Sports
Ndanusa Commends Work In Kano Zone Ahead FIFA U-17 W/Cup
The Minister of Sports, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, has stated that the on-going work at the two stadia, the Sani Abacha Stadium and Kano Pilars Stadium has recorded tremendous progress, saying that the only set back is the lack of electronic score board which is yet to be installed.
Ndanusa made this observation in Kano on Sunday while on inspection tour of facilities at the two stadia expected to host the forthcoming Under-17 World Youth Championship to assess the level of preparedness so far recorded pending the visit of the FIFA delegation.
Expected in the country on July 26th this year the minister, who embarked on a critical inspection noted that despite the tremendous effort put up by the Kano State government and the enormous resources committed to ensure that Kano secured the hosting rights, the greatest setback is the absence of a score board, which is one of cardinal requirements to secure the hosting as a centre.
He explained that with the guarantee by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for a hundred per cent preparedness, the eight centres have also been mandated to give guarantee of readiness in meeting FIFA requirement for hosting the tournament.
He commended the state government for the progress of work achieved so far at the two stadia over the lying of the synthetic turf; despite its late arrival.
It was also observed that in the course of his inspection, the pillars supporting the popular side of the Sani Abacha Stadium was collapsing, where the sports minister was assured by contractor that within two weeks from now, the 20 columns will be re-enforced and encased for proper fabrication to make it solid.
Ndanusa also charged the Kano State government to provide another backup of power generation which we order them to as a matter of urgency provide another 1000 mega watt generating plant to add to the one thousand mega watt already installed to power the electronic score board.
He was also surprised on why the installations of equipment have not commenced at the press gallery after its completion, where he was assured that with one week a fast-track measure will be put in place for the final installation of power-back internet and inter facilities.
However, the visit seems to have been characterised by mixed feelings on the part of the contractors handling the projects, as they complained of non release of funds amounting to N90 million which should have been paid in the past six weeks by the ministry of information and sports.
One of the contractors who confided in newsmen said the refusal to release the fund has seriously hampered the progress of work at the two stadia.
Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke has praised his players for not losing focus at the crucial moment in Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Shooting Stars in a NPFL Matchday 24 fixture in Owerri.
The Naze Millionaires defeated the Oluyole Warriors through Chukwuma Agor and John Bassey goals in the 31st and 88th minutes with Mustapha Adam’s 80th minute spot kick a mere consolation for the visitors.
Amuneke while speaking to journalists shortly after the encounter, said his boys showed the zeal and determination to seal the three points and that despite the shenanigans of the centre referee, Kolawole Emmanuel, the boys were never troubled.l
“We were eager to get the three points and we were aware Shooting Stars are a good side and won’t allow us to have our way easily,” Amuneke told journalists in Owerri.
“We planned for them and almost throughout the entire game, they were never a threat to our team. We were able to control the game from the beginning. It was unfortunate how the game ended. We were just focussed on the three points and we are thrilled we got it. It was a very good game from both sides but we subjected them to constant pressure almost throughout the game.”
While he was asked if he believed his boys could finish the season impressively, Amuneke was evasive but noted that he and his players would continue to work harder.
“Everything in line is possible but we know that nothing happens without hard work. We will continue to work harder and continue to see how we can grow as a team. We have a lot of young players in the team. Some of them just got their topflight breakthrough.
“We didn’t lose focus at the time of the controversies. We continued to do the same thing we have been doing and taking the game to them.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, turned the sod of the new Olympic-standard 25,000-capacity Bayelsa Stadium project at Igbogene, Yenagoa, as part of the activities marking the fifth anniversary of the Senator Douye Diri administration.
The former Nigerian leader performed the ground-breaking ceremony as Governor Diri restated his appeal to the federal government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), oil firms operating in the state and the private sector to join hands with his administration to develop sporting talents.
The Federal Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) equally thumped up Governor Diri for initiating the project.
Dr. Jonathan expressed delight over the project, saying as a Bayelsan, he was duty bound to celebrate with the state government for the progress so far achieved.
He lauded Diri’s developmental strides, urging him not to rest on his laurels and that the contractor and the state government should ensure the project met the highest standards.
Jonathan also called on the state and federal governments to set up a sports fund to cater for sportsmen after their active days and encourage younger ones to be involved in sports.
He said: “This is my state and I have to celebrate with the government for the progress so far made. This is an iconic project that will develop the state. Please do not rest on your laurels as we want this stadium to meet the best standards.
“I am happy with the presence of relevant federal government officials. I hope they will guide the state well and support where necessary.
“As a country, we must have a fund to care for sportsmen. The federal and state government can think about it so that the younger generation will be interested in sports.
“I am happy that you gave a target of 24 months and I hope that by that time I will escort President Tinubu to Bayelsa to inaugurate it.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has condoled the family of former Nigeria international midfielder, Ayo Ogunlana, who died in Kaduna on Friday after observing his early-morning walk.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, showered tributes on the departed midfield pearl, who was a star attraction during a number of important Nigeria FA Cup battles in the 1980s and held sway in the middle for the Super Eagles in the late 1980s, and at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria.
“We are very sad to learn of the sudden passing of Ayo Ogunlana, only a couple of weeks after the demise of another former Eagle, Moses Effiong (a member of the 1980 AFCON-winning Green Eagles squad, in far-away USA). Ogunlana was a great midfielder who made playing football look so easy with his majestic touches and turns, and his magnificent free-kicks.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant both of them eternal rest and grant the families they have left behind the fortitude to bear the losses.”
Ogunlana was magisterial in the midfield as Nigeria overhauled Guinea and Zimbabwe to qualify for the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, and was imperial against Cameroon in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Ibadan that the Super Eagles won with an emphatic 2-0. He also played in the 1990 ECOWAS Cup competition that Nigeria hosted in Kaduna.