The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • NSC places embargo on capital projects

    NSC places embargo on capital projects

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) says it will not embark on any new project until year 2020 when the existing ones must have been completed.

    The Director-General of the NSC, Dr Patrick Ekeji, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, said the decision was due to a lack of funds.

    According to Ekeji, most of the projects appropriated for since 2009 including the 44 mini-sports centres are yet to be completed.

    “The funds have not been available and the Federal Executive says we should prioritise and we are prioritising.

    “Mini Sports Centres are part of the capital projects of the NSC and we have done our best within the limit of the funds at our disposal.

    “Not all the funds for capital projects have been released in all of these years and it is not deliberate that government is not releasing them,’’he said.

    Ekeji stressed that budgetary allocations are usually actualised only when the funds are available.

    “Budget releases are contingent on the amount of money available to the executive.

    “When expectations are not met, it is the responsibility of all of us in the arm of government including the National Assembly to work together.

    “From 2009 till date (four years), the total appropriation for the NSC is in the sum of N12 billion but the total amounts released is N7 billion plus,” Ekeji said.

    He said that out of the over N7 billion released, N2 billion was set aside for the rehabilitation of the eight stadia that hosted the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged “Nigeria 2009.”

    “We have included the N250 million released by government directly to each of the eight States that hosted the world championship for the upgrading of their stadia.

    “What it means is that we have included the N2 billion in the expenditure because it is part of the appropriation. In the actual sense what we got in 2009 was less than N1.2 billion.

    Which means the release is little above 50 per cent and this amount is supposed to be spread to various projects over the years, these expenditures are verifiable,” he added.

    The D-G further stated that apart from the NSC lacking funds to complete its capital projects, funds for the maintenance of sporting facilities have not improved to any significant level.

    He pointed out that the challenges associated with running a government office were enormous but maintained that the Commission would always be alive to its responsibilities.

    “There is no government office that does not have challenges but the accounting officers are expected to be innovative for things to move forward.

    “The easiest thing to do is to run away from problems, but we have no option than to face it. At best, consultants will present paper work and recommendations which are persuasive; the desire, spirit and determination to carry through lies on Nigerians,” Ekeji noted.

     

  • Brazil 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP: FIFA approves kick-off times

    Brazil 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP: FIFA approves kick-off times

    The FIFA Executive Committee convened on Thursday 27 September, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, and approved the kick-off times for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

    The Opening Match will take place on 12 June in Sao Paulo, with a kick-off time of 17.00.

    Group-stage games will be played at 13.00, 16.00, 17.00, 18:00, 19.00 and 21:00 local time, with knockout stage matches at 13.00 and 17.00 local time. The semi-finals will be played at 17.00 local time and the Final, on 13 July 2014 at the iconic Maracana stadium, at 16.00 local time.

    All kick-offs are local time, with Cuiaba and Manaus being CET-6, all other venues CET -5. After USA 1994, it’s the first time that FIFA World Cup matches will be played in different time zones, with Manaus and Cuiaba one hour behind Brasilia Time.

    Finally, it has been decided that the release date of players will be the 19 May 2014, with a mandatory rest period from 19-25 May 2014, to ensure that all players (with the exception of those playing the UEFA Champions League Final) will have one week of rest before joining their national teams.

    The Final Draw for Brazil 2014 is confirmed to be Friday 6 December 2013 at the Costa do Sauipe in Bahia.

  • FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Nnodim, Ofoegbu out to make amends

    FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Nnodim, Ofoegbu out to make amends

    It’s a game that still preys on their minds, but Sarah Nnodim and Oluchi Ofoegbu are planning not to crash out of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Azerbaijan 2012 the same way they did at Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

    Having cruised through the first round, beating the hosts, reigning champions Korea DPR and Chile to top Group A with maximum points and scoring ten goals in the process, they squared up against Korea Republic in the quarter-final in Marabella.

    The game that followed was an absolute classic. Nigeria were 2-0 and 3-2 up in the first half, before needing an Ngozi Okobi strike at the death to force extra-time at 4-4. However Korea rallied, scoring twice more, and while Loveth Ayila got her second of the game – 101 minutes after her first – it finished 6-5.

    Speaking to FIFA.com, the Flamingoes pair realise with hindsight where they went wrong. “We lost because of a lack of experience and a lack of concentration,” said confident centre-back Nnodim. “But we believe this time round we are able to pick up the trophy.”

