Connect with us

SPORTS

SWAN Demands Inclusion in NSC Board

Published

on

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)
Share

Bunmi Haruna, FCT chapter chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has called for the body’s inclusion in the board of the National Sports Commission (NSC) being proposed.

Haruna made the call in his presentation at the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports public on the bill seeking to establish the NSC and the Federal Sports University, Nkalagu in Ebonyi.

“Those who should have a say in sports should be part of the new NSC.

Hence, SWAN as the voice and mirror of sports should be included in the board,” he said.

“The importance of the NSC is such that we cannot afford not to include the body that acts as a bridge between the sportsmen, administrators, the people and invariably the private sector in it.

“Sports is business and SWAN is the vehicle on which it is sold. So, neglecting SWAN in the composition of the NSC is akin to omitting an important part of the commission.”

Haruna also expressed the belief that it was of great importance to smoothen the relationship between the Director-General of the commission and the Minister of Sports.

He noted that this was necessary in order to foster a better working atmosphere between both parties.

“We also observe that the power tussle between the Minister and the Director-General was largely responsible for the scraping of the commission the last time.

“So, there is a great need for a clear demarcation of the duties of these principal officers in the new-look NSC.”

The FCT SWAN Chairman also applauded the initiative of the two bills before by the National Assembly on the establishment of the NSC and a sports university in Ebonyi.

“SWAN thanks the National Assembly for coming up with these bills. This shows in a great deal that we have forward-thinking legislators who are not only interested in moving the country forward but are also ready to create more opportunities for the youths.

“SWAN supports the establishment or a return of the NSC because it is a model that has worked for Nigeria in the past and it is the trend in developed countries where sports is real business.

“In the US, it is called the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) in Australia, it is called Sport Australia, formerly the Australian Sports Commission, being the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sports in Australia.

“In Canada, it is called Sports Canada, in South Africa, the South Africa Sports Commission, and in Japan, it is called the Sports Commission of Japan,” he stated.

While responding, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba, praised SWAN for its fantastic presentation and acknowledged that points raised were genuine and would be considered. (NAN)

SPORTS

Tottenham Interested in Crystal Palace’s Eze

Published

on

Share

Tottenham FC are exploring a deal for Crystal Palace and England forward Eberechi Eze.

Thomas Frank is looking to bolster his options in the final third after attacking midfielder James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

South Korea forward Son Heung-min left the club after 10 years earlier this month having scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, while midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is still out after knee surgery.

Thus Eze has scored 14 goals across all competitions for Palace last season, including in their 1-0 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

The 27-year-old made his England debut in 2023 and has won 11 caps for the Three Lions, including three appearances at Euro 2024.

Tottenham are also in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinhobut multiple sources have indicated that Eze is now emerging as a player of serious interest for Spurs.

There is no confirmation whether Tottenham will look to progress with deals for both Brazil winger Savinho and Eze.

Arsenal also have an interest in Eze but are currently looking at trying to move players on, with the likes of Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira set to leave.

However, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham’s active interest in Eze results in Arsenal accelerating a move for the England international.

Eze joined Palace from Queens Park Rangers in a deal worth £19.5m in 2020 and has scored 40 goals in 168 appearances.

His contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire in the summer of 2027.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

SPORTS

Liverpool Stepping up bid to Sign Palace’s Guehi

Published

on

Share

Liverpool are stepping up their attempts to sign Crystal Palace and England center-back Marc Guehi.

Palace captain Guehi has a year left on his contract, but Chairman Steve Parish said earlier this week he could be sold this summer to avoid him moving on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.

Sources have said that Liverpool have held initial talks with a view to signing the 25-year-old before the summer transfer window shuts.

Liverpool are also trying to sign Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.

The 18-year-old Italian is not seen as a potential rival for Guehi but more as one for the future.

Guehi was the subject of bids worth up to £65m from Newcastle last year.

The FA Cup winners are believed to want £40m for him now, but Liverpool want to pay less than that.

The Reds have already spent about £270m this summer, though they have recouped about £170m through player sales.

They have also had a £110m bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle, though sources have said the Swede remains determined to move to Anfield.

Signing Guehi and Isak would take Liverpool’s summer spending above £400m.

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games Begin in Enugu

Published

on

Share

The finals of Gov. Peter Mbah Secondary Schools Games, on Thursday began in Enugu with the arrival and accreditation of athletes at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.

Dan Onwuegbuna, Director, Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Enugu State, said in a statement on Thursday that the games would be held between Aug.

7 and Aug.
10 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the Enugu State Sports Council.

“The games is designed to help the state discover talents to represent the state at the forthcoming U15 National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6,” he stated.

Onwuegbuna said that apart from representing the state at the Youth Games in Asaba, talented athletes discovered would represent the state in other competitions.

He quoted the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu as thanking Gov. Peter Mbah for approving the games.

Onwuegbuna said that the games was made possible following the collaboration between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).

The games finals followed the outcome of the inter- Secondary Schools competitions held at the local government areas in the six Educational Zones in the State – Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu.

“The games will feature athletics, boxing, chess, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis and scrabble,” Onwuegbuna stated.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS9 hours ago

Fire Outbreak: Gov Makinde Visits Fresh FM, Pledges Enhanced Emergency Services

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, at the weekend visited the premises of Fresh FM, Ibadan, following...

NEWS14 hours ago

Emir of Zuru Dies in London at 81

ShareThe Emir of Zuru in Kebbi, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Sani Sami, has passed away on Saturday night.This is contained in...

NEWS15 hours ago

Special Report: Super Eagles CHAN Debacle Exposes Deep Fault Lines

ShareNigeria’s Super Eagles (B team) endured a catastrophic campaign at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), leaving analysts and fans...

NEWS15 hours ago

Kogi by-election: APC Candidate, Shado Emerges Winner

ShareMr Hassan Shado of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the Dekina-Okura II Federal Constituency by-election...

NEWS15 hours ago

INEC Declares Zamfara by-election Inconclusive

Share The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency bye-election in Zamfara inconclusive.The INEC...

NEWS15 hours ago

Lagos Electrician Dies of Electrocution

Share The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 45-year-old electrician who died while attempting to reconnect...

NEWS15 hours ago

FG moves to renew stability, accelerate growth

Share By Tony Obiechina Abuja The Federal Government has outlined its strategy for achieving renewed stability and accelerated growth, with...

NEWS15 hours ago

Police Arrest Officer, 3 Civilians for Alleged Extortion, Robbery in Benin

Share The police command in Edo has arrested a serving police officer and three civilians for allegedly terrorising residents of...

NEWS15 hours ago

Appointment of Alhassan, NMCN Registrar, Excites Niger Govt

ShareGov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, has hailed the appointment of Dr Ndagi Alhassan as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer...

NEWS15 hours ago

Stop Politicising EFCC Investigation to Blackmail Tinubu, APC Chieftain Tells opposition Parties

ShareA chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has cautioned members of opposition parties under the...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc