Sports

NISport D-G Assures On Dev Of Institute

Published

4 years ago

November 20, 2020

The Director-General of the National Institute for Sport (NISport), John Dadi-Mamud, says the management of the institute is poised to improve the lot of the institute, but blamed the paucity of funds for the delay in its numerous programmes.
The DG, who spoke against the backdrop of the oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Sports to the National Stadium Lagos, said that the visit would open new doors of opportunities.
Tidesports source gathered that the House Committee on Sports was led by its Chairman, Hon. Olumide Osoba. Rasheed Afolabi, Tunji Olawuyi and Mohammed Bello were also in the entourage.
“We have embarked on various reforms even before the Houses visit. Before the COVID-19 break we have been doing some renovations.
“The problem with NISport has been the issue of funding to maintain our facilities. We have been told to improve on our revenue of which we are up to the task.
“We will redouble our efforts because as an insider, I know what the problems are and we have already embarked on various initiatives by rehabilitating the basketball pitch.
“By the next three months, NISport will wear a new look and with some more funds, we will put more things in order. We are also ready to partner others to generate more funds,” he said.
Tidesports also reports that the House Committee on Sports led by its Chairman were led round the hostels, classrooms, library, gymnasium, the practice pitch and the sorry state of affairs left the committee members unimpressed.
Following the inspection, Osoba decried the poor state of NISport, adding that the foremost institute of sports in Africa needed more attention.
He added that the legislative arm of the government would look into a more practicable solution to giving the institute a facelift in order to return it back to its former state.
“The present state of NISport is saddening, we have had notable sportsmen and women graduated from this institution and others coming for their certification.
“Now, the institute looks like a ghost town, it doesnt look like what it used to be, so there is need to find a way of bringing it back to how it used to be.
“This institute should be a revenue generating one and there are ways of generating funds, the management should put on their thinking cap.
“If they generate the right funds and goes to the Single Treasury Account (TSA) it will be returned back to them, that is where we will come in as members of the house, he said.
Osoba said that the House Committee on Sports were on a fact-finding mission to the National Stadium Facility as part of its oversight function.
“We came to inspect the stadium, everyone is aware that the illegal structures have been dismantled and taken away. We want to see for ourselves what the place looks like now.
“Coming here is part of our oversight function, we have come around and see how the appropriated funds were spent in maintaining our sports facilities, he said

Sports

Kenya Keeper Under Investigation For Match-Fixing

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

The Kenya Football Federation (FKF) has launched an investigation into allegations that goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been involved in match manipulation.
The 37-year-old, who plays for Kenyan Premier League club Kakamega Homeboyz, has won over 30 international caps.
His most recent appearance for the Harambee Stars came in October last year, in a qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
An undated video posted online appears to show Matasi agreeing a deal to influence the outcome of a league game.
“I have spoken to him. He was also shocked at what he was seeing in the video and he told me he doesn’t know about match-fixing,” Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula told Tidesports source .
The FKF said it would work with world governing body Fifa, the Confederation of African Football and other “relevant authorities” during its investigation.
“We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competitions,” a statement added.
“This investigation will adhere to FKF’s anti-match manipulation regulations and Fifa guidelines, ensuring a fair, transparent, and thorough process.
“The rights of the player and his club will be respected, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”
Shimanyula backed Matasi, pointing to the fact the veteran has kept three clean sheets in as many games since joining the club a month ago.
“When we watched this video, we found that Matasi has not wronged the club,” he said.
“In a video there can misinterpretations and false narratives and we cannot trust everything.
“He will keep playing for us because there’s no wrongdoing on his part as far as we are concerned – unless there’s evidence or the FKF writes to us to say they are suspecting the player of some wrongdoing.
“He is innocent until proven guilty and then we will act.”
The FKF has called on anyone with credible information to assist its investigation, with any reports to be handled with strict confidentiality.
Shimanyula also challenged the Kenyan footballing community to provide evidence against Matasi.
“Kakamega Homeboyz is against any form of match manipulation,” he said.

Sports

UEFA Probes Real Players Over Indecent Conduct

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

Uefa has opened an investigation into allegations of indecent conduct by four Real Madrid players during their Champions League last-16 win against Atletico Madrid.
Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos allegedly made gestures towards the home fans after Real Madrid beat their city rivals on penalties to book their place in the quarter-finals.
TV pictures showed German defender Rudiger appearing to make a throat-slitting motion, apparently towards the crowd after the shootout victory, while Mbappe was shown seemingly making a crotch-grabbing gesture.
Spanish media said Atletico reported the actions to Uefa last week.
The players could be at risk of suspension but there is no guarantee the case will be heard before their quarter-final with Arsenal. The first leg for that tie is at Emirates Stadium on 8 April and the return leg a week later.
In a statement, Uefa said: “[An] ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct” made by the four Real Madrid players.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

Sports

EPL To Have Two Transfer Windows

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

The Premier League has announced it will have two transfer windows this summer to allow Manchester City and Chelsea to sign players before the Club World Cup.
The window will open between Sunday, 1 June and Tuesday, 10 June, then close for five days before running again from Monday, 16 June until Monday, 1 September.
This summer features the first expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which involves 32 teams and adopts the format of the regular World Cup of the past few years.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League teams in the tournament which takes place in the United States from Sunday, 15 June.
But the Premier League can only have 12 weeks of a summer window – hence the five-day break in order to run it until 1 September.
Fifa has allowed new players to be registered for the Club World Cup from 1-10 June, and again from 27 June-3 July for the knockout stage.
This is happening firstly, to bring order to the global registration system, world governing body Fifa only permits the transfer window in any individual country to be open for 16 weeks in any calendar year.
In Europe, precedent dictates four of those weeks are for the winter window, leaving 12 in the summer. In 2024, the Premier League transfer window opened on 14 June and closed on 30 August.