SPORTS
LSSC says Two Hundred And Ninety-Nine athletes ready for 2023 National Youth Games in Asaba
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) on Friday said the registered young and vibrant athletes for the 2023 National Youth Games in Asaba were ready for the challenge.
The Director of Public Relations, LSCC, Mrs Titi Oshodi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview upon the arrival of the contingent in Asaba that the team was in high spirit.
“We are doing well as we have arrived Asaba for the games which will officially commence tomorrow,” she said.
NAN reports that athletes and officials of Team Lagos arrived Asaba, Delta, on Thursday ahead of the 7th National Youth Games.
The contingent is led by the management staff of the Lagos State Sports Commission and lodged at Dennis Osadebe University.
4,500 athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are expected to participate in the youth’s sports fiesta, which features no fewer than 35 sports.
Screening, accreditation and technical meetings continue today, while the opening ceremony will hold on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Oshodi said Lagos State would be represented by 299 athletes and compete in 33 individual and team sports events.
The National Youth Games is for athletes who are 15 years and below.
“We are with the hope of improving on the team’s second placed finish at the last edition,” she said.
The Director-General, LSSC, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, charged athletes and officials to reflect excellence during the 7th National Youth Games.
He also urged the athletes to give their best while assuring that the state government would continue to support talents to reach the pinnacle of their careers.
“We have advised our athletes to please stay away from drugs, and also coaches should put in more efforts to ensure that Lagos surpasses previous achievements at the games.
“Lagos State will compete fairly with eligible athletes and consolidate on the progress made by the state through various grassroots development programmes and talent discovery initiatives.
“Our athletes are within the stipulated age and so we expect that Lagos will do well at the Games,” he said.
NAN reports that Team Lagos finished second behind Team Delta with 72 medals at the last edition of the games held in 2021 in Ilorin, Kwara.
The 10-day fiesta will end on Sept. 30.
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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