Sports
Ogun prioritises talent discovery over medals – Commissioner
Isiaka expressed satisfaction with Team Ogun’s performance at the Games, which conclude on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
“We are satisfied with the result, but for us it is not about winning medals, it is the number of people we were able to release to the national team. We discovered about four athletes, so that really is our own achievement,” he told Tidesports source.
The commissioner explained that four athletes were identified across different sports during the competition and would represent the state at the forthcoming Intermediate Games.
In outlining plans, Isiaka said the Sports Ministry would partner with primary and secondary schools to build a pipeline of young athletes for both Ogun State and Nigeria.
“There are rooms for improvement, and that is why we are bringing in NAPGAS into the discovery stage. They are the ones in charge of primary school pupils.
“The athletes we discover through our partnership will be nurtured to the next stage of their career and will represent the state, probably in the under-17 that is about to be introduced,” he said.
Isiaka praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for backing the Sports Ministry’s programmes, saying the state’s achievements in sports development could not have been possible without his support.
“I would like to thank His Excellency, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his support towards sports. All the plans in place, our numerous achievements, could not have been possible without his total support, and his zeal, determination and belief in the Sports Ministry to develop sports in the state,” he said.
Team Ogun finished the Games in 12th place on the medals table with a total of 33 medals, comprising four gold, 10 silver and 19 bronze.
Sports
Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
Sports
ATLANTICBELL CEO ADVICE SPORTS WRITERS ON SPECIALIZATION
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
Sports
DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
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