Author: The Nation

The Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, His Excellency Philip Ikurusi has charged the Flying Eagles to not only evoke the spirit of their 1989 and 2005 predecessors, but to also go a step further by winning for Nigeria for the very first time the FIFA U20 World Cup trophy in Argentina this summer.

Ikurusi made the call when he visited the team’s camp at Howard Johnson Hotel & Resorts in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina on Tuesday evening.

The diplomat also advised the players to be focused and play as a unit, as success in football can only be achieved through teamwork.

“I am here to officially welcome you to Argentina, the host nation of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

“It is heart-warming that our dear nation will be among the 24 nations that will take part in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup. It is also on record that we have played the final of this tournament on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005 and I believe this present set can surpass the record of your predecessors by lifting the coveted trophy for the first time.”

The envoy however, tasked the players to be of good conduct and behaviour during their stay in the South American nation.

Responding, Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, Isah Ladan Bosso expressed appreciation to the Ambassador for the visit while promising the team is ready to make the nation proud.

The Flying Eagles, who finished third at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier in the year, will tackle Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in that order in Group D of the three-week global fiesta commencing next week.

Two-time runners-up Nigeria will get their campaign off the ground on Monday, May 21 when they go up against the Dominican Republic in Mendoza. Their other matches in the group phase are against Italy (also in Mendoza) on May 24 and against Brazil (in La Plata) on May 27.

Nigeria’s Busayo Olatunji yesterday ignited the country’s hope of a medal at the ongoing 2023 Lagos Squash Classics after edging out Egypt’s Mariam Ashraf in the quarterfinal to breeze into the last four of the women’s singles.

By Olalekan Okusan

Nigeria’s Busayo Olatunji yesterday ignited the country’s hope of a medal at the ongoing 2023 Lagos Squash Classics after edging out Egypt’s Mariam Ashraf in the quarterfinal to breeze into the last four of the women’s singles.

The tournament number four seed showed her grit and skills against the number seven seed Egyptian despite going down in the first game at 8-11. The Nigeria national champion returned to the court with new tactics to daze her opponent with three successive wins at 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 to become the first Nigerian to qualify for the semi-final stage of the $18,000 prize money tournament taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

But it was the end of the road for Olatunji’s compatriot – Rofiat Abdulazeez who fell gallantly to Egypt’s Fathy Malak 3-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-8). Favour Utukpe was also beaten by France’s Lea Barbeau 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-2)

In the men’s singles, giant-killing Nigeria’s Kehinde Samuel bowed to the superiority of England’s Perry Malik 3-1 (11-1, 11-6, 4-11, 11-3) to exit the tournament.

The semi-final matches take place today while the tournament ends tomorrow with the finals in the men and women singles.

The Lagos Squash Classics is a Challenger Tour of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour as players from England, France, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Egypt, India , Switzerland and host – Nigeria are competing in the men and women singles of the five-day tournament.

Meanwhile, the World Squash Federation (WSF) has hailed the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) through the organisers of the Classics, Lagos State Squash Federation for showing interest at improving the knowledge of its referees with the just concluded two-day clinic for the officials.

The WSA referee Steve Ecces said, the essence of the clinic was to update the knowledge of the officials as well as acquaint them with the latest in the sport. “We are happy to help countries who are willing to organise squash tournaments especially with the aim of improving their referees. I am personally impressed with the response of the referees that attended the clinic and with the competition; we hope to put into action what they had learnt from the training. We hope we can help to improve the officiating which will in turn rub positively on the standard of the game in Nigeria,” the certified WSA referee told NationSport.By Olalekan Okusan

Nigeria’s Busayo Olatunji yesterday ignited the country’s hope of a medal at the ongoing 2023 Lagos Squash Classics after edging out Egypt’s Mariam Ashraf in the quarterfinal to breeze into the last four of the women’s singles.

The tournament number four seed showed her grit and skills against the number seven seed Egyptian despite going down in the first game at 8-11. The Nigeria national champion returned to the court with new tactics to daze her opponent with three successive wins at 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 to become the first Nigerian to qualify for the semi-final stage of the $18,000 prize money tournament taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

But it was the end of the road for Olatunji’s compatriot – Rofiat Abdulazeez who fell gallantly to Egypt’s Fathy Malak 3-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-8). Favour Utukpe was also beaten by France’s Lea Barbeau 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-2)

In the men’s singles, giant-killing Nigeria’s Kehinde Samuel bowed to the superiority of England’s Perry Malik 3-1 (11-1, 11-6, 4-11, 11-3) to exit the tournament.

