The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • National Sports Festival (Eko 2012): Anambra receives 2012 unity torch

    National Sports Festival (Eko 2012): Anambra receives 2012 unity torch

    Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State yesterday received the 2012 Unity Torch for National Sports Festival with assurance on total commitment on sports development.

    Obi assured the people of Anambra State that all sectors of the State economy, including sports development will continue to receive adequate attention in line with the State government policy of developing all sectors of the State economy simultaneously as encapsulated in the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).

    Receiving 2012 Unity Torch on National sports from the South-East zonal coordinator of national sports festival Mr. Stanley Okebugwu, Obi said sports, aside being tool of actualizing national unity, creates employment.

    Okebugwu first handed over the torch to the Commissioner, Mr Edozie Aroh who in turn handed it over to the Governor, thanked the Governor for the huge investment in sports.

    Governor Obi thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to sports development, describing sports as a veritable tool for national unity.

    “Besides sports functioning as a tool for national unity, it also contributes to human development, creation of employment and generation of revenues,” the Governor said.

    Recalling the state of sports in Anambra State before he became the Governor, Obi said it was disheartening that as at 2006, sports completely collapsed in Anambra State with the state not having a single stadium, nor were sporting activities encouraged in schools. Schools were built and approved without sporting facility. He noted that with good investment, commitment to sports under his government that all those things have been redressed.

    Earlier, the State Commissioner for Sports and Youth development, Mr. Edozie Aroh commended the governor for his interest in sports development. He reeled out the achievements of Governor Obi on sports to include construction of two mini stadia, restoration of school sports, insistence that all functional schools in the State must have sporting facility and adequate funding of sporting activities which has led to improvement of medal haul (table) in all categories of sporting events in Anambra State.

    Speaking further the Commissioner said the re-awakening of interest in sporting activities among the people of the state are as a result of recognition the government is according to retired sports men and women. “Today, due to the recognition accorded the likes of Emmanuel Okala, Mary Onyali, and Innocent Egbunike among others, the people of the State, especially youths have come to take them as their role models for re-awakening general interest in sports,” the commissioner stated.

  • David Moyes happy to be patient with Naismith

    Everton manager David Moyes has revealed he is happy to be patient with the form of striker Steven Naismith.

    The Scotland striker scored his first goal for Everton in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League last month, which came almost a year to do the day since he damaged his cruciate knee ligaments, for the second time in his career, while playing for Rangers.

    And Moyes believes it is crucial that both he and the club must be patient on the striker’s return to regular first team football.

    He told Everton’s official website: “I do think the goal was important because Steven is coming back from a cruciate injury.

    “I spoke to Walter Smith at the time and he said it took him a while to come back. Now he has had his second cruciate so we are still waiting on him a little but he did well in the game, scored his goal and it will give him that extra confidence.

    “He will be a good, steady Everton player over time.”

    Moyes went on to reassure Everton fans that he believes Naismith can eventually provide the Goodison Park club with an extra dimension to their attacking options.

    “He is a forward player who is used to playing in that area and scoring goals,” he added.

    “We have got different players who offer us different options. When you have Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith there will be a style you have to play with those players.

    “But we also have Nikica Jelavic and Marouane Fellaini who give us something different as well. That gives us variation in our play.”

  • Mackie: QPR needs to scrap to survive

    Mackie: QPR needs to scrap to survive

    QPR forward Jamie Mackie warns that he and his team-mates must be prepared to fight if they are to avoid another battle for Premier League survival.

    The Rs were held to their fourth draw of the season against Reading on Sunday and sit second from bottom without a win to their name.

    “Of course we don’t want to be in a scrap,” the 27-year-old told reporters. “We need to try to win games now so come the Christmas period we’re in a position where we can try to kick on.

    “We need to roll our sleeves up and really scrap to get ourselves out of it rather than have visions of playing a lot higher.

    “Obviously this club is thinking big and it’s a massive opportunity for the boys here to be part of something big but first and foremost we’re in a scrap and everyone needs to realise that.

    “We beat top sides at home last season, deservedly, we played very well at times, but it’s not a given that we can do that again. It’s an opportunity now to get points on the board and we need to learn very quickly and make sure we do that because before you know it we’ll be playing top sides again.”

    The former Plymouth Argyle striker pinpointed his side’s slow start to matches and occasional lack of organisation as the reasons for their woes.

    “We need to start games quicker, get a foothold in the game and not let teams like Reading play against us,” Mackie noted. “Once they do get a goal and they’ve got a carrot they’re very hard to break down, they’re an organised side.

     

  • Alonso: Gerrard good enough for Spain team

    Alonso: Gerrard good enough for Spain team

    Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has hailed Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, arguing that, had he been born in Spain, the England captain would have been worthy of a place in the world champions’ team.

    The Reds hero marked his 600th game for the Merseyside club on Sunday, helping Brendan Rodgers’ side to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Anfield.

    And Alonso, who played alongside the Huyton-born midfielder for a five-year period between 2004 and 2009, believes that Gerrard has the quality to match the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and himself.

    “Absolutely, there’s no doubt,” he told Real Madrid TV. “He could play in any national team in the world because he has so many great qualities.

    “He is flexible. He can play at the English pace or he can associate with the ball very well. He is a very intelligent player, so he could play anywhere – not just any national team but any club in the world. But he has been a one-club man and that’s something I really admire.”

    The 30-year-old also revealed how influential Gerrard has been on his own career, explaining that the way he conducted himself both on and off the pitch left a lasting impression.

    “We are great friends and we still keep in touch. He was a great influence to me,” Alonso continued.

    “When I arrived at Liverpool I was 22 and he was the captain, he was the main man at the club.

    “For me he was a reference, the way he behaved with his teammates and with the supporters as well. I learned a lot from him.

    “As a captain he has embraced all the responsibilities of being a captain and he’s the perfect captain for Liverpool, not just because he’s a great player but because he represents the values of the club.”

    Alonso went on to insist that Gerrard’s failure to clinch a league title with Liverpool will not detract from his status as a legend in the game, declaring: “He’ll absolutely be remembered as one of the greats. For me he is already one of the greats.

    “His name and Liverpool’s name will always be linked and he’s a great representative of the club and the city.

    “There are so many things. He is so inspirational. In the key moments he has that different thing, that spark that is difficult to define.

    “He has achieved great things and in very important moments he has been the man for Liverpool. We had great European nights and he was the main man. For me he’s a great player. Hopefully he will reach 700 games.”

  • Wife’s pregnancy stops Osaze

    Wife’s pregnancy stops Osaze

    Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion striker, Osaze Odemwingie, has been exempted from the United State of America bound Nigeria team that would confront Venezuela in order to be with his wife who is due to deliver any time from that period when the friendly match would be played.

    Osaz as he is fondly called rescinded his decision not to play for his fatherland after discussing his future with the Nigeria Coach Keshi this week. The coach, however, told SportingLife that he actually permitted him to stay away from the friendly match against Venezuela in order to be with his expectant wife.

    “Osaze was not on the list of players that will confront Venezuela in the US friendly because of personal reasons. His wife is heavy and it’s around this period she might put to bed. But he would join us for the final phase of the preparations for the Nations Cup,” Keshi disclosed.

  • Abidal: Returning to football not my objective

    Abidal: Returning to football not my objective

    Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has made it clear that returning to the pitch is not his top priority for now and he is focussing on his health and family.

    The Frenchman is currently working on his recovery after undergoing a live transplant earlier this year, but he has stressed that life is no longer all about football for him.

    “Football has been everything. Now, the most important thing for me is to be healthy. The objective is not to get back to playing,” Abidal told France 2.

    “We have to see how it goes. There are things I will endure and others I won’t. Family and health are my priorities.

    “I had an operation two years ago so I already started to see life differently then. And today, I see it a little more differently every day. There are things that are priorities now that weren’t before.”

    The 33-year-old has made well over 100 Liga appearances for Barcelona throughout the past five seasons.

  • ‘Bebé will come good’

    Former Vitória Guimarães forward Bebé has yet to make his mark at Old Trafford after his fairytale transfer to Manchester United, Under-21 team-mate João Pereira is backing the Cape Verdean to fulfil his potential. Portugal U21 defender Pereira believes Bebé will soon step out of the shadows at Old Trafford.

    While Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad travel to Braga today in preparation for Wednesday’s Champions League clash between the two sides, Bebé will stay behind in England unselected.

    Back in 2010, following his €9 million move to the Premier League from Guimarães, much was expected of the raw 20-year-old who was personally recommended to Ferguson by Carlos Queiroz.

    Bebé – who hadn’t started a single competitive match in the Portuguese top flight – was billed as the ‘last of the street footballers’, an instinctive, physical player who would prove the scourge of the identikit modern defenders being churned out by the academies.

    However, in over two seasons, the forward has made just two Premier League appearances and only seven in total for United – scoring twice.

