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Legendary Former AC Milan midfielder, Clarence Seedorf has announced his retirement from his lengthy playing career in order to assume the vacant coaching role at the San Siro side he served for a decade.

The Dutch veteran made more than 400 appearances over an impressive10 years with Milan, winning two Serie A and two UEFA Champions League titles. The 37-teay-old is expected to be named the new coach any moment, following Sunday’s sack of Massimiliano Allegri in the wake of a humbling 4-3 defeat to lowly Sassuolo.

 “I am here to announce that I will retire from playing after 22 years”, said Seedorf, who has been playing for Botafogo since 2012.

“I leave an improved club, especially in terms of their mentality and team spirit. Milan? We will meet again. This experience of the last year and a half has made me grow up a lot and will help me in my next step as coach of Milan, who have hired me in both an elegant and correct manner.

“I like challenges and coaching Milan will be another challenge in my career. I couldn't say no to Milan after having spent 10 years there”.

Seedorf also spoke on the difficulty of reaching the decision, as well as Brazil’s chances at summer’s World Cup.

“The sacking of Allegri was crucial to my decision. The call from [Adriano] Galliani only came yesterday. I want to travel to Milan today. If I don't make it, then I will travel tomorrow”, he said.

“I made the decision to join Milan today, but last night was a difficult night for me. But I made the right choice. I'm very happy about the opportunity Milan have given me and I'm very motivated”.

 On Brazil, he said: “I hope that Brazil can have a memorable World Cup and the national team can honour its colours. Thank you”.

Once upon a time, life was very valuable and cherished with minimalist tendencies, if any. Humans, animals, birds and other visible creatures roam free except for occasional predatory snipers. Yes, life was good back then because now predators are not snipers in hideout rather are in your face with knowledge that your family is watching their atrocities. Bondage I say, but God will help us out.

Case for Special Sports

The above is simply a graphic metaphor to drive home the plight of an ordinary athlete facing the continual degradation, assaults, threats and all other unbecoming conducts of so-called officials. Of course the National Sports Commission (NSC) in its (constant) sleep maintains a nonchalant attitude or ignorance towards any of such behaviors even in the event that well-meaning individuals confront it with mountainous evidences. This writer fears for the life of average special sports athlete because they keep the country image alive in all sports than our able-bodied at least for the time being.

The key point to note is that an able-bodied can seek and obtains necessary support even though may not be adequate or enough, but special sports’ athletes usually got nothing! A noted circumstance in the media recently concern an individual named Shehu Isa, who is a physically challenged individual who peddles some legitimate products at the Airport in Lagos just as other individuals. They were all driven out due to reconstruction without compensation. On the surface of this, average Nigerian will not have a problem with this scenario but a learned person will see a big discrimination written all over it for adverse effect on the physically challenged retailers. Mr. Isa cannot find alternative means of earning elsewhere and significant level owners of shops do discriminate against anyone without their physical character including physically challenged.

At no time has NSC ever declared publicly its intention to fund any special sports athlete welfare as opposed to other athletes. Furthermore, the rate of accolades given to the Sydney Olympics medalist, Blessing Okagbare and many individuals that have nothing to do with her, Coaches and other entourages though as pointed out by the majority of Nigerians as well deserved but can anyone articulate whether such praises ever gone to the families and so-called entourages of our London Olympics Paralympics GOLD MEDALISTS. To this writer, the policy of unequal treatment of the effect of a decision is discriminatory and in fact legally unsound.

The country is endowed with highly skilled legal advisers to His Excellency Mr. Goodluck Jonathan that this writer is in pain to understand how the country cannot see this adverse treatment. Good intention but bad delivery, justifying a need to slap someone silly.

The country special sports’ athletes need the nation right now before next Olympics and in some quarters some of them are already contemplating dumping the country just as other individuals.

 

New Year, New Beginning

When the media shout brain drain as reasons for the shortage of doctors but the NSC or sports officials cannot comprehend that such acknowledged phenomenon cut across all professions including sports. Again, certain states are doing their part to keep Nigerian athletes at home which is commendable and of course it is necessary to name such states, they are Delta, Lagos, Kano, Cross Rivers, Imo, Abia and a few others not in the media like Jigawa, Zamfara, Plateau. Some states strategically never announced publicly what they are doing, so it’s very difficult to suggest they are not doing anything because the results of the performances of their athletes in junior competitions were commendable. Good journalists are aware of what many states doing and that some are doing all they can for the athletes while mediocre writers are focused on propaganda for just one state simply because that state funds some of their travels and extends some monetary gains to them. This writer knows them well (however these words are interpreted).

The country must now focus on the athletes, key suggestions include:

1. Funding identified elite athletes directly from the Finance Ministry;

2. Funding local community area sports facilities directly from Finance Ministry / Public works;

3. Funding School sports program (PE aspects of the school curriculum) directly from the Education Ministry;

4. NIS must be merged with the Education Ministry;

5. The Federal Sports Facilities upgrade must be downloaded from the NSC responsibility to the Public Works mandate;

6. If the NSC is to remain a commission then at least SIX COMMISSIONERS MUST BE APPOINTED.

Political Calculation and Speculations

A news report that is essentially a propaganda tool by NSC advocating for the wreckers of sports in Nigeria to retain their political appointments as Minister, Director-General, etc. by some individuals calling themselves stakeholders headed by an individual from National Schools federations who said in advance of the President dumping Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi as Sports Minister, claimed the country needs continuity of ‘mediocrity’ where a small country like Kenya has more relevance internationally than Nigeria. To that, Mr. Mohammed (the writer believes) you are dead wrong, the country needs a rebirth in Sports where the focus is athletes not perambulators, incompetence, archaic equipment, foolish spending, duplicate agenda, weak leadership, a commission without commissioners and illegal operations.

Sani Ndanusa, the former Sports Minister and Tennis federation imposed leader also entered the propaganda bandwagon without shame. Tennis is the worst sport in Nigeria in terms of all categories of quantification whether equipment, facilities, athletes’ performance or relevance in discussion in Nigeria and Mr. Ndanusa has led this sports federation for almost 30years but yet no one is saying that his time is up not even the successive sports Ministers including the incumbent. This is really sad, where are the former ace Sadiq Abdullahi, Nduka Odizor, etc.? Those former stars ought to be ashamed of themselves for not intervening as handballers and footballers are doing just as this writer. These guys are PhD holders and some of them are respected lawyers and this writer simply can’t understand why the silence or support of sports Minister not even showing any bit of concern for Tennis.

To add further insults to Nigerians, Mr. Elegbeleye, the so-called Director-General also threw accolades to his Excellency for a job well done and this writer can then ask if Mr. President is the one doing the job, then why is the country paying Mr. Elegbeleye?

Clearly, these individuals are simply licking you know what and cannot be taken seriously. As usual, Mr. Abdullahi is AWOL in this propaganda campaign because he is now in the precarious situation of political loyalty logjam and that’s the reason of having others do the bidding for him. The writer believes the balcony closed long time ago but the replacement is another conundrum.

The Main Atrocities of NSC in 2013

NSC seized the athletics federation (AFN) control with imposing its leaders by fraudulent election process, hiring its’ coach and technical director, although it’s a welcome development for NSC to handle athlete's development but the commission cannot do that within AFN rather publicly remove all federations from sharing its own responsibility. Again good intention bad delivery, someone got to be slapped silly.

AFN lacked authority to meddle with athlete development according to the IAAF rules but in Nigeria NSC transferred such to AFN in violation IAAF standard of independence from the athletes or national government in return NSC determines AFN leadership by favoring people lacking any skill in such sport.

But the granddaddy of all NSC atrocities is the public advertorial, trips and announcement of the National Youth Games. Imagine, the sports Minister sought under-15 UK citizens by hosting a party in London at significant costs of his entourage including Mary Onyali, Elegbeleye and others rather than going to the thick forest of Abia, Enugu, Osun, Sokoto, Kano, Edo, etc. to seek under 15 talents at no cost (these states would have incurred the costs). And of course it was not reported that anyone of those UK Citizens showed up at the Youth Games and this writer is among those that demands the return of money wasted on estacode, accommodations, airline tickets (some first class), hall rental, food, drinks, etc.

Many more atrocities were chronicled by this writer throughout 2013 and in summary, Mr. Abdullahi tenure serves no purpose and a total waste of funds, therefore, he must go.

I rest for now.

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

 

 

Manchester City and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure has been named the 2013 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) African Footballer of the Year.

After being nominated for the fifth straight year but only winning it for the very first time, Yaya could not hide his delight at fending off competition from Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Burkinabe Jonathan Pitroipa, and the Nigerian due of John obi Mikel and Victor Moses.