The semi-final matches take place today while the tournament ends tomorrow with the finals in the men and women singles.

The Lagos Squash Classics is a Challenger Tour of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour as players from England, France, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Egypt, India , Switzerland and host – Nigeria are competing in the men and women singles of the five-day tournament.

Meanwhile, the World Squash Federation (WSF) has hailed the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) through the organisers of the Classics, Lagos State Squash Federation for showing interest at improving the knowledge of its referees with the just concluded two-day clinic for the officials.

The WSA referee Steve Ecces said, the essence of the clinic was to update the knowledge of the officials as well as acquaint them with the latest in the sport. “We are happy to help countries who are willing to organise squash tournaments especially with the aim of improving their referees. I am personally impressed with the response of the referees that attended the clinic and with the competition; we hope to put into action what they had learnt from the training. We hope we can help to improve the officiating which will in turn rub positively on the standard of the game in Nigeria,” the certified WSA referee told NationSport.
The tournament number four seed showed her grit and skills against the number seven seed Egyptian despite going down in the first game at 8-11. The Nigeria national champion returned to the court with new tactics to daze her opponent with three successive wins at 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 to become the first Nigerian to qualify for the semi-final stage of the $18,000 prize money tournament taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

But it was the end of the road for Olatunji’s compatriot – Rofiat Abdulazeez who fell gallantly to Egypt’s Fathy Malak 3-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-8). Favour Utukpe was also beaten by France’s Lea Barbeau 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-2)

In the men’s singles, giant-killing Nigeria’s Kehinde Samuel bowed to the superiority of England’s Perry Malik 3-1 (11-1, 11-6, 4-11, 11-3) to exit the tournament.

The semi-final matches take place today while the tournament ends tomorrow with the finals in the men and women singles.

The Lagos Squash Classics is a Challenger Tour of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour as players from England, France, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Egypt, India , Switzerland and host – Nigeria are competing in the men and women singles of the five-day tournament.

Meanwhile, the World Squash Federation (WSF) has hailed the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) through the organisers of the Classics, Lagos State Squash Federation for showing interest at improving the knowledge of its referees with the just concluded two-day clinic for the officials.

The WSA referee Steve Ecces said, the essence of the clinic was to update the knowledge of the officials as well as acquaint them with the latest in the sport. “We are happy to help countries who are willing to organise squash tournaments especially with the aim of improving their referees. I am personally impressed with the response of the referees that attended the clinic and with the competition; we hope to put into action what they had learnt from the training. We hope we can help to improve the officiating which will in turn rub positively on the standard of the game in Nigeria,” the certified WSA referee told NationSport.

Everton ace Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be an “idea” for Napoli this summer if they lose star striker Victor Osimhen, according to Calciomercato’s Alessandro Di Gioia.

The Toffees forward has been limited to just 15 Premier League appearances this season due to injuries, with the striker netting two goals.

It is in stark contrast to Napoli icon Osimhen, who has banged in 23 goals from 28 Serie A appearances, with a further five goals in the Champions League.

“The Sheffield striker is already 26 years old but he is an absolute guarantee in the goal zone, with Everton as with England: penalised by injuries this season, it could be an idea for Napoli in case they say goodbye to Osimhen,” according to Calciomercato’s Di Gioia.

A switch from Merseyside to Naples would be a sensational move for Calvert-Lewin, but Napoli will probably be setting their sights on a more proficient striker should they lose Osimhen this summer. The 24-year-old is currently valued at €100million (£87million), according to Transfermarket.

Arsenal have emerged as potential suitors for out-of-favour Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, according to reports.

Cancelo was sent out on loan in January, joining Bayern Munich after growing frustrated over a lack of football at City. The Portugal international had been a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola, but the emergence of Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake’s form at left-back provided him with stern competition that he appeared unwilling to entertain.

City fans booed the defender when he returned to the Etihad with Bayern during the Champions League quarter-final clash in April, with the expectation that he will move on permanently this summer. The German side have an option to sign the 28-year-old permanently, but believe the €70million clause is far too steep.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are interested in making his loan permanent, however, with Barcelona also thought to be interested. But a new report from 90min names Arsenal as a potential suitor. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta worked with Cancelo during his time as Guardiola’s assistant at City and believes the versatile full-back would fit into his system seamlessly, as has been the case with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.

