SPORTS
Nasarawa State Gov’s wife urges Women to Embrace Golf
Hajiya Silifat Sule, wife of Nasarawa State governor, has urged women to participate in the game of golf to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.Sule stated this on Saturday at the kick-off of the 1st Lafia Ladies Open Golf Championship taking place at the Lafia Golf Club Course.The championship which commenced on Sept.
3, is expected to be concluded on Sunday, Sept. 5, with award of prizes to the winners. About 200 amateur golfers, both ladies and men from across the country are taking part in the event but prizes would only be won by the lady golfers.Sule, after taking the ceremonial Tee Off said she yearned to see more women in the state and across the country show more interest in golf so as to boost their profile in the sport and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.“Please, I want everyone especially our women, more women to come out and show more interest in golf.“Golf is an interesting game with many benefits and if more women show interest and come out to play the game, we can make Nasarawa State and the country to be proud of us,” she said.Mrs Asibi Omeri-Ogabo, Lady Captain, Lafia Golf Club told newsmen that the maiden open championship had attracted female golfers from all over the country, adding that she would also want more women in the state to embrace the game.“I want to call on all Nasarawa State women to come out and join us in golfing because I will love to see us mingle, play together, and enjoy ourselves.“Today, we are witnessing our 1st Lafia Ladies Golf Open and this has attracted women from across the country and so we will like our women in the state to also participate so they can win prizes.“The registration fee is the lowest in Nigeria; just N20, 000,” she said.She said that the tournament was featuring amateur golfers from across the country competing for mouth-watering prizes in various categories.“The tournament will feature Lafia amateur lady golfers from handicap 29 to 36, while the main competition will feature male and female golfers from handicap 0 to 28,” she said.Omeri-Ogabo thanked the Nasarawa state government under the leadership of Gov. Abdullahi Sule for supporting the club to organise the championship.t Among dignitaries who attended the ceremonial Tee Off were Mrs Sheila Akabe, Wife of the Deputy Governor and the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Onawo.The Lafia Golf Club Course is an 18 hole standard golf course with modern facilities. (NAN)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)