Sports
FG, Edo Sign MoU To Host NSF
The Federal Government last Monday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Edo State Government on the hosting of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF).
Signing the MoU which is the “Host State Agreement’’, Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, said the act was very meaningful.
“This is to restate that Edo was not just offered the hosting rights of the Benin 2020 Festival, but it contested for the rights and won,’’ he said.
Dalung said Edo contested with Cross River, Delta, Imo and Kaduna State in a rigorous process, and expressed his appreciation of the efforts of governors and people of the states involved.
“I am elated that at the Closing Ceremony of the 19th NSF in Abuja, we were able to secure a Host State for the 20th edition of the Games.
“This ceremony is significant as it not only confirms but reassures Nigerians that the host state for the next NSF is ready and willing to undertake the responsibilities of hosting a festival of this magnitude.
“I am encouraged with the venues and facilities I saw in Edo during my recent visit. From my inspection, Edo has enough facilities to host not just the Festival but international events,’’ he added.
Dalung advised the state to put in place as soon as possible the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) and such subcommittees as it deems necessary.
He said the state should also provide befitting board and lodge for members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Games Services Sub-Committee and the MOC Secretariat.
Dalung also advised the state to ensure that the security of lives and property of all dignitaries, athletes, officials, spectators and guests throughout the period of the Festival was provided.
The minister advised the state to embark on a sensitisation and awareness campaign among its citizens to ensure lots of spectators for the festival tagged “Benin 2020’’.
After signing the MoU, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said the key component of Benin 2020 was the renewal of Nigeria, promoting its core value and peace.
Obaseki said Edo has facilities across the state to successfully host the 20thedition of the NSF, adding that the state was ready for the games.
“I want to express the profound gratitude of all citizens of Edo for the confidence which the Federal Government has reposed in us to host the 2020 NSF.
“We do not take this very lightly, being a state with history in sports. We clearly understand the implications of the hosting rights.
“Edo was an integral part of the idea of formulating a National Sports Festival after the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. So, we are very cognisant of the goals and purposes of this sports festival.
“One of its cardinal points is to build unity and patriotism, particularly amongst young people in Nigeria, to develop sports talent and serve as a hunting ground for recruitment of talents at the grassroots,’’ the Edo state governor said.
Obaseki said the state was already putting finishing touches to reconstruction works at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, adding that this would soon be completed.
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.