Sports
YSFON, Catalyst For Youth Dev- Wejinya
The Secretary of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Rivers State Chapter, Collins Wejinya has described YSFON as a viable nursery bed for future players in the country. Wejinya, who made this known in a chat with Tidesports in Port Harcourt, said YSFON is the best place for the grooming of future players and so should be supported by government, individuals and corporate bodies. The YSFON secretary noted that it is youngsters within the age of eligibility for YSFON competitions that were usually used into militancy and other vices, adding that there is every need to discourage them, using football which every child plays. He expressed worry that even the local government areas were not sponsoring clubs from their areas for the on going under – 12 and under 13 YSFON championships. “I am disappointed that even the local government councils are not sponsoring their home clubs. It is the little boys that are tasking themselves to register and transport themselves to match venues, since the commencement of the 14th edition of grassroots sports/human development programme,” he said. According to the competition fixture, Under – 13 has four groups which is made of 15 clubsides. So for, U-13 has played three matches at the group stage. Port Harcourt Future Stars defeated Diamond Sports 1-0, PH City Academy trounced Corinthiasns 6-0 while United Feeders won United Stars 1-0. In the Under – 12 category which has only 12 clubs in the four groups (A-D) four matches have been played with Eagle Stars, Bright Strikers, PH City Academy and PH Future Stars winning their counterparts MAC1 Soccer Initiative, United Feeders, Golden Stars and Diamond Sports 2-1, 3-0,2-0 and 5-2, respectively. Wejinya called on the government to support the competition so as to secure the future of Rivers football.
Sports
Nigeria To Host 2026 Golf AACT
Nigeria has won the bid to host the next edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy in 2026.
The AACT is a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship in Africa that had its inaugural edition in May 1992 in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria hosted the AACT in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938, while in 2010, the AACT was played at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, in Abuja.
This would be the third time Nigeria will be hosting the championship.
Interestingly, the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy (a regional version of the championship) was held for the first time in Nigeria at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort, Lagos, in 2023.
Evelyn Oyome, the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, who was the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco, said Nigeria emerged winner amongst the 20 countries that took part in the bidding process.
“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October last year at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating.
“So, hosting that championship successfully last year gave us the edge amongst so many other countries that also bidded and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria,” she said.
Oyome revealed that the Federal Capital Territory would be the host city for the AACT 2026 edition, with no fewer than 30 countries expected to participate in the championship.
Sports
Musa, Shehu Ineligible For CHAN – Ilechukwu
Super Eagles B co-handler Fidelis Ilechukwu has revealed that Kano Pillars duo Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi were initially listed in the 30-man squad for the 2024 CHAN qualifiers double header clash against Ghana, but were dropped over their ineligibility.
Musa and Shehu, who made sensational returns to Kano Pillars this season, were conspicuously missing when the Nigeria Football Federation revealed the names of 30 Nigeria Premier Football League stars for the assignment.
The CHAN Eagles are currently camping in Ikenne, Ogun State. They will play the first leg of their encounter in Accra on Sunday, December 22 before returning to Uyo for the return leg on Saturday, December 28.
“I was told he (Musa) didn’t meet up with the conditions of playing in the CHAN tournament or qualifiers,” Ilechukwu told our correspondent.
“Ahmed Musa was on our list, there is no way we wouldn’t have included him in the list with his performances in the league but they told us to replace him due to eligibility.
When asked if the same applied to Shehu, the coach replied in the affirmative.
According to CAF regulations, only footballers playing in their country of birth are eligible.
While the above rule favours both Musa and Shehu, their participation was perhaps made difficult by another CAF regulation which says, “Only players with a permanent contract registered in a local club affiliated to their national association are eligible to participate in the African Nations Championship” – as both players are in the NPFL under the Elite Player Scheme.
According to section 9.91 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, “There shall be an Elite Player Scheme wherein each Club shall be allowed to register a maximum of two players who in the opinion of the NPFL will add value to the league.”
Sports
Nigeria Women Football League Set For Annual General Assembly
The Federal Capital Territory is set to host the 2024 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
In a statement released yesterday, the Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the AGA, which will take place at Fabino by Toprank Hotels, Abuja.
The AGA meeting promises to be a significant gathering in charting a way forward for the women’s football rising agenda and the women’s football leagues in Nigeria.
Key stakeholders, including board members and representatives of Premiership and Championship clubs, will review the successes and challenges of the outgone 2023/2024 season.
Notably, Edo Queens emerged champions of the NWFL Premiership for the first time, while Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels secured promotion to the Premiership from the NWFL Championship.
The AGM will also focus on sustaining the league’s growing credibility and improving operations while setting the calendar and start date for the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership and Championship campaigns.
This pivotal meeting aims to further strengthen women’s football in Nigeria and lay the groundwork for the league’s continued growth.
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