Sports
Ahmed’s Move To Leicester Excites Omokaro, Disu
Prominent Nigerian soc
cer buffs have lauded the recent transfer move of Super Eagles former Captain, Ahmed Musa, from CSKA Moscow of Russia to Leicester City of England.
A former Green Eagles player, Tunde Disu, last week in Lagos said that the move would impact on the national team.
Disu told newsmen in Lagos that the English Premier League (EPL) was one of the best leagues for world class players to exhibit their talents.
“The move is good for Musa, their style of play in Leicester suits Musa because it requires speed which he has.
“Now it is left for whoever will coach Super Eagles to understand how to utilise him.
“No doubt, his style of play will improve, he needs to understand the position that suits him, and Musa needs to keep improving himself.
“The English spend money to attract talents, so give them value for their money; more of our players in the EPL should have great impact on our senior team,’’ Disu said.
Similarly, Bright Omokaro, told our correspondent that having more players in the EPL means Super Eagles players would understand one another’s style of play and blend in the senior team.
“Playing in the EPL is not by chance, you must have worked your butts off to get there.
“Look at Messi and Ronaldo, they have been world best for several years and still they are going strong.
“I’m happy for Musa, and I pray he will be able to show his worth to them as a player, it’s about time our players take over the EPL like they used to.
“EPL money is like a whirlwind, you need to be sharp and stay relevant and keep improving yourself,’’ Omokaro said.
His transfer came days after Watford FC of England paid a club-record fee to sign Nigerian youngster, Isaac Success from La Liga outfit, Granada.
Reports from England indicate that the 23-year old Musa cost Leicester City a transfer fee in the region of 16.6 million pounds sterling (N7.3bn).
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who delivered the President’s condolence message during a visit to Kano on Tuesday evening, said the Federal Government was already working on a framework to provide proper rehabilitation for the injured and sustained support for the bereaved families.
“The National Sports Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has offered to interface with the state government to come up with a proper framework to support the families of the dead and also ensure the proper rehabilitation of the survivors,” Dikko said during the visit.
“This injury is to all. It is a tragically momentous period in our sporting history, and we want to let the state government and the individual families know that we are all grieving together and will do all that is needed.”
Dikko, who had just returned from London where he attended the Unity Cup final and held meetings on domestic sports development, travelled straight to Kano upon his arrival in Nigeria.
He was received by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsallam Gwarzo, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is currently in Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage.
Senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government Umar Farouk Ibrahim, commissioners, and executives of the Kano State Sports Commission, were also present.
The NSC chairman visited the homes of several bereaved families across the state capital and later proceeded to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital, where nine survivors of the crash are currently receiving treatment.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring not only immediate relief but also long-term recovery and rehabilitation for those affected.
“I had to cut short my trip to the UK, where I was holding strategic meetings to boost our domestic sports, to come down and visit the people of Kano,” Dikko added.
“Going forward, the need for enhanced safety and welfare of participating athletes before, during and after major sporting events will become even more topical now. Our prayer is that this should never happen again.”
In response, Deputy Governor Gwarzo thanked the President and the NSC for their concern, describing the visit and federal intervention as timely and deeply appreciated.
Kano State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Fagge, also said efforts are ongoing to provide medical care for the injured and emotional and financial support for the affected families.
“These athletes were ambassadors of Kano and were full of life and hope. Their loss is deeply painful,” the commissioner said.
A representative of the bereaved families, who spoke at a local mosque during the visit, expressed gratitude to the President for his empathy and swift response.
The fatal crash occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, as the delegation returned from the national competition.
It has been described by state officials as one of the darkest moments in Kano’s sporting history.
ICC revealed the outstanding programmes and performances that have won regional honours in the 2024 edition of the ICC Development Awards on Wednesday.
Nigeria will be vying for the global honour with three other regional winners from East Asia Pacific, Europe and Asia.
Emirates Cricket Board (Asia), Persatuan Cricket Indonesia (EAP) and Cricket Scotland (Europe) are the other contenders.
Top of Nigeria’s women’s cricket stride in the year under review is the qualification of the women’s U-19 team for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia as well as the bronze-winning feat of the Female Yellow Greens at the Africa Games in Ghana.
The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the initiatives and innovative programmes leading the growth of the sport around the world, delivered by ICC Members in emerging nations.For the first time, the 2024 awards comprise seven categories after the introduction of the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award.
The winners of the global awards will be determined by a specialist and independent panel of voters consisting of Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, Head of Marketing – Unilever International Nitin Agarwal and representatives from ICC partners, ICC full members, and the media.
Speaking on the announcement of the Regional Winners of the ICC Development Awards, ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah said, “For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members, and it is pleasing to see how much growth in innovation, creativity and inclusivity has taken place with each passing year.
“Cricket is a vehicle for change and the programmes and projects delivered both physically and digitally reflect the hard work of our passionate Members from around the world who work tirelessly to see the sport grow in their territories.”
“I would like to congratulate the regional winners on their success and wish them luck as we embark on the global voting process.”
Put together in honour of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his laudable roles in socio-economic and political development of the country, the Bank says the sponsorship is a proof of its unwavering commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria under its First@Sports initiative.
As preparations for the event gathers momentum, captain of the Club, Sunday Ajiboye, says all necessary arrangements at making sure the event goes as planned has been put in place while promising a fun filled atmosphere during the event.
“This auspicious event is where golfing stars are made and the game enjoyed to its fullest. We promised unparallel experience, making this edition the best yet,” Ajiboye said.
Over the years, First Bank has been a driving force in the promotion of sports in the country, and this is evident in its legacy sports initiative, which includes golf, polo and tennis.
The famous Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championships which has been sponsored for well over 63-years is a testimony to the bank’s dedication to the development of golf in Nigeria.
The OBJ golf tournament which debuted in 2015 has run for seven years with First Bank providing the funding.
-
Sports3 days agoDelta Monarch Unveils International Road Race In Asaba
-
Politics3 days ago
Shadow Govt: SSS Won’t Arrest Anyone – Counsel
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Sallah: NSCDC Deploys 1,400 Personnel In Edo
-
News3 days agoFG Seeks ¥15bn Japanese Loan To Boost Food Security
-
Opinion3 days ago
AI And Transformation of Nigeria’s Education
-
News2 days agoAdesina’s legacy source of pride for Africa — Okonjo-Iweala
-
Sports3 days ago
BAL: Odaudu Boasts Of Hoopers Defence Rejig
-
Business3 days agoAGRA, Nestlé, TechnoServe Unveil $1m Climate-Smart Agric Project