Sports
Mixed Reactions Trail Ministry’s Inauguration Of Football Committee
Stakeholders have expressed different opinions over the 17-man committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to develop a master plan to help develop football in the country.
The ministry unveiled the committee following the charge by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to football stakeholders to produce a 10-year football development master plan for Nigeria.
Members of the committee include ex-internationals Emmanuel Babayaro, Sunday Oliseh and Olusegun Odegbami.
Others are Ikeddy Isiguzo, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Musa Amadu, Bode Durotoye, John Opubor, Ayo Omidiran, Ogbu Augustine Ojiabor, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Ade Ojeikere, Ibrahim Galadima, Mohammed Sanusi, Tony Nnachetta, Yemi Idowu and Muhammad Daha Umar Faruk.
Following the failures of past committees to achieve their aims, some stakeholders were sceptical about the current committee making a difference.
A member of the now-dissolved FIFA Task Force against Racism and Discrimination, Osasu Obayiuwana, is one of them.
“Nigeria has not lacked good plans and ideas for football, and many other sports,” Obayiuwana said.
“But recommendations and reports, after being painstakingly prepared, have ended up on the shelves of the appointing authorities, gathering dust and never implemented.
“So, I would say that I am extremely sceptical that anything concrete will come out of it. Like Apostle Thomas, ‘seeing is believing.”
He said, “We’ve had a committee like this before in the past and nothing happened. With these new members, let’s wait and see and be hopeful because the ones in years back were a waste of resources, human resources, financial resources and time.
“This current committee has people who understand the game, so let’s not write them off. Let’s just be hopeful that something good will come out of it.”
Secretary, Club Owners Association, Alloy Chuwkuemeka, has this to say, “Looking at the calibre of people in this committee, I want to believe they can make a difference. We should try to be positive because, those there are people who are relevant stakeholders in football. I strongly believe that they have all it takes to come up with the master plan that will help develop football in Nigeria.”
Another ex-international, Abiodun Obafemi, also said, “not doing anything at all is not good, but we should commend the Federal Government for at least acknowledging the fact that there is a problem and that they are not deaf to our complaints.
“Looking at the people chosen, I know some of them and I believe they should be able to come up with a plan that will make a difference. They might come up with something but it is another thing for the government to act on it. I just hope it won’t be a jamboree,” Obafemi added.
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”
Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.
Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.
Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.
Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.
The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.
“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.
The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.
“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.
At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.
The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.
The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.
In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’
“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.
“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”
They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.
They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.
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