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Gombe Faults FG Support for Pinnick’s FIFA Council Seat Bid

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A former Chairman of Gombe State Football Association (FA), Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has faulted the alleged Federal Government backing for the FIFA Council seat aspiration of President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

Pinnick is vying for a shot at the FIFA Council in the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) elections slated for Morocco on March 12.

Recall that Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr Nebolisa Anako, had on Thursday, March 4, 2021, stated that Mr Amaju Pinnick’s ambition would further reposition Nigeria in the global football map where the country has made remarkable inroads, stressing that Pinnick’s triumph would follow in the glorious steps of illustrious compatriots like Dr Akinwunmi Adesina (re-elected as President of Africa Development Bank) and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (first female/African Director-General of the World Trade Organization) in recent times.

Reacting to the Minister’s statement, Gombe described the comparison of Mr Pinnick’s ambition to the illustrious Nigerians like Adesina and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as a slap on Nigerians’ sensibilities.

He said there was no logic in the comparison of Pinnick’s selfish ambition with Adesina and Okonzo-Iweala, urging the NFF President to clear himself of all corruption cases filed against him by the anti-graft agencies in Nigeria.

“The Minister’s claim that the Federal Government is showing support to Amaju Pinnick was faulty. Likewise, the comparison of Pinnick’s selfish ambition to that of Dr Ngozi Okonzo-Iweala and Akinwumi Adesina was a big slap on Nigerians. There was no basis for comparison.

When Akinwumi was campaigning for his second tenure as president of Africa Development Bank, he came and he met with the president, the president hosted him and we all saw it. Dr Ngozi also met with the President and we saw the pictures everywhere.

“She didn’t go to the Ministry of Trade and Investment for the Minister to say the federal government is supporting her, no. That is not the way to show support. If they are serious about supporting Pinnick, they should take him to go and see the president so that we really know whether we are fighting corruption in this country or not. We are Jokers.

“Pinnick is facing a lot of corruption cases and there is no anti-corruption or law enforcement agency in Nigeria that is not investigating him, the person we want to send to FIFA. Let him be investigated and clear of the corruptions against him before you compare him with Adesina,” Gombe said.

Gombe, who accused Pinnick of undermining Nigeria’s national interest for personal gains, urged the government not to encourage arbitrariness.

“Nigeria does not mean anything to Pinnick. You are giving him support yet he arbitrarily withdrew from CAF Presidency for a South African candidate. Unless the Minister is telling us that Nigeria withdrew for South Africa in a continental position like that. We must not reward arbitrariness and undermine our national Interest for personal interest. It is hypocrisy for anyone to endorse Pinnick,” Gombe concluded.

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Lobi Stars Unveil New Foreign Head Coach 

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Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi has unveiled a Finnish tactician, Mika Lönnström, as the new head coach of the club.

The club chairman, Philip Nongu, said at the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday in Makurdi that Lönnström was hired as part of measures to improve the performance of the club.

Nongu welcomed the new coach, saying his expertise and passion will undoubtedly elevate the team’s performance.

“We are here at this important event to introduce to the Benue community, the players, as well as sports journalists, the newly appointed head coach, Mr Lönnström.

“He will be working together with the other technical crew members with the needed intent of moving the club out of its current position as well as making it more competitive.

“The board is committed to repositioning the club under my watch. The current position of the club is just temporary, and I am optimistic the club will soon move away from the red zone,” he stated.

The chairman charged the players to be disciplined, stating it wouldn’t be business as usual.

He thanked Gov. Hyacinth Alia for finding them worthy to serve the state in this capacity.

James Iorpuu, a member of the board, congratulated the Finnish tactician on his appointment and assured him of the needed enabling environment that would help him to succeed.

He lauded Lönnström for accepting to work with the team and promised him that he would not regret making the move.

“The governor’s desire for sports, especially football, remains unwavering.

“His desire for Lobi Stars to be at the top competing at the highest level remains key to his administration,” he said.

The club’s technical adviser, Daniel Amokachi, expressed delight to have Lönnström under his technical crew, saying the club will experience positive development.