Elsewhere, Football Insider reports that Arsenal youth product Ethan Nwaneri could be heading the other way with City ‘increasingly confident’ of landing the 16-year-old.

The teenager is yet to sign professional terms with the North London side and cannot do so until he turns 17, with the Blues joining Chelsea in keeping an eye on his situation. Arteta made him the club’s youngest-ever player earlier this season at 15 years and 181 days old, but he has not featured for the first team since.

Josephine Orji was at the top of her career almost seven years ago when she won two gold medals and world record lift in the 86+kg at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Brazil. Here, she reminisced how she dazzled the world and her effort at coming back after a long-layoff due to injury, TUNDE LIADI writes

Josephine Precious Orji’s interest in powerlifting came in naturally after she summoned up the boldness to visit a gym in Owerri, Imo State more than two decades ago.

It was there she had her first lift and her desire to take up the sport as a career was like love at first sight.

Orji who is now a notable Nigerian power lifter, Paralympic champion and world record holder recounted that she lost the use of her legs following a bout of polio as a child.

Yet the 44-year-old didn’t allow this unfortunate setback to define her future and with determination, natural talent, hard work and some support from state and the federal governments saw her reach her peak at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

In Para-powerlifting, competitors lie on their backs to push the weights above themselves.

Orji was encouraged by a powerlifting coach, Lucky Ibe and his influence played a major role in making her discovered her path in life.

“Coach Lucky One told me, I would be a champion, and that I’d get on a plane, travel the world to international competitions’,” Orji disclosed. “I couldn’t sleep; I was carrying those weights in my dream that night, so I went back home and quit my job and I started training.”

The then 22-year-old was so determined to make a success of her new-found passion that she walked away from her job the very next day.

She had been working as a computer expert in a cyber-cafe, a job she claimed she was good at, enjoyed and was a popular member of the team. But with power lifting, it was the beginning of a career that would see her achieve the heights she was determined to reach.

Her highlight so far was winning gold at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio with a world record lift of 160kg in the 86+kg. It has not been better since then.

“I felt like walking that day, leaving that wheelchair to walk with my legs,” she recalled recently in an interview with the BBC Sports

“People from other countries were jubilating, holding me, asking me to take pictures with them, asking for my shirt, and to sign autographs on their face or anywhere.

“I remembered all these popular musicians – I felt like them, that night I could not sleep.”

Orji’s category in Rio was one of the final events and her gold was Team Nigeria’s eighth of the Games and sixth in Para-powerlifting to match the six they won in the sport four years earlier.

Orji’s gold medal did not come easy, instead it involved an intense training camp with the Nigerian Para-Powerlifting Federation.

“We were in camp for six months, we were training like soldiers, my body was strong like stone,” she explained. “We were being taken care of and paid due allowances for the duration, the atmosphere was really positive.”

While some Nigerian teams and athletes have to protest and organise strikes in order to be paid their bonuses for their international success, Orji was one of the lucky ones.

After the games the then Governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha not only lauded the teams achievements but also ensured they were rewarded financially too.

That support extends beyond just rewarding success as the state effectively employed a number of its able-bodied and disabled to allow them to train all year-round.

Since that golden moment things have not been plain sailing for Orji. She missed winning a second World Championships in Mexico 2017 as she gave birth to her second child.

With just one athlete being chosen in each category for international events that meant her position as the country’s representative hangs in the balance.

“I was under pressure from the federation and coaches to come back as soon as possible, despite my medical report, it was like no one was listening,” she explained. “I lost some strength, I did not enjoy my maternity leave because I had to get back three months after, I was bleeding at times during training.

“But somehow it wasn’t enough, I am still struggling, I get sick sometimes, and I never got sick before.”

She overcame those struggles to establish herself as number one choice again and represented Nigeria at the 2019 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Kazakhstan, which also doubled as a qualifier for the Tokyo Paralympics.

However things did not go to plan after an error from the team manager left her struggling to challenge for the title.

He mistakenly told officials that her first lift would be a relatively modest 125kg, meaning she would be lifting in Group B with the lower-ranked athletes.

