Connect with us

Sports

Depend Less On Miracle For Success …Minister Tells Nigerians

Published

on

Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi has urged Nigerians to depend less on miracles for success in sports.

Presenting an overview of the Nigerian sports sector at the Presidential Sports Sector Retreat early in the week in Abuja, the minister said it was time for concerted efforts to engender growth in the sector.

The minister, who commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts at revamping sports, said the crisis engendered by Nigeria’s poor outing at the 2012 London Olympics had demanded urgent action.

“I really commend President Jonathan for this brave act of leadership in trying to find a lasting solution to this problem.

“Though we have had many sports retreats before,  this is the first by a Nigerian president, and it shows Jonathan’s commitment to the cause.

“He has demonstrated the will to reform the sector, and this will thus mark the beginning of a long but steady march to greatness.

“But it won’t happen overnight. There is no magic to it, except concerted efforts by all concerned.

“We have to move away from our usual reliance on miracles and prayers to succeed as it is now evident that we can no longer rely on miracles and our athletes’ raw talents,’’ he said.

Abdullahi said it was time Nigerian sports managers shifted gear in their quest for sports honours since the country had not lived up to its huge potential.

“At the Olympic Games, Kenya has so far won 25 gold medals, South Africa 23 and Ethiopia 21, while Nigeria has won only three to be the best only in West Africa.

“But we don’t want to be West African kings. We want to be world beaters; and to do this, we have to start relying on methods and not miracles and prayers,’’ he said.

The minister said the task of achieving success depended not only on government but also all sports stakeholders.

He said the journey must first start from the National Sports Commission (NSC) which he said needed to brace up to the challenges, do a self-appraisal and listen to home-truths.

Abdullahi said the National Assembly also needed to do its part by expediting action on the passage of the NSC bill as about 90 per cent of the commission’s workers are administrative staff.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Sports

2022 NPFL: Nasarawa United Unveils  New  Players

Published

on

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Sports

Corruption, Bane of Nigeria Football Dev – Peterside

Published

on

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

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Sports

MFN Lauds Rivers Governor- Elect …Wants Holistic Sports Dev

Published

on

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

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Trending