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Category: Sports

  • Nigerian athletes for Paris Paralympics begin camping in Abuja, Lagos

    Camping

    By Vivian Ibobo

    Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Sunday Odebode, President, Paralympics Committee of Nigeria (PCN), on Wednesday in Lagos said their athletes for the upcoming Games in Paris had started camping ahead of the event.

    Odebode added that the para-athletes and para-badminton players would be in Abuja for their camping, while the para-powerlifting and para-table tennis athletes would be in Lagos for the exercise.

    ”As you are all aware, the paralympic games is around the corner, and we at PCN are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure adequate preparations for our athletes, hence the decision to commence camping in earnest.

    ”This will put the athletes in good shape during the games where we hope to excel and make the country proud,” he said.

    The PCN President also said its other federations would soon begin their camping once venues were secured.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the paralympic games will hold from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in Paris.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IZU/DOE
    =======
    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • Kwara United announce end of season break

    Kwara United announce end of season break

    Kwara Utd
    By Olayinka Owolewa
    Ilorin, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin has announced end of the season break, as the club plans early preparations for the 2024/2025 Season.

    The General Manager of the Club, Bashir Badawiy, who announced the break after a management meeting on Wednesday, added that the players and officials would soon be communicated on the resumption date after due consultation.

    Kwara United on Sunday defeated Heartland FC 4-0 in their last match of the 2023-2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Season, to end their campaign in the 13th position.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team won 12 matches out of 38 in the series, drew 15, lost 11, scored 38 goals altogether, and conceded 37.

    The team also lost out of the President Federation Cup competition after losing to finalists, Abia Warriors 4-3 on penalties, after playing out a 1-1 draw in the regulation time, at the Round of 16 stage.

    The team won the State Federation Cup trophy after beating Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC, also of Ilorin, to qualify for the national finals.

    The Chairman of the Club, Kumbi Titiloye had on Sunday said that preparations for next season’s NPFL will commence immediately, going by the lessons learnt from the just concluded season.

    He said that the team started preparations relatively late in the just concluded season, coupled with the fact that the players were just adjusting to playing on grass pitch, as they were used to the synthetic pitch, especially at home.

    The club commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his support to the team.

    They also thanked the Kwara State Sports Commission, Kwara Football Association, Kwara Referees, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Supporters and Fans of the Club as well as other stakeholders, for their support and understanding.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOH/IKU
    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • Rangers FC adopt Green foot ladies ahead CAF champions league

    Rangers FC adopt Green foot ladies ahead CAF champions league

    Rangers

    By Benson Ezugwu

    Enugu, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Rangers International Football club of Enugu, said it has formed a technical partnership with Green Foot Ladies of Enugu, a female football team, through its sponsors and partners, Afrinvest.

    Norbert Okolie, the Media Officer of the club,  said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Enugu.

    He said that through the partnership and collaboration, Rangers would provide comprehensive support to the team to boost the growth of women’s football in the state.

    “This partnership underscores our commitment to promoting inclusivity, excellence and opportunity in the sports we love.

    “Together, we aim to nurture talent, enhance skills and elevate the profile of women’s football in Enugu State and beyond, ‘ Okolie said.

    The media officer said that having a female team was part of the requirements by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to feature in the Champions league.

    “We can say that Rangers have adopted Green foot ladies as our team in fulfillment of the rules by CAF for teams to play in the Champions league, ” he said.

    He disclosed that Rangers have been doing much for the women’s team like providing kits, offering them training ground and other technical assistance.

    NAN reports that the flying antelopes last weekend emerged champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after defeating Gombe United 2-1 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

    The team thus qualified to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF champion’s league. (NAN)

    (www.nannews.ng)

    BEN/GOM/JPE

    ============

    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

  • Team Nigeria’s Olympics-bound wrestlers to begin overseas camping Monday in Germany

    Wrestling
    By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
    Ibadan, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) on Wednesday said the overseas camping stage of its wrestlers’ preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics will begin on Monday in Saarbrucken, Germany.
    Daniel Igali, the President of NWF, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that this would follow the ongoing local camping in Yenagoa which will end on Sunday.
    “Preparations for the Olympics are in top gear. We’ve been in camp in Yenagoa for over two  weeks, and training so far is going on so well.
    “We have five Olympics-bound athletes and three training partners each in camp.
    “The lone male among the Olympics-bound wrestlers is not in camp yet, and that is Ashton Mutuwa who is based in the U.S.
    “Already, Adekuoroye who is also based in the U.S. has now joined us. Mutuwa will join in the overseas camp because of his peculiar situation.
    “He has very good training partners in the US, and we want that to continue because we’re quite happy with his training situation there, which we are monitoring very closely,” he said.
    Igali assured that Mutuwa was being monitored closely and so far the NWF was impressed with what he was doing.
    He also said Adekuoroye has done a lot of training in respect of pace and strengthening.
    “We believe that she has good training partners here in Nigeria that will really get her fortified for the Olympics, because we have a lot of hope on her at this Olympics,” the NWF President said.
    He disclosed that while the wrestlers were expected  to camp in Germany for three weeks, the federation was hopeful that they would be there till July ending.
    ”This is because we won’t start competing until Aug. 5, and we will like to go to the Games Village four days to our events,” Igali said.
    The NWF President added that the situation meant they have to do the right things from now till the end of the training period since the wrestling events would begin on Aug. 5.
    Speaking also, Purity Akuh, the head coach of the female wrestling team, said the athletes and their training partners were in their preparation phase and working so hard.
    He said his  expectations as the coach was for every one of the qualified athletes to win medals at  the Olympic Games.
    NAN reports that six wrestlers will represent the country at the Games, with the team having five female and one male.
    The team has Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu in the 68kg category, Odunayo Adekuoroye in the 57kg and Hannah Reuben in the 76kg —- all being female.
    There are also Christiana Ogunsanya in the 62kg and Esther Kolawole in the 62kg, while  the lone male is Ashton Mutuwa who will compete in the 125kg category.(NAN)
    SEY/OLAL
    =========
    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • My dream is to make impact at Paris Olympics, Bello says

    My dream is to make impact at Paris Olympics, Bello says

    Olympics

    By Olanrewaju Akojede

    Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Olympics debutant, Fatima Bello on Wednesday, said that her dream is to make an appreciable impact at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics,

    Bello, a 2023 African Games silver medalist gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while speaking on her preparations for the games.

    NAN reports that Bello secured a ticket to represent the country in the table tennis event of theat the African qualifiers held in Rwanda.

    The 26-year-old achieved the feat after defeating Algeria’s Lynda Loughrabi 4-2 in the final round of qualifiers at BK Arena in Kigali.

    Bello during the qualifiers picked the first three sets against the Algerian, but slipped as her opponent recovered on time to claim the fourth and fifth sets.

    The power forehand specialist, Bello then produced a hand on serve to win the sixth set and the seventh round of the best-of-seven match.

    Bello said that her journey to stardom in table tennis was made possible by her father and siblings.

    “Special thanks to my dad and my brother for pushing me hard to be what I am in table tennis today.

    “At first, I was not much into table tennis but they and other players encouraged me to play in which I did.

    “My first experience at the African Cup 2022 was a great one, though I had to train hard to make a mark at the tournament which to me was not an easy one.

    “To be honest, I didn’t expect that I will go that far because the competition was my first major one,” she said.

    Bello said that it was her time to make impact at the Olympics.

    “I am aware of the task ahead at the Olympics where there are more Stars competing, and I am not ready to go there because of numbers but to make impact.

    “Many of the senior players have been talking to me and advising me and I am grateful for their support.

    “ I am more familiar with the terrain now because I took a longer route to qualify for the Olympics.

    “I thank my coach for the support in my journey to qualify and other teammates. For the Olympics I need to train more so as to get to where I dream.

    “I need to give myself enough rest to make sure that I am in top shape ahead of the Olympics, because I want to make my country proud at the Olympics,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    KOJE/JPE

    =======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Paris Olympics: We’re ready to surpass previous achievements – NOC

    L-R: Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola and the President of NOC, Habu Gumel, receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure
    L-R: Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola and the President of NOC, Habu Gumel, receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure

    Achievements

    By Emmanuel Afonne

    Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) said on Tuesday that it has put everything on ground to surpass the achievements of the country at previous Olympics.

    President of NOC, Habu Gumel, said this while receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure especially at Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos.

    Gumel said that 80 athletes had so far qualified for the Olympics while additional five athletes were expected to join the team if they eventually qualify.

    ”We are calling this meeting to update Nigerians on our preparation for the Olympics scheduled to hold from July 26 to August 11 in Paris and to receive the reports of two committees set up for the progress of NOC.

    ”On the constitution review, NOC executive committee, the board, general assembly and the International Olympic Committee will look at the report before we say this is our final constitution.

    ”So far we have about 80 athletes that have qualified for the Olympics and we are preparing the athletes for training outside the country.

    ”Those outside the country are already training and sports federations like boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and canoeing have started local trainings too.

    ”Some are in Germany, while some are in America; so, arrangement is on for us to achieve podium success; the Ministry of Sports Development and the NOC are collaborating seriously to achieve success in Paris.

    ”The last time we won two gold medal was in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, by Chioma Ajunwa, in long jump and the U-23 Dream Team, so, we are working so hard to break the jinx in Paris,” Gumel said.

    According to him, winning silver or bronze have never been a challenge to the country’s athletes, but getting gold.

    This, he said was the reason behind the robust preparation designed for Team Nigeria ahead of the Olympics.

    The Secretary-General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, on his part, pleaded with the Federal Government to release enough funds, and on time, to enable the country to achieve the desired result at the Olympics.

    ”Our preparation is fair enough going by the understanding between the NOC and the Ministry of Sports. NOC is in charge of the Olympics and the Ministry is their partner, unlike in the past when there use to be a discretional kind of arrangement.

    ”But this time around, we have a strong synergy between NOC and the Ministry, and that has made a lot of things work better.

    ”For the athletes, they have done so well in the various international meets, breaking and creating records; the only thing we need to do now is to sustain it through positive media reports,” Popoola said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sani Garun-Gabbas, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NOC constitution review committee, had earlier said the committee gathered a lot of experience while discharging their duty.

    He said that it took the committee four months to deliver on the assignment which involved every stakeholder. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    EMAF/DOE
    ========
    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

  • Ogunbote says he’s unsure of his 3SC future

    Contract

    By Olatunde Ajayi
    Ibadan, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Head Coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Gbenga Ogunbote, says he is unsure of what awaits him with Sunday’s ending of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)

    Ogunbote told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Sunday that his contract with the Ibadan side expired with the club’s last match in the league competition on Sunday.

    The Oluyole Warriors beat Sporting Lagos FC 1-0 in their match day 38 fixture at the Lekan Salami Stadium to finish fourth in the competition.

    Their final standing meant they fell short of clinching a ticket to play on the continent next season, having earlier crashed out of the 2024 President Federation Cup competition.

    The coach however said the club’s management had been making efforts to discuss with him on a new contract, but there had been no concrete offer made and no agreement reached.

    ”There is something on ground, in terms of discussions about the future between them and me, but nothing concrete yet.

    “Presently, my contract has expired. But the club management is currently talking about an extension of the contract.

    “They are already bringing an offer. We have all only been waiting for the final game of the league.

    ”Maybe something will come up in the next few days or weeks. But, for now, I cannot tell anybody what future awaits me at 3SC,” he said.

    Reflecting on the club’s performance in the season, Ogunbote said they gave all their best.

    He, however, regretted that the team could not finish in the top three bracket on the league table.

    “It has been a step forward for the team though, even though it was unfortunate that we could not meet up with the target we set for ourselves.

    “The important thing is that we just need to review the season and take positive lessons out of it.”

    Ogunbote recalled that the club did not start the league well and also got it wrong on some occasions.

    This, he said, really took a great toll on the team, adding that they only picked up during the second round. “But unfortunately there were still some away misses.

    “We were placed around the 12th position towards the end of the first round of the season.

    “We also lost some games on the road, which ordinarily if we had got a point each from them would have made a difference,” the coach said.

    He however lauded title winners Rangers International FC of Enugu, saying “I give it to them. They are not a bad side, because they actually worked for the title.

    “They are a good team with a solid coach and they know what it takes to win the league,” Ogunbote said.

    Also speaking, Sporting Lagos FC Head Coach, Abdullahi Biffo, said the experience gathered in the NPFL would help his club’s management, players and coaches in the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League (NNL).

    ”This will help us to reorganise each department to be able to withstand the pressure of the top-flight league when we return from relegation.

    “We knew we needed to win this match, to give us a chance to escape relegation.

    “But it was a good experience, even though I came into the team just for the last eight games.

    ”I was assigned by the management to fix the problem on ground, but unfortunately I was unable to do so.

    “We all know that the league’s last quarter is always important because that is when the teams targeting continental tickets double their efforts and teams that want to escape relegation will triple their efforts.”

    Speaking on what should be expected of Nigerian clubsides next season on the continent, Biffo said something clinical needed to be done.

    “We all know that Nigerian teams always find it difficult to do well at the continental stage, because the best players from Nigeria do not really stay in the local league.

    “By the time new young players are supposed to come to the national league, they are already elsewhere in Europe.

    “We are only recycling players within clubs in the league.

    “The league authorities need to do something about this to develop our league,” he said.

    He gave league winners Rangers International FC kudos for their performance, saying it was because they started well in the middle of the season and fought bravely to be champions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    TUN/USO/OLAL
    Edited by Sam Oditah and Olawale Alabi

     

  • Kwara United whip relegated Heartland FC 4-0

    NPFL

    By Olayinka Owolewa
    Ilorin, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin on Sunday walloped visiting Heartland FC of Owerri 4-0 in their last match of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played at the main bowl of the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin, and the victory was warmly celebrated.

    But this celebration was not because it confirmed the hosts’ continued stay in the NPFL, but because the home fans had the benefit of the presence of Nottingham Forest star Taiwo Awoniyi.

    He had earlier pledged to reward each goal scored by Kwara United with 500,000 Naira.

    Wasiu Alalade opened scores as early as the fourth minute, benefitting from a well-delivered pullout by team captain Afeez Musa.

    Emmanuel Ogbole added the second goal in the 24th minute, with Heartland FC struggling to pick up the bits and pieces of their unimpressive display in the game.

    Garba Abubakar, who replaced Dehinde Ibrahim at the resumption of the second half, contributed in the build-up to the third goal scored by Alao Mohammed.

    The introduction of Shola Abdulraheem and Abbey Benson in place of Ogbole and Rahman Olarewaju respectively, added more impetus to the hosts’ dominance.

    Much later, Omaka Anthony and Godwin Oshagbemi, brought in for Alao Muhammed and Issa Gata respectively, further increased the hosts’ appetite for more goals.

    Oshagbemi justified his introduction when he delivered a masterclass of a goal in the 89th minute for his team to earn Awoniyi’s N2 million cash reward for the four goals.

    Speaking later, Christian Obi, Heartland FC’s Head Coach who claimed his efforts were sabotaged during the season with the allegation of bribe-taking against him, said he was leaving everything to fate.

    He said his future with the team would be decided by the owners of the team with the season having come to an end.

    Obi said the match result made no difference, as they were already relegated even if they had won.

    Kabir Dogo, the Chief Coach of Kwara United, on his part said all credit for their performance should go to their state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the people of the state.

    While he described the outcome of the match as “a victory for the people”, he however said events of the last two seasons were challenging for the club.

    “The club must learn lessons from those challenges, going forward.” Dogo said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OOH/USO/OLAL

    Edited by Sam Oditah and Olawale Alabi

     

     

     

  • Enyimba International beat Plateau United 2-0 to pick continental ticket

    Enyimba

    By Nicholas Obisike

    Aba (Abia), June 24, 2024 (NAN) Enyimba International Football Club of Aba on Sunday defeated visiting Plateau United FC of Jos 2-0 to pick the ticket to play in the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup competition.

    The match day 38 fixture in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)  was played at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

    Chijioke Mbaoma opened scoring for the hosts in the 77th minute to give hope to the team’s supporters.

    Alade Balogun made it 2-0 in  the 87th minute to seal the win for Enyimba and ensure they finished third on the log with 63 points, behind Remo Stars who had 65 points.

    In a post-match interview, Plateau United’s goalkeeper trainer, Cornelius Copar,  said the match could have gone either way.

    “It was a good game which we came prepared to win, but in the end Enyimba got the win and we accept the defeat in good faith.

    “The first goal we conceded was due to loss of  concentration and the  second came when we were trying to get back into the game.

    “We are not going to give up as we are going home to prepare for the next season,” he said.

    Speaking also, Mbaoma who ended the match and season as NPFL highest goal scorer with 17 goals said he felt great to have achieved the feat.

    “Scoring goals has been my dream and I say ‘thank you’ to my team mates, members of our technical crew and supporters who are the reason we are winning matches,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NUO/JPE/OLAL

    ============

    Edited by Joseph Edeh and Olawale Alabi

  • Final standings in 2023/2024 NPFL

    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
    =============
    Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi