpool to Fenway Sports Group after encountering financial difficulties.

They were widely unpopular with Liverpool fans, running up debts of about £237m and failing to deliver on promises to renovate Anfield or build a new stadium.

In a statement, Liverpool said they send their condolences “to the Hicks family and Tom’s friends at this difficult time”.

Hicks also owned ice hockey team the Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2011 and baseball team the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010.

Under Hicks’ ownership, the Stars won consecutive Central Division titles between 1996 and 1998 and the Stanley Cup in 1999.

The Rangers won three American League West Division titles, and were runners-up in the 2010 World Series.

Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda.

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SPORTS

South Africa Close to First Series Win in India Since 2000

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South Africa are on the brink of a first Test series win in India for 25 years after reducing the hosts to 27-2 in pursuit of 549 on day four in Guwahati.

India, who were skittled for 201 in their first innings, must bat throughout the final day to avoid a second whitewash in three home Test series.

Prior to last October’s 3-0 defeat by New Zealand, they hadn’t lost a Test series on home soil for 12 years.

South Africa won the two-Test series opener in Kolkata by 30 runs.

Resuming on 26-0, South Africa wobbled to 77-3, losing three wickets for 18 runs in a 13-over spell, before Tristan Stubbs took charge.

Top-scoring with 94, he shared a century partnership with Tony de Zorzi and added a further 82 alongside Wiaan Mulder to power South Africa’s overnight lead of 314 to beyond 500.

He missed out on a third Test century when he was bowled by a slower ball from spinner Ravindra Jadeja (4-62), prompting South Africa’s declaration.

In reply, India lost two wickets inside 10 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind off Marco Jansen and KL Rahul bowled by Simon Harmer.

Kuldeep Yadav, who faced 134 deliveries for his 19 in the first innings, was sent out as nightwatcher and remained not out on four at stumps. Sai Sudharsan has six.

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SPORTS

UCL: Kane Returns to North London in Career-best Form as Bayern Visit Arsenal

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Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, returns to north London on Wednesday to face old rivals Arsenal, arguably in the best form of his career after dropping into a deeper position.

Always a consistent goalscorer, the England captain has become a more complete player at Bayern, shouldering more creative and defensive duties.

The 32-year-old’s form is a big reason for Bayern’s remarkable start to the campaign.

The German champions have won 17 and drawn one of their 18 games in all competitions this season, with Kane playing every match.

Kane, who has scored 15 times in 21 matches against Arsenal, may be the key to unlock the Gunners’ stingy defence.

Mikel Arteta’s side are the only team not to have conceded in the Champions League this season. In the Premier League, Arsenal have shipped just six goals — the best record in Europe’s top five leagues.

Kane is again producing incredible numbers this campaign, with 24 goals in 18 Bayern appearances and five from five for England.

But Kane’s weight of numbers only tells part of the story this season.

Always willing to drop deep, Kane has often been deployed as a creative midfielder by Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, sitting behind either Nicolas Jackson or Serge Gnabry.

Whether by design or necessity — Jamal Musiala has been out with a broken ankle since the Club World Cup — the move has not only unleashed Kane’s game, but the England captain is having fun.

“I know I’m not just a goal-scorer,” Kane said after Saturday’s come-from-behind 6-2 win over Freiburg. “I can impact the team with passing, one-on-one situations, and taking the pressure off the team.

“This is the most I’ve enjoyed my football because I’m just involved more. I love the way we play. A really aggressive style, no fear.

“I love tackling, I love helping the team out and blocking shots and all that part of it as well.

“Obviously, I’m going to be judged on goals, but I think, especially this season, people will appreciate some of the other stuff I do as well.”

Kane will need to shoulder a bit more of the scoring load with Luis Diaz, who netted both of Bayern’s goals in their 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain, suspended for three Champions League matches after his red card for a tackle on Achraf Hakimi.

Kane moved to Bayern in 2023 after coming through the ranks at Tottenham, after being cut by north London rivals Arsenal as a child.

“I was there for a couple of years and got released,” Kane said Saturday, but declined to use the rejection as a motivator.

“It’s all part and parcel of the journey of football. That was 20 years ago, a long time ago.

“We’ve moved on a long way since then.”

Kane faced Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2023-24, scoring a penalty as Bayern won over two legs.

“It’s very familiar territory for me. Having played for Tottenham for so long, it adds a bit more to the game,” Kane said.

Bayern are flying high, but they are vulnerable to set-pieces, which is one of Arsenal’s biggest strengths.

Bayern have conceded four goals in their past two games, all of which came from set plays.

Arsenal have scored 24 goals in the Premier League this season, 10 of which have come from set-pieces.

Kompany admitted his side had an “issue” with dead-ball situations, saying: “You can’t hide it, everyone saw it. Arsenal’s analysts will see it too.

“We have to show personality, character, and defend those things. But I have confidence in our side.”

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