 “Thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me and who love me a lot”, BBC quoted Yaya as saying.

“I’m very proud; I’m very happ; this award is amazing. It’s the fifth time in a row and this time is very special”.

After Toure received the award at Manchester City’s Carrington training ground on Monday, Current Affairs Editor of BBC Africa, Vera Kwakofi spoke highly of the Ivoirian.

“We are pleased for Yaya Toure that he has finally won the BBC African Footballer of the Year on his fifth nomination for the award”, Vera said. “This shows the high esteem in which he is held by lovers of African football and the respect the fans have for his exploits for club and country”.

Toure is also in the running for the 2013 Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of the Year, an award he has won in the last two years. And should he win this time, he would have equalled Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o’s feat of winning in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Friday Njengo, a member of the Golden Eaglets team that played the qualifiers for the 2013 CAF African Youth Championship, has died.

Njengo died on Sunday night at the National Hospital, Abuja. He had been in intensive care unit of the hospital for almost a year, since he sustained fatal injuries in a car crash.

Confirming the death, Nigeria Football Federation expressed sadness, especially as there was a glimmer of hope that Njengo would recover.

“This is very sad news”, General Secretary of NFF, Musa Amadu said. “We had looked forward to the boy eventually recovering to be part of the team again as the squad progresses to the next level. It is a thing of sorrow to lose such a huge talent this way”.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their 2-0 victory over Ethiopia on Saturday in Calabar, which booked the country’s qualification at the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals.

 A first half goal off a coolly converted penalty by Liverpool forward Victor Moses and a fiercely driven free kick in the second half by substitute Obinna Nsofor with his first touch of the game were all the Eagles needed to secure their tickets to Brazil, notwithstanding that their overall performance on the day was generally lacklustre.

 “President Jonathan joins other proud and happy Nigerians in applauding the Super Eagles' dogged and determined performance against the Ethiopians over the two legs of the final qualifying round, which ensured away and home victories, and also ensured that Nigeria will be at the World Cup Finals for the fifth time”, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati wrote in a statement.

 “The president also commends the team’s performance in all the preceding qualifying matches and the consistent commitment and dedication of the players to building on their victory at this year’s African Nations Cup by qualifying for the World Cup Finals and bringing further glory to their fatherland”.

 He added that as the team and its handlers bask in the glory of being the first African country to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they should rededicate themselves to excelling on the global stage and reaching for heights never previously attained by the country at the World Cup finals.

 “The president believes that with the enormous pool of footballing talent available to the country, the Super Eagles can, with more hard work, dedication, resilience and further honing of their skills and tactics, fulfil the national dream of being the first African Nation to win the world cup”, Abati’s statement went on.

 “He assures the NFF and the team, of the fullest possible support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians in their quest to win even greater glory for Nigeria at the world cup finals in Brazil”.

Nigeria and Chelsea FC of England footballers, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses (albeit on a brief loan deal at Liverpool) have been named in the five-man shortlist for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

Also listed for the award, which was revealed on the BBC’s Newsday programme, are current African Footballer of the Year award holder Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso’s Jonathan Pitroipa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon.

The list was drawn up by 44 journalists across Africa and the winner, to be determined by a vote by African football fans until 18:00 GMT on 25th November 2013, will be announced on Monday, 2nd December 2013 at 17:35 GMT on the BBC’s Focus on Africa radio and television programmes.

While Obi and Moses shone in the Chelsea team that won the Europa League last season as well as the Nigerian team that won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in February, 24-year-old Aubameyang finished the 2012-13 season with 19 goals for St-Etienne and the second highest goal scorer in France only behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic. These goals helped the club win the French Cup, and they have also been flowing at his new Bundesliga club, Borrusia Dortmund, where he has scored seven goals in 11 games.

Twenty-seven-year-old Pitroipa was named AFCON player of the tournament as Burkina Faso reached the final, while Toure is an ever-present rock in the midfields of both the Ivoirian national team and dethroned English Premier League winners Manchester City.

The Golden Eaglets on Friday recorded a 3-0 win over defending champions Mexico at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to become the most successful team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup with four titles.

The Eaglets had walloped Mexico 6-1 in their opening Group F encounter, consequently making the final a rematch that the Mexicans promised to utilise in revenging the earlier defeat.