“Mika Lönnström is a man of pedigree; his working ethic will help us a lot. In modern football, you must have young players who would work tirelessly.

“I have identified good young players in the team, and we shall be working with them pending when the window of the league is open for other decisions,” he said.

Lönnström, in his remarks, expressed excitement to join the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side.

The new head coach said that he was honoured to be part of Lobi Stars’ rich history and expressed commitment to driving the team to success. (NAN)

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AC Milan Stun Real Madrid 3-1 at Bernabeu

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AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw, Alvaro Morata and Tijjani Reijnders all got on the scoresheet in a surprise 3-1 win at holders Real Madrid in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

Thiaw gave seven-times European champions Milan the lead with a header from a corner in the 12th minute but Vinicius Jr equalised with a penalty 11 minutes later.

Morata put the visitors back in front by netting from a rebound in the 39th and Reijnders fired home a Rafael Leao cross after a counter attack to wrap up Milan’s statement win over the lacklustre title holders.

Real are languishing in 17th place in the 36-team Champions League table with six points, one spot ahead of Milan on goal difference after four games.

(Reuters/NAN)

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SPORTS

Kogi State Handball: Stakeholders Calls for Leadership Reform

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Handball stakeholders in Kogi State have called for a comprehensive leadership reform within the state’s handball association to restore the sport’s prominence.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaojo Anyebe in his office in Lokoja on Tuesday, the stakeholders outlined the achievements and setbacks of Kogi State handball since its inception in 1991, pointing the need for immediate change to revive the state’s handball culture.

They noted that Kogi State’s handball history includes significant accomplishments from winning national underage tournaments in the 1990s to representing Nigeria in international competitions.

Kogi’s under-15 boys’ team won gold in Italy in 1995, while local teams performed well in various national championships uptile 2019.

However, the stakeholders noted a decline in participation and development initiatives, which they attribute to issues within the association’s leadership.

They revealed that since 2020, Kogi’s Confluence Stars, the state’s premier league team, has struggled to participate in the league due to financial constraints and a lack of support.

This situation according to them has led some players to seek opportunities with teams in other states, undermining team cohesion and player morale.

Additionally, the once-thriving Confluence Queens female team, which participated in national tournaments until 2020, has since disbanded”

Stakeholders attribute much of the sport’s recent decline to the leadership of Jibril Saidu, the current chairman of Kogi State Handball Association. They allege that Saidu’s decision to withdraw sponsorship, along with personal conflicts, has prevented Kogi from participating in critical national events. This includes the under-12 and under-15 championships held in Sokoto over the past five years, where Kogi teams were notably absent.

In response to these challenges, the stakeholders called for the dissolution of the current board, citing a lack of effective leadership and commitment to the state’s handball development.

They propose the formation of a new board that will prioritize regional representation, involvement from former players, and individuals with strong sponsorship capabilities.

The stakeholders also endorsed Okpanachi Mark Ogah as the next chairman, describing him as a capable leader who they believe can restore Kogi State’s handball legacy within two years.

Speaking during the visit, His Royal Highness, Oba Luke Oludoyi from Isanlu who is one of the handball Stakeholders appealed to the Commissioner to give them necessary support in making handball sporting activities in the state a laudable venture for the overall growth of the State Sports Sector.

On his part, Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah said he is ready to further the ideals of the stakeholders and rebirth a new and active handball sport in Kogi State.

He assured that if given the mandate, the Kogi State handball team will take its rightful place again as champion.

Responding, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Monday Anyebe, noted that Kogi State Government is committed to ensuring that the sports sector in the state continues to receive the necessary support towards enhancing sporting activities in the state.

The Commissioner said under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo all sporting activities will be given adequate attention and Support.

He called on members of the handball stakeholders in the state to be united and continue to promote the activities of the handball sport in the state.

Also Present during the visit includes the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of sports, Jibo Haruna Muhammed, the Director Kogi State Sports Council, Onipe Obakachi and other Directors of the Ministry.

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