Sports
Sports Director Supports Shutdown Of Sporting Activities
Director of sports, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port-Harcourt, Gospel A. Johnson, has supported the shut down of sporting activities in the country.
He stated that the action taken by the Federal Government due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic was not only timely but good decision aimed at protecting lives of sportsmen and women and the masses at large.
Johnson, who said this in an exclusive interview with Tidesports, on Monday, in Port Harcourt, noted that it was not a contestable fact that coronavirus disease has taken its big toll in sports all over the world.
“Honestly, every sporting activity worldwide has been kept on hold and it is regrettable that these ugly developments may lead to people indulging in one social vice or the other, since it is a well-established fact that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”.
“Worst still is that Coronavirus scourge has also affected the global economy, having seen that the huge money being realised at league games are not forthcoming as a result of suspension of all competitive league games,” Johnson said.
The director of sports, expressed satisfaction with the decision taken by the Federal Government, but stated that efforts should be intensified to provide some palliative measures to help cushion the untold hardship being faced by mostly people in the rural areas.
“Truly, people in the rural areas need to be reached with some assistance, considering the fact the there are little or no amenities they can comfortably lay hands on to prevent the virus disease.
Regrettably, people in the rural areas could hardly boast of running water, how much more of buying sanitizers and that is more reason why Federal Government should assist state governments to enable them reach out easily to people in the rural areas in providing the essential amenities.
“Nevertheless, I’m seizing the opportunity to advise every one in the country to do well as a matter of fact to adhere strictly to government directives by maintaining the social distance rule, avoid crowd situation and ensure that hands are washed with running water and soap”.
“In fact, I strongly believe that by the time all thess directives from government are properly followed accordingly, then we can now leave the rest for God to intervene as nothing is impossible before Him”.
“Besides, I’m also praying that Local Government area Chairmen in various rural areas in the State will rise up to the occasion in sensitising their people more on the best way and manner to go about curtailing the spread of Coronavirus pandemic”, the sports director added.
Nigeria has won the bid to host the next edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy in 2026.
The AACT is a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship in Africa that had its inaugural edition in May 1992 in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria hosted the AACT in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938, while in 2010, the AACT was played at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, in Abuja.
This would be the third time Nigeria will be hosting the championship.
Interestingly, the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy (a regional version of the championship) was held for the first time in Nigeria at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort, Lagos, in 2023.
Evelyn Oyome, the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, who was the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco, said Nigeria emerged winner amongst the 20 countries that took part in the bidding process.
“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October last year at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating.
“So, hosting that championship successfully last year gave us the edge amongst so many other countries that also bidded and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria,” she said.
Oyome revealed that the Federal Capital Territory would be the host city for the AACT 2026 edition, with no fewer than 30 countries expected to participate in the championship.
Super Eagles B co-handler Fidelis Ilechukwu has revealed that Kano Pillars duo Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi were initially listed in the 30-man squad for the 2024 CHAN qualifiers double header clash against Ghana, but were dropped over their ineligibility.
Musa and Shehu, who made sensational returns to Kano Pillars this season, were conspicuously missing when the Nigeria Football Federation revealed the names of 30 Nigeria Premier Football League stars for the assignment.
The CHAN Eagles are currently camping in Ikenne, Ogun State. They will play the first leg of their encounter in Accra on Sunday, December 22 before returning to Uyo for the return leg on Saturday, December 28.
“I was told he (Musa) didn’t meet up with the conditions of playing in the CHAN tournament or qualifiers,” Ilechukwu told our correspondent.
“Ahmed Musa was on our list, there is no way we wouldn’t have included him in the list with his performances in the league but they told us to replace him due to eligibility.
When asked if the same applied to Shehu, the coach replied in the affirmative.
According to CAF regulations, only footballers playing in their country of birth are eligible.
While the above rule favours both Musa and Shehu, their participation was perhaps made difficult by another CAF regulation which says, “Only players with a permanent contract registered in a local club affiliated to their national association are eligible to participate in the African Nations Championship” – as both players are in the NPFL under the Elite Player Scheme.
According to section 9.91 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, “There shall be an Elite Player Scheme wherein each Club shall be allowed to register a maximum of two players who in the opinion of the NPFL will add value to the league.”
The Federal Capital Territory is set to host the 2024 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
In a statement released yesterday, the Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the AGA, which will take place at Fabino by Toprank Hotels, Abuja.
The AGA meeting promises to be a significant gathering in charting a way forward for the women’s football rising agenda and the women’s football leagues in Nigeria.
Key stakeholders, including board members and representatives of Premiership and Championship clubs, will review the successes and challenges of the outgone 2023/2024 season.
Notably, Edo Queens emerged champions of the NWFL Premiership for the first time, while Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels secured promotion to the Premiership from the NWFL Championship.
The AGM will also focus on sustaining the league’s growing credibility and improving operations while setting the calendar and start date for the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership and Championship campaigns.
This pivotal meeting aims to further strengthen women’s football in Nigeria and lay the groundwork for the league’s continued growth.
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