Sports
12 States For 2010 Olympic Day Celebration
No fewer than 12 states will participate in the Olympic Day celebration to be marked nationwide on July 3, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has said.
Austin Odigie, the Logistics Officer of the Olympic Day Project in the NOC, told newsmen at the weekend in Enugu that more states were expected to join.
The 12 states are Lagos, Bayelsa, Ondo, Plateau, Niger, Akwa Ibom , Imo, Anambra, Edo, Ekiti, Rivers and Delta.
Odigie, however, noted that it was sad that a state such as Enugu, which was among the first to indicate interest, could pull out of the celebration.
“This is sad for a state that ought to be in the forefront of the celebration, being a state that has produced top Olympic athletes.”
Matthew Idu, the Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, however, said that he had not completely ruled out the state as he was still making efforts to get the government to back its participation.
“We want to keep the Olympic dream alive,” Idu said.
The state only needed to settle the mandatory N40,000 approval fee with the NOC to take part, committee officials said.
The Public Relations Officer of the NOC, Tony Nezianya, said states in the South-East needed to use sports as a vehicle to promote the values of Olympism among their youths.
“The Spirit of Olympism can help to combat the scourge of kidnapping which is fast eroding social values among the youth of the zone,” Nezianya said.
He added that no fewer than 100,000 participants from various states of the federation would take part in the celebration.
The NOC, under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has a programme to accommodate the states and the Federal Capital Territory in the event.
Already, all the commissioners and directors responsible for sports have been sensitised to ensure that their states take part in the celebration, according to Nezianya.
The Olympic Day was initiated in 1987 by the IOC to commemorate the founding of the Olympic Movement under the leadership of “Mr Olympics”, Frenchman Baron Pierre De Coubertin, on June 23, 1894.
The event is aimed at everyone, whatever his or her sporting ability, to practise a sport, run or do an exercise.
The Olympic Day is an ideal platform for highlighting the benefits of physical activity in general, particularly for young people, thus allowing them to learn about Olympic values and put them into practice in their everyday life.
The Olympic Day will be broken down in stages of 3 km, 6 km and 10 km to accommodate various age groups.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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