Sports
LMC Introduces Rights Document For NPFL Players
The League Management Company (LMC) has said that plans were underway to introduce a rights document for players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The LMC Chairman, Nduka Irabor disclosed this at a pre-season workshop organised for club chairmen and media officers in Abuja on Monday.
He said the document, known as “Know your rights and obligations’’ would help the players to know what their rights are during the period of their contracts with their clubs.
Irabor said time had come when players should know their rights without the help of lawyers or their agents.
“We have commissioned some lawyers to draw up a charter for the players. It is known as ‘Know your rights and obligations’.
“It is a guide for players in the league. We want to let other lawyers as well as clubs to have a look at it before we can circulate it,” the LMC chairman said.
He however said the introduction of the document was not to create division among players and their clubs but to bring about justice and fairness.
“It is not that we want to turn the players into labour unionists. We just want everybody to have a fair treatment for them to give their best.
“I know there are players’ unions and I know there are issues of whether football agents should be allowed or not.
“But this is intended towards solving these issues,” Irabor added.
The workshop is part of the pre-season lectures organised for clubs by the LMC.
The workshops were organised for referees and match commissioners, as well as the medical personnel of the 20 NPFL clubs.
The seminars were geared towards putting the clubs on a sound footing in readiness for the commencement of the 2013/2014 league season expected to kick off on February 21.
Meanwhile, the Super Four Pre-season tournament ended yesterday in Abuja with the 2013 regular season runners-up, Enyimba International of Aba emerging winners with an impeccable record.
The Peoples Elephant as they are fondly called pipped Kano Pillars 1-0 in the last match to top the chart with nine points from three matches, six goals scored in three matches and none conceded.
Warri Wolves finished as runners up with six points after edging Bayelsa United 2-1 yesterday.
The tournament was for the top four finishers in the 2013 Glo League, Kano pillars, Enyimba, Bayelsa United and Warri olves.
Sports
… As Coach Expresses Optimism To Qualify For 2026 W’Cup
Newly appointed Super Eagles coach Finidi George has set his sights firmly on securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, demanding unwavering commitment from his top players as the team aims to get their faltering qualifying campaign back on track.
Unveiled to the media in Abuja on Monday, Finidi, who succeeded the outgoing Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, wasted no time in laying out his immediate priorities, two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin early next month.
“Nigeria comes first, that’s what I expect from every player I invite. You have to be playing in your club, and you must have the commitment,” Finidi told reporters on Monday.
Recognising the importance of a strong start, the former Ajax winger emphasised the significance of the upcoming clash against South Africa.
“The first targets are to qualify for the World Cup and AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations), and a win over South Africa will set the tone.”
Nigeria currently finds itself in third place in their qualifying group, with just two points from as many games, while South Africa sits second with three points.
Finidi, who has signed a year’s contract with an option for an additional year, acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with leading the national team of a country with over 200 million people.
However, he exuded confidence in his ability to withstand the scrutiny, stating, “I have a tough skin.”
While his salary remains undisclosed, the 53-year-old coach expressed a willingness to prioritise performance over immediate financial rewards.
“The salary is good enough for me, it’s not as much as that of (Jose) Peseiro.
“Money is good, but if you add value to what you do, the money will come. Then they can come and ask ‘Coach, how much do you want?” Finidi said.
Sports
I’m Not Under Pressure, I’ve Tough Skin – Finidi
New Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George, has underlined that the word pressure is not in his dictionary and appealed for support from key stakeholders including the media.
Speaking after his unveiling yesterday in Abuja, the former Enyimba of Aba coach said; “In life you cannot be afraid. As you see me here, I am a quiet person but I’m not afraid of anything. The worst you can get in football is not getting the result, the best you can get is winning all the time, and I will try my best to make sure that the team functions properly and we start winning games.”
On whether is under pressure to justify his appointment, the coach stressed; “Pressure, I don’t think I have it. I have that tough skin and I want to plead you guys, the media we need your support.
“What is in the contract is boldly written, what the NFF wants and Nigeria in general, but for me personally my first target is to make sure we are in line to qualify for the World Cup. AFCON qualifiers definitely will be coming up soon, but the major step for me is these two games that we have.
“If we can win against South Africa and Benin, we will set the tone.”
During the unveiling ceremony, the NFF confirmed that ex-Super Eagles striker; Daniel Amokachi and Abiden Baruwa will be the assistant coach and goalkeeper coach respectively.
The first assignment for Finidi, who won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995, is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Sports
Amusan Becomes World’s Fastest Woman, Sets New Track Record
Nigerian sprint icon Tobi Amusan has become the world’s fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles after running a world-leading 12.40 seconds.
In a thrilling race, the world record holder secured the victory, leaving behind Danielle Williams, the world champion, who clocked her best time of the season at 12.46 seconds. Following closely was American Christina Clemons, claiming the third spot with a time of 12.54 seconds.
This triumph means the Nigerian athlete has now claimed the top spot globally, surpassing American Tonea Marshall’s previous record of 12.42 seconds set in late April.
Tobi Amusan’s impressive win arrives just two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
John Enoh, the minister of sports development, on his X handle congratulated Amusan over the feat.
Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time!
You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons.
“Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time! You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd in 12.54s,” he wrote.
“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you.”
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