El tri managed the first chance on goal of the encounter, when Osvaldo Rodriguez crossed from the left only for Alejandro Diaz to shoot off the right post. Then Ivan Ochoa forced the best out of Dele Alampasu with a glancing header that the keeper tipped over the bar.

However, it was the Eaglets who took the lead off a counter attack led by star midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho, who then fed the ball to striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Awoniyi in turn laid the ball for Musa Yahaha who was about to hit it when Erick Aguirre hit it into his own net.

Yahaya rattled the crossbar with a stunning effort from 20 yards much later while Awoniyi’s fantastic bicycle-kick was stopped by goalkeeper Raul Gudino.

Nigeria scored the second goal on 56 minutes, when Captain Muhammed’s swirling shot was parried by Gudino, allowing Iheanacho to stab home first time. Muhammed himself got his name on the scorers’ sheet 20 minutes from time, leaving the goalkeeper sprawling as his sublime free-kick landed in the top corner.

 

 

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on Tuesday managed to maintain their stranglehold atop their group in the ongoing World Youth FIFA Under-17 Championship, after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Sweden.

The Swedes got on to a flying start in the 11th minute when Valmir Berisha profited from goalkeeper Dele Alampasu’s misjudgement of the ball to tap in from close range.

Against pre-match predictions, Berisha buried in the Scandinavians’ and his second of the day when he beautifully headed in an Anton Saletros cross inside the penalty area in the 19th minute.

But Nigeria responded in fantastic fashion, netting a clinical goal-of-the-tournament-contender just two minutes later. Star forward Kelechi Iheanacho lobbed a wonder pass to on-running Isaac Success, who hit a first-time volley that goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin had no answer to.

The Eaglets evened the score very early into the second half in a manner similar to the Swedes’ first goal. Musa Yahaya hit a speculative effort from outside the penalty zone, goalkeeper Mohlin saving the ball but sprawling after it in vain as it trickled in between his legs into the net.

Sweden reclaimed the lead in the 65th minute through substitute Mirza Vadzic, who was barely a minute on the pitch when he slid home an effort parried by the Nigeria goalkeeper.

But that was not the end of the seesaw drama, as Taiwo Awoniyi, who came on midway through the first half to replace injured Isaac Success, guided in a header that was too strong and fast for Mohlin to save, 10 minutes from time to end the match three goals apiece.

The result leaves Nigeria comfortably atop the group with four points, same as Sweden’s, but with a superior goal difference after Saturday’s 6-1 drubbing of defending Champions Mexico that saw Iheanacho bag four goals.

Eaglets next play Iraq, the group’s whipping boys, on Friday in the group-phase finale, beginning from 2pm Nigerian time.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday produced a rare away win in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Ethiopians went ahead in the 56th minute after Behalu Assefa attempted to send a cross into the opponent’s area, but Vincent Enyeama misjudged the ball, which was adjudged to have crossed the line by the time he caught it.

Nigeria Striker Emmanuel Emenike proved why he has been the offensive heartbeat of the team since the 2013 African Cup of Nations, when he unleashed a screamer in the 67th minute that the Ethiopian goal-minder had no answer to.

The Fenerbahçe forward the earned Nigeria the victory on the stroke of full time, when he stepped up to calmly convert a penalty that was awarded after a defended bundled him down in a potentially goal-bound move.

The second leg holds in Calabar, Cross River State, on 16th November 2013.

 

An imminent age purge in the Nigerian U-17 Golden Eaglets is threatening to hamper the country’s successful representation at this year’s edition of the U-17 World Youth Championships, billed to hold in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October.

Officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have recommended that players placed on Grade 5 by a recent MRI scan should be decamped rather than risking FIFA’s hammer at the championship.

FIFA accepts Grade 5 for the U-17 World Cup yet there are fears that some of the players currently on the grade could have grown past it by October when the tournament will be staged.

With the possibility that Nigeria’s MRI machine might be inferior to what would be used at UAE, NFF officials split the Grade 5 players to A and B, those in A holding a better chance of scaling the age test in Dubai.

“The final decision to do away with players on Grade 5 has thrown the Eaglets into more confusion as it means many more players will now have to be decamped,” an official, however, said.

“We don’t wish to take unnecessary risks and so this decision. It simply means the coaches have to draft capable replacements for the players to be affected by this.”

The draws for this year’s tournament will be held on August 26 in Abu Dhabi. Nigeria is one of Africa’s hopes of good participation at the final, having reached the final of the African U-17 tournament, losing only to Cote d’Ivoire on penalties

Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has congratulated the home-based Super Eagles for qualifying for the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) taking place in January 2014 South Africa.

