Sports
Kogi Judiciary To Establish Sports Unit – Chief Judge
The Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah, says the state’s judiciary would soon establish a sports unit to prepare its staff for competitions, especially the annual Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Games.
Ajanah made the assertion at the “Presentation of Medals and Unveiling of the Judiciary Roadmap to a Better CJN Games’’ at the weekend in Lokoja.
Tidesport gathered that the medals were presented to the winners of the 22nd edition of the CJN Games hosted late last year by the state in Lokoja.
The chief judge said that sports played significant roles in human relations.
“There is no doubting the fact that sports have always played a very significant role in human relations and all other endeavours,’’ he said.
The chief judge commended the state contingent to the 22nd edition of the CJN Games.
Kogi won a total of 23 medals consisting of 7 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze to place third on the overall medals table.
Ajanah said that the state’s judiciary has resolved to ensure continued participation in the annual event.
“To us in the judiciary of Kogi, taking gains from hosting the 22nd edition of the Games, it has become imperative because of its importance in shaping the minds and physical fitness of judiciary staff,’’ he said.
The chief judge acknowledged the support of the state government in the successful hosting of the Games.
Ajanah said that he was sure the hosting had positive impact on the socio-economic development of the state through positive engagement of youths.
Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the CJN Games, Also, Mr Bamidele Aina (DCR), said that plans for the sports unit or department in the judiciary was strategic.
Aina commended the chief judge for supporting Basketball in Nigeria and appealed to him to use his good office to ensure that the state’s judiciary continued to flourish in sports.
The 2017 edition of the CJN Games is scheduled to take place in Calaber is yet to be announced date.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.