    A loan to Besiktas last year was cut short by injury and, despite featuring during the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the US, Bebé appears to have been jettisoned from Ferguson’s first-team squad.

    At this stage, many are beginning to write off Bebé’s credentials as a top-class footballer, suggesting his transfer to United was little more than a money-making exercise to benefit the player’s agents and other interested parties.

    Bebé’s Portugal Under-21 team-mate Pereira is convinced, however, that the athletic forward of Cape Verdean descent will soon live up to his promise.

    In an exclusive phone interview, Pereira spoke of Bebé’s strengths:

    “I think England is the perfect place for him to learn, as his style suits English football. He is tall, strong and scores goals. He can also assist and has a great shot.

    “Bebé is a great player and it’s just a matter of time before he makes people notice him again. He just needs time to show his ability. I think people will be talking about him again soon.”

  • Osaze to West Brom: Nigeria comes first

    Osaze to West Brom: Nigeria comes first

    Super Eagles ace, Peter Odemwingie will put his country before club in the New Year after electing to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.

    West Brom’s striker is eager to make himself available for what might be his last chance of glory with Nigeria.

    With the Baggies’ victory over Southampton pushing the club up to the giddy heights of fifth, the forward has therefore pushed himself forward for selection.

    “It’s hard not to go for this,’ he said, ‘it could be my last one and it is a different situation now from the first two years at the club. My goals here were very important.

    “Now any player can play well. We have good players who can play well for a whole month and I’m sure the club will do well without me.

    “I have a few things to clarify with the Nigeria manager because he substituted me in his first game, very early in the second-half.

    “But after speaking to him, he said it was nothing personal that the whole team was playing badly and unfortunately for me, he started by taking me off.

    “Everything has settled down now. He says that if I want to play, I’m welcome. So, of course, it’s my country which I love and I’m going to play for them.

    “I will put the country and fans before anything.”

    West Brom’s head coach Steve Clarke will also miss midfield kingpin Youssouf Mulumbu who has been one of the Baggies’ star performers this season.

    Mulumbu is due to play with the DR Congo at the same time and Odemwingie feels West Brom have the depth of squad to cope.

  • Thigh injury delays Rajkovic’s comeback for Hamburg

    Thigh injury delays Rajkovic’s comeback for Hamburg

    Inter stopper Cristian Chivu could still need another month of treatment on a problematic foot injury.

    The Romanian, who signed a new contract at the club during the summer, hasn’t played for the outfit this season since his appearance against Hadjuk Split in the Europa League.

    The former Roma and Ajax player has been in the treatment room as the consequences of a toe issue which required surgery.

    The Gazzetta dello Sport is today suggesting that the 32-year-old is still four weeks away from making a full recovery.

    Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni has a defensive headache at the moment as fellow centre-backs Andrea Stramaccioni and Walter Samuel are expected to be unavailable for the next 21 days.

  • NOVEMBER 2012 FIFA RANKING: Nigeria jumps 6 places

    NOVEMBER 2012 FIFA RANKING: Nigeria jumps 6 places

    Nigeria bounced back to Africa top 10 in the FIFA World ranking released Wednesday. Super Eagles, who made mincemeat of Lone Stars of Liberia in the last AFCON qualifying match in Calabar, moved six places up to occupy the 57th position in the world as against their 63rd place last month.

    While the Stephen Keshi tutored side occupied the 10th position in the continent, Cote’d Ivoire who have remained Africa’s number one for quite sometime now, retained their position and 15th in the world. Algeria occupy the second position in Africa followed by Mali and Ghana.

    Nations Cup defending champions Zambia who incidentally have been grouped with Nigeria for the continental showpiece billed for January 19 in South Africa, are placed 5th with Egypt, Tunisia, Central African Republic and Gabon completing the roll call in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th position respectively.

    It will be the second time the Eagles will be occupying the 57th position since 1993. The first time was in march 2012.

    The ranking for the Eagles has been more like a yoyo in the last few months. The team took a dive to number 60 in April, further down to 63 in May, returned to 60 in June up two places to 58 in July, August and September before sliding again to 63 last month.

    Despite going down nine places on the ladder, Eagles opponents in the November 14 friendly in Miami Venezuela still placed 48th in the world and indication that the fortunes of the Eagles may further improve ahead of the Nations Cup.

    World Cup holders Spain maintain their number one position with Germany, Argentina, Potugal and Italy taking the 2nd 3rd, 4th and 5th positions. Others in the world top ten include England, Netherlands Colombia Russia and Croatia.