Sports
Elegbeleye Commends Organiser Of Sheroes Competition
The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has commended the quality of organisation of the ongoing 2023 Sheroes Cup in Abuja, saying it will help teams fine tune preparation ahead of the new season.
Elegbeleye who was a special guest last Monday at the 2023 Sheroes Cup competition held at the Area 3 Astro turf football pitch, said the competition has grown to become the forerunner to the commencement of every NWFL season.
The NPFL boss said the professional organisation of the competition will serve as a good tune-up for all stakeholders, ahead of the November 15 kick-off of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) season.
“I am really very impressed with the way the tournament is organised. I can see professional referees, `and these are referees that actually officiate in the NWFL.
“To me, it’s another pre-season tune up for even the referees, apart from the various participating teams. This is the best way to prepare for the November kick-off of the upcoming NWFL Premier League,” Elegbeleye said.
He said he was on ground to show solidarity with the organiser of the competition, Paul Edeh, President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) for his steadfastness and continued support for the development of women football in Nigeria.
“I am here as a mark of solidarity to a friend that has invested a lot in women football in Nigeria and also chairman of a state FA (Benue) who is gradually doing well amongst his peers.
“I feel we should continue to encourage people who are doing this, because they are very few in the country.
“I am very sure that the sponsor of this competition is not making any money, but he is spending so much from his personal earnings to keep this afloat. This is the kind of character the Nigerian football needs to grow, this is very lovely and I’m sure other spirited Nigerians will emulate what you are doing to help women football,” he said.
The football administrator said the annual competition could also serve as a veritable platform to discover and harness young budding talents for the various national women teams such the Flamingoes, Falconets and even the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
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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