    Ofoegbu admits to fond memories of their Caribbean adventure two years ago, but defeat has instilled a steely determination in the tenacious midfielder. “It was amazing at Trinidad and Tobago 2010. We lost that game because of a lack of concentration, but this time round I believe that we will make it up to ourselves.

    “The game of football is all about experience, we believe we have learnt from our loss in 2010, so we have gained experience because of it and we will not let it happen again.”

    As well as their mental growth over the past two years, the green-clad duo was unwavering in their assessment of their own technical and footballing development. In reply to whether they had improved as players, a synchronised and vigorous: “Yes, very much so”, was their confident and crystal clear appraisal, and why not?

    Azerbaijan 2012 has so far been a very positive tournament for Nigeria. Nnodim, the taller of the pair, presided over a tight defensive display in their 1-1 draw against CONCACAF U-17 Championship runners-up Canada.

  • Kaduna United board dissolved

    Kaduna United board dissolved

    The Kaduna State government has dissolved the board and management of Kaduna United, SportingLife can exclusively report.

    A source told SportingLife that the dissolution is with immediate effect. A new board maybe announced in a fortnight.

    Team Secretary, Yusuf Jeshau, has since been told to take over the club affairs initially chaired by Sabo Babayaro.

    The technical crew and players who have since resumed from a two-week break escaped the hammer.

    It was learnt that the board’s problems started during the team’s participation in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2011 as the government was not happy with the way the sum of 150 million naira meant for the tournament was spent. The team crashed out in the group stage of the competition.

    In the 2011/12 season, players threatened to boycott the club’s first league game over the non-payment of their allowances.

    This did not go down well with the government who saw the threat as an embarrassment, thus leading to the setting up of a panel of enquiry to investigate the matter.

    “I can tell you that Sabo Babayaro’s led board has been dissolved by the state government. Also, the management headed by the Team Manager, Mustapha Zukogi has been disbanded as well. But the dissolution did not affect the players and the technical crew. I think the problem started since 2011 during the CAF Confederation Cup.

    “If you can remember we didn’t start the league on time because of the players’ protest over un-paid allowances. The State governemnt set up a penal of enquiry to look into the matter and probe about 150 million naira given to the board then,” a source told SportingLife.

    The source also linked Zukogi’s sack to his political ambition. It was alleged that he has the ambition of contesting for a vice-chairmanship position.

  • Super Eagles invite thrills Onazi

    Super Eagles invite thrills Onazi

    Lazio youngster Ogenyi Onazi has said it is a dream come true to be picked by the Super Eagles.

    The former schoolboy international was a surprise call-up by Nigeria for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia in Calabar.

    Onazi told MTNFootball.com that it has always been his dream to play for Nigeria at full international level after he featured for the country at U17 and U20 levels.

    “I will say a big thank you to God because without Him, nothing is possible. To play for my fatherland is what I always wanted to do and so to now get a call-up to be part of Super Eagles has excited me.

    “And I will do my best to lift the team higher. I am sure we will be fine. I am looking forward to be in camp and train with the other member of the team, I am sure it will be great.

    “This call-up to play for Super Eagles is a dream come true for me because that has been my ultimate ambition since I started the game. It is an honour and I will use my chance well,” said Onazi, who failed to make the final cut for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia.

    This season, the Jos-born star, has played three Europa League games as well as made three appearances in the league for Lazio.

     

  • PORTSMOUTH IMPASSE: Kanu trains at Police College

    PORTSMOUTH IMPASSE: Kanu trains at Police College

    Ex-Nigeria International, Nwankwo Kanu, who has been in a running battle with English club, Portsmouth over allegations of a breach of contract was on Wednesday sighted at the Nigeria Police College.

    The player who is Pompey’s longest serving player was with his younger brother and footballer, Ogbonnaya Kanu jogging.

    SportingLife gathered from an impeccable source that the ex-Super Eagles forward also plays football and makes use of the gym.

    “You will find him here in the morning keeping fit. I guess that is his way of retaining his fitness level since he has not been involved in any top flight football for some time,” said the source.

    Kanu should have returned to England since July for pre-season training but decided to stay put in Nigeria until the remaining 12 months of his contract is settled.

    And in a bid to drive home his case, he filed claims running into million of pounds against the Blues with the English Football League Board.

