SPORTS
N13.1 Million for Grabs at CBN Tennis Open Championship
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set aside the sum of N13.1 million Naira as prize money for the 43rd edition of the CBN National Senior Tennis Championship that will start today at the Tennis Center, Abuja.
Speaking at a pre-event press briefing yesterday, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Tayo Akindoju said the Championship is the biggest event with the highest prize monies of any organised sporting programme in Nigeria today.
“The 43rd edition of the Championship is special one as the Prize Monies for both the Men and Women Singles position has been increased from the previous edition from N700,000 to N1,000,000 for each winners.”
Akindoju also gave a pat on the back to the CBN for consistently sponsoring the programme for the past 41 years, adding that it has helped to discover and develop many young players.
“As a matter of emphasizes the continued sponsorship of this championship by the Central Bank of Nigeria for over 41 years has helped the Federation to develop and empowered many players who had won Cash Prizes each year at the championship.
“This championship has helped in active engagement of our youth gainfully for career purposes and also propelled the Federation to an envious position amongst sports Federations’ in Nigeria.
“Today in Tennis, CBN championship is the only championship that all the players want to play and what this means is that many of these players prepare ahead without distraction of engaging in socio vices that could stop them from participation.”
The NTF boss further urged the CBN to continue to keep faith with the championship adding that today the apex bank is the only government agency to with the highest commitment in sports development.
“Let be on record today, that the Central Bank of Nigeria remains the only government agency with the highest commitment for sponsorship of sporting programmes despite the economic challenges facing the sports industry in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, the Group General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the CBN, Olisa Nwasinobi assured that the CBN will continue to sponsor the championship as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Nwasinobi explained that honours would be competed for in the men singles, men doubles, ladies singles and ladies doubles. Also, there will be something for the physically challenged who will trade strokes in the men singles and ladies singles.
About 300 players are expected to take part in the week long championship.
SPORTS
NPFL: Nasarawa Utd pip Lobi Stars 1-0 in North Central Derby
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)
SPORTS
NTTF Hosts National Coaching Seminar
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)
SPORTS
Rivers United Return to NPFL Top Spot after Remo Stars’ Defeat by Katsina United
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)