The team qualified for the championship for the first time ever after a 4-3 aggregate win over the home-based Elephants of Cote’d’Ivoire. Although the Eagles lost the return leg 0-2 against the Ivoirians, their superior 4-1 victory in the first leg, which took place in Kaduna earlier, was good enough to ensure qualification for the team.

 The Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced the CHAN in 2009 and it is strictly for home-based footballers in the national teams. The Honourable Minister commended the players and technical team for a job well done and assured the team of support as they proceed to the championship.  

 “I congratulate the coaching crew and all the players for the hard work, discipline and brilliance which ensured that Nigeria has qualified for the CHAN for the first time,” he said. “I am particularly pleased with the performance of the footballers who gave their best in and out of the field. This goes to show the depth and quality of the Glo Premier League.”

He also noted that the success of the team has demonstrated that the Eagles’ AFCON win was not a fluke and an indication that Nigeria is about to dominate African football for a long time to come.

 

Members of the victorious Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have been rewarded with N2m each for winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup concluded on Friday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Similarly, Head Coach of the team, Manu Gara received a reward of N3m while his assistants got N2.5m. A sum of N500,000 went to the team doctor, team physiotherapist and team secretary, while the team coordinator, medical officer, chief technical officer and curator received N300,000 each.

President Jonathan made the announcement after receiving the trophy and shaking members and officials of the team at a reception in their honour at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

“You will also be honoured, you the team, the handlers, the coach, and the officials including some key members of the supporters club and the Nigeria Football Association will be rewarded when we give national honours”, the president said.

He particularly appreciated the team for dominating the world convincingly despite only emerging second best on the continent before the world cup.

 “Nigeria is now the only country to win the U-17 world cup four times and create a new record of 26 goals”, he added.

 “However amidst our joy and celebration, we must underline that the enduring test of the victory we have achieved will be the progress of these players. We have been doing very well at the junior level. If we can conquer the world at U-17, there is no reason why we cannot conquer the world at the highest level.

“Our celebration today will be short-lived if we don’t progress to win U-20, and of course the Senior Eagles that will represent us at subsequent tournaments. You cannot afford to relax on today’s laurels”.

Also speaking, Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi described Jonathan as the most successful of all presidents in the area of sports, courtesy of his transformation agenda.

“This team is a work in progress”, he said. If properly managed, the future of Nigeria football is secured for the next 10 years with these boys”.

Government officials present at the reception include Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio; and Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim also attended.

 

The Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has declared that medals would not be given to participating athletes andteams in the forthcoming National Youth Games, which will take place in Abuja between December 5th and 15th, 2013.

He explained that the reason for this was to discourage cheating. ``Every athlete will get a certificate of participation, and one of the reasons we decided that there will be no medals is for contingents not to have room to bring overage children into the competition,” Abdullahi said.

 He added that, ``the moment we start giving medals, everyone leading athletes to this competition will worry about their position on the medals table. Therefore, they will do all they can to win.”

Abdullahi stated that athletes competing in the games would be those enrolled in school, as their records of enrolment would be checked properly.

The NYG is a platform created by the NSC to encourage youth participation Sports. The inaugural edition will take place in Abuja and will feature 14 sports: boxing, badminton, handball, squash, taekwondo, track and field, weightlifting, basketball, football, para-powerlifting, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and wrestling. Expected to participate at the games are 4,520 boys and girls from across the 36 states and Abuja.

Also speaking recently at the unveiling of the official mascot and logo of the games, the Senate President, David Mark, urged that more funds be allocated to sports, as it is one of the factors that unify Nigerians.

He called on the NSC to use the platform of the NYG for genuine talent identification and discovery.  ``It doesn’t matter if all the children who are going to take us to where we want are all Bolajis. If it is so, so be it.

``What we want is for them to get us what we want. It is not the name, where they come from or who sponsors them that matters.

``I think we have allowed some politics, sometimes, to get into our sporting activities and it helps to mess it up.

``So, I want to urge that we forget politics, religion and ethnicity in this talent-hunt, for us to have genuine Nigerians who will take us to where we want to be in sports,’’ Mark said.

Signed

Julius Ogunro

SA (Media and Strategy) to HM Sports

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Golden Eaglets on their stunning victory over their Mexican counterparts in the ongoing Under-17 World Championship taking place in the United Arab Emirates.

The Eaglets defeated Mexico 6-1 in their first match of the group phase on Saturday, Kelechi Iheanacho grabbing four goals to emerge current highest goal scorer at the tournament.

“As the nation celebrates yesterday’s victory however, President Jonathan urges the Eaglets to remember that they have just overcome their first opponents in a long tournament and must therefore stay focused on winning their subsequent matches, getting to the finals and claiming the championship once again for their fatherland,” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said.

 “The president calls on the Eaglets to avoid all possible distractions and continue to display the exhilarating soccer skills, commitment and dedication, which overwhelmed the Mexican team yesterday, in all of their subsequent matches.

 “He assures the Eaglets and their handlers of the steadfast support and encouragement of the Federal Government and looks forward to another victory when they take on the Swedish youth team on Tuesday.”

 

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday visited members and officials of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who arrived at the east African country earlier in the day only to be mobbed by Ethiopians who openly fraternised with them.

Chelsea FC of England star, Mikel Obi was the star of the attraction, as hordes of fans descended on him, posing with him for photographs, ahead of the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for Brazil 2014 World Cup, which holds in Addis Ababa on Sunday afternoon.

Visiting the players on Saturday during a training session, President Jonathan, who was in the country for the Extra Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), charged them to gun for victory and prove Nigeria’s status as a global football super power.

 “Surely you will make it; the spirit is there. I wish you success. It is a determining match. We have been going to the World Cup, but this year, we are not just going to the World Cup, we will make an impact,” he said.

“The world will begin to know that we have arrived as a nation. We will give you all the encouragement required. Thank you for what you are doing for us.”

 President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari thanked the president for the visit and promised victory in the encounter

“I assure you, we will be able to deliver and we will deliver,” Maigari said. “We will do our best. We have a good team. Goodluck Jonathan is the only President who has created time amidst his tight schedule to be with the super eagles twice. This is the biggest motivation and we will make you proud. We will be in Brazil.”

Cross River State Government has condemned in strong terms, the purported protest by the Football Association of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Suzgo Nyeirenda, alleging spurious claims of security challenges and substandard hotels ahead of their last Group stage World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Malawi slated for 7th September 2013 in Calabar.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to Governor Imoke, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, who debunked the alleged security threat maintained that the report was untrue and unfounded and that the state is very perplexed by such a protest and demand.

 “It is common knowledge that Calabar, and indeed Cross River State is the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria, without any incidences of acts of terrorism.  There has been no travel advisory issued against the State by any country or organization to the best of our knowledge” Ugbe explained.

He recalled that the Super Eagles, and the National U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets have played all their Qualifying matches towards AFCON 2013, Brazil 2016, and the African U-17 Championship, Morocco 2013 in Calabar, from June 2012 till date, making a total of over 9 internationally organized matches, without the city recording any security incidence.

The Commissioner maintained that,”Our hotels in Calabar and Cross River State are of World Class standard, which has increasingly attracted Conferences and events, (both national and international) to the State, making the State the No.1 tourists’ destination in the country”.

He expressed shock over the protest by Football Association of Malawi when countries like Rwanda, Liberia, Kenya, Namibia, Mali, Guinea, Niger, have played matches in Calabar in the past one year without having any cause to complain about neither the security nor the hospitality.

“It is also on record that we have hosted the FIFA World Youth Championship twice in 1999 and 2009, and on occasions, FIFA and the countries that were in the Calabar centre commended the organization and the standard of the hotels at the centre.  Newer hotels have even been built since then” he further stated.

Ugbe explained that Calabar hosts annually the biggest festival in the continent of Africa, the “Calabar Festival”, which climaxes with the biggest street party in Africa, “Carnival Calabar”, with over 500,000 revelers and spectators on the streets of Calabar, without any security challenges.

Saying, “We wish to state here clearly that Cross Riverians are peace loving and hospitable people, hence the State has become the preferred destination of choice for many, offering the warmest welcome in Africa” and asked FIFA to disregard such claims as they are baseless and without substance.

 

 

 

 

Club president Sandro Rosell confirmed on Friday that the 44-year-old will undergo further cancer treatment, making it "impossible for him to continue as coach"

Tito Vilanova has resigned as coach of Barcelona, the club has confirmed.

 Rumors emerged on Friday that the 44-year-old, who took over from Pep Guardiola prior to the 2012-