SPORTS
World Athletics Championships: NOC Comforts Amusan
The Board of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Saturday urged Tobi Amusan to work harder following her inability to defend her title at the ongoing World Athletics Championships.
In a statement signed by Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer, NOC, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Habu Gumel, NOC’s president, described Amusan’s loss as a temporary setback.
He noted that losing the 100m hurdles title must have been tough for Amusan.
“We at the NOC are reaching out to offer you, Amusan, some comforting words in the light of your race yesterday in Budapest at which you lost out in the finals, placing 6th in 12.
62 secs.“Although you may have faced disappointment in failing to defend your 100-meter hurdle, we want you to know that all is not lost.
“We are consoled with the fact that your 12.12 seconds world record set at Oregon, U.S., is intact.
“We know you have been under considerable pressure lately. Do not lose your focus as the 2024 Paris Games are still a year ahead of you,” he said.
Gumel further said the outcome of the race should not be the end of the world, adding it did not define Amusan’s talents or abilities.
“Competing at such a high level comes with its fair share of ups and downs, victories and setbacks. It is through these challenging moments that we grow and discover our true resilience.
“Tobi, you have shown incredible strength throughout your career, and this setback will only serve as another stepping stone on your path to success.
“Remember, the most successful athletes have faced defeats but have managed to bounce back even stronger.
“It is during these difficult times that you develop the mental fortitude and discipline necessary to overcome obstacles,” he said.
The NOC president urged Amusan to use this experience as an opportunity to learn, refocus, and refine her strategies for future races.
“Embrace this setback as an opportunity for growth and use it to fuel your fire. Your comeback will be nothing short of extraordinary,” he said.
NAN reports that Amusan was under a provisional suspension over whereabouts, but the ban was lifted just two days ahead of the start of the Budapest Championships. (NAN)
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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