SPORTS
Pillar of Sports Donates Blocks as SWAN Reiterates Commitment to Complete Secretariat

The Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has reiterated its readiness to partner relevant stakeholders to ensure the completion of the association’s secretariat.
The Chairman of the Kwara chapter of the association, Mr Jimoh Bashir, stated this on Thursday 22nd August 2019 in Ilorin when he led other executive members of the association on a courtesy visit to the office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Ejidike.
Bashir, who described the relationship between the office of the Pillar of Sports and SWAN as strong and cordial, pledged to continue to support the programmes and activities of the Pillars of Sports without hassles.
He stressed that the priority of the body was to ensure that all lined up programmes towards moving the association to the next level was achieved without delay.
Responding, the Nigerian Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Ejidike, who expressed appreciation to the present leadership of SWAN, promised his unflinching support toward completing the Secretariat.
Chief Ejidike who pledged to donate 300 blocks to SWAN, assured that his office would also work with other stakeholders to ensure the dream of having a befitting SWAN Secretariat was accomplished.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Kwara football Association, Malam Musa Idris, reaffirmed the commitment of the FA to assist SWAN not only in the completion of its secretariat but also in all its programmes aimed at achieving target goals.(NAN)
SPORTS
Kick-off and Final Match Dates Confirmed for 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire

Dates for the kick-off and final matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire have been officially confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the opening match of the competition is scheduled to take place on Jan.
13 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.The four-week tournament, which will involve Africa’s best 24 national teams, will officially conclude on Feb.
11.This will be the 34th edition of the competition which began in 1957 and it is returning to Cote d’Ivoire for the second time.
It was first held there in 1984, with Cameroon emerging as winners for the first time.
Already, the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers are approaching the business end, and the road to Cote D’Ivoire is gradually taking shape for Africa’s biggest football spectacle.
Following the thrilling fourth round of qualifiers few days ago, six countries have secured their places at the competition to join hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
They are Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Burkina Faso and defending champions Senegal.
Meanwhile, CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba has confirmed that the Final Draw of the 2023 AFCON will be held in September, with the date and venue to be confirmed in due course.(NAN)(
COVER
Fury Can ‘Redeem Himself’ by Fighting Me – Joshua

Anthony Joshua said Tyson Fury can “redeem himself from the circus” of a collapsed undisputed heavyweight bout by agreeing to fight him.
Talks between Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO, WBA (Super) and IBF champion, and WBC title-holder Fury broke down last week.
Joshua, 33, faces American Jermaine Franklin on Saturday in his first bout in 2023.
He said he wants an all-British fight with Fury, whatever the outcome against Franklin at the O2 Arena.
“There’s no better time to get Fury in the ring than now because he needs me to redeem himself from this circus, this letdown.
“He needs me so there’s no better time than for him to call my name out and I’m someone that will take on any challenge,” Joshua said.
Joshua was in talks with his British rival over a fight last year following successive losses to Usyk, but could not reach an agreement and Fury fought Derek Chisora at Wembley Stadium in December instead.
Fury then set his sights on facing 36-year-old Usyk in what would have been the first undisputed heavyweight contest since 1999.
But after weeks of negotiations, both parties announced an agreement could not be reached due to a dispute over the terms of a potential rematch.
“It’s not my position to slate or slag anyone off. I’m pretty sure that fight [Fury v Usyk] will happen because I feel like there could potentially be a method to the madness,” Joshua told Steve Bunce on 5 Live Boxing.
“If, number one, I was in that position [and] didn’t take that fight, how would people treat me?
“And number two, if I didn’t take that fight what would Fury have to say about me? So I’m not going to stoop to that level.
“I respect everyone that steps into the ring. But I just sometimes think some people should watch their mouths a bit.”
COVER
IMC Fines Lobi over Delayed Match Kick-off, Warns Doma Utd

The Interim Management Committee (IMC), has fined Lobi Stars FC a total of ₦2 million for infractions of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following incidents that led to late kickoff of their MatchDay 10 fixture in Gombe against Doma United.
The Club’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dominic Iorfa was also issued a stern warning for his role in the disruption of the start of the game.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) in a Summary Jurisdiction signed by Davidson Owumi, the Head of Operations, also expressed displeasure at the unsporting conduct of fans of the host team, Doma United during the said fixture.
He said some of the match officials have been summoned for in-house administrative procedure with a view to determining their actions on the day, before and during the match.
Lobi Stars were charged for breaches of Rule B13.26, C1.1, and C 9.
The charge read, “You are in breach of Rule B13.26 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 26th of March 2023, in the course of Match Day 10 Fixture: Doma United FC vs. Lobi Stars FC, your Vice-Chairman, Mr. Dominic Iorfa, caused disturbances and disruptions that delayed the kick-off for the match”.
Iorfa was also found to be complicit in acts capable of bringing the game to disrepute in breach of Rule C1.1
Lobi was also found in breach of Rule C.9 for failing to “control your officials and ensure their proper conduct which resulted in the disruption of Match Day proceedings”.
The Club was consequently fined ₦1.5 million for disturbances and disruptions caused by their team that led to delayed kickoff.
Another fine of ₦500,000 was imposed on Lobi Stars for “failing to control and ensure the proper conduct of your official (s)”.
The club has been ordered to pay the fine within 14 working days. Lobi must communicate its acceptance of the decision in writing within 48 hours or elect to appear before a panel.
In the matter of Doma United, the IMC noted that “all stakeholders, including fans and supporters, are expected to act in the best interest of the game and comply with the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, as well as the rules and regulations governing the League, at all times”.
Consequently, Doma United were warned that a repeat of such conduct would lead to sanctions on their home ground, the Pantami Stadium.