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  • Onyali  salutes Elegbeleye  on  Sportsville Awards ‘ nomination 

    Onyali  salutes Elegbeleye  on  Sportsville Awards ‘ nomination 

    • By Paul Onehi

    Olympian Mary Onyali  has hailed  the nomination of Honourable  Gbenga Elegbeleye as the Sports Administrator Of  The Year  in the forthcoming  Sportsville Awards.

     Onyali, who served as Special Assistant to Elegbeleye when he was the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) said  the current chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPFL)  truly deserves the honour and should be celebrated. 

     She said: “To be honest, I think this is one of the most cheering news I have received in recent times. Giving honour to who honour is due is the biggest motivation to work harder 

    “I have had the privilege of working with several Nigerians, both as an athlete and as an administrator, but I must say that none  compares with Honourable  Elegbeleye.

    “Here is a man with so much passion, vision matched with action. A man with focus and a goal-getter.

    “In my days as his SA,  he brought a different vibe to sports administration, but frequent changes in our sports deprived Nigerians from seeing the fruits of what he planted at that time.

    “So, I am not surprised to see what he is presently doing with the Nigerian League. Within a year, see the turn around the  League has witnessed. Are you not happy that today, our football league, which has been in the doldrums, is now receiving accolades here and there?

    “That’s how to see a man of vision. His work rate is optimal, and he means well too. What I want to say here is that Nigerians are yet to see the best  of Hon Elegbeleye, mark my words,” she added.

    Read Also: Kalu, Ogbe, Elegbeleye, Runsewe top Sportsville Awards’ nominees

    In his own reaction, Elegbeleye,  who prefers to see his works speak for him, is grateful that Nigerians are appreciating what he and his team are doing to change the narratives in the NPFL.

    “I am happy that positive changes are beginning to happen to the league. My team and I are determined and focused to see our league rated among the world’s best.

    “We are not there yet, but the signs are positive that we will get there sooner than expected,” the soft-spoken 2nd    Vice President of  Nigeria Football Federation added.

    Meanwhile, Elegbeleye has hailed organisers of  Sportsville Awards for deeming him fit for the honour.

    “Recognition like this is a call to work harder. Frank, you have always stood for excellence since I know you, so I am not surprised that you are spearheading these unique awards. Kudos to you, my brother and your team.

    “I will personally be there to receive the award to signal another exciting chapter in the NPFL.”

    Other top dignitaries to be honoured that day are Chief Solomon Ogba, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Rt Hon Victor Ochie and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

  • NNL boss lauds Elegbeleye’s NPFL on Live Streaming deal

    NNL boss lauds Elegbeleye’s NPFL on Live Streaming deal

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) leadership has hailed the huge partnership deal signed by the GTI and Propel Sports Africa with MTN Nigeria as the exclusive telecommunications partner to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

    The deal will see MTN streaming over 300 games per season on mobile devices on its network.

    By the details eight live games will be covered every Matchday with in-and-post-game highlights shared in real time with its subscribers through the NPFL live OTT platform.

    The NNL Chairman George Aluo while commending the NPFL chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for this significant deal described the partnership as a game-changer.

    He was full of praises for the NPFL body on the success of one of its efforts at putting league matches on the palms of its numerous followers.

    Read Also: NPFL: Elegbeleye reads riot act ahead of 2023-24 Season

    Aluo said :”This deal is very commendable and the NNL is excited for this is a massive masterstroke by the Nigeria Premier Football League at making the matches available and accessible right on the palms. It is indeed a game-changer. Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who is the chairman of the board has shown that he has a strong desire to chart the NPFL to a new global journey.

    “It is very important to state that this deal has revealed to us all that the private sector has a huge role to play in expanding our football economy and that government alone cannot fund sports.”

    Aluo who spoke in Lagos noted that the great strides being taken by the NPFL team are serving as a tonic for the other leagues in Nigeria as they are encouraged to understand they too can achieve so much for football in Nigeria.

    “In NNL we are deeply touched and encouraged to do more and I am sure that it is the same feeling across the other leagues. There is great hope and we will keep pushing until we get to the level we want to be.”

