Sports
Stakeholders Blame NFF, Players For Eagles Failure
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick
Nigeria’s Super Eagles’
failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Gabon, has continued to attract mixed reactions. It is the second time in a row that Nigeria’s flag will fail to fly at the biggest continental football fiesta.
Last Tuesday the Pharaohs of Egypt dashed the dream of Super Eagles to attend the 2017 African Cup of Nations, after they pipped the Eagles by a lone goal barely four days after holding them to 1-1 draw in Kaduna.
This is the second time Nigeria Flag will not be hoisted in AFCON tournament after failing to defend their title in 2015.
The Eagles have lifted the AFCON trophy three times, 1980, 1994 and 2013 .
In his reaction, ace sports writer, Alambo Datonye, said it is unfortunate that a big country like Nigeria failed to qualify for AFCON, saying that the nation is living in her past glory.
Datonye noted that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) principally caused the failure of the national team, because they don’t have good administrative structure to pilot the affairs of the game.
“Honestly it is really unfortunate that Nigeria could not qualify twice consecutively. NFF should also share the blame because of poor administrative policy and structure.
Is not all about coaching and having abundant talents, but it takes more of good policies and structure”, Datonye said.
According to him, one of the major reasons for the country’s failure is high level of politics within the confines of the game, also players arriving late to camp whenever there is international engagement.
“There are a lot of politics even in the game of football which is not good for the nation”, he stated.
Jim Udede-Opiki, a sportswriter and analyst described Eagles failure as terrible, saying that the situation would make the country lose her respect globally.
Udede-Opiki also blamed NFF over their administrative lapses, mostly the appointment of Sunday Oliseh and his premature resignation which set the preparations backward.
“I will really say that the situation is a sad one and terrible. Our two times consecutive failure to attend the AFCON will definitely make the country lose her respect internationally interms of football.
NFF should also share part of the blame over the appointment of Oliseh” Udede-Opiki said.
In his reaction, sportswriter and presenter, Emeka Denar, said it is highly disappointing for a team like Nigeria failed twice, and blamed NFF largely to employ three coaches within the period, saying that contributed to the failure because there was inconsistency in the team.
According to him, NFF should invest in our local league, to enable the country have a formidable home based Super Eagles that can have the capacity to beat any team.
“NFF has failed Nigerians and their apology is not accepted by me because they don’t have a good structure that can develop our football.
Another problem is that our players report late to camp, that is also affecting the play, because the players hardly blend. I want NFF to invest on our local league”, Denar said.
Chairman Rivers United Supporters Club, Franklin Owhor, also expressed sadness over non-qualification of Super Eagles, but blamed Samson Siasia for changing the winning team.
According to him, Siasia should have combined both foreign and home based players.
“Siasia changing the winning team to me was the cause of our failure, I know that the home based players are more committed when it comes to national assignment”, Owhor said.
Tonye Orabere
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who delivered the President’s condolence message during a visit to Kano on Tuesday evening, said the Federal Government was already working on a framework to provide proper rehabilitation for the injured and sustained support for the bereaved families.
“The National Sports Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has offered to interface with the state government to come up with a proper framework to support the families of the dead and also ensure the proper rehabilitation of the survivors,” Dikko said during the visit.
“This injury is to all. It is a tragically momentous period in our sporting history, and we want to let the state government and the individual families know that we are all grieving together and will do all that is needed.”
Dikko, who had just returned from London where he attended the Unity Cup final and held meetings on domestic sports development, travelled straight to Kano upon his arrival in Nigeria.
He was received by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsallam Gwarzo, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is currently in Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage.
Senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government Umar Farouk Ibrahim, commissioners, and executives of the Kano State Sports Commission, were also present.
The NSC chairman visited the homes of several bereaved families across the state capital and later proceeded to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital, where nine survivors of the crash are currently receiving treatment.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring not only immediate relief but also long-term recovery and rehabilitation for those affected.
“I had to cut short my trip to the UK, where I was holding strategic meetings to boost our domestic sports, to come down and visit the people of Kano,” Dikko added.
“Going forward, the need for enhanced safety and welfare of participating athletes before, during and after major sporting events will become even more topical now. Our prayer is that this should never happen again.”
In response, Deputy Governor Gwarzo thanked the President and the NSC for their concern, describing the visit and federal intervention as timely and deeply appreciated.
Kano State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Fagge, also said efforts are ongoing to provide medical care for the injured and emotional and financial support for the affected families.
“These athletes were ambassadors of Kano and were full of life and hope. Their loss is deeply painful,” the commissioner said.
A representative of the bereaved families, who spoke at a local mosque during the visit, expressed gratitude to the President for his empathy and swift response.
The fatal crash occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, as the delegation returned from the national competition.
It has been described by state officials as one of the darkest moments in Kano’s sporting history.
ICC revealed the outstanding programmes and performances that have won regional honours in the 2024 edition of the ICC Development Awards on Wednesday.
Nigeria will be vying for the global honour with three other regional winners from East Asia Pacific, Europe and Asia.
Emirates Cricket Board (Asia), Persatuan Cricket Indonesia (EAP) and Cricket Scotland (Europe) are the other contenders.
Top of Nigeria’s women’s cricket stride in the year under review is the qualification of the women’s U-19 team for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia as well as the bronze-winning feat of the Female Yellow Greens at the Africa Games in Ghana.
The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the initiatives and innovative programmes leading the growth of the sport around the world, delivered by ICC Members in emerging nations.For the first time, the 2024 awards comprise seven categories after the introduction of the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award.
The winners of the global awards will be determined by a specialist and independent panel of voters consisting of Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, Head of Marketing – Unilever International Nitin Agarwal and representatives from ICC partners, ICC full members, and the media.
Speaking on the announcement of the Regional Winners of the ICC Development Awards, ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah said, “For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members, and it is pleasing to see how much growth in innovation, creativity and inclusivity has taken place with each passing year.
“Cricket is a vehicle for change and the programmes and projects delivered both physically and digitally reflect the hard work of our passionate Members from around the world who work tirelessly to see the sport grow in their territories.”
“I would like to congratulate the regional winners on their success and wish them luck as we embark on the global voting process.”
Put together in honour of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his laudable roles in socio-economic and political development of the country, the Bank says the sponsorship is a proof of its unwavering commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria under its First@Sports initiative.
As preparations for the event gathers momentum, captain of the Club, Sunday Ajiboye, says all necessary arrangements at making sure the event goes as planned has been put in place while promising a fun filled atmosphere during the event.
“This auspicious event is where golfing stars are made and the game enjoyed to its fullest. We promised unparallel experience, making this edition the best yet,” Ajiboye said.
Over the years, First Bank has been a driving force in the promotion of sports in the country, and this is evident in its legacy sports initiative, which includes golf, polo and tennis.
The famous Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championships which has been sponsored for well over 63-years is a testimony to the bank’s dedication to the development of golf in Nigeria.
The OBJ golf tournament which debuted in 2015 has run for seven years with First Bank providing the funding.
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