Sports
Why I Want To Continue As NBBF President …Kida
The Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida, has revealed that he is pushing to return as NBBF president because he wants to build on his achievements in the last four years.
Speaking to newsmen at the weekend, Kida said his accomplishments in the sport were there for all to see, boasting that he has taken basketball to a height that needs to be sustained.
“We have achieved a lot when it comes to basketball in Nigeria with record-breaking feats. Though, we didn’t have a premier league the way we would have wanted, but we compensated for that by securing sponsorship and organising every division of our men’s basketball leagues.
“We had both the men’s Division One and Two, which is something that has never been done before. And that means we are awakening grassroots basketball and I really take pride with that alongside other members of the outgoing board,” he said.
A confident Kida, who thanked Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, for creating the enabling atmosphere for NBBF and other federations since he assumed office, urged the minister to maintain the current stride.
“There was no way we could have achieved so much if there was no enabling environment. There was no way we could have had the flexibility to be able to do what we did for the results to come. I really want to thank the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, who everyday looks for better ways of settled and enabling environment for us, to do the best he can.
“We all know things are not easy, especially in Nigeria, where everybody expects that any match we play, we must win and if we don’t win, it is the minister’s fault. Some people believe it is the minister’s responsibility to create the enabling environment for the administrators to excel.
“I want to sincerely thank Mr Dare for his understanding and also for his encouragement through expert opinions his ministry brings to the table. I want to say I am most grateful for his support and I am begging him to continue his support in a way that will allow us to progress and develop the game,” Kida said.
Meanwhile, the NBBF’s elections have been suspended until issues surrounding Kida’s and former NBBF president, Tijanu Umar-faction’s constitution are resolved.
The sports ministry and Nigeria Olympics Committee have given the Kida and Umar factions 21 days to resolve their problems.
Sports
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
Sports
Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Sports
FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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