Sports
Absence Of Board Holds Up Sports Activities In Lagos
Following recent dissolution of board of the Lagos State Sports Council and its 38 sports associations, activities have been at stand still at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba.
Tidesports gathered that many planned sporting competitions were postponed pending the reconstitution of a new board.
Also, the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development had been saddled with the responsibility of reconstituting the new board and the sports associations.
Some athletes and coaches, called on the Sports Ministry to expedite action on reconstituting of new board so that activities could resume.
They also urged the ministry to ensure that only people who were inclined to sports development were appointed to reverse the declining fortune of sports in the state.
Bimbo Kazeem, a basketball player said that she was not happy with the dissolution of board, saying that it stalled the bold strides being achieved in the sports sector.
She also said that athletes benefited immensely from activities of the previous board, before the dissolution and that a new board would take time to regain lost momentum.
“I urge the state government to hasten the reconstitution of the board for sporting activities to resume in Lagos.’’ Kazeem said.
Yemi Lawal, a tennis player said the incoming board should continue to promote sport development, especially at the grassroots so as to nurture new talents.
He also said that the former board neglected the welfare of athletes, which adversely affected the state’s performance at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.
“I think the former board did not attach importance to welfare of athletes. That is why the state has not been performing well in recent times,’’ Lawal said.
A coach, who pleaded anonymity, said he was happy with the dissolution of the former board and was opposed to the re-appointment of many of the members of the dissolved board.
He said the board members did not do enough to attract sponsorship for local competitions to complement the efforts of the coaching department.
“The performance of the state at the last festival spoke volumes about the sorry state of affairs in the council. We need only visionary administrators in the next board,’’ the coach said.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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