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Tue, Oct

The Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has declared that medals would not be given to participating athletes andteams in the forthcoming National Youth Games, which will take place in Abuja between December 5th and 15th, 2013.

He explained that the reason for this was to discourage cheating. ``Every athlete will get a certificate of participation, and one of the reasons we decided that there will be no medals is for contingents not to have room to bring overage children into the competition,” Abdullahi said.

 He added that, ``the moment we start giving medals, everyone leading athletes to this competition will worry about their position on the medals table. Therefore, they will do all they can to win.”

Abdullahi stated that athletes competing in the games would be those enrolled in school, as their records of enrolment would be checked properly.

The NYG is a platform created by the NSC to encourage youth participation Sports. The inaugural edition will take place in Abuja and will feature 14 sports: boxing, badminton, handball, squash, taekwondo, track and field, weightlifting, basketball, football, para-powerlifting, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and wrestling. Expected to participate at the games are 4,520 boys and girls from across the 36 states and Abuja.

Also speaking recently at the unveiling of the official mascot and logo of the games, the Senate President, David Mark, urged that more funds be allocated to sports, as it is one of the factors that unify Nigerians.

He called on the NSC to use the platform of the NYG for genuine talent identification and discovery.  ``It doesn’t matter if all the children who are going to take us to where we want are all Bolajis. If it is so, so be it.

``What we want is for them to get us what we want. It is not the name, where they come from or who sponsors them that matters.

``I think we have allowed some politics, sometimes, to get into our sporting activities and it helps to mess it up.

``So, I want to urge that we forget politics, religion and ethnicity in this talent-hunt, for us to have genuine Nigerians who will take us to where we want to be in sports,’’ Mark said.

Signed

Julius Ogunro

SA (Media and Strategy) to HM Sports

 

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on Friday qualified for the knockout phase of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, after drubbing group whipping boys, Iraq 5-0 in the final Group F encounter.

 In the match played at the Rasheed Dubai Stadium, Dubai, Manu Garba’s boys scored two goals in the opening four minutes, and then added two more to bring first-half scores to four nil. A fifth goal in the final minute of regulation time confirmed Nigeria’s dominance in the match and worthy winners of the group.

In the other Group F match played simultaneously, Mexico defeated Sweden by a lone goal to clinch second place behind Nigeria; while losers of the day, Sweden managed to qualify with four points as one of the best third-placed losers.

 The Eaglets’ display attracted plaudits from President Goodluck Jonathan, who congratulated them and urged them to maintain the exemplary dedication, commitment and resilience they have exhibited thus far in the competition until ultimate victory is achieved.

“The president urges the Eaglets and their handlers to prepare very well and hone their acknowledged skills and soccer artistry even further to overcome all their remaining opponents in the competition and bring the Under-17 World Cup back home to Nigeria once again,” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati wrote in a statement.

“He assures them of the fullest possible support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they continue in the competition and trusts that they will keep on giving Nigerians great joy and pride with victorious performances in coming matches.”

The Eaglets — with the record of highest number of appearances at the final of the U-17 World Cup, winning three and losing three — next play Iran, who finished second behind Argentina in Group E, in a round-of-16 clash on Tuesday 29th October 2013 in Al Ain at 5pm Nigerian time; and will be favourites to advance to the quarter finals.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Golden Eaglets on their stunning victory over their Mexican counterparts in the ongoing Under-17 World Championship taking place in the United Arab Emirates.

The Eaglets defeated Mexico 6-1 in their first match of the group phase on Saturday, Kelechi Iheanacho grabbing four goals to emerge current highest goal scorer at the tournament.

“As the nation celebrates yesterday’s victory however, President Jonathan urges the Eaglets to remember that they have just overcome their first opponents in a long tournament and must therefore stay focused on winning their subsequent matches, getting to the finals and claiming the championship once again for their fatherland,” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said.

 “The president calls on the Eaglets to avoid all possible distractions and continue to display the exhilarating soccer skills, commitment and dedication, which overwhelmed the Mexican team yesterday, in all of their subsequent matches.

 “He assures the Eaglets and their handlers of the steadfast support and encouragement of the Federal Government and looks forward to another victory when they take on the Swedish youth team on Tuesday.”

 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday produced a rare away win in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Ethiopians went ahead in the 56th minute after Behalu Assefa attempted to send a cross into the opponent’s area, but Vincent Enyeama misjudged the ball, which was adjudged to have crossed the line by the time he caught it.

Nigeria Striker Emmanuel Emenike proved why he has been the offensive heartbeat of the team since the 2013 African Cup of Nations, when he unleashed a screamer in the 67th minute that the Ethiopian goal-minder had no answer to.

The Fenerbahçe forward the earned Nigeria the victory on the stroke of full time, when he stepped up to calmly convert a penalty that was awarded after a defended bundled him down in a potentially goal-bound move.

The second leg holds in Calabar, Cross River State, on 16th November 2013.

 

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on Tuesday managed to maintain their stranglehold atop their group in the ongoing World Youth FIFA Under-17 Championship, after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Sweden.

The Swedes got on to a flying start in the 11th minute when Valmir Berisha profited from goalkeeper Dele Alampasu’s misjudgement of the ball to tap in from close range.

Against pre-match predictions, Berisha buried in the Scandinavians’ and his second of the day when he beautifully headed in an Anton Saletros cross inside the penalty area in the 19th minute.

But Nigeria responded in fantastic fashion, netting a clinical goal-of-the-tournament-contender just two minutes later. Star forward Kelechi Iheanacho lobbed a wonder pass to on-running Isaac Success, who hit a first-time volley that goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin had no answer to.

The Eaglets evened the score very early into the second half in a manner similar to the Swedes’ first goal. Musa Yahaya hit a speculative effort from outside the penalty zone, goalkeeper Mohlin saving the ball but sprawling after it in vain as it trickled in between his legs into the net.

Sweden reclaimed the lead in the 65th minute through substitute Mirza Vadzic, who was barely a minute on the pitch when he slid home an effort parried by the Nigeria goalkeeper.

But that was not the end of the seesaw drama, as Taiwo Awoniyi, who came on midway through the first half to replace injured Isaac Success, guided in a header that was too strong and fast for Mohlin to save, 10 minutes from time to end the match three goals apiece.

The result leaves Nigeria comfortably atop the group with four points, same as Sweden’s, but with a superior goal difference after Saturday’s 6-1 drubbing of defending Champions Mexico that saw Iheanacho bag four goals.

Eaglets next play Iraq, the group’s whipping boys, on Friday in the group-phase finale, beginning from 2pm Nigerian time.

The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced a 10-year ban for former General Secretary of the federation and Executive Committee member, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and another 15-year ban for former Chairman of the Nigerian Premier League (NPL), Chief Victor Baribote.

According to a communiqué released to the media on Monday, the decision to suspend the duo was taken at Saturday’s meeting of the Executive Committee in Addis Ababa, venue of Nigeria’s victorious Brazil 2014 World cup qualifier against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

The Executive Committee also resolved to constitute a four-man committee to probe bribery allegations against Chairman of the Organising and Disciplinary Committee (O&D), Olaleye Adepoju and Chairman of Enugu State Football Association, Chidi Ofor Okenwa.

“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation met at the Saro-Maria Hotel in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia on Saturday, 12th October, 2013 to discuss pertinent issues in Nigeria football and decided as follows:

“The Executive Committee praised the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for finding time out of a very heavy schedule during the African Union summit in Ethiopia, to attend training session of the Super Eagles on Saturday, 12th October 2013, which hugely inspired the players to defeat Ethiopia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture, first leg in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 13th October 2013.

“The committee, based on the report of an investigative committee headed by Barrister Chris Green, approved a 10-year ban from all football-related activities on one-time NFF General Secretary and former NFF Executive Committee member, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“Similarly, the committee, based on the report of an investigative committee headed by Chief Emeka Inyama, approved a 15-year ban from all football-related activities on former NPL Chairman, Chief Rumson Victor Baribote. These decisions by the Executive Committee are subject to ratification of the Congress of Nigeria football at the next Annual General Assembly, as contained in the NFF Statutes.

“Also, the NFF resolved to constitute a four-man committee to probe bribery allegation against the chairman of the Organissiang and disciplinary Committee (O&D), Olalyeye Adepoju as well as Chidi Ofor Okenwa, chairman of Enugu State Football association.

“The Executive Committee resolved to set up a four-man committee to investigate an allegation of bribery against a member of the Executive Committee, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju. Barrister Chris Green is chairman and members are Chief Inyama, Hon. Shehu Adamu, Alhaji Muazu Kawu and Brigadier-General Emma Okaro (rtd), with Alizor Chuks as Secretary.”

 It announced also that in the meantime, Barrister Adepoju is suspended from chairmanship of the Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the Federation.

 “Committee resolved to set up a four-man committee to investigate a petition against Mr. Chidi Ofor Okenwa, chairman of the Enugu State Football Association. Vice President, Chief Umeh is chairman, with Chief Inyama, Alhaji Yusuf Fresh and Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande as members, with Danlami Alanana as secretary. The committee has two weeks to submit its report,” the communiqué continued.

 On other matters, the Executive Committee ordered the Nigeria National League to deduct three points and three goals from Gabros International FC’s campaign in this year’s competition, as a direct result of the club’s failure to pay CHF2,000, being cost of arbitration in a case against Hertha BSC Berlin FC of Germany.

 It expressed confidence in the ability of the U-17 National Team, also known as Golden Eaglets, to record a successful outing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals taking place in the United Arab Emrates between 17th October and 8th November 2013.

“Executive Committee approved the appointment of a retired FIFA-graded referee, Mr. Sani Zubairu, as Consultant to the NFF Referees Unit. Committee approved confirmation of the appointment of Management Staff of the Federation, with a four-year contract spanning March 2011 – March 2015.

“The Executive Committee approved the promotion and confirmation of Members of Staff based on results of the last promotion/confirmation examinations. The Committee approved Thursday, 28th November as date for the 2013 Annual General Assembly of Nigeria football, with Warri, Delta State as venue.”

Those who attended the meeting were Aminu Maigari (President), Mike Umeh (Vice President), Emeka Inyama (Member), Dilichukwu Onyedinma (Member), Ahmad Muazu Kawu (Member), Effiong Johnson (Member), Christopher Green (Member), Muazu Suleyman (Member), Ayodeji Tinubu (Member), Shehu Adamu (Member), Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member), Yusuf Ahmed Fresh (Member) and Musa Amadu (Secretary).

Olaleye Adepoju (Member) and Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member), who were absent, offered their apologies.

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday visited members and officials of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who arrived at the east African country earlier in the day only to be mobbed by Ethiopians who openly fraternised with them.

Chelsea FC of England star, Mikel Obi was the star of the attraction, as hordes of fans descended on him, posing with him for photographs, ahead of the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for Brazil 2014 World Cup, which holds in Addis Ababa on Sunday afternoon.

Visiting the players on Saturday during a training session, President Jonathan, who was in the country for the Extra Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), charged them to gun for victory and prove Nigeria’s status as a global football super power.

 “Surely you will make it; the spirit is there. I wish you success. It is a determining match. We have been going to the World Cup, but this year, we are not just going to the World Cup, we will make an impact,” he said.

“The world will begin to know that we have arrived as a nation. We will give you all the encouragement required. Thank you for what you are doing for us.”

 President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari thanked the president for the visit and promised victory in the encounter

“I assure you, we will be able to deliver and we will deliver,” Maigari said. “We will do our best. We have a good team. Goodluck Jonathan is the only President who has created time amidst his tight schedule to be with the super eagles twice. This is the biggest motivation and we will make you proud. We will be in Brazil.”

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