SPORTS
Volleyball Sponsorships: I Don’t Run to Govt for Fund – Nimrod
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) President, Musa Nimrod, has said he does not go back to government to seek for refund after sponsoring the national teams to international championships.
Nimrod disclosed this to newsmen at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.
He said it was his responsibility to bring up the nation’s youths.
“I am not using my money, but God’s to bring up the youth.
It is my responsibility to bring the youth of this nation. There is a saying that say if you build the youth, you build the nation and that’s my belief.“It is God’s money that I am using and I thank God because He has blessed me and I am returning it back as a responsibility to the Nigerian society.
“I don’t look at what I am putting in, I don’t go back to government to seek for refund after sending players to represent the country in international championships.
“I am saying it openly that I don’t go to government to seek refund,” he stressed.
Nimrod called for sponsors to support the federation and enhance the development of the game.
“We have said it again and again, this is not the first time we are calling for sponsors to come over.
“Nigeria Volleyball Federation has a profile, we can give the profile of our achievements. No other federation has a profile like ours …we are very proud to say that and we thank God for that,” he said.
He said it was “a miracle” for the federation to host four premier leagues consecutively without any hindrance.
“That we were able to host the premier league is a miracle, it is not the president or the board members. It’s a joint work that was carried out by all the board members and the state members of federation.
“I want to thank God and appreciate the League Management Committee (LMC) for doing a wonderful work,” he said.
Dignitaries present at the closing ceremony included Ibrahim Galadima, the former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, the former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Habu Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
NAN also reports that Kano Pillars came first, NSCDC took the second place while Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) finished third in the male category.
In the female category, NSCDC emerged first, NCS came second place while the Chief of Army Staffs (COAS) team emerged third.
A total of 17 teams, 10 male and seven female teams, participated in the just-concluded 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League which took place in the Indoor Hall of the Mashood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. (NAN)
SPORTS
2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
SPORTS
LBHF Tournament Honours Edun at 70 with Thrilling Bouts
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
SPORTS
Man City, Inter, Chelsea, Juventus Face Off in Hong Kong for Preseason
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.

