Sports

NFSC Appoints Monarch Grand Patron

Published

4 years ago

April 27, 2021

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) says the traditional ruler of Idjerhe Kingdom in Delta State, King Monday Whiskey, has been appointed the Grand Patron of the club.
According to it, Whiskey’s appointment is based on his various unflinching support to the club.
The National Chairman of NFSC, Rev. Samuel Ikpea told newsmen in Lagos on Monday that the traditional ruler is also a revered journalist who is an asset to the nation.
“We went to the town of the traditional ruler, Jesse town, with some delegation with our traditional trademark of drumming, dancing and exhibiting skills reminiscent of what we do during national team’s support.
“The king was commended for his wealth of experience and therewith conferred the title as Grand Patron, with his certificate.
“He was also decorated with NFSC’s paraphernalia after his citation was read.
“The king has been of immense support to us, encouraging and always praying for our success during our assignments,” he said.
Justifying the appointment of the traditional ruler as the Grand Patron of the club, Ikpea said that the group got instant benefit as they were assured of more support.
“His Royal Highness has assured us of improved support home and abroad; he also promised that we should count on his support when the need arises.
“What we need is synergy. We need to synergise to ensure that in every nook and cranny of this country, we preach the gospel of oneness; we preach the gospel of sports.
“He encouraged us to assert our unblemished pedigree and ensure we use it as an instrument to reach those who need help and those who need favour. There’s a difference between help and favour.
“He also promised to heed to our call whenever the needs arises and told us not hesitate to call on him, be it within or outside Nigeria,” he explained to NAN.
Ikpea said that the NFSC had remained a unified group since its establishment and was committed to expanding to all the states of the federation and by extension, making it a global brand.
“We are the members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, and this club has been in existence since 1955.
“The club was formed by a Nigerian; in fact, he was a British citizen, Mr Deji Allen and his wife.
“The club has over 22 registered chapters in Nigeria. We have chapters virtually in all over Africa, in Europe and indeed, the whole world.
“It is the only supporters club with this type of culture. Even in Brazil, when they play football, they don’t have this kind of supporters club,’’ he said.
Ikpea said the club had won both the FIFA and CAF “Best Behaved and Entertaining Supporters Club Awards’’ respectively.
“In all our existence, one would not hear that there had been anywhere it members had been to and were bad ambassadors of the country.

Sports

Nigeria To Host 2026 Golf AACT

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

Nigeria has won the bid to host the next edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy in 2026.
The AACT is a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship in Africa that had its inaugural edition in May 1992 in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria hosted the AACT in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938, while in 2010, the AACT was played at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, in Abuja.
This would be the third time Nigeria will be hosting the championship.
Interestingly, the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy (a regional version of the championship) was held for the first time in Nigeria at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort, Lagos, in 2023.
Evelyn Oyome, the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, who was the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco, said Nigeria emerged winner amongst the 20 countries that took part in the bidding process.
“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October last year at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating.
“So, hosting that championship successfully last year gave us the edge amongst so many other countries that also bidded and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria,” she said.
Oyome revealed that the Federal Capital Territory would be the host city for the AACT 2026 edition, with no fewer than 30 countries expected to participate in the championship.

Sports

Musa, Shehu Ineligible For CHAN – Ilechukwu

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

Super Eagles B co-handler Fidelis Ilechukwu has revealed that Kano Pillars duo Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi were initially listed in the 30-man squad for the 2024 CHAN qualifiers double header clash against Ghana, but were dropped over their ineligibility.
Musa and Shehu, who made sensational returns to Kano Pillars this season, were conspicuously missing when the Nigeria Football Federation revealed the names of 30 Nigeria Premier Football League stars for the assignment.
The CHAN Eagles are currently camping in Ikenne, Ogun State. They will play the first leg of their encounter in Accra on Sunday, December 22 before returning to Uyo for the return leg on Saturday, December 28.
“I was told he (Musa) didn’t meet up with the conditions of playing in the CHAN tournament or qualifiers,” Ilechukwu told our correspondent.
“Ahmed Musa was on our list, there is no way we wouldn’t have included him in the list with his performances in the league but they told us to replace him due to eligibility.
When asked if the same applied to Shehu, the coach replied in the affirmative.
According to CAF regulations, only footballers playing in their country of birth are eligible.
While the above rule favours both Musa and Shehu, their participation was perhaps made difficult by another CAF regulation which says, “Only players with a permanent contract registered in a local club affiliated to their national association are eligible to participate in the African Nations Championship” – as both players are in the NPFL under the Elite Player Scheme.
According to section 9.91 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, “There shall be an Elite Player Scheme wherein each Club shall be allowed to register a maximum of two players who in the opinion of the NPFL will add value to the league.”

Sports

Nigeria Women Football League Set For Annual General Assembly

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

The Federal Capital Territory is set to host the 2024 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
In a statement released yesterday, the Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the AGA, which will take place at Fabino by Toprank Hotels, Abuja.
The AGA meeting promises to be a significant gathering in charting a way forward for the women’s football rising agenda and the women’s football leagues in Nigeria.
Key stakeholders, including board members and representatives of Premiership and Championship clubs, will review the successes and challenges of the outgone 2023/2024 season.
Notably, Edo Queens emerged champions of the NWFL Premiership for the first time, while Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels secured promotion to the Premiership from the NWFL Championship.
The AGM will also focus on sustaining the league’s growing credibility and improving operations while setting the calendar and start date for the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership and Championship campaigns.
This pivotal meeting aims to further strengthen women’s football in Nigeria and lay the groundwork for the league’s continued growth.