SPORTS
Police Games to Strengthen the Force Ahead of 2023 Polls—IGP
By Jude Opara, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday, assured that it would keep its officers and men in top shape for proper policing especially, as the country goes into the 2023 general elections.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba in his remarks at the unveiling of the mascot and logo for the 13th Biennial Police Games tagged: ‘’Uyo 2022” said the Force will continue to be proactive in the strengthening of its officers and men to address the security challenges as they come.
The Games with the theme: Promoting Sporting Excellence towards Ensuring Fitness for Operational Exigencies and Combat Readiness is slated to take place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital from November 23 to 30, 2022.
He said the Games have become an integral part of the activities of the Force, adding that he is not surprised that over the years, the Police has been the leading light in the nation’s sports by producing quality sportsmen and women who have won laurels for the country at international championships.
Baba also challenged the Police athletes to strive to shatter existing national and international records.
In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel who was represented by Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Sports, Etubong Paul Bassey assured that the state is ready to host the Police Games as it boasts of the best stadium in Nigeria today.
Bassey added that Akwa Ibom is one of the safest states in the country adding that it has recently commissioned another brand new stadium in Eket.
He assured that the state is already constructing a brand new Olympic size swimming pool which he said will be ready in three weeks time.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Sole Administrator and Chairman, Force Sports Planning Committee, AIG Hafiz Inuwa said 30 different sporting events would be competed for at the championship which he said will afford the personnel from across the country the opportunity to interact and socialize.
Hafiz noted that the NPF has been the pacesetter in Nigerian sports with the enviable record of producing the nation’s first ever individual Olympic gold medalist in Chioma Ajunwa.
“Our recent success at the Inter Security Agencies Sports Festival this year among many others is a summative testimony of the avowed commitment of the management to the development of sports and a credit to the leadership of the IGP, Usman Baba. This no doubt emphasizes on courage, merit, teamwork, excellence and a winning spirit at all times, no matter the obstacles”.
Some of the sporting events to be competed for include: Athletics, Badminton, Football, Volleyball, Shooting, Chess, Scrabble, Taekwondo, Basketball, Boxing, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis and many others.
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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