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Sports Ministry Targets Nigerian Youths In Diaspora

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Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that a youth sports mobilisation programme, “Rhythm and Play,’’ will be launched this month in London, to promote patriotism among Nigerian children in the U.K.

Abdullahi gave the explanation while being interviewed by journalists in London, against the backdrop of the “catch them young project’’.

“Rhythm and Play, is a sports mobilisation programme aimed at encouraging children to play sports and compete for Nigeria.

“The idea is targeted at bringing 2 million Nigerian children to play sports within the next two years, and these include children living abroad.

“Our experience from the last Olympics is that many of these children end up competing for Great Britain and other countries.

“They have raised issues of a lack of encouragement from home, and we have decided to mobilise them under this platform,’’ the minister said.

Abdulahi said that the ‘Rhythm and Play’ programme would provide the platform for those in the Diaspora to represent the nation in sporting events.

“We see this not only as an opportunity for Nigeria but also for children with huge potential to serve their nation at international events.

“We are committed to driving this forward. We are hoping that during the launch of the programme this month, parents and children will use the opportunity to ask questions and erase doubts in their minds,’’  Abdullahi stressed.

It was gathered that taekwondo, wrestling, athletics, boxing, football, weightlifting and shooting have been identified as priority sports, where Nigeria had comparative advantage, and potentials to win medals.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the U.K., Dr Dalhatu Tafida,  in a recent remark, expressed the mission’s commitment toward collaborating with the ministry in mobilising children for the programme.

Tafida, who lauded the initiative, also tasked the ministry to look at other areas of sports, beyond football, saying: “there are many Nigerians here (the U.K.) doing so well in boxing, and other sports’’.

The High Commissioner also called for early preparations ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland.

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LG Football Councils Appoint Chairman, Secretary

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Rivers State Local Government Football Councils(RSLGC), has appointed the Chairman of Gokana Football Council,  Martins Giadom as it’s Coordinator and Chinasa Elekwachi of the Onelga FC as  Secretary.
In a meeting held in Port Harcourt last week, the 23 Football Councils in Rivers State agreed that the election of  Martins Giadom and Chinasa  Elekwachi as Chairman  and Secretary, respectively will serve as a clearing house for a formidable grassroot sports development to support the good works of the State FA Board led by Barr. Christopher Green.
The LG FCs resolved to be proactive in their dealings with the Executive Chairmen of Council such that their impact will be felt as partners in progress
The LG Football Councils further agreed to regularly present major issues and challenges before the State FA Board for consideration.
It called for the resuscitation of the moribund Rivers State  Governor’s Cup, urging relevant authorities to take action on the matter in the interest of football development in Rivers State.
The body stressed the need for all LGA FCs to be encouraged to run Football related activities within their jurisdiction, report and  restrain non stakeholders from setting up political football committees who will further usurp the duties of LG Football Councils at the various Local Council Areas in the State.

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Navy To Sponsor Team In NPL

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The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Olusola Oluwagbire, has disclosed plans by the Navy to sponsor a football team in the Nigeria Football League.
Oluwagbire said this at the opening of the maiden edition of FOC Eastern Naval Command Intra-Command football competition in Calabar at the weekend.
Oluwagbire said the essence of the competition was to re-engineer the physical fitness and inspire a sense of comradeship in the personnel.
“This competition is to bring together officers, civilian staff and corps members with us together to re-engineer their physical fitness.
“It is also aimed at strengthening the relationship among the personnel and also to maintain their mental alertness.
“It has been long in coming and we are thankful that we finally got it off today,” he stated.
Oluwagbire who was elated with the turnout of teams for the competition, said it would be sustained.
In a remark, the Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, called for the sustainability of the competition, adding that the state governments have plans to revive sports.

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More Nigerian Wrestlers Will Qualify For  Olympics –Comptroller General

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The acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi,  has expressed optimism that more Nigerian wrestlers will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He stated this on Saturday in Abuja after the inauguration of the ‘Work-Life Balance’ initiative which is a routine 5km brisk walk exercise meant to keep officers and men of the NCS physically and mentally fit.
Adeniyi who is also a board member of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) said this against the backdrop of only one Nigerian female wrestler securing Olympic qualification in the just concluded World Wrestling Championships in Serbia.
The tude source reports that only three-time Commonwealth Champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye, secured a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category at the just concluded Championship, to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
Team Nigeria was represented by six female wrestlers at the championships.
The customs boss however maintains there is no cause for alarm, as there are still two more pre-Olympics qualifiers, where he hopes more Nigerian male and female wrestlers will qualify.
“I am not disappointed with the performance of the wrestling team in Serbia.
“The competition in Serbia is one of the various competitions lined-up to get slots at the Paris Olympics, there are still one or two championships.
“I am very sure there will be one (championships) in March in Egypt and those of our athletes who did not get the ticket, would have the opportunity to do so,” he said.
Adeniyi said with the quality of wrestlers in camp and the continued training and exposure being given to them, the sky is the limit.
“What we had in Serbia was just our women team, we also have our men in camp and they are in top condition.
“I believe our male and female teams stand a very chance with the level of preparation and exposure we are going to give them  ahead of the outing in March,” he said.
On the ‘Work-Life Balance’ initiative, the Customs CG expressed optimism that the initiative will lead to better wellbeing and productivity for officers and men of the NCS.
The theme for the  Saturday’s Walk/ exercise is: “balancing for better tomorrow “ and it had participants from other para-military agencies.

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