With a limited number of lifts permitted it meant she was not able to react to the totals that other competitors lifted successfully.

“My name was showing on the scoreboard as a World Record holder, yet I was stuck in Group B, which was so disappointing, I didn’t want to compete,” she said. “But I needed to maintain my position despite the fact that when a champion is defeated, it is shameful.

“For the first time in life I came back empty handed, it was a disgrace to me.

“But I am doing this for my name and my children will know their mother kept giving her all.”

Orji’s biggest lift of 143kg was 17 kilos lighter than her world record and was only good enough for fourth place, the first tournament has returned home from without a medal.

She in fact lifted the same weight as Egypt’s bronze medallist Randa Mahmoud, who was given the podium place as she has the lower body weight.

Her lift was enough to qualify her for the postponed Tokyo Paralympics, which are now set for 2021 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic; however she was unable to attend because of the tendon injury she sustained.

She is still carrying the injury that has not made her perform to her level for more than three years.

Orji said only a surgery can help her return to her former self and will like the Imo State Government to come to her aid with the injury sustained while training in camp in Owerri.

“I do not believe in ‘what will be will be’, we have to stand and work for what we want, I will not quit until I reach the peak of the sport again.

“I got the injury while training in Owerri and not while in the national team camp. I am calling on the Imo Government to come to my aid. I still want to compete.

“I know I can still reclaim the position I got at the Rio Paralympic Games with the right environment and working conditions.

“If I am at my best again, you can see the best of me,” she said.

At 16, Blessing Otu is on her path to playing tennis at the top tier level as the former national junior player now rubs shoulders with the best in Nigeria. The youngest of the Otu family, aims at higher heights as she follows the rich tradition of her tennis-loving family, OLALEKAN OKUSAN writes

Despite falling to a more experienced opponent on court at a recent tournament, it was clear that Blessing Otu has the quality to be up there with the best in tennis.

Her strokes, movement, use of space on court, among other requisite technical skills in the game, point to what the talented youngster has in stock.

  A major motivation for Otu is to better the feats achieved by her brothers – Thomas and John – in tennis, especially winning laurels playing in the Women Tennis Association (WTA) circuit in the near future.

“My mum used to play tennis but didn’t play up to the national level,” the youngster went deep on her family’s tennis tradition.” “She has been very supportive of my tennis dream, just like my father, grandpa, uncle and brothers.

“No matter how many matches I lose, they are always coming around and encouraging me because they want me to be a better player. This has been motivating me and I look forward to the day I will make them proud at the top level of tennis.

 “Despite my mother’s involvement with tennis, my grandpa didn’t focus on the girls compared to the boys when they were growing up. So she played tennis at some point but left it to venture into business.

 “But what she could not do on court, she wants me to do and that is why she has been very supportive in my career, to ensure that my dream of playing in the WTA tournaments and others become a reality,” Otu disclosed.

 She added: “Tennis runs in my family. I was not even born when my brothers started the game. My elder brother, Thomas, is a great player. John, the younger one, is working hard to put his best foot forward.

“For Thomas it is hard for him right now because he is in the top rank, and trying to work himself to the zenith. I think he is doing great and I wish him all the best.

“All my family members play  tennis so I think it is in the blood. My grandpa had always wanted everyone to play tennis and he wants the sport to keep going and growing in the family.”

Tennis great Serena Williams is Otu’s role model as well as national champion Marylove Edwards, whom she described as a great player.

 “In Nigeria, we have great players who can compete at the top level but my role is Serena Williams while Marylove Edwards is another player I look up to because of her skills on court,” she said.

Otu admitted that for players like her the challenges were enormous to hone their tennis skills in the country. Therefore, the youngster dreams of securing a scholarship to a college abroad to pursue her ambition of playing on the global stage.

Her words: “It is very challenging for us in Nigeria because sometimes you train for months without playing in a competition, and this is very frustrating for players like me who dream to play at the top level in the world. I hone my skills by training twice a day and it is challenging. But I have made up my mind to play tennis and I will continue to follow my dream. I know it will come to pass soon.”

  Otu who has made it to several national finals, believes her inability to win titles thus far is largely due to inexperience, and hopes that she is primed for a national triumph soon.

 The young, hardworking tennis talent waxed philosophically: “There are several good players in Nigeria and I play against them in these finals. I am not discouraged that I am yet to win any title. I know my time is getting closer. I’ve not won any national title but I will keep trying. I know my time will come soon.

