Author: Aderonke Ojo

2024 Davis Cup: Nigeria tennis team camp opens July 1-Secretary-General

Tennis

By Aderonke Ojo

Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Shammah Makpa, Secretary-General of Nigeria Tennis Federation ( NTF), says the federation’s camp will formally open on July 1, for Nigerian players participating in the  2024 Davis Cup.

The event is an Africa Group three  qualifying rounds in Abuja.

Makpa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that the competition will commence from July 15 to 20 at the Moshood Abiola National stadium in Abuja.

Makpa  said  that the federation angels  would continue to raise the bar on their preparedness.

“This is our first time hosting the event in Abuja and the NTF have been preparing for this assignment from the very beginning up to this moment.

“We will make sure that everything go according to plan for a successful hosting experience of the competition,” he said.

Makpa said   that two components are  involved in the arrangements for the event, first of all as the host and secondly, Nigerian players are  participating.

“As the host, we will make sure that the facilities are in good condition as well as the equipment needed for the event.

“We have been  preparing for this event and as you can see, we are visiting the areas to make sure that we put final touches,” he said.

He said that  the Nigeria team have  started  arriving in  camp ahead  July1, when it will  formally open.

“We have between six and eight players in the camp, of whom only five will actually represent Nigeria.

“Nevertheless, we are doing well and we are confident that with God everything will go according to plan for a hitch-free qualification.

“We have the likes of David Ekpenyong, Daniel Adeleye, Uche Oparaojie ,Michael Emmmanuel, Christopher Bulus, among others, who will be in  camp participating in the competition.

“They are experienced players, in fact three of them had competed in the 2023 Davis Cup Africa Group IV qualifying rounds match in Kigali, Rwanda,”he said.

The secretary said that based on their experiences,  they performed very  well in 2023 and won the majority of their games that led to the country’s qualification and promotion for Group three alongside Ghana.

“The  players will be able to represent Nigeria with pride because they are already in good shape and are fully prepared,” he said..

Makpa expressed confidence that with the backing of the NTF board,  the country will  host a good tournament that  would be adjudged as one of the most successful Davies Cup ever.

NAN reports that a total of six countries are expected to participate in the event, which include host Nigeria, Zimbawe, Namibia, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic and Ghana.

They will be competing for two slots in Group II  in the qualifying round.(NAN )(www. nannews.ng)
STJ/YI/JPE
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Joseph Edeh

Standings
By Aderonke Ojo
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Below are the final standings of clubs in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, following the conclusion of Match Day 38 fixtures on Sunday:

Team                                        MP  W  D   L   GF  GA GD Pts
Rangers International FC   38     21   7  10  56   33   23  70
Remo Stars FC                      38    20    5  13  53   39    14  65
Enyimba International FC  38    19   6   13  46  33    13   63
Shooting Stars FC                 38    18   8  12   48  34    14  62
Plateau United FC                 38   18   4  16   53   40    13   58
Lobi Stars FC                          38    17   7   14   48   45    3    58
Katsina United FC                 38    15   10  13  42   39     3    55
Rivers United FC                   38    15   8     15   51   42    9    53
Bendel Insurance FC            38    14   11    13    32   30    2   53
Sunshine Stars FC                 38    13  13    12    37   37    0   52
Kano Pillars FC                      38    15    7     16    49    50  -1    52
Abia Warriors FC                   38    15    7     16   42    45    -3   52
Kwara United FC                    38    12   15     11    38    37   -1    51
Niger Tornadoes FC              38     14    9    15     38    41    -3   51
Bayelsa United FC                 38     13    11   14     46    50   -4    50
Akwa United FC                     38     14     7    17     44    42   -2    49
Sporting Lagos FC                 38     12    10    16     39    44   -5   46
Doma United FC                    38     11    11     16     26    42    -16  44
Heartland FC                          38      9    11     18     36    50    -14   38
Gombe United FC                   38     8    7      23     21     78     -57   25

*** Rangers International FC win title and qualify alongside Remo Stars FC for 2024/2025 CAF Champions League

*** Enyimba International FC qualify for 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup competition, to be joined in the competition by 2024 President Federation Cup winners

*** Sporting Lagos FC, Doma United FC, Heartland FC and Gombe United FC are all relegated to the lower league

Key —- MP (Matches Played), W (Win), D (Draw), L (Lose), GF (Goals For), GA (Goals Against), GD (Goals Difference), Pts (Points)

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

STJ/DOE/OLAL
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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi

Results

By Aderonke Ojo
Abuja, June 23, 2024 (NAN) Following are the results of Match Day 38 fixtures played on Sunday in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL):

Gombe United FC 1-2 Rangers International FC

Akwa United FC 3-1 Rivers United FC

Kano Pillars FC 3-2 Lobi Stars FC

Kwara United FC 4-0 Heartland FC

Bendel Insurance FC 0-2 Bayelsa United FC

Remo Stars FC 2-1 Katsina United FC

Niger Tornadoes FC 2-1 Sunshine Stars FC

Enyimba International FC 2-0 Plateau United FC

Shooting Stars FC 1-0 Sporting Lagos FC

Doma United FC 1-1 Abia Warriors FC

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Cycling

By Aderonke Ojo

Abuja , June 13, 2024 (NAN) Bashiru Mohammed, the Technical Director of Nigeria Cycling Federation (CFN), says the Nigeria cycling team finished third at the just concluded tour International du Togo.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the Team came back with three trophies.

“Nigeria team took first position in  individual by points for Under 23 Elite and Individual by points for Under 23 and third in team classification points.

“In the general team final classification, we came third. I appreciate the effort of the Team performance and the Federation will continue to support them.

“I was optimistic that Nigeria will put up an excellent performance at the competition  and which we did,” he said.

He said that, Abdulmalik Yusuf wore the yellow jersey on the fourth stage in line with this new edition of the Tour international du Togo.

“Other honorary jerseys were also distributed throughout the competition, including the jersey of the longest competitive breakaway and the Ducreux jersey.

“This  aims to pay tribute to the late Francis Ducreux, one of the promoters of the Tour International du Togo,” he said.

Mohammed said that the just concluded 29th edition of the Tour Cycliste of Togo in Lomé, for a week of racing tour covered a distance of more than 700 kilometers in the heats.

“The Cyclists went through some principal towns and cities including the route of peloton to Kpalimé, Mango, Kara, Pagouda, Sokodé, Sotouboua, Atakpamé with a closed circuit Vogan-Aného-Lomé.

“Nigeria was represented by a nine-man contingent made up of six cyclists and three officials.

“The six cyclists are; John Odumu, Abdulmalik Yusuf, Isah Momoh, Mansud Garuba, Precious Etim and Emmanuel Udohudoh.

“The officials were; Moses Omozusi and Kamole Amoo for coaches and the Mechanic,Timothy Anagolu. The Team has since returned home on Tuesday,” he said.

The Mali squad finished in second place, behind the Burkina Faso team. The Nigerian squad, however, finished third.

The following teams placed fourth through ninth, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo team A, France, Ghana, Benin, and Cedeao.

NAN reports that for the first time, the Togo Cycling Tour is being organised by a local partner, including “UK and PARTNERS”, a communications and marketing consultancy, in collaboration with the Togolese Cycling Federation (FTC).

The 2024 International Cycling Tour of Togo took place in six stages with teams from nine countries: Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, France, Togo A,Cedeao  and Mali. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

STJ/OIF/JPE

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Joseph Edeh

188 cyclists to participate in Abuja capital city championship

Cyclists

By Aderonke Ojo

Abuja, June 13 , 2024  (NAN) No fewer than 188 cyclists have registered to participate in the 3rd  edition  of  the Abuja Capital City Championship top prize ,slated for Saturday.

Bashiru Mohammed,Technical director, Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the event is being organised in conjunction with CHENUEL Mobility Solution Limited.

Mohammed said that the championship was earlier scheduled for June 1, but was postponed due to the inauguration of road projects within the FCT.

“This year’s championship will features Men Elite 140km,Women Elite 80km, Men Veteran 60km and Women veteran 30km,“he said.

The technical director said that the amateur category for schools in the FCT would feature the Male 20km and Female 15 km race.

He said that cyclists are expected to arrive on June 14, while the championship will start on June 15 and end on June 16.

“The starting and finishing point will be the Federal Secretariat, Ahmadu Bello way behind Eagle square, by 7 a.m.

“The Championships will be completed in both male and female categories in the elite class, veterans and amateurs’ class from secondary schools within the FCT.

“The State Cycling Association/Clubs will have six males and six females in the elite class while the veterans will have four male, four female and two officials.

“ At the end of the event, there will be medals and certificate presentation to all the winners as well as traveling subsidies for all the external participants coming from states,” he said.

Mohammed urged Abuja residents to come out to encourage the cyclists.

He said that the championship would   foster a good working relationship amongst the cyclists.

“The more the cyclists race the more they will improve on their standards, both at  domestic and international level.

“I am aware of the crucial role the media play in shaping mind-set and facilitating policy direction towards achieving set objectives, so we call on the media to help publicise our actvities ,” he said.

According to him, 109 cyclists will compete in the 140 km and 60km while 38 cyclists will compete in the 80 km and 30 km in the female elite class and veterans.

He said all necessary logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free championship. ( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Our target is to set a world stage record for players-NTF

Athletes

By Aderonke Ojo

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Shammah Makpa, the Secretary General of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), says the Federation`s target is to develop and set a world stage record for players.

Makpa disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the just concluded International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Junior J30 in Abuja.

He said the competition is a component of the federation’s long long-term plan for development of players.

“It serves as a means of providing a stage on which young players showcase their abilities before we choose the best among them.

“The selected ones in the future would take over from the aging ones.

“ Prospective players that performed exceptionally during this tournament will be eligible to compete in future competitions,” he said.

Mapka said that having the competition in Nigeria has saved the federation from sourcing for money to sponsor players for competitions abroad.

“By holding the tournament here, we were able to accommodate more than 30 to 60 Nigerian players that chose to participate in the competition.

“This kind of competition can only accept a maximum of six players if it is held outside Nigeria,” he said.

NAN reports that the Junior International Tennis Federation (ITF) event is a flagship tournament to help junior players gain global rankings and points.

NAN reports that ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 which started on June 5, ended on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh