Sports
Athletics Championship:Untold Story Of Asaba 2018
In recent times, Nigeria has made significant impact in terms of sports development in the continent as she has hosted Africa twice this year in different Championships and tournaments with world class facilities.
February this year, Port Harcourt, the Garden City of Nigeria hosted African Wrestling Championship (AWC ) where over 54 countries participated, that was adjudged the best organised in the history of that championship.
Barely six months later, Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, also hosted the just-concluded 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, with about 52 countries in attendance, that commenced 1st August and ended yesterday.
No doubt, this seems to be the major tournament hosted by the Delta State Government since after her creation, it is also on record that the state athletes are arguably the best in Nigeria.
This assertion is following the impressive performance of athletes from the State in various sports festivals and tournaments held in and outside the country.
To buttress this, last September, the state won the Nigeria Youth Games (NYG) held in Ilorin for the second time at a trot. In fact, one could say that they have one of the most organised sports commissions and programmes in Nigeria.
The governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa deserved commendation for hosting Africa in midst of fluctuation of Federal allocation.
Besides, the bold step he took to reconstruct the stadium that now looks like brand new one, with world class athletics facilities is also commendable.
Even at that, the author of this article believed that the state government was in haste to make a statement in Africa, by hosting the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship.
It is generally accepted that in every competition or tournament, there are expectations of negligible flaws, but apparently the organistion of this Championship held in Asaba, is nothing to write home about.
In some occasions, the ceremonial committee could not hoist the countries flags for the medalists. The next thing you will hear is, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are sorry we were unable to hoist the flags for the winners”.
Again, journalists who came to cover the event from different states were moving from one place to another, like ants searching for food, just to be accredited to have access to the stadium and some restricted areas.
It was utmost surprising to most journalists who it did their accreditation online to notice that the online accreditation was a mirage.
Unfortunately, the media chief of the event whose name was given as Olukayode Thomas could never be seen to clarify issues that were faced with journalists, when called. Thomas was always ready to answer you with these words: “Am driving” I am in a meeting, “I am very busy” “I never sighted him once.”
Here is an apology tendered by him and it reads: “Dear All, On behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 21st African Senior Athletics, I Olukayode Thomas tender an unreserved apology to you all for the hiccups that have greeted the event so far.
The media station, distribution of start lists, results and others will be well taken care of going forward.
“Please accept my apologises. Thanks you.”
This merely interprets that the person handling the media (Thomas) who supposedly to be the image maker of the Championship lack experience and competence.
Apart from that, foreign athletes who were to participate in the Championship were stranded at Lagos airport due to poor organisation, which nearly caused international embarrassment. One may ask, is it that those saddled with that responsibility do not have the capacity to handle it?
Two days into the Championship, the fence of Stephen Keshi stadium, where the event held fell and destroyed about four cars. I also ask “Is it is that the engineers did not do their job thoroughly or it was caused by substandard materials”?
To be fair, the concept and design of the stadium was nice, but the finishing was not given the best.
Speaking, the media consultant to South African Athletic Federation, Cele Sifiso said in spite the fact that there were irregularities in the organisation, he believed in African brotherhood.
According to him, hence medals are won, that means the competition is going on well.
“I know there are irregularities in the organisation, but as a country we did not come here to criticise. We want Africa to grow in every aspect.
“Obviously, there are things that were done right, but we from South Africa are not looking at the negative side,” Sifiso said.
In his opinion, the chairman of Delta State Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Azuka Chiemeka, said the organisation of the Championship was on the average.
He explained that to get 100 per cent in organisation of any tournament was difficult, saying that to handle logistics is a bit difficult.
“This Championship is been organised by Confederation African Athletic (CAA) and not Delta State that just provided the facilities and venue to host the event.
“I must commend the State Governor’s intention to develop the youths through sports,” Chiemeka said.
He further said that the report on the collapse of the stadium was actually sensational and not good for the nation.
Tonye Orabere
Rafael Nadal’s injury comeback was ended by Alex de Minaur as the 12-time champion waved goodbye to the Barcelona Open for possibly the final time. Nadal, 37, returned to court on Tuesday after a three-month absence, making light work of 21-year-old Italian Flavio Cobolli in a straight-set win.
A day later, Nadal lost 7-5 6-1 to world number 11 De Minaur in round two.
Nadal, a 22-time major winner, has indicated he plans to retire in 2024 if he is unable to compete regularly.
The former world number one, now ranked 644th, has only played five matches since January 2023 because of hip and abdominal injuries.
Nadal is hoping to be fit enough to make a return to the French Open, where he won a record 14 men’s singles titles, next month.
Facing a player of De Minaur’s pedigree was always likely to be a considerable step up, and a truer test of his level than his comeback outing against 62nd-ranked Cobolli.
The 25-year-old Australian tried to test Nadal’s movement by using drop shots early in the match, an effective tactic which helped him move 2-0 in front and tee up another break point for 3-0.
But Nadal survived to hold and improved his level, producing a number of explosive cross-court backhand winners as he fought back to lead 4-3.
Another backhand winner, this time down the line, even drew a clap of the strings from De Minaur and teed up another break point for Nadal.
Taking the chance would have left Nadal serving for the set, but De Minaur recovered and won 19 of the next 24 points to win an opener lasting more than an hour.
After so long out, and with playing on consecutive days, Nadal’s endurance was always going to be tested, particularly against an opponent known for his athleticism.
De Minaur played smartly in a one-sided second set and broke Nadal’s serve three times, silencing the Barcelona crowd in the process, to secure an impressive victory.
Nadal left the court bearing his name – for what could be the final time – to a standing ovation and rapturous send-off.
Meanwhile, British men’s number two Jack Draper reached his 10th ATP Tour quarter-finals at the BMW Open in Munich.
Draper, 22, fought back after a rain delay to earn a 4-6 6-1 6-1 win over
German world number 179 Rudolf Molleker at the clay-court event.
Bayer Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro has claimed that Xabi Alonso will coach Real Madrid, while also lending fresh hope to Liverpool.
Alonso’s remarkable success at Leverkusen, who clinched their first-ever Bundesliga crown at the weekend, has positioned him as one of the most sought-after managers in Europe, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich previously leading the chase. Despite the interest, the 42-year-old Spaniard has affirmed his commitment to remain at the helm of the Bundesliga outfit for at least one more season.
However, Leverkusen’s leadership acknowledges the challenge of retaining Alonso over the long term, given his burgeoning reputation and the inevitable interest from top clubs across Europe. Among the potential destinations for Alonso, Real Madrid stands out prominently as Carro expressed his belief that Alonso could eventually return to the Spanish capital, where he enjoyed a distinguished playing career.
Speaking to Tidesports source, Carro also suggested Liverpool still have a chance of striking a deal for Alonso one day, as he stated: “I have no doubt that Xabi Alonso will coach Real Madrid at some point. What I am not clear about is when, but that he will end up at Real Madrid I have no doubt, as it is also possible that he trains Liverpool or Bayern.
There are a lot of clubs interested, that’s how it is, which doesn’t mean that in the future he can’t coach some of the clubs mentioned, especially his former teams as a player. But he feels comfortable here, otherwise he wouldn’t continue. We will maintain our ambition to play in the Champions League next year.”
Despite Real Madrid’s current managerial stability under Carlo Ancelotti, whose contract is due to run until 2026, reports suggest that the club’s hierarchy views Alonso as the ideal candidate to succeed Ancelotti when his tenure concludes. The backing of Real Madrid’s board, including club president Florentino Perez, further solidifies Alonso’s prospects of potentially assuming the managerial reins at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2026. Allegedly aware of the esteem in which the club’s leadership holds him, Alonso has opted to remain at Leverkusen, biding his time for a potential return to Real Madrid.
Alonso is focused on preparing Leverkusen for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against West Ham at London Stadium on April 18, following their 2-0 victory in the first leg at BayArena.
Barcelona had a two-goal aggregate lead and were seemingly in control of their UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match against Paris St- Germain in Spain until it all turned to chaos.
A disaster performance from the referee, panic from Barcelona’s players and an unnecessary expulsion, according to Barca sources, were all blamed on a dramatic Tuesday evening at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys as PSG ran out 4-1 winners.
Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo’s sending off turned the tide in their Champions League quarter-final as PSG came from 3-2 down in the first leg to win the tie 6-4 on aggregate.
A double from Kylian Mbappe, a long-range strike from Vitinha and an Ousmane Dembele goal against his former club sent Barcelona spiralling out of control – and out of the competition.
As Barcelona turned in a performance riddled with mistakes, referee Istvan Kovacs had a busy evening. The Romanian showed three red cards to the hosts – manager Xavi’s frustrations getting the better of him, before a member of his coaching staff was dismissed for dissent. That only compounded the damage done by Araujo’s red-card inducing challenge on Bradley Barcola early in the first half.
“The referee was really bad. I told him his performance was a disaster. I don’t like to talk about referees, but it had a clear impact in the season and it has to be said,” Xavi told news men.
“We are very upset and angry because the red card was the decisive factor in the match. With 11, we were in a good position, playing well and in command.
“It’s too much to flash a red card in a game like this. There was another game after that… It is a pity that the work of the season was ruined by an unnecessary expulsion.”
Araujo’s early exit allowed PSG to build momentum. The goals flowed; Barcelona collapsed. Joao Cancelo needlessly brought down Dembele in the box, allowing Mbappe to score the first of his two goals from the penalty spot.
“You can’t make mistakes in the Champions League,” former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said after the game.
“If you make mistakes, you pay the price straight away and that’s why it is so hard to win that competition because you cannot make one mistake.”
Having left Paris with a 3-2 victory, Barcelona got off to the perfect start in their second leg when Raphinha deflected in teenager Lamine Yamal’s cross.
But Barcelona’s lead did not last long and PSG took control in the second half as the cards came from Kovacs.
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