“I enjoy playing against older and experienced players because of the experience I gain.  It is hard to win against them but you keep playing, you keep going at them. I am not going to be deterred from playing against them. I will keep working hard so that I can beat them one day,” she said.

On her immediate plan for the future, Otu disclosed: “I have finished with secondary school and I’m planning to go to college. I have thought it through. I’m playing in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit now but playing in Nigeria might not be ideal, especially if I have to play tennis and go to school because it is difficult to combine sports with school in Nigeria.

“So, for now I will play the ITF events and look forward to getting a scholarship to an American college where I can play tennis alongside my academics. For now, I am not interested in any Nigerian higher institutions because they hardly pay attention to sport. It is better I look elsewhere where my talents can be married with my studies.

 “In five years’ time, I see myself playing the WTA Grand Slam, making my family proud because they’ve done so much for me and I want to reward them by winning a grand slam.

 “Tennis has given me popularity, new friends and travelling around the world. It makes me explore more to see different players in action, to meet different people, to challenge myself and to make good preferences in life. I know I will get there one day. I will keep going till I get there. It is just one breakthrough; any big tournament you win takes you to the top,” Otu stressed.

If media frenzy is anything to go by, the 2023 Ibadan Polo Tournament promises to be the most competitive in years as the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy teams lead others to the ancient city of Ibadan to jostle for honours in this year’s Ibadan Polo Tournament.

Regarded as the landlords of the Ibadan Polo Club, the Army team would be making a return to the festival after a long layoff while the naval team would be making their debut at the prestigious fiesta that dates back since the 1930s.

The prestigious polo carnival that prides itself as the biggest sporting cum tourism event in the Oyo State’s capital, is billed to gallops-off in grand style from Monday, May 15 at its traditional venue, the Eleyele Polo Ground , through May 21 when winners will be decorated in a colourful closing ceremony.

The Ibadan Polo Captain, Edozie Onwuli , who disclosed that other participating teams are expected from major polo centres l including Kano, Kaduna, Minna, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos that is expected to dispatch a record seven teams to vie for all the major prizes at stake.

Edozie further confirmed that host Ibadan would contest for all the major titles in the week-long festival that would attract enthusiasts in their droves to the Oyo State capital city annually.

“Gone are the days when Kano and Lagos were dominating our tournament and winning most of the prizes but all that has changed since last year when we won the event’s biggest prize,” he declared.

Major prizes that would be contested for by the over twenty visiting teams during the ten-day fiesta include the Ibadan Cup presented in the early 1930s by Colonel R. Petit of the 9th Lancer of the then British colonial masters.

Edozie listed other cups to be contested for as the Rotimi Cup, Ade Alakija Cup played in memory of the former Ibadan Polo Captain, and The GOC Cup as well as a handful selected prizes and awards.

It was also gathered that these subsidiary prizes to be carted home by the winners include the Professor Jide Owoeye Cup, HST Cup and Shoreline Cup, among others.

Ibadan Polo Club President Koyinsola Owoeye has promised added values at this year’s Ibadan international polo tournament, assuring that all the facilities required for an exciting 10-day tournament fiesta are in top shape at the foremost Eleyele Polo ground .

The President assured that the club is working tirelessly to dominate all aspects of the tournament in order to provide a most rewarding experience for teams, players, sponsors and guests.

“We are pushing for the optimal every which way because we intend to restore Kano polo’s preeminent pedigree,” declares Koyinsola.

Last year, the ancient city celebrated one of its grandest moments as the prestigious 2022 polo tournament came to colourful climax with home crowd favourites, Lead City University team of Ibadan, emerging the overall champions.

The Ibadan Polo kings parading Polo President, Koyin Owoeye, Asharaf Yahaya, Ahmadu Umar and Argentine professional, Diego White showcase a typical all-round polo play easily easing through to the final and calmly discarded tough challenge from Lagos Ikoyi to earn event’s biggest prize, the Ibadan Cup.

The Lagosians who had stormed the Eleyele Polo ground venue fortified with Funsho George, Ibrahim Dantata, Kwame Isa and Abdurrahman Mohammed had looked upset the tournament favourites, but their slow start and suspect horsepower was their biggest undoing in the decisive finale.