    For this reason, Portsmouth which has gone into administration has been in prolonged talks with the 35-year-old regarding a compromise agreement. They have been in talks with his lawyer, Samuel Okoronkwo.

    The former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo is among the top football personalities expected to grace today’s football forum Soccerrex at the Oriental Hotel.

  • NSC begins Rio 2016 preparations after Eko 2012

    NSC begins Rio 2016 preparations after Eko 2012

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) has mapped out plans to commence preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games immediately after the forthcoming Eko 2012 National Sports Festival (NSF) holding in Lagos from November 29 to December 9.

    According to the Media and Publicity Committee sub-committee of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 18th NSF, the NSC will select experts to monitor and scout for promising and outstanding athletes during the sports festival to form the nucleus of a new Team Nigeria.

    Eko 2012, the MOC said in a statement, is expected to provide exceptional athletes who would be groomed on a periodic basis every year from 2013 till the next Olympics.

    “These athletes would form the core of the country’s contingent to future international sports competitions holding from next year,” the body said. “These competitions include the All Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games.”

    The statement added that the NSC Chairman/Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has directed that “henceforth, only athletes who have shown enough will and zeal to compete in our national colours will be given consideration in the formation of a new-look Team Nigeria.

    “The minister has also directed that the various sports associations must henceforth endeavour to take part in all national and international competitions available as that would keep the teams competitive in the build-up to the Olympics.”

    Meanwhile, the minister has directed that the various Sports Zones created by the NSC be empowered to scout for and develop talents in their domains, while particular attention should be paid to such sports as taekwondo, judo, wrestling, weightlifting and athletics.

  • RED CARD HARVEST: Promise fined N.9m

    RED CARD HARVEST: Promise fined N.9m

    Nigeria’s captain to the 2008 Olympic and Antalyaspor of Turkey forward Isaac Promise has been handed a N0.9 million fine plus a three-match ban.

    Promise was sent off at the end of the first half in the fourth round of games against Galatasaray, which automatically earned him a suspension.

    Antalyaspor’s appeal to the Turkish Football Federation came to nothing after the federation rejected the appeal and went ahead to slam the Nigerian with a three-match ban while the Disciplinary Committee ordered him to pay a fine of 10,000 Turkish Lira (equivalent of 4,500 euros or N0.9 Million)

    The 24 – year- old striker, who arrived Antalyaspor in the summer transfer market as a free agent, missed the club’s clash against Menemen Belediyespor Wednesday and will equally be out of action against Elazigspor September 30th.

    This is not the first time Promise has been dismissed in Turkey. Last season, then on the payroll of Manisaspor, he was shown a red card by referee Cuneyt Cakir after 45 minutes. He also got marching orders in the 2009 – 2010 and 2005 – 2006 seasons.

  • Pillars coach confirms Kwara interest

    Pillars coach confirms Kwara interest

    Kano Pillars coach Mohammed Babaganaru has confirmed to MTNFootball.com he has been approached by Kwara United.

    The NPL title-winning coach said he has been shortlisted by ‘The Afonja Warriors’ for interview for a possible employment, but said he is still a Kano Pillars Coach.

    “Kwara United want me. I have been shortlisted for interview by the club and they have contacted me to that effect. We are yet to talk, nothing is agreed, so I am still Kano Pillars Coach, where we have started training ahead of new season,” he told MTNFootball.com.

    “Even if I attend the interview, it does not mean I have joined Kwara United or I have left Kano Pillars, let us wait and see.”

  • Nigeria’s Ihezuo is record breaker

    Nigeria’s Ihezuo is record breaker

    As Flamingoes continue to itch closer to lifting the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup going on in Azerbajan, no nonsense striker Chinwendu Ihezuo has broken the record for number of goals scored in a single match in the competition that made its debut in 2008 in New Zealand.

    The previous record was jointly held by Germany’s Kyra Malinowski and Korea Republic’s Yeo Min Ji , who both scored four goals against South Africa and Nigeria respectively at the 2010 FIFA Under 17s in Trinidad and Tobago.

    Chinwendu Ihezuo has surpassed the earlier record with her five strikes on 5′, 32′, 37′,56″ and 70′ against host nation Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

    Yeo Min Ji of Korea Republic won the golden shoe with eight goals in six games at Trinidad and Tobago 2010. Should Ihezuo score four more goals in Azerbaijan, she would set a new milestone in the competition.