    Aluo added that the private sector deserves thumbs up too: “We are already working here and we are encouraged by the responses we are receiving. I must give the thumbs up to the private sector for the way they are responding to the calls for partnership and joint growth. They are showing greater confidence and trust in the leagues and that is exactly what this new MTN deal underlines.”

  • NPFL: Elegbeleye reads riot act ahead of 2023-24 Season

    NPFL: Elegbeleye reads riot act ahead of 2023-24 Season

    NIgeria Premier League chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye , has affirmed that the league board will be strict with the enforcement of the rules and regulations guiding the Nigeria Premier Football League irrespective of whose ox is gored as the 2023-24 season starts on September 9th .

    Elegbeleye stated this while speaking with the representatives of the 20 NPFL clubs in Abuja ahead of the board’s Annual General Meeting held yesterday.

    He reiterated the NPL desire to sustain the feat recorded last season to ensure the NPFL regains his prideful position n Africa and world over.

    Read Also: Propel Sports Africa Congratulates Elegbeleye, NPL Board

    “As we move to commence the new season, this Board will be firm in enforcement of the rules and regulations as well as be very fair to all,” Elegbeleye said in Abuja. “There will be no favouritism in applying the rules no matter whose interest is at stake as our sole interest is the good of the league. “Therefore, we would be building on the achievements of the last season to ensure that Nigeria domestic league reclaims a pride of place in Africa,” he added.

    Elegbeleye who earlier during his speech at the AGM, acknowledged the significance role played by investment partners, GTI Assets Management opined that the NPL is targeting to increase its revenue base to the extent that clubs would share from sponsorships and would have enough to attract quality players abroad and also improve their infrastructure.

    The former Director General National Sports Commission nonetheless urged the club owners to show cooperation with Propel Sports Africa, the company that will live stream matches of the fast approaching NPFL season.

    He also called on the media to continue to support the Nigerian league and be constructive in their criticisms.

    He said: “It gladdens my heart to again harp on the Broadcast Streaming deal with Propel Sports Africa which has as today, deployed cameras to ten venues as start-up.

    “They plan to have a camera in each Stadium in the long run while we work out modalities to move cameras from one location to the nearest.

    “ So far the AI Cameras have been deployed, installed and tested in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Uyo and Aba. Other locations are Ilorin, Jos, Gombe, Katsina and Kano.

    “The distribution covers the geographical zones. In the days ahead, there will be a big announcement coming on the Broadcast Streaming deal.”

    “Let me also use this very opportune occasion to appeal to our club leaders here to offer all required support to the Propel Sports Africa team as they start. Firstly is that all individual club streaming activity is no longer allowed as clubs will be offered the data of all their matches including individual analytics for each player.

    “It is also important to recognise the role of the media in the success of our plans. We will be counting on your support again as we embark on this journey. We appreciate your criticisms when not destructive because negative reports chase away potential sponsors,” he concluded.

  • Ex-NSC DG, Elegbeleye, dumps PDP

    A former Director General of the National Sports Commission, (NSC), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, yesterday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He tendered his resignation letter in Ondo State through the PDP chairman in Akoko North East local government.

    The former Deputy Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Sports said his resignation from the PDP was strictly personal.

    He, however, didn’t indicate his next party.

    The letter titled “Re: Resignation of my Membership of Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, reads: “I write to inform you of the resignation of my membership of Peoples Democratic Party effective from the date indicated in this letter.

    ”This decision is personal and is without prejudice to the existing political situation in Ondo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party.

    ”I sincerely thank the party leaders at all levels for the relationship that existed between us all this while.”

    But a reliable source close to the politician, who pleaded anonymity, confided in our correspondent: “Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye in a few days time may be moving to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).

    “He will officially and publicly announce his intention in a short while.

    ”I do not want to say more than this. Let us keep our fingers crossed.”

  • Elegbeleye celebrates 20th wedding anniversary in style

    For former Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, every moment he spends with his adorable wife gives him a feeling of invincibility. Neither cord nor cable can draw and hold fast like love has done in the lives of Otunba Elegbeleye and his beautiful wife, Solape.

    To the stylish politician, love, marriage and sense of family make a man more relevant than affluence and accomplishments. Twenty years after his heart skipped to the sweet, soft drift of Solape’s smile, Gbenga remains love- smitten.

    Gbenga and Solape’s story reads like a dreamy exposition to extraordinary verses of love. And unlike the late French writer, Honoré de Balzac, Elegbeleye’s wife has no reason to doubt or disdainfully analyse the character and depth of her husband’s love for her. The reason is never far-fetched: Gbenga does not only deploy great tact and ingenuity in pleasing his beautiful wife, he showers immeasurable love on her at every opportunity.

    He put his love for Solape on display recently with a lavish party to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in their Asokoro residence, Abuja. The event was well attended by his friends and associates. In attendance was Hon. Emeka Ihediora, Edem Duke, Racheal the Piper and John Fasanu, among others.

  • Elegbeleye identifies with grassroots concept

    Elegbeleye identifies with grassroots concept

    The Director-General of the National Sports Commission(NSC) Gbenga Elegbeleye has identified with the grassroots concept of the Akwa Ibom State/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships.

    Yesterday in Abuja, he reacted to an invitation to attend the grand finale by commending the project.

    When told that the programme was in its 14th consecutive year and was geared towards the discovery of talent, Elegbeleye,an apostle of catch them young, was all praise for the Sponsors and the consultant, Paul Bassey and promised to attend.

    “At the NSC, we appreciate programmes like this that are geared towards the discovery of stars, especially when they come from private concerns.

    “Mobil over the years has been linked with track And field development in the country. I have heard so much about this programme and will endeavour to be part of it this time around,” he said.

     

  • Elegbeleye lauds Aruna on ITTF awards

    Elegbeleye lauds Aruna on ITTF awards

    The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye has showered encomiums on Nigerian table tennis star Quadri Aruna for winning two awards at the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) 2014 Star Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Wednesday night.

    Aruna who is ranked 30th in the world in the ITTF rankings, edged out three other nominees, China’s duo of Fan Zhendong and Xi Xin and Portugal’s Marcos Freitas to win the Male Table Tennis Star of the Year.

    Explaining why Aruna won the two awards, the ITTF said that the African champion was nominated for the Male Table Tennis Star because of his astronomical rise in the ITTF rankings during the year to become the highest-ever ranked African player in history.

    The DG of the NSC praised Aruna for doing the nation proud. Elegbeleye  applauded ITTF’s choice and thanked the world Tennis Federation for recognizing Aruna’s feat in the game for the Year 2014 and believed that the player will continue to improve in performance this year too.

    “The National Sports Commission (NSC) is elated with the achievement of our athlete, Quadri Aruna in world table tennis last year. We are happier that his hard work and dedication to his chosen profession has yielded dividends by winning two world recognised ITTF awards for the Year 2014.

    “We congratulate him and since he is among the High Performance A athlete, we will continue to support him in every way for him to continue his speedy rise in the ITTF rankings. The National Sports Commission recognises his talents as a medal winning prospect for the 2016 Olympics and we will continue to support him and monitor his progress in the game. The National Sports Commission (NSC) and indeed sports-loving Nigerians are proud of him,” he said.

    Aruna won the second award for his crucial winning point in the 4-2 loss to World and Olympic champion, Jan Zhike, at the quarter-final stage of the 2014 ITTF World Cup in Dusseldorf, was also adjudged the Star Point of the Year at the awards, which was in its second year.

  • Elegbeleye laments: Missing out of 2015 AFCON frustrating, unfortunate

    Elegbeleye laments: Missing out of 2015 AFCON frustrating, unfortunate

    Theleadership of the National Sports
    Commission (NSC) has come out to condemn the performance of the Super Eagles team for not qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations despite doing everything humanly possible to ensure the team flies Nigeria’s flag in Equatorial Guinea venue of the competition.

    A highly disappointed Director General of NSC, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye in a chat with Abuja based sports journalists yesterday bore out his mind on Eagles ouster from the AFCON and said it was a big lesson for all concerned to guide against such occurrence in future.

    “We are not happy about missing out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. I can tell you honestly that we are not happy about it at all. Missing out of the next Nations Cup that we won in South Africa in 2013 and to so miss out as the defending Champions is so frustrating and unfortunate,” he lamented.

    As regards the retention of the Super Eagles Chief Coach Stephen Keshi, the DG of the NSC disclosed that it is responsibility of the Nigeria Football Federation to hire and fire coaches. But the NSC would support the decision of the NFF on the matter.

    “We are the supervisory body and we are not expected to do the job of the Nigeria Football Federation for them. So if the NFF wishes to retain or otherwise of Coach Stephen Keshi it is their sole responsibility. We can’t do their job for them. We will support and respect their decisions on the issue. Our responsibility is to ensure that all the NFF needs to give us positive results as regards the national teams is giving to them. That is all,” Elebeleye clarified.

    “What we need to do is to make Nigerians happy again by building a strong Super Eagles team that would be a pride of all. I think this again has afforded us the opportunity of having holistic look at where we are lacking in all aspects of the team.

    “We are not short of quality and talented football players in this country so we shouldn’t be missing out of this kind of competitions that we should even be dominating. It is too bad we didn’t qualify but we will move ahead and adjust and correct our mistakes for future tournaments,” Elegbeleye disclosed.

  • Elegbeleye tips Falconets for trophy

    Elegbeleye tips Falconets for trophy

    Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Gbenga Otolorin Elegbeleye has strongly tipped the Falconets to beat 2004 and 2010 FIFA U- 20 Women’s World Cup winner Germany in the final of the 2014 edition of the competition tagged Canada 2014 in Montreal on Sunday. The NSC top official who has been away in Europe since Monday described the performance of the Nigerian ladies as highly impressive and praised their doggedness, patriotism and dedication and the will power to make Nigeria proud in a global competition despite the crisis bedeviling football in the country. He charged the team to re-double their efforts to beat two-time world Champion Germany comprehensively to send signals to the entire world that Nigeria is a super power in women’s football as being proved over the time by the heartwarming performances of the Nigerian women’s team in global football competition. “Firstly I am highly impressed with the performance of our ladies in the ongoing FIFA U- 20 Women’s World Cup in Canada and I have a strong feeling and very confident that the Falconets will emerge winners of this year’s edition of the tournament. “Quote me Falconets will beat Germany this time around. It won’t be like in 2010 FIFA U- 20 Women’s World Cup hosted by Germany where Nigeria lost 2-0 in the final. I foresee a reverse where Nigeria will score same 2-0 to lift the 2014 edition of World Cup,” he assured. Elegbeleye also noted that the encouragement given by President Goodluck Jonathan through his prompt reward to athletes that excelled in competitions has been the tonic for the positive results Nigeria has been reaping recently. He also expressed confidence that President Jonathan would reward the Falconets handsomely if they eventually lift the trophy. “Let’s leave the issue of rewards for now and the girls should just go all out to beat Germany on Sunday and see what our loving President (Goodluck Jonathan) will do as regards compensation and rewards to football excellence. I just want the girl to come back to Nigeria with the trophy,” he said.

  • Elegbeleye, Gumba commiserate with NFF over fire incident

    Elegbeleye, Gumba commiserate with NFF over fire incident

    • Maigari: Our programmes will not be affected

    Director –General of the National Sports Commission,  Gbenga Elegbeleye and the Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba were among the first prominent Nigerians to commiserate with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the fire outbreak in the Glass House on yesterday morning.

    They both spoke when a team led by NFF President,  Aminu Maigari called at their offices to inform them of the fire disaster. The NFF team also included members of the Executive Committee,   Emeka Inyama,  Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande,  Yusuf Ahmed Fresh and Ayodeji Tinubu, and the General Secretary,  Musa Amadu.

    Elegbeleye thanked God that no life was lost in the incident, which started with smoke spiraling out of one of the offices on the second floor before it became uncontrollable.

    “We commiserate with you over this disaster but we are grateful to God that no life was lost. Our hope and prayer is that this should not have any serious effect on the programmes of the NFF,” Elegbeleye said.

    Senator Gumba spoke in similar vein, even as he congratulated Maigari and his team for overcoming the recent crisis that threatened to tear Nigeria football apart.

    Responding, Maigari assured that he had personally assessed the impact of the fire outbreak and that the programmes of the NFF and Nigeria football will not be affected.

    “It is sad but we still have to be grateful to Almighty Allah. For one, no life was lost, and also, the impact is such that though a few offices including the General Secretary’s office were affected, this is not enough to affect any of our programmes.

    “All we need to do is to get the Falconets going in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and the U-17 boys for their African U-17 Championship qualifiers.”