SPORTS
We are Going to Adopt New Measures to Fight Age Cheats — Dare
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has said that the ministry will adopt more scientific and digital means of identifying age cheats at the National Youth Games in future and mete out appropriate stiff penalties to the offending athletes and states.
The Minister said this on Tuesday, in Ilorin, while declaring close the 6th National Youth Games (NYG).
“We will consider the NIMC registration as a requirement going forward.
There will be a need for all athletes to have NIMC registration before they can participate henceforth.“As this database will now require one to input their national identity number before the athlete can be registered successfully.
“This measure is needed to avoid losing out on a possible potential medalist being screened out as over aged while they are not”, the minister said.
Dare said this approach will in turn prevent the over aged athletes to be easily identified and screened out in order not to deny qualified athletes a future in their chosen sports.
He described the games as an awesome time of competition, bonding, making friends, building intimacy and developing healthy rivalries, Nigeria’s best young talents were brought together under a platform to do what they love the most.
Dare explained that medals may have been won and lost but the reality is that every young talent represented here was a winner, whether they had a medal around their necks or not.
“This edition of the National Youth Games has been an eye opener to all, as we saw the abundance of talents and potentials in our beloved country.
“Let me highlight the youngest athletes at these games, 9-year-old Gift Torhile from the FCT and 10-year old Wilson Bright from Delta.
“Some of the outstanding gymnasts like Obiefuna Munachi, the 13-year old from FCT and Mustapha Oriyomi, another 13-year old from Delta.
“Then the amazing talents in weightlifting, like Florence Olarinoye from Lagos, Victory Okundia from Edo and Marvelous Chidirim from FCT “, Dare said.
The Minister said he wont fail to recognise Akinwowon Oladeji from Lagos, a deaf boy who won the 100m, 200m and 400m, describing him as a special lad.
The stated that the talents and many more were yet to be identified will be properly groomed and prepared for the African Youth Games in Ethiopia in 2022, as well as the Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.
“As a Ministry, what we have seen here in the last few days has reinforced our belief that every effort put into grassroots sports development is a worthy investment and not a waste.
“Since its first edition held in 2013, the National Youth Games has grown in leaps and bounds. This year 35 States participated in 34 sports.
“This is a crucial step in the initiatives adopted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, to identify these talents early, give them the technical and financial support, provide them guidance and see them become world beaters in the not too distant future” the minister said.
Age cheats were prevalent in the 6th edition of the games.
Also speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Age Abdulkareem represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Mikhail Buhari, thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity to host the rest of Nigeria.
He said the institution was willing to continue hosting the Games as it had helped in improving the sporting facilities in the school.
Abdulkareem, however, appealed to the sports minister to fulfil his promise of building an Olympic sized swimming pool in the institution, among other facilities, saying that the institution had become the home of sports among its peers. (NAN)
The Board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Finidi George as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, the Super Eagles.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, on Monday said the NFF approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint George.
Reports says that the ace winger spent 20 months as assistant to José Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily left the post after guiding the team to silver medal at AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
George took charge of the squad in acting capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco last month.
His squad edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but then lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.
He was a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia.
The team also emerged the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year.
George won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. He also won gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.
The 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Real Betis (Spain) forward made a scoring debut for fatherland in an AFCON qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos, on July 27, 1991.
He also featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe.
He assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA, on 19th June 1994.
George had actually scored the goal that took Nigeria to that FIFA World Cup debut, when he put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October, 1993.
The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.
George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan respectively, in a little over five weeks.
The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.(NAN)
Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has said that helping his hometown club to finally win their first Champions League title is a matter of pride for him.
This was after he scored twice to help guide his side to a 4-1 comeback win at FC Barcelona and into the semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate victory on Tuesday.
Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG in the summer with Real Madrid as the biggest favourite to sign him, told reporters that his future is not in his mind and that his focus is totally on bringing glory to the French capital.
“I have the dream of winning the Champions League for Paris,” Mbappe told reporters at Barcelona Olympic stadium on Tuesday.
“I’m proud to be at PSG since the first day.
It’s not because there are good times and bad times that my pride takes a hit.“The pride of playing for this club, of representing the club of the capital of my country, it’s something special for me who grew up there.
“To experience an evening like this one as a Parisian, it’s great. We have one more step to go before we reach the final in Wembley, so we need to stay calm.”
After loosing 3-2 in the first leg in Paris, PSG fought-back down 1-0 at FC Barcelona after the locals went down to 10 men just before the half-hour.
This was when last man Ronald Araujo was red-carded for fouling Bradley Barcola.
Former FC Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele equalised for the visitors just before the break while Vitinha and Mbappe finished the job in the second half.
The result meant PSG would face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals after the Germans beat Atletico Madrid also on Tuesday.
PSG achieved success having failed to get past the round of 16 in the last two seasons and being pinned against the ropes by a FC Barcelona side who were in the ascendancy.
The Parisian put on a gritty performance to make the most of the home side’s mistakes and turn the tie around.
“We beat a great team this evening, but even if we had lost, I would be proud to be Parisian. Now it’s certain that during evenings like this, the pride is even greater,” Mbappe said.
“We are very happy, we beat a team that we wanted to beat and to be closer to the final.
“This one is for the fans that came here to support us and those back home. It’s a night to be proud.”(Reuters/NAN)
The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, has said that the ministry would ensure the timely release of funds to prepare Nigerian athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The games will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11 in Paris .
The minister gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Diana-Mary Nsan.
Enoh stressed the importance of securing funding in a timely manner to facilitate comprehensive preparations for the Olympic Games.
He added that the ministry will actively pursue partnerships with private individuals and the corporate sector to bolster financial support and ensure that athletes are set up for success.
Drawing from the successful model implemented during the African Games in Ghana, where all athletes were insured, the minister pledge to build on that success.
“Plans are underway to provide insurance coverage for Team Nigeria athletes to mitigate risks associated with injuries and unforeseen circumstances, reflecting a proactive approach to athlete welfare,” he said.
Enoh also announced plans to implement salaries for grade A athletes, noting that the initiative aims to provide ongoing support and motivation to athletes as they prepare for the Games, enabling them to focus on their training and performance without financial constraints.
The minister expressed confidence in Nigeria’s athletes and their potential to achieve success at the Paris Olympic Games.
Reports says that the Paris 2024 will feature the debut of breaking (also known as breakdancing) as an Olympic event.
The Games will be the first to feature identical number of athletes between men and women. (NAN
Tinubu Returns To Nigeria After Two Weeks Overseas Trip
SharePresident Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, after spending two weeks abroad. The President arrived back at...
Court Disbands Cross River Cocoa Allocation Taskforce, Surveillance Team
ShareFrom Ene Asuquo, Calabar High Court sitting yesterday in Effraya, Etung local government area of Cross River state has granted...
First 100 Days in Office: Ododo Pays 100% to LG Pensioners, 85% to LG Workers
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State in his 100 days in office has been said...
13 Kidnapped in Bwari Community as Kidnappers Demand N900m Ransom
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja Unknown gunmen have invaded Piko, a remote community in Bwari Area Council of Abuja and allegedly...
Troops Neutralise IPOB/ESN Commander, Three others in Imo
ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation ‘UDO KA’ has neutralized a commander and three members...
Insecurity: FCT Police Command Deploys 30 Motorcycles, Personnel To Rural Community
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja In order to address some of the insecurity challenges in some rural communities in Federal Capital...
Alia Promises to Sustain Payment of N100,000 to Corps Doctors
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Governor Benue State, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards the welfare of...
Lagere Flyover Bridge Will Deepen Osun East Economy-Ooni of Ife
ShareBy Kunle Idowu His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has showered praises on Governor Ademola Adeleke...
WASSCE: Benue Teaching Service Warns School Principals against Malpractice
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi The Acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Mr. Tsea Ahule, has warned that...
Complaints Linger over Renovated Chamber as Ndume Describes it as Conference Room
ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja Senators yesterday during plenary continued complaining about their renovated chamber, with the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed...