Author: The Nation

The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare has urged the Scrabble Federation of Nigeria to hunt for talents at the grassroots with a view to retaining their present status at global competitions

The Minister gave the charge today in his Office in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Federation who came to present the PAN African Scrabble Championship Trophy on Maiden Tour of Africa, to him

He stated that Nigeria was proud of the Federation for standing out as the Number one Scrabble-playing nation in the world and urged them to hold unto the position through the discovery and nurturing of players from the grassroots.

“I am glad to receive the trophy, and as the trophy makes its tour, I know that it will come back to Nigeria after the Tournament”, Dare said

The Minister who commended the eight-year-old Master Saviour Onazi, National Junior Scrabble Champion, for the feat he had achieved for the country, assured that the Ministry will support his education and tournaments as part of its Talent Hunt Programme.

Dare stated further that the future of sports in Nigeria is bright with the passage of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) which has reclassified Sports as Business and not Recreation, noting that it outlines an effective means of improving the funding of sports, obligations of the different tiers of government as well as participation of the private sector and other stakeholders in sports

He therefore called on the Federation to create more awareness on the forthcoming competition as they prepare to host the first ever edition of the Pan-African Scrabble Championship that will be held in Nigeria in August 2023.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for its commitment to the development of sports in the country.

While calling on sports loving Nigerians and philanthropists to key into the NSIP for a more robust partnership in the sector, he assured that government will continue to create an enabling environment for both athletes and investors to thrive in the field of sports.

Morocco’s head coach Said Chiba says he is ready for the battle awaiting his side as they take on Senegal in the final of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers tonight.

The two sides met during a four-nation training tournament in Morocco before the AFCON, with Chiba’s side winning 3-2 and he reckoned this will be a game of familiar foes.

“This will be a competitive match. Senegal is one of the strongest teams in the tournament. They know us well and we know them well too. We will take our chances and give our best in the game,” Chiba stated.

He added; “Senegal has a lot of talent in the squad. Information on both teams is available and we also know each other so there are no secrets. The friendly matches gave us an idea about each other.”

Morocco and Senegal have both had the meanest defences in the tournament, Senegal only conceding once, in their semi-final against Burkina Faso while Morocco have only conceded twice, in their last group stage match against Zambia.

Morocco have curved a niche of being one of the most tactically disciplined teams in the tournament especially defensively.

Chiba noted they will need to create a good balance between their offensive and defensive tactics, knowing too well Senegal’s strength in attack as they have a strong forward line.

“We are ready to win the Cup without a doubt and that will need us to be good both defensively and offensively,” noted the coach.

He added that with their first target of World Cup qualification already secured, their next ambition, to win the title, is also within reach.

Playmaker Marouane Rayan Bayad has said the players have their focus locked on winning the title, as they look to make history of their own.

“It will be a difficult match. We have watched Senegal’s matches and they are a tough competitor and we respect them. We have prepared well and we will go into the match to win the title,” added the coach.

Both coach Chiba and forward Bayad say they are pushed on to make history on Sunday and make the people of Morocco happy as they have offered them immense support during the tournament.

From Olalekan Okusan, Durban, South Africa

Quadri Aruna and other African stars at the Durban 2023 World Table Tennis Championships yesterday were drawn against their opponents in the first round of the men’s singles.

In the draw held at Coastlands Hotel in Durban, some of the top players witnessed the event which heralds the commencement of the championship in South Africa.

Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar were listed among the top 32 seeds in the men’s singles while Egypt’s pair of Dina Meshref and Hana Goda were also listed in the top 32 women’s singles.

Also, Nigeria’s Taiwo Mati, Bode Abiodun and Olajide Omotayo will also be in action in the men’s singles while Esther Oribamise, Fatimo Bello and Offiong Edem will also compete in the women’s singles.

Meanwhile, the youngest member of the South African team, Dean Levy , has expressed excitement over his inclusion in the team while hoping that he can break the jinx of becoming the first South African to go beyond the first round in the competition.

“I am excited witnessing my first World Championships in my country especially in the presence of top class players,” the 18-year-old said.“ The draw was interesting to me because this is my first seeing how the draws look like and I hope I can set record as the first South African to go beyond the first round at the World Championships.

“It is indeed a privilege for me to represent my country in such big tournament like this and I look forward to give my best and hope for the best in my first match,” he added.

Napoli is currently keen on making sure that they add a release clause in a new contract for Victor Osimhen.

Marco Conterio has reported that the Partenopei are drawing up a strategy to hand Osimhen a new deal to keep him at the club for another summer. The clubs interested, as per the report, are Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal, but the fee demanded by Napoli isn’t something those clubs can afford.

In the beginning of June, Napoli will have a meeting with the entourage of the Nigerian striker to know if any club has managed to meet the asking price for the player or not. Aurelio de Laurentiis will then present his idea to the entourage.

He wants to extend Osimhen’s deal for two more years and increase his salary from the €4.5 million he currently earns. But to help the player further, Napoli want to add a release clause into the new deal. They want to make sure that the clause is at €150 million but they know that his entourage will try to negotiate it down. But the Partenopei know that if he signs the extension, Osimhen will stay at the club for at least another season.

In a related development,

As Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly hell bent in snatching Osimhen from newly crowned Serie A champs, Napoli.

The price tag was way too overboard for the club and it’s unlikely Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis can be swayed into selling at a lower price:

Glasgow Rangers have been urged to re-sign their former midfielder Joe Aribo from Southampton FC.

The Nigeria international left the Scottish giants for Southampton in July 2022 with Aribo signing a four-year deal with the Premier League club.

However, the Saints have been relegated from the Premier League and they will be campaigning in the Championship next season.

Former Wales international John Hartson, who spent five years with Rangers’ arch-rivals Glasgow Celtic, believes the Gers should snap up Aribo if the opportunity arises to do so.

“I’d take him back in a heartbeat if the opportunity was there but how would it work financially?” Hartson asked when speaking on Football Scotland.

“Southampton will want some of the fees back if he’s out of the picture meanwhile Michael Beale wants to build his own team.

“And if they sign Malik Tillman? If he [Aribo] became available I’d take him. He knows the club and did well so why not. But it will depend on wages and fees.”

In 2019, Aribo signed for Rangers from English side Charlton Athletic, and he won the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and the Scottish Cup a year later.

He also helped Gers finish as runners-up in the 2019/20 Scottish League Cup and 2021-22 UEFA Europa League.

The Federal Government has hailed the contributions of Nestlé MILO Basketball Championship in promoting the wellbeing of school children, particularly with regards to imbibing teamwork, resilience, confidence, among others.

Involving over 10,000 schools yearly, the 25th year of the basketball championship has provided the opportunity to support grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

Speaking during the Central Conference finals of the championship involving nine states, including: Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, FCT, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kogi and Sokoto in Abuja, the President of the Nigerian School Sport Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Temitope, who was represented by the National Treasurer, Obafunsho Usman, said: “In physical and health education, we have our focus, which is building a sound mind in a healthy body. This championship brings about healthy living in children, and in their disposition to life. Asides the health benefits of being in sports, it opens a whole lot of career opportunities.”

In his remarks, the Category Manager Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Olutayo Olatunji stressed that young people have a lot to learn from playing basketball because it instils critical values such as discipline, determination, respect and teamwork in them.

Olatunji, represented by Funmilola Oyewole – Category Development Manager Beverages at Nestlé Nigeria, said: “The champions from today’s games will go into the finals along with the winners from the Savannah Conference and other two outstanding Conferences – Atlantic Conference to hold in Asaba from 20th to 27th of May, and the Western Conference which will be hosted in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital from the 30th of May to the 6th of June 2023.

“This year, the national finals will be held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos from the 1st to 8th of July, 2023. Champions from the four conferences will compete for the grand prize of a Champions trophy, cash prizes, basketball kits and lots of other MILO goodies.”

In the girl’s category, Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja defeated Queen Amina College Kakuru, Kaduna State by 35 points to 24 points. In the boys’ category, Father O’Connell Science College Minna defeated Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja FCT, by 53 points to 49 points.

The representative of Ika North-East Local Government Area in the 2nd Zenith Bank / Delta Headmasters’ Cup Football Competition, Owa Model Primary School, Boji-Boji Owa yesterday secured a place for the finals of the competition.

In one of the semifinal matches decided at Kwale Stadium, Owa Model Primary School Boji-Boji Owa, defeated Destiny Group of Schools, Ughelli 5-4 on penalties after full time score stood at 0-0.

In the other semifinal match played at Ughelli Stadium between Ogedegbe Primary School, Warri in Warri South and Ogidi Primary School, Patani in Patani Local Government Area of the state, Ogedegbe Primary School beat Ogidi Primary School 5-2 in a highly entertaining encounter.

Ogedegbe Primary School, Warri will now square up with Owa Model Primary School, in the final match of the 2023 edition of the competition today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

Similarly, the third place match will feature Destiny Group of Schools, Ughelli and Ogidi Primary School, Patani. The Third Place match starts at 9am to precede the final.

Speaking after the semifinal matches, the Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Chief Sunday Onoriode, said the encounters were thrilling and entertaining.

Onoriode, who lauded the Zenith Bank PLC for giving the State Government financial support for the hosting of the competition, congratulated the two finalists.

Officials of the sponsors as well as top functionaries in the Delta State Government Executive council including Governor Ifeanyi Okowa , are being expected in today’s final.

A giant trophy and other attractive prizes await the winner of the developmental football competition.

To honour Sunday Dare, Segun Odegbami, Sir Adebutu Kessington

A total of 530 graduands will be taking part in the 8th convocation ceremonies of the National Institute For Sports in Lagos on Thursday May 25th .

Director General/ Chief Executive Officer, Professor Olawale Moronkola, said as much at the Pre-Convocation Press-Conference, held at the NIS Conference Hall inside National Stadium in Lagos yesterday.

The ceremony which is the first since 2018 will have record number of students made up of the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 sets.

“Thanks to the vision of the visitor to the Institute, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare who have supported the administration of the Institute. It is evident to all that the situation of NIS is changing for the better,” Moronkola said .

He added: “The last time the institution held its convocation was in 2018 when many sets were combined. This year’s convocation is taking place on Thursday May 25th, 2023 and it will be a remarkable one.

“It is the first time that we are convocating with a record number of 530 students made up of the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 sets.”

However, apart from the students who will be conferred with their certificates, the institute will honour some eminent Nigerians with Fellowship of the National Institute For Sports (FNIS) for their contributions to sports development in the country.

Those to be honoured include the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare, former Green Eagles captain Dr. Chief Segun Odegbami, MON, business mogul Sir Adebutu Kessington, CON, foremost journalist, Chairman of Brila FM, Dr Larry Izamoje and businesswoman and sports philanthropist Mrs Modupeola Lawale.

“The Institute believes in setting standards and encouraging overall national development through sports. This is the first time Fellowship is being bestowed on people in line with the tradition in tertiary institutions,” he further said.

At the event, the DG also reeled out some achievements recorded by the institution under two years of his leadership which include well equipped library, lecture rooms, upgraded facility for accommodation and upgrading of old facilities, commencement of the building of new hostel and lecture theatre.

Professor Moronkola added that the management has introduced new courses and development in National Diploma in Sports Coaching Training, National Diploma in Sports Management while they are also in the journey of seeking accreditation for these national diploma programmes (a) Sports Security and Safety (b) Athletes Fitness and Wellness (c) Paramedics (d) Recreation and Park Management.

He said: “We believe this will enhance standard and student’s enrolment and provide necessary personnel for sports industry in private and public sectors.

“We are also embarking on consultations to revive the long abandoned partnership with the Australian and German sports Institutes. We have also opened discussions with the Manchester Metropolitan University U.K. This will ultimately boost the image of our great institution in line with best global practices.”

Established in 1974, NIS has grown in leaps and bound and trained many great products including late Yemi Tella, Shaibu Amodu, Fanny Amun, Chioma Ajunwa, Garba Manu, Moses Kpakor, Austin Eguavoen and lately Peter Rufai.

Air Commodore SS Okwuokei has won the First Quarter Kitty of the Golf & Tour Group hosted at Tiger Golf Club Ibadan amid stiff competitions from respected kitty groups in Nigeria’s golfing circle including the Golf & Tour Group of Tukur Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club Abuja.

On the margins of the tournament in Ibadan, the group led by Air vice Marshal CE Aroriode (Rtd) also visited orphanage homes in the city with gifts and cash donations.

Aroriode in his goodwill message, advised the well-to-do individual in society to give back to the less-privileged being one of the cardinals aims of his group so that life can be meaningful to everyone in our society and the country at large.

The three-day event was filled with beautiful game of golf and fun as members of the group composed mostly of serving and retired military officers and highly placed civilians from all over the country, enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the city of Ibadan.

Other winners that went home with mouth-watering prizes during the colourful closing ceremony were Ekanem Ekweme, a member of the kitty group that won the lady’s best net while Brig Gen. George Nkenke, Biodun Oyeleke and Folashade Ajala got guest prizes at the kitty.

The Chairman planning committee of the tour AVM Yinka Alade noted that the group always takes its tours across the country and all over the world, adding the group picked Tiger Golf Club in Ibadan because of the distinctiveness of its golf course and hospitality of the club among other considerations.

He said further that the 2nd quarter kitty of the year has been scheduled for the Jaji Golf Club in Kaduna.

Speaking in the same vein, the Captain Tiger Golf Club, Alhaji Tunde Salami lauded the leadership and the entire members of the Golf & Tour Group, for picking Tiger Golf course ahead of the other golf courses in the southwest, saying hosting the prestigious group in the club is an accomplishment of his executives.

He added that the memory of the golfing event will linger for so many years in the minds of all and sundry, while asking the members of the kitty group to see Tiger Golf Club, Ibadan as their home and the club will be glad to host them anytime they visit Ibadan.

Rafael Nadal withdrew from the French Open because his hip injury has not healed and said he expects 2024 to be his final year in professional tennis.

“It’s not a decision I’m taking, it’s a decision my body is taking,” said the 36-year-old Spanish player, who has played at the claycourt major every year since 2005 and won it 14 times.

Nadal said he was taking a few months off, meaning he will also definitely miss Wimbledon and most likely the US Open, before starting to play again.

And he said next year would bring down the curtain on a career that has so far produced 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

“It’s probably going to be my last year on the professional tour, I can’t say this 100 percent because you never know what’s going to happen,” he told a news conference. “The injury I suffered in Australia has not healed as we hoped.

“Roland Garros became impossible. I will not be there after many years, with everything that (tournament) means to me.”

Nadal said he will not set a date for his return, but said the Davis Cup in November could be a potential target.

The former world number one has not played since the Australian Open in January where he picked up a hip injury in a shock second round loss to Mackenzie McDonald of the United States.

He was expected to recover inside six weeks, comfortably in time for the claycourt season and to launch an assault on a record-extending 15th title at Roland Garros.

However, with his 37th birthday little over two weeks away and having skipped Masters events in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, Nadal appears to be facing a final battle he cannot win.

After a career plagued by knee, wrist and foot injuries in particular, the alarm bells have been ringing ever louder over the last year.

Nadal’s undefeated start to 2022, which saw him pick up a second Australian Open title, ended with a chest injury at Indian Wells.

“It feels like a needle all the time inside,” he admitted.

He swept to a 14th French Open in June but only after revealing he had required daily pain-killing injections in his foot, a consequence of suffering from Mueller-Weiss Syndrome, a rare degenerative condition.

“I played with no feeling in the foot, with a pain-killing injection in the nerve. The foot was asleep, and that’s why I was able to play,” he said at the time in Paris.

He added that he would undergo a treatment which would involve burning the nerves in his foot to permanently dull the pain.

Weeks later, his dream of a third Wimbledon title ended in a semi-final withdrawal due to an abdominal strain.

Nadal’s lengthy absence this year has also seen him drop out of the world’s top 10 for the first time in 18 years.

His record at the French Open is unlikely ever to be broken.

Since his 2005 championship winning debut, he has racked up 112 wins and only been defeated three times.

Two of those losses came against great rival Novak Djokovic in 2015 and 2021. The other was to Robin Soderling in 2009.

Djokovic, who shares the men’s record of 22 Slams with Nadal, will start as French Open favourite this year alongside world number one Carlos Alcaraz who is desperate not to see his Spanish compatriot throw in the towel.

“Let’s hope he continues to play for a long time and that we can enjoy his tennis,” said Alcaraz, the 20-year-old heir apparent to Nadal’s throne.