The Nation Newspaper

Tag: sports

  • Sports minister foresees growth of eSports

    Sports minister foresees growth of eSports

    The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has stated that Nigeria is enthusiastic about the potential of eSports, also known as electronic sports or gaming sports.

    The Minister made the assertion during a meeting with organized Nigerian eSports proponents, led by Clinton Agbor Ayuk, at his office in Abuja.

    Enoh expressed faith in the promising future for the growth and advancement of eSports.

    He added that, sports as a sector provides Nigerian youths with a profound sense of social inclusiveness, and eSports, a gaming technology driven sports should therefore play a similar pivotal role in the nation.

    “It does appear to me that the potential for the growth, progress and development of eSports as a sport in our country appears incredible,” he said.

    “From my assessment of this sports, it appears as a ministry and as a country we cannot continue to ignore the activities and operations of eSports, because I found that whether we recognize it or not, this game is going on”

    Read Also: Saka ruled out for England through injury

    “I believe for example that in promoting sports as one of the sectors that gives us the greatest approximation of social inclusiveness, as one of the sectors that takes care of unemployment, it can take care and alleviate people’s poverty”

    “One of the things I expect, for example is that even in terms of taking care of the security challenges in the country, my hope is that eSports more than guarantees us more than all of that, through strengthening the forces that unites us.”

    According to Armstrong Ogwuche, the secretary of the eSports delegation, eSports is widely considered as the fastest-growing sport globally.

  • New Tv commercial for sports enthusiasts

    New Tv commercial for sports enthusiasts

    SportyBet, the official partner of Real Madrid in Africa, has released a star-studded television commercial featuring three of Real Madrid’s top players: Éder Militão, Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who hails from Cameroon.

    The television commercial will air across Africa and feature on SportyTV and the main pan-regional platforms around the most relevant football leagues and competitions. SportyTV is a free-to-air linear and online sports television network in Nigeria and Ghana. The channel features in-house punditry as well as live matches in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Seria A and other big games across the globe

    Set in an African household, the commercial masterfully employs the allure of Real Madrid’s stars to highlight the world-class features of SportyBet.

    Read Also: Police confirm murder, mutilation of undergraduate at lover’s apartment

    The SportyBet platform, renowned for its cutting-edge user interface, introduces viewers to unique offerings such as the first-class video solution, enabling live game watch and bet functionalities. All these exceptional features are elegantly portrayed in this high-end production with a humorous feel.

    SportyBet has solidified its position as a leading player in the world of sports betting through a series of strategic partnerships. For the third consecutive season, SportyBet proudly stands as the official African Partner of the illustrious Real Madrid Football Club, cementing its presence within the global sporting arena. Additionally, SportyBet continues to nurture its relationship with the Premier League giants, Manchester City, for the second season running. The recent renewal of Michael Essien as their African Ambassador demonstrates their commitment to engaging with the continent’s football legends. In a move that further enhances their global reach, SportyBet welcomed Eder Militao as their Global Ambassador this season, a testament to their ambition and growing influence in the sports industry. These partnerships underscore SportyBet’s dedication to fostering connections within the sports community while offering an exciting and immersive betting experience to fans across Africa and beyond.

  • Sports University of Nigeria begins screening in Ilaji

    Sports University of Nigeria begins screening in Ilaji

    Over one hundred students-athletes have converged at the Ilaji Hotels and Resorts for the 2023 student -athletes scholarship trials.

    Senator Ned Nwoko Chancellor Sports University of Nigeria,Idumuje -Ugboko ,Delta State and President, Ned Nwoko Foundation is awarding schorlaships to one hundred students to study at thenUniversity.

    The schorlaship worth 2.5million for each studrnt aside other benefits that will go with it.

    Speaking with the sport journalists in Ibadan Monday at the venue, Director of the university’s High Performance Centre, Dr. Bob Olukoya , disclosed that the sports-loving senator decided to give schorlaship to the students so as to actualize their dreams having realized that many of the students athletes cannot afford tuition fee.

    Read Also: Upcoming Sports University of Nigeria  excites Nwoko

    He further disclosed that the selection for trials was done through advertisement so that the best would be selected for final phase in Asaba later in the year.

    He further disclosed that the trials which will end today will move to Abuja from tomorrow to Friday, adding the south east zone in Aba holds between September 3rd and 4th while Asaba will host the South-South zone between September 6th and 7th before the final trials at a yet to be fixed date will be in Delta State.

    Assistant project coordinator, Ugochinyere Onyewuenyi informed that the trials will be in 18 sports including athletics,swimming,soccer, football, tracks and field, nhandball,basketnall,volleyball,karate,cricket,para Badminton ,table tennis,tennis and golf.

    “I can state here that all mecessary arrangements have been put in place to host the trials with the former General Manager of Oyo State Sports Council Gboyega Makinde named as the athletes’ assessor.

    She added: “some of the trials will hold at the sports complex of the University of Ibadan.”

  • PAOK on brink of first league win in 34 years

    Greek Super League leaders PAOK are a victory away from securing their first domestic league title in 34 years and they could do it undefeated.

    The Thessaloniki-based club take on Larissa on Sunday and a win would given them an unassailable lead over second-placed Olympiakos.

    With three games left to play, PAOK, who have won 24 and drawn three matches so far, are 10 points ahead of Olympiakos, who have a game in hand.

    Thousands of fans from the northern Greek port city are expected to pour into the streets to celebrate the first league title won by a club outside Athens in 31 years, as the fierce rivalry between Thessaloniki and the Greek capital continues.

    Success-starved PAOK last won the title in 1985 while Larissa was the last club outside Athens to win the league back in 1988.

    PAOK fans are banned from travelling to Larissa for the match on Sunday that could win them the title.

    To avoid any crowd trouble that has tarnished Greek football for years and brought it to the brink of international suspension.

    The club knows how feisty the crowd can get, with the two matches last season at home against Olympiakos and AEK Athens en route to what should have been a title, not starting or not finishing following PAOK fans’ violence.

    In the end PAOK were declared losers in both matches, finished second behind AEK Athens and lost out on the title.

    Club boss Ivan Savvidis, a Russian-born billionaire who stormed the pitch against AEK last season with a gun in his belt, will not be allowed to set foot in the Larissa stadium either, having been banned for three years.

    Read Also: NEROS/Anambra FA Cup: drama as fan seizes football during penalty shootout

    But this season PAOK, led by Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu, have shown a different face, leaving little to chance as they cruised towards the title with the best attack and defence in the league.

    They even remained unaffected when their top scorer Aleksandar Prijovic moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad in January.

    “We have not won it yet. We have been burned before.

    “We must respect the maths here and not be impatient. It’s about winning it and not if we win it with three or four matches left to play,” said club spokesman Kyriakos Kyriakos.

  • NEROS/Anambra FA Cup: drama as fan seizes football during penalty shootout

    The second round of NEROS/ Anambra FA cup match between FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Udala FC played on Thursday could not produce a winner following seizure of football during penalty shootouts.

    The match, which was played at the Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium Nnewi, had ended 1-1 apiece in regulation time and went straight into penalties without extra time.

    Both teams had played one penalty each and scored but the melodrama started when the ball was positioned for Udala FC to take their second kick.

    However, a spectator suspected to be an ardent follower of one of the teams invaded the pitch, impounded the ball and walked away unhindered.

    That was how the decisive second round tie ended as match officials did not provide another ball for the penalty kick to continue.

    A football administrator who pleaded anonymity wondered what the future of football in Nigeria would be when such unsportsmanlike behaviour still existed at match venues.

    According to the source that saw the match, no security on ground, and no other ball was brought, after a while, the officials also left the pitch.

    “There were serious confusion, accusations and counter accusations, where is the state football going with this kind of scenario,” he queried.

    In his reaction, Coach Obinna Dike said it was unconscionable for a football fan who had no business in the pitch to ‘just walk into a football field and seize the match ball’.

    Obinna, who is the director of DOSAD Sports Academy, Awka, said he would not ascertain who was behind the unfortunate incident but condemned the act in its entirety.

    “On whose side the trouble is coming from I don’t know. But whoever is party to bringing Anambra football to ridicule, I personally will not accept as a stakeholder,’’ he said.

    Efforts by NAN to get reaction from the FA did not yield result as the Vice Chairman and a secretary did not respond to calls and messages sent to them.

  • Chelsea ban 3 fans, ‘hunt’ 3 more for abusive Salah chants

    Chelsea says they have banned three fans for their part in an abusive video directed at striker Mohamed Salah from Premier League rivals Liverpool, local media reported on Friday.

    Six men were seen on a video posted on social media on Thursday abusing Salah, calling the Egypt international a “bomber”.

    Both clubs roundly condemned the video, each issuing a statement in which they pledged to work together to find the people responsible.

    Chelsea said that they had stopped three fans at the gates for their Europa League clash with Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic.

    Read Also: Late Alonso header gives Chelsea win in Prague

    Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud said the whole Chelsea sides were disgusted at the video.

    “I think these people shouldn’t belong to Chelsea.

    “I think the club and everybody condemn these kinds of things, and we are 100 per cent behind Mo Salah. I think nowadays it shouldn’t happen,’’ Giroud said.

    Salah played 13 times for Chelsea before joining Roma, and eventually signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2017.

    Leaders Liverpool hosts Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

  • ‘Sports vital to education’

    A school owner, Mrs Udenwa Obi, has said  education is incomplete without sports.

    Speaking at the eighth biennial inter-house sports competition of her school, Headstart Private School, Isolo, Lagos, Mrs Obi said sports help pupils to develop physical and mental toughness.

    ”We count it a great privilege to be witnessing yet another sporting event. Education is incomplete without sports, it is an integral part of learning that stimulates mental and physical toughness, hence it is essential for today’s youthful generation.

    ”Participating in organised sports offers the chance for the youth to enhance their physical and social skills. Sports offer children a change from the monotony of their daily life to a more healthy and active life,” she said.

    Chairman of the occasion, Mr Segun Babalogbon, who spoke on sportsmanship, urged the pupils to learn to win or lose with dignity.

    ”With sportsmanship, it makes us to unite, come together and cheer one another up. Sport must be honoured with honesty, sincerity and fairness. If you fail, you have to be strong and strive hard,” he said.

    The event featured march past, picking balls, tiny tots, filling the bottles, dress to school, lime and spoon, filling the basket, sack race, tire race, high jump, relay race, 100m, 200m, chubby race, taekwondo, among others.

    Blue House emerged winner of the competition with 20 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals.  Red house came second with 16 gold, 20 silver and 17 bronze medals, while yellow house came third with 13 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronzes medals.

  • Juve’s Bonucci says Kean abuse comments were misunderstood

    Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci says his comments about teammate Moise Kean being partly to blame for racist abuse he suffered after scoring at Cagliari on Tuesday were misunderstood.

    Bonucci was criticised by a number of players for saying that the blame for the incident was split “50-50” between the 19-year-old player and the Cagliari fans.

    “I was interviewed right at the end of the game, and my words have been clearly misunderstood, probably because I was too hasty in the way I expressed my thoughts,” he said on Instagram.

    “Hours and years wouldn’t be enough to talk about this topic. I firmly condemn all forms of racism and discrimination. The abuses are not acceptable at all and this must not be misunderstood.”

    Read Also: ‘Exceptional’ Foden, key to Man City future – Guardiola

    Kean, who had been jeered throughout the game, stood in front of the Cagliari fans behind the goal and opened his arms after scoring Juve’s second goal in a 2-0 win.

    In response, Cagliari’s supporters made the noise which is described in Italy as “buu” and is regarded as a racist insult, although some fans argue it is simply to annoy opposing players regardless of race.

    Bonucci said at the time Kean should have celebrated with his team mates — a remark which prompted England forward Raheem Sterling to comment: “All you can do now is laugh.”

  • ‘Exceptional’ Foden, key to Man City future – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he expects 18-year-old Phil Foden to play key role in the side over the next decade, and will be more involved in the first team next season.

    The Stockport-born teenager, who has been with the club since eight years made his first Premier League start in City’s 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Wednesday.

    “I’m happy with the way he plays. He could have scored two goals, he’s exceptional,” Guardiola told reporters.

    Several highly-rated teenagers, frustrated at limited involvement, have moved on in search of regular first-team football.

    However, Foden signed a new City contract until 2024 in December and Guardiola said the midfielder would get his chance.

    “It’s not easy for him with (David) Silva, Bernardo (Silva), (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Kevin) De Bruyne, but he wants to be here, he’s delighted to be here,” he said.

    “I assure you, next year, he will play more minutes. That’s the process. For the next decade, he will be important.”

  • Tottenham agree five-year deal with Saracens

    Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a five-year deal with Saracens that will allow the Premiership Rugby team to play their annual ‘Big Game’ fixture at Spurs’ new stadium from 2020, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

    Tottenham’s White Hart Lane Stadium had been undergoing renovation since 2016.

    The new arena, which seats more than 62,000 fans, will officially open its doors when the north London side host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

    The club already has a long-term agreement in place with the National Football League (NFL) to host regular season’s games at the stadium.

    The club chairman, Daniel Levy said they had aspirations for the stadium to be a “multi-use venue”.

    “We look forward to welcoming Saracens and their fans to Tottenham and delivering world-class rugby match day experiences, showcasing our new stadium and all the surrounding area has to offer,” Levy said in a statement.

    Saracens, the reigning Premiership champions, have used Wembley Stadium in the past for this game, which usually takes place in March during the international soccer break.

    “For me and Saracens, it’s a really special opportunity for us to partner with our fellow north Londoners,” Saracens chairman Nigel Wray said.

    “Together with Spurs we have the opportunity to create something very special in north London.”