Sports

Amun Hails NFF Over Ogunjobi, Baribote Ban

Published

10 years ago

October 25, 2013

A former Secretary-
General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Fanny Amun, has commended the leadership of the NFA over the ban imposed on two Nigerian football administrators.
Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Secretary-General of the NFA and Victor Baribote, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Board, were banned by the association for indiscipline.
While the Chris Green investigating Committee slammed a 10-year ban on Ogunjobi, the Committee headed by Emeka Inyama which investigated Baribote, banned him for 15 years, from all football matters.
Amun told newsmen in an interview in Abuja, that the ban was in order, considering the level of offences committed by the individuals.
According to Amun, the Maigari leadership should have extended the ban to 60 years, to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to introduce indiscipline into the country’s football.
“If I was in Maigari shoes, I would have banned them for sixty years; you know what that means. It means banning them for life.
“Sometimes, it is good to take certain actions that will serve as a deterrent to others.
“Who is involved does not matter; after all, Amos Adamu, a former CAF and FIFA executive committee member, was banned by FIFA from football related activities for three years.
“So, if Adamu was banned, any other person can be banned too. There is no personal attachment to it.
“One must be able to obey the rules and regulations and must strive to be upright at all times. I don’t support Illegality at all,’’ Amun said.
He said the criticism trailing the ban was uncalled for, pointing out that the ban imposed on the football administrators appeared to have met FIFA standards.
Amun urged Nigerians to evaluate the matter which led to their ban before condemning the NFA’s action.
The NFA had said that the individuals had the right to appeal to FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Meanwhile, Amun has commended Amos Adamu for serving out his three-year FIFA ban from all football related activities.
“If FIFA says the ban is ended, it is; it means he has served out the punishment which he was banned for.
“Adamu should not be killed for the ban because he is a human being and anybody can go wrong.
“If the punishment is over, then he is free,’’ he said.
Amun, however said that the NFA had the right to clear Adamu through its congress.
Adamu was banned from all football activities in 2010 by the FIFA Ethics Committee and was later fined $10,000 for asking for $800,000 as gratification.
The bribe was in return for voting on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights awarded to Russia and Qatar, respectively.
The former CAF and FIFA executive member whose ban ended on Sunday, was caught on video by undercover reporters, while asking for the money.
He was subsequently not allowed to take part in the 2010 voting.

Sports

Ghana Legend Names Okocha Africa’s Best

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Ghana star, Mohammed Kudus has named Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as his greatest African footballer of all time, drawing parallels between Okocha’s style of play and his own.
Kudus, currently plying his trade with West Ham United, praised Okocha for his exceptional skills and entertainment value on the pitch.
Okocha’s illustrious career includes numerous achievements such as winning the Goal of the Year award in Germany in 1993, multiple Nigerian Footballer of the Year titles, and being named the BBC African Footballer of the Year twice.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Kudus expressed his admiration for Okocha, emphasising the lasting impact of his creative flair and ability to entertain fans. He highlighted Okocha’s unique style of play as a source of inspiration for him as a young footballer.
”I will say Jay Jay Okocha. I will say explaining from my lens how I see creative players and entertain. That can never be washed away and the fans can never forget that,” Kudus told our source.
Despite joining West Ham United last summer, Kudus has quickly established himself as a crucial player for David Moyes’ side.
With stellar performances throughout the season, Kudus has garnered attention for his impressive contributions on the pitch. In his debut season, the midfielder has netted an impressive 13 goals in 38 appearances, solidifying his role as a key player for the club.

Sports

HFN Sets Deadline For League Registration

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) have called on teams that will participate in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 to complete all documentary registration on or before May 4, 2024.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 kick off with phase 1 to hold in Benin City, Edo State from May 12th to the 25th , 2024 and the HFN said all teams must document all their registration regarding player registrations, loans and transfers as soon as the 4th of May 2024 according to a statement addressed the officials of the twenty two participating teams by the Secretary General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Almu Umar Lambu.
“A total of 25 players and 4 officials shall be registered for the Season as there shall be no more registration in the Second Phase and all participating clubs should note that documentary registration of players, transfers and loans shall be completed on or before 4th May, 2024.” Mr. Lambu said.
Mr. Lambu also revealed that the HFN will hold an anti-doping seminar for players and officials during the course of the first phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 in Benin City, Edo State.
“Also Clubs should note that there will be Anti-Doping Seminar during the league to be organised by the HFN Medical and Anti-Doping Commission” Mr. Lambu concludes.
The top tier Handball league which is the biggest handball event in Nigeria, was to begin on April 28 through to May 11, 2024 but has now being shifted by two weeks by the Handball Federation of Nigeria for effective preparation in tandem with the sponsor Ardova PLC and will now hold from May 12 to 25, 2024.
Teams are expected to arrive Benin City on May 12, 2024 while hostilities will then begin the next day, May 13 through to May 24, 2024. Departure is May 25, 2024.

Sports

Athletics: Ofili, Nathaniel Qualify For Paris Olympics

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

The Tide

Favour Ofili and Ezekiel Nathaniel have booked their places to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Ofili won the women’s 200-meter event in day one of the Tom Jones Invitational on Friday, hosted by Florida at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
The Port Harcourt, Nigeria, native blazed out of the blocks and clocked an event-winning time and No. 4 time in the world of 22.33 seconds (+1.4 m/s).
She defeated Anavia Battle who came through in 22.56s and Ida Karstoft in a new National Record of 22.60s
Her time dips under the Paris 2024 Olympics’ standard of 22.57 seconds, punching her ticket to the Olympics in her first season after turning pro.
It is her fastest time outdoors since 2022 where she set the Nigerian National Record of 21.96s the same year.
Nathaniel on his part shattered the Nigerian 400m Record at the Tom Jones Invitational, running a brilliant 48.29s.
The feat has seen Nathaniel automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, surpassing the Olympic standard by almost half a second.
Chris Robinson of the United States won in a time of 47.95s ahead of Clement Ducos, who ran 48.26s.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s High Jump event, Nigeria’s Erhire Best won clearing a Season’s Best (SB) of 2.21m.
He defeated Riyon Rankin on countback, having needed just one attempt to clear the winning mark while Rankin took three tries. BJ Jennings was 3rd with 2.13m.