SPORTS
Our Players can Compete with Best in NWBL — Basketball Manager
Bek Jang, the Team Manager of Hotcoal Sizzlers Basketball team, says the team is capable of competing with the best in the National Women Basketball League (NWBL).
Jang spoke to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, ahead of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League scheduled to dunk off in October.
Newsmen report that Hotcoal Sizzlers emerged back-to-back champions of the just concluded Abuja City Basketball League after defeating Mo’ Heat’s female team 48-25 in the final.
A total of 16 teams participated in the league with no fewer than 115 games played over four months, from June to Sept. 11.
The coach said the tournament was a preparatory ground for his team ahead of the 2022 NWBL season, adding that the girls gave a good account of themselves during the competition.
He said it was an uphill battle against the best teams in the city, and that the tournament had fully prepared his team and put them in top shape ahead of the league season proper.
“We had a great time at the league this year after we successfully defended our title which we won last year.
“It wasn’t easy. Last year we went unbeaten but this year was tougher as we had to bounce back from defeat after a narrow 36-35 loss to Mo’ heat in the first phase.
“We had to go back to the drawing board and correct a whole lot of mistakes. So, when we met again in the finals, it was an easy ride for us,” he said.
The coach noted that with the superlative performance of the team, they were hopeful of getting a slot in the upcoming Zenith Bank League Season next month.
He revealed that three of the top five players in the league emerged from the Hotcoal Sizzlers Basketball team.
“The best point guard, best shooter, best centre and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the League were all from the Hotcoal Sizzlers Basketball team.
“So, I can comfortably tell you that we have very good players who can represent the country at the highest level in the Nigeria National Basketball team,” he said.
He thanked the General Manager of the team (Ubon Udoh) for the moral and financial support which went a long way in ensuring the team’s success at the end of the league.
“The whole idea of the Hotcoal franchise is to make positive impact in the lives of the players.
“In this regard, we give out scholarships annually to our players still in school and also expose our professional players to international trainings and clubs abroad to help them improve their basketball skills.
“We also have health insurance cover for both our male and female basketball players to ensure that they are adequately taken care, in the eventuality of any injury or health related issues,” he said.
Newsmen also reports that the Abuja City Basketball League continues with the Men’s playoffs at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from Sept. 20 – 24. (NAN)
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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