Sports
SWAN Cancels Activities Over Ugele’s Death
The Sports Writers Asso
ciation of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT chapter, has canceled all competitions marking the “2014 SWAN week’’ following the death of ace sports writer Ramsey Ugele.
Ramsey, as he was fondly called, a former staff of New Nigeria Newspapers and defunct Abuja Times, died on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Suleja, Niger State, after a brief illness
He was a sports journalist for about 30 years and his analyses of sports in the electronic media were legendary.
Kayode Adeniyi, Chairman of FCT SWAN, who expressed shock over the demise, described the death of Ramsey as a monumental loss to the sporting fraternity in Nigeria.
Adeniyi explained that ongoing competitions in the 2014 SWAN week had to be canceled as a mark of honour to the dead.
“Its sad that we have canceled the event; it’s also sad that we lost a senior member of this association.
“Members decided that we suspend the competitions (football and table tennis events) of our SWAN week to celebrate Ramsey,’’ Adeniyi said.
He pointed out that the SWAN gala night which was expected to climax activities of the SWAN week would still go on but in honour of Ramsey.
This, he said would enable invited guest to appreciate the qualities which would be missed in the ace journalist.
Patrick Omorodion, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Sports, said Ramsey was an upright journalist who gave SWAN a good name.
“I am pained because he was a friend beyond SWAN but what can we do?
“We will keep praying for God for the repose of his soul and to give the family and SWAN the fortitude to bear the loss,’’ Omorodion said.
Shina Abimbola, the Head of Sports Department, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), expressed regret over the loss in spite of efforts made by the family and friends to save his life.
“Unfortunately, death is a necessary end that must come when it will come, according to William Shakespeare.
“Ramsey had to die not because he didn’t do his best but because it is written that all of us must live and die.
“But what I think he did best was to etch his name in letters of gold in the history of sports writing in Abuja.
“He happened to be among the few that were able to combine print and broadcast journalism. He represented the best in these two divides,’’ Abimbola said.
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
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