Sports
Nigerian Art Works On Display In Johannesburg
Nigerian artifacts and other rich cultural arts estimated at about N7million are on display at the Nigerian Stand in the Welcome Village set up by the City of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg for World Cup visitors.
According to our source in South Africa, thousands of visitors have been streaming into the Welcome Village to admire cultural works of the six participating African countries at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Organisers of the event said between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors pass through the facility daily to learn more of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Retired Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa was among visitors at the village on Tuesday, where he gave kudos to officials of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation for doing the nation proud.
Marwa said that the stand, with display of rich cultural values of Nigeria, would help visitors from across the globe have a first hand view of what the country had to offer.
He said the country’s tourism potentials would also be boosted by displays at the stand.
The Deputy-Director, External Relations in the Ministry, Mrs Dayo Keshi, who coordinated activities at the stand, told newsmen that various artifacts and works of art to the tune of N7 million had been brought in from Nigeria for display.
She said the exhibition would further boost bi-lateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa as well as project the country more globally.
“Our stand showcases a wide range of creative ingenuity of our past heroes through an assemblage of our masterpieces that portray spiritual linkages between artistes, their community and their country,’’ she said.
The Deputy-Director said some visitors had requested to purchase many of the art works on display.
She said after the world cup, everything on display at the Nigeria stand would be moved to the High Commission to give more people the chance to see them.
“The excitement has been high with people saying they did not know Nigerians can be such warm people,” she said.
Mr Rufus Matipe, Director, International Relations in the Department of Arts and Culture, South Africa, told newsmen that the village was one of the busiest in the country with a heavy flow of international visitors.
“The idea is that football is just 90 minutes on the field but people coming will like to see more than just soccer,” he said.
Matipe said the village would boost cultural relations among African countries exhibiting at the Village.
The Ekurhuleni Welcome Village gulped R23m (about N460m) in its construction and among other things, aims to enhance the spirit of togetherness in the continent.
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.
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.”
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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