Sports
Nigerian Karate Kas Need Exposure, Says British Athlete
The Nigeria Karate Federation (NKF) should expose its karatekas to international competitions to ensure rapid development of the sport, British athlete, Frank Brennan said in Lagos.
The Briton told newsmen that what the karatekas needed to attain international recognition was regular participation in international championships.
Brennan, from the Karate Union of Great Britain, was in Nigeria to organise a karate training programme for the Lagos Karate Association.
“The NKF should allow the athletes to travel abroad to participate in international competitions to improve their skills in the art,” said the seventh Dan karateka.
“There has been a tremendous improvement in the standard of the sport in the country in the last five years; it is impressive,” he said.
The four-day course, tagged “Training with the Champions 2010”, was conducted by Brennan and Andy Sherry, an eighth Dan karateka.
Brennan, who spoke on behalf of Sherry at the closing ceremony at the Lagos State Sports Council, Yaba, Lagos, commended the athletes’ enthusiasm.
“We are so inspired by the enthusiasm displayed by the athletes at the programme. They have worked so hard and demonstrated good attitude.
“The feeling we got from the Nigerian Association of Shotokan Karate and the athletes was tremendous,” said the second time visitor to Lagos.
The programme was jointly organised by the Lagos State Karate Association and the Nigerian Association of Shotokan Karate.
Alfred Ohimai, the Chairman, Lagos State Karate Association, expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the programme.
“I feel fulfilled with the successful organisation of this programme because the athletes have learnt a lot from it.
“They (expatriates) are the masters in the sport. They have the skills and the inspiration which we cannot boast of,” Ohimai said.
Kingsley Okey-Ejiowhor bagged gold in the male Kumite event of the training programme, while Edem Nutsukpo got a silver.
Shina John and Shedrack Akpiruo were joint bronze winners, while Blessing Akpa won gold in the female Kumite event at the expense of Alice Henry.
Sports
2022 NPFL: Nasarawa United Unveils New Players
Nasarawa United Football Club, Lafia, has unveiled eight new players for the remainder of the 2022/23 league calendar
The newly acquired players comprise one goalkeeper, four defenders and three attackers.
A release signed by the Media Officer of the Club, Eche Amos and made available to Tidesports yesterday, said Goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima and central defender, Victor Collins both returned to the club after spells at Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi and Amanat Baghdad FC of Iraq, respectively.
Right full-backs, Samson Vandi Drambi and Nelson Abiam joined from 2nd division side, EFCC FC of Abuja, while Nelson Abiam joined from premier league side Wikki Tourists FC, Bauchi. Full-back, Aminu Yusuf joined from neighbouring Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.
The trio of centre forwards, Kazeem Abdulrafiu, Isaac James Ogiri and Kolawole Daniel inked the contract papers from Ruqayya Football Academy of Kaduna, ABS FC of Ilorin, and Gombe United FC, Gombe, in that order.
The unveiling ceremony took place last Wednesday in Lafia.
Each of the players is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear as the Solid Miners prepare to overturn their current position on the league standings.
In another development, Nasarawa United yesterday defeated border neighbours, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, in an explosive friendly game decided at the Sports Complex of Federal University, Lafia, to fine-tune both teams ahead of the resumption of the second phase of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League.
Sports
Corruption, Bane of Nigeria Football Dev – Peterside
If not for the high level of corruption in Nigeria football administration, the country would have produced lots of football stars, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Idah Peterside said.
According to him, the country has a bunch of good and talented players like Victor Osimhem, but because of corrupt administration, many young players were deprived to get national call up.
Idah made the assertion last Wednesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Rivers United FC defeated Rangers FC 1-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He revealed that he will come back to Nigeria with the view to promote and develop football, following the experiences gained outside the country.
“If I was elected as the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a lot of things would have changed in the football administration.
“ I have come back to Nigeria, Port Harcourt, my base with all the experiences I had gained around the world to see how one can be involved in the development of the game.
“ Football is my game, I have sacrificed a lot for the development of the game” Idah said.
He congratulates Osimhen for his impressive performances in the Italian League, adding that what he expected Osimhen to do was to win World best or Africa footballer of the year.
By: Kiadum Edookor
Sports
MFN Lauds Rivers Governor- Elect …Wants Holistic Sports Dev
The Muaythai Federation of Nigeria (MFN) has hailed the emergence of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as Rivers State governor-elect and appealled to him to look into sports development holistically in his administration.
The Federation also used the forum to also congratulate him, over his landslide victory at the just concluded governorship elections in the State.
President of MFN, Comrade Paul Egonu, said this in an exclusive interview with Tidesports, yesterday shortly after he came back from Lagos on national assignment of the federation.
According to him, he has confidence that sporting activities will strive more in the next administration.
“We are appealing to the incoming Governor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara to holistically develop sports in the State. We are aware that the present administration- led by Chief Nyesom Wike but there is need to do more.
‘The Federation and Rivers State Mauythai association join other good people of the State to congratulate Sir. Fubara for his landslide victory at the just concluded governorship elections.
“We are also aware that Governor Nyesom Wike, has invested in sports by building sports facilities in the State, but we urge the incoming Governor to surpass what he will meet on ground”, Comrade Egonu said.
He explained that investing and developing sports is a way of investing in youths because through sports many youths have become wealthy and responsible, besides it will also boost the economy of the State.
“Honestly, the benefits of sports development and promotion is enormous, through sports many people have become wealthy. It will also, to a large extend boost the economy of the State.
“Consequently, I appeal to the incoming Governor to set up a sports commission and appoint professionals. sports administrators to pilot its affairs”, he stated.
By: Tonye Orabere
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