Sports

Minister Wants All Hands On Deck Junior World Cup

Published

16 years ago

July 13, 2009

The Minister of Sports, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, has called on Nigerians, especially the media to join hands with members of the Local Organising Committee [LOC], to make the FIFA U-17 Junior World Cup expected to take place in Nigeria a huge success.

Ndanusa who made the call while speaking to journalists shortly after inspecting facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe ultra modem stadium, Enugu recently, noted that the call became necessary because the importance of sports, particularly Football in the development of any nation cannot be over emphasized.

Maintaining that Nigeria is awaiting the final inspection of facilities at the various centers selected for the hosting of the forthcoming Under 17 FIFA World Cup, Ndanusa therefore called on contractors handling the various projects at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu to increase their pace of work.

The minister who was not happy with the slow pace of work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, stressed the need for all ongoing works at the stadium to be completed before the final visit of the FIF A delegation later this month, adding that “Enugu needed to record 100% completion in all the facilities”.

Engr. Ndanusa, therefore, ordered the contractor handling the projects to ensure completion of work not later than the end of July this year.

He made it clear that it was only FIFA that has the final say, stating that the Local Organising Committee would only monitor and inspect facilities and allow FIFA to deliver its verdict.

The minister explained that they were in Enugu to inspect facilities for the forthcoming competition as well as to explore ways of assisting the Enugu in its efforts to grip firmly, the hosting right granted to it by FIFA.

“We are here to inspect facilities for the Under 17 World Cup. You should be aware that FIFA expects 100% completion of all the facilities in all the selected centers. Anything short of that will not be accepted. The workers should increase their work pace. We are looking for 100% and nothing short of that.

Continuing, the minister further said: “Remember, we are not FIFA, we don’t have the final say but there is need for workers to increase their commitment. As you are aware, FIFA delegation will soon come for the final inspection and anything short of 100% completion of facilities will not be accepted”, he warned.

Earlier while responding to the minister’s questions, the contractor handling the various works at the main bowl of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Staduim, Nuri Gewk assured that the stadium would be ready before the final visit of the FIFA delegation.

He explained that his workers have been working day and night to ensure that the various works at the stadium are completed before the final inspection.

In the entourage of the minister who had already left Enugu for Abuja after the inspection, were the Executive Committee Member of FIFA, Dr Amos Adamu, and the Vice Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of FIFA Under U-17 World Cup, Manasari Ilo.

Former Golden Eaglet, Rabiu Mohammed (10) in a previous U-17 competition

City Crime

‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.

Sports

Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.

Sports

Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.