Sports
Karate Federation To Consolidate On Achievements
The Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), says it will continue with its achievements in 2010 in the New Year.
KFN Secretary, Clement Iyaluegbeghe made the assertion while reflecting over the out gone year in an interview with newsmen early in the week in Lagos.
“We in the federation must say that in 2010 we made great strides in developing the sport in the country and we are glad that we accomplished most of the activities on our calendar,’’ Iyaluegbeghe said.
He said that the federation introduced four new championships — the first Karate Classics, Sardauna of Sokoto Karate Championships, Armed Forces and Para-military Championships and the National Karate Invitational Championship.
Other activities accomplished are the staging of the Second Delta State National Open Karate Championships, Pre-season National Camp, Camping for UFAK Zone III Championship and UFAK Zone III African Senior Karate Championships.
The rest included the National Technical Training Courses for the Six Geopolitical Zones and KFN Full Council Meeting and the 20th World Senior Championships and WKF Congress.
Iyaluegbeghe said that though they attended one of the three international competitions on their calendar they recorded great success.
He said Nigeria could not go to Serbia with athletes to compete at the 20th World Senior Championships and Congress but was able to attend the congress.
The scribe said that Nigerian athletes at the UFAK Zone III African Senior Karate Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic topped the medal table with three gold, three silver and six bronze medals.
He said the federation had hoped to attend all the proposed international championships but there was not enough financial support from corporate organisations.
The KFN secretary said from the local competitions they organised, they discovered talents who were able to dethrone champions, indicating a bright future for the sport.
He attributed the successes to the determination and sacrifices of the federation’s officials, promising their fans that “we will continue with the success story in 2011’’.
Nathaniel Taiwo-Ojo, KFN President said most of the competitions were organised with their personal fund make sure the game grew against all odds.
He said that attending international competitions this year would be given priority attention.
Bola Akinkunmi, a karateka said that they were satisfied with the federation’s performance in 2010.
“I am very happy with our experiences in the out gone year as we were very busy.’’
He expressed the hope that the board and technical officials would strive to make this year better.
The Delta State Sports Commission has come under scrutiny following the state’s disappointing performance at the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, where Lagos dethroned Delta to clinch top spot.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, visibly displeased with both the poor outing of Team Delta and the organizational lapses witnessed during the Games, summoned an emergency meeting with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) immediately after the closing ceremony.
Delta, which had dominated the NYG by finishing first in the last eight editions, only managed second place this time — a result the governor described as “totally unacceptable,” especially given the state’s significant investment in the event.
According to a reliable source privy to the meeting, Governor Oborevwori expressed deep disappointment, stressing that his administration had provided all necessary support to the Sports Commission and the LOC to ensure Delta retained its traditional top position.
In a decisive move, the governor demoted his Executive Assistant on Sports and former Director-General of the Sports Commission, Festus Owhojero, under whose leadership the Games were organized. Owhojero was reassigned from Executive Assistant (EA) to Senior Special Assistant (SSA) with immediate effect.
The governor’s action, our source revealed, reflects his zero-tolerance stance on incompetence and underperformance within his administration. Mr. Owhojero thus becomes the first high-profile casualty of the governor’s resolve to reposition sports in Delta State.
Furthermore, Oborevwori directed the Sports Commission and LOC officials to submit a detailed report on the Games, outlining what went wrong and providing recommendations for improvement. The governor emphasized the need for urgent reforms to restore Delta’s dominance, especially as the state is set to host the next edition of the Games under an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The Nigeria Football Federation has distanced itself from a post-match statement that criticised some Super Eagles players following the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The statement, issued by the NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, singled out forward Cyriel Dessers and captain William Troost-Ekong for criticism.
It accused Dessers of being sluggish and faulted Ekong for the own goal that gave Bafana Bafana the lead.
However, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday that the statement did not represent the official position of the Federation.
“I saw the release just like everyone else did. Nobody in the Federation is happy with it,” Sanusi said.
“The NFF did not authorise that statement. We have great respect for all the players. Blaming an individual for a team result is unfair.”
He added that the Federation regards the South Africa match as a collective effort and will not support attempts to scapegoat any player.
“When we win, it’s a team victory. When we lose, it’s also collective. No player should be singled out,” Sanusi said.
He described the targeted criticism of Troost-Ekong as unjustified, noting that the defender had previously been celebrated as the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
“It was an unfortunate own goal. His intention was to clear the ball. Anyone who knows football understands that such things happen,” he said..
Sanusi also expressed confidence in the team’s unity, revealing that efforts were ongoing to regroup and refocus ahead of the remaining qualifiers and AFCON.
“Our house is in order. We’re preparing for the rest of the qualifiers and the AFCON in Morocco,” he said.
“There’s no problem with our players or coaching crew. Our relationship remains cordial. The government and the NFF are proud of the players’ efforts.”
The Federation had initially praised Calvin Bassey for his equalising goal and lamented the team’s failure to convert second-half chances.
But Sanusi made it clear that internal disciplinary action would be taken over the unauthorised release.
“I can assure you the NFF will take action on the matter,” he said.
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers with 11 points from eight matches. South Africa lead the group with 17 points.
The Super Eagles must now win their remaining games against Lesotho and Benin Republic and hope other results go their way to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tagged “Boxing Jams Music,” the year-end edition will once again blend elite professional boxing with live musical performances. Fans can look forward to thrilling bouts across weight divisions and electrifying performances by some of Nigeria’s top entertainers.
Flykite Productions’ Chief Operating Officer, Bamidele Johnson, said the forthcoming edition will build on the event’s tradition of combining sport and music in a festival-like atmosphere. He assured fans of an unforgettable Boxing Day experience, with added entertainment elements planned.
“GOtv Boxing Night 34 will once again deliver the best of both worlds of top-class boxing and live music. We are committed to giving fans a truly memorable Boxing Day experience at Tafawa Balewa Square,” he said.
Over the years, Boxing Jams Music has grown into the country’s biggest sport-entertainment spectacle, hosting title bouts sanctioned by continental and global bodies alongside live performances by top acts such as Burna Boy, Teni, Mayorkun, Zlatan and Wande Coal.
-
Politics1 day ago
2027: Bayelsa APC Adopts Tinubu As Sole Candidate … As Lokpobiri, Lyon Shun Meeting
-
Sports1 day ago
GOtv Boxing Night 34 holds Dec. in Lagos
-
Politics1 day agoAlleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma
-
Politics1 day ago
2027: Jega Condemns Premature Campaigns, Blames Elected Officials
-
Politics1 day ago
Why INEC Can’t Punish Politicians For Early Campaigns – Yakubu
-
Sports1 day ago
WCQ: NFF Denies Post Match Statement
-
Politics1 day ago
Stopping Natasha’s Resumption Threatens Nigeria’s Democracy – ADC
-
Sports1 day ago
Gov. Decries Delta’s Poor Performance At 2025 NYG