SPORTS
World Baseball Body Seeks Partnership with Bayelsa
From Tayese Mike, Yenagoa
The World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) Africa, has extended an invitation of partnership to the Bayelsa State Government to promote the two games in the state.
The Vice President of the Confederation, Mrs.
Victoria Sodipo, made the offer when she led a three-man WBSC team on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in Government House, Yenagoa.A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Monday, disclosed that the Confederation proposed to enter an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government covering a period of five years for the hosting of championships and special training camps.
Mrs. Sodipo, who doubles as Chairperson of the Bayelsa State Baseball and Softball Association, explained that the promotion of championships would attract softball organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the International Softball Association to the state.
She noted that the contributions of these and other reputable organizations would help to create professional career opportunities and sustainable income for young, talented Bayelsans in softball from all over the world.
According to her, Bayelsa has the potential to become a safe haven for international baseball and softball clubs to scout for talents, noting that no fewer than eleven Bayelsan girls made it to the Nigerian Female Baseball team for the 2020 Olympic qualifiers.
The Bayelsa-born Mrs. Sodipo, who pointed out that WBSC Africa had sent coaches for special training to Major League Baseball camps in the United States, said one of their top strategies in developing the game was to move the sports to schools.
She prayed for the buy-in of the State Government through its Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, for the establishment of baseball and softball diamond parks across the state for the promotion of the sports at the grassroots.
Responding to the proposals, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the doors of government were always open to partnerships that would foster socio-economic development and add value to the lives of the people.
The Deputy Governor remarked that the dream of the present administration in Bayelsa was to make the state the Jerusalem of sports in the country, and expressed its preparedness to partner every well-meaning organization for sports development.
He lauded Mrs. Sodipo and her team for complementing the efforts at promoting the two sports, and directed the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, to further engage the team on the modalities of partnering the WBSC Africa.
The Super Eagles camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international friendly match against Egypt.
News reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe said that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
Efoghe said that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, raising the number of players in camp to 22, with six more expected.
He said as part of preparations, the Super Eagles would play a friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” Efoghe said.
Nigeria, three-time champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Efoghe confirmed that the team will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following victories in 1980, 1994 and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the theme “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled for the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Egypt, the only nation to win AFCON three consecutive times, will battle South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches holding in Agadir.
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
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