Sports
Group lauds Foundation’s contribution to football, youth dev.
The Nathaniel Idowu Foundation is once again, on the spotlight for good reason and beaming the light on the activities of the foundation, is leading Nigeria sports group, the Friends of Nigeria Sports (FNS).
In a statement signed by Secretary General of FNS, Mrs. Adetoun Ogune, on behalf of the national coordinator, Chief Diprieye Thompson, the group was effusive in praises for the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, noting how it has continued to contribute to the empowerment and development of youth and football in Lagos.
“We recognise the immeasurable impacts, the activities of this foundation on the lives of over 4,000 youths and budding footballers in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, where Chief Yemi Idowu constructed 19 pitches that includes 10, 5-aside fields and 8, 7-side pitches and one full size field at popular Maracana stadium, in the Tolu area of Ajegunle.
“We must also say a big thank you to Chief Yemi Idowu and the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation for bringing renewed hope and of course, giving life to the hapless kids and youths at the grassroots level, who now believes that their future is bright.
“The foundation also gives us an annual football retreat that features the likes of Super Eagles stars Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Frank Onyeka and many others have become permanently etched in the hearts of the highly impressionable kids, who have continued to be inspired and motivated by this event.
“These young boys and girls, not only get to see and meet their idols physically, they also get food, drinks, educational materials and other gifts from the foundation. This is immense and we say, thank you to the management of the foundation,” she added.
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.”
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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