Sports
FIFA Considers Nigeria For U20 Women’s World Cup Hosting
Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) is considering a bid from Nigeria for the hosting rights of the U20 Women’s World Cup for next year.
India and South Korea submitted bids for the 2020 U20 Women’s World Cup with the former named the 2020 U17 Women’s World Cup hosts in March.
Now, Fifa is reportedly looking beyond the Asian continent for the host of the U20 women’s event, hence Nigeria has a chance to become the first to stage a Fifa women’s tournament in Africa.
Sources close to Nigerian government authorities have disclosed that a bid was submitted following the reopening of the bidding process which initially elapsed last September.
In 2009, Nigeria successfully staged the 13th edition of the Fifa U17 World Cup which was won by Switzerland, with the Golden Eaglets finishing as runners-up, a success they aim to leverage on.
“We’ve [Nigeria] tendered a bid to host the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup and we believe we stand a bright chance of winning the hosting rights,” a source told newsmen.
“It has been a while, about 10 years now that we last hosted a major tournament. We think getting to host this tournament will be the beginning of great things for Nigeria sports, not just football.
“Many will be worried about Ahmad Ahmad and Amaju Pinnick’s fallout at Caf but Nigeria still has a strong presence in the international community of football. Let’s wait and see”, he said.
Corroborating development, a top NFF official close to Fifa confirmed officials of the world governing body are scheduled to visit the country next month for an inspection.
“Fifa are indeed considering handing Nigeria hosting rights of the 2020 U-20 Women’s World Cup,” the NFF official said.
“Fifa are also sending their officials here for an inspection tour in August and they will also support us to host with at least $4m.
“This will not be a burden to the Nigeria government when you eventually get the hosting rights. It’s an opportunity to develop our sporting infrastructures across the country”, he said.
Nigeria has participated in all the previous nine editions of the 16-nation competition and progressed to the final twice, before losing to Germany on the two occasions.
Japan are the defending champions of the U20 Women’s World Cup following their 3-1 final triumph over Spain in France in 2018.
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”.