Sports
Edo 2020: Blame FG For Shut Down, Uncertainties, Shuaibu Tells Nigerians
The Deputy Governor of Edo State and Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the ongoing National Sports Festival christened EDO 2020, Mr Philip Shuaibu, has said that Nigerians should blame the Federal Government for the interim shut down and uncertainties around the festival due to lack of commitment on their part.
Shuaibu said this yesterday while addressing Journalists at the Media Centre of the event.
According to him “the planned shutdown of the National Sports Festival is not due to non-preparation from the state government nor that the facilities are not up to standard but due to lack of commitment from the Federal Government, through the body language of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports,” he said.
He pointed out that during the series of the postponements which cost them alot of money that the Minister of Youth and Sports made firm promises of financial commitment to them to alleviate their losses, this he said prompted them to engage some vendors and service providers, who are now on their neck for payment as agreed.
The LOC Chairman reiterated that if nothing concrete was done before 12 noon yesterday in terms of full commitment from the Federal Government, they would shut down Samuel Ogbemudia stadium complex which is the administrative hub and venue of some of the events and again if by 12 Noon today nothing is done, all the activities will be shut down because their contractors are threatening for their payment.
Shuaibu, who denied any political undertone lamented that his LOC is being kept in the dark as per how much has been approved by the Presidency which would have given latitude to use of the instrument and source for funds.
He also said that since the commencement of sporting events, there had not been any communication between his committee and the Ministry, thus giving room for suspicion.
Also yesterday, there was a statement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports quoting the Minister, Sunday Dare that the festival would continue as the LOC was not in possession of full information surrounding Federal Government’s commitment to the festival.
However, in another twist to the situation, the LOC in a release signed by the Project Manager, Media and Communications, Ebomhiana Musa, said that the Committee had decided that the games had to continue.
The decision followed an emergency meeting by the Committee to review the Presidential intervention over the threats to the festival.
According to the statement, “The LOC agreed that the Presidential intervention is a very strong and direct commitment which we must all respect, honour and take seriously. We strongly believe and respect commitments from the Presidency. We take them by their words. it’s a strong message to us that they’re strongly committed to redeeming their pledge to support us for the losses suffered, arising from the three postponements of the games”.
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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