Sports
Athletics Championship:Untold Story Of Asaba 2018
In recent times, Nigeria has made significant impact in terms of sports development in the continent as she has hosted Africa twice this year in different Championships and tournaments with world class facilities.
February this year, Port Harcourt, the Garden City of Nigeria hosted African Wrestling Championship (AWC ) where over 54 countries participated, that was adjudged the best organised in the history of that championship.
Barely six months later, Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, also hosted the just-concluded 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, with about 52 countries in attendance, that commenced 1st August and ended yesterday.
No doubt, this seems to be the major tournament hosted by the Delta State Government since after her creation, it is also on record that the state athletes are arguably the best in Nigeria.
This assertion is following the impressive performance of athletes from the State in various sports festivals and tournaments held in and outside the country.
To buttress this, last September, the state won the Nigeria Youth Games (NYG) held in Ilorin for the second time at a trot. In fact, one could say that they have one of the most organised sports commissions and programmes in Nigeria.
The governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa deserved commendation for hosting Africa in midst of fluctuation of Federal allocation.
Besides, the bold step he took to reconstruct the stadium that now looks like brand new one, with world class athletics facilities is also commendable.
Even at that, the author of this article believed that the state government was in haste to make a statement in Africa, by hosting the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship.
It is generally accepted that in every competition or tournament, there are expectations of negligible flaws, but apparently the organistion of this Championship held in Asaba, is nothing to write home about.
In some occasions, the ceremonial committee could not hoist the countries flags for the medalists. The next thing you will hear is, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are sorry we were unable to hoist the flags for the winners”.
Again, journalists who came to cover the event from different states were moving from one place to another, like ants searching for food, just to be accredited to have access to the stadium and some restricted areas.
It was utmost surprising to most journalists who it did their accreditation online to notice that the online accreditation was a mirage.
Unfortunately, the media chief of the event whose name was given as Olukayode Thomas could never be seen to clarify issues that were faced with journalists, when called. Thomas was always ready to answer you with these words: “Am driving” I am in a meeting, “I am very busy” “I never sighted him once.”
Here is an apology tendered by him and it reads: “Dear All, On behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 21st African Senior Athletics, I Olukayode Thomas tender an unreserved apology to you all for the hiccups that have greeted the event so far.
The media station, distribution of start lists, results and others will be well taken care of going forward.
“Please accept my apologises. Thanks you.”
This merely interprets that the person handling the media (Thomas) who supposedly to be the image maker of the Championship lack experience and competence.
Apart from that, foreign athletes who were to participate in the Championship were stranded at Lagos airport due to poor organisation, which nearly caused international embarrassment. One may ask, is it that those saddled with that responsibility do not have the capacity to handle it?
Two days into the Championship, the fence of Stephen Keshi stadium, where the event held fell and destroyed about four cars. I also ask “Is it is that the engineers did not do their job thoroughly or it was caused by substandard materials”?
To be fair, the concept and design of the stadium was nice, but the finishing was not given the best.
Speaking, the media consultant to South African Athletic Federation, Cele Sifiso said in spite the fact that there were irregularities in the organisation, he believed in African brotherhood.
According to him, hence medals are won, that means the competition is going on well.
“I know there are irregularities in the organisation, but as a country we did not come here to criticise. We want Africa to grow in every aspect.
“Obviously, there are things that were done right, but we from South Africa are not looking at the negative side,” Sifiso said.
In his opinion, the chairman of Delta State Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Azuka Chiemeka, said the organisation of the Championship was on the average.
He explained that to get 100 per cent in organisation of any tournament was difficult, saying that to handle logistics is a bit difficult.
“This Championship is been organised by Confederation African Athletic (CAA) and not Delta State that just provided the facilities and venue to host the event.
“I must commend the State Governor’s intention to develop the youths through sports,” Chiemeka said.
He further said that the report on the collapse of the stadium was actually sensational and not good for the nation.
Tonye Orabere
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.