Sports
All African Games: Our Plan Is To Win Many Medals -Igali
The president, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali says the federation plans to be one of the highest medal winning teams at the impending 12 All African Games in Rabat, Morocco.
Igali made the remark at the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Governor Dickson National Wrestling Classics, holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
Igali added that being a pre-Olympic year, the tournament promises to be one of the most important for participating athletes and officials.
“Not only is this our national championships, it also doubles as our trials for selection to the African Games which takes place in Morocco in August and the World Championships in Kazakhstan in September, this year.
“Additionally, in line with the rules and regulations of the NWF, coaches and officials of the top teams in this championships will form the nucleus of the coaching crew to our international engagements,’’ he said.
The Olympian added that the NWF is determined to be one of the highest medal-winning teams at the All African Games scheduled to hold in August.
“Also, the World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan is the first Olympic qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“We are equally poised to win medals and or place most of our national team wrestlers in the top 6 positions at the World Championships, to qualify enough of them for the 2020 Olympics.
“At consecutive Continental Championships and multi-sport international engagements such as the All African Games and the Commonwealth Games, Wrestling has been one of the highest medal winning sports for Nigeria.
“At the last All African Games in Congo Brazzaville, the wrestling team presented 23 wrestlers and won twenty medals, including 9 gold medals, comparatively one of the highest medal winning sports at the Brazzaville Games.
“Even at the most recent Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia, Wrestling was the highest medal winning sport, presenting 12 athletes and winning 8 medals, including three gold medals,’’ he said.
Igali thanked Governor Seriake Dickson and the sport-loving people of Bayelsa for the enormous support wrestling had enjoyed from the state.
“Not only are we financially supported, we also have the moral and emotional support from the state government.
“At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, Gov. Dickson personally went to Scotland to support the wrestling team.
“More significantly, after the last Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia, Gov. Dickson was the only governor in the country that hosted the Wrestling team and gave mouth-watering financial incentives to all members of the team,’’ he said.
Igali congratulated and commended the governor and Government of Bayelsa for being the first state in the country to commence the construction of a befitting dedicated Wrestling gym of international standard.
“We recognise that this gym will not only benefit Bayelsa athletes, the National Wrestling team which has made Bayelsa State its training and camping base, will have a lot to benefit from this stand alone, dedicated Wrestling gym.
“We hereby encourage Gov. Dickson to ensure that the Gym is completed in good time, so we can use it to prepare for the various Olympic qualifying tournaments and the Olympic Games proper.
“We also use this opportunity to implore other state governments to follow in the footsteps of Gov. Dickson and the Bayelsa Government, by building befitting professional training facilities to aid the development of sports in the country,’’ he said.
Igali said that Bayelsa had become the hub of wrestling in the country over the past two decades.
“This is the 6th edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Wrestling Classics which the NWF has adopted as our National championships.
“We thank Gov. Dickson and the Government of Bayelsa for the sponsorship of the longest-running National Championship series in the history of wrestling in Nigeria.
“We remain confident that with the assurance of continuity in the governance of Bayelsa, we will continue to enjoy the same patronage from whoever succeeds you as Governor.
“As we commence preparations for the All African Games, the World Championships and Olympic qualifying tournaments, we rely on your continued goodwill and support.
‘As a culture-loving Governor who promotes and protects our unique culture at every opportunity, I want to use this opportunity to solicit your help in funding our wrestling support group (dancers and drummers), to support this wrestling team in Morocco in August.
“Morocco would be glad to have a taste of the unique Bayelsa Wrestling Ogele,’’ Igali said.
The 12th All African Games is scheduled to hold from Aug. 19 to Aug. 31, 2019.
Sports
Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues
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Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Sports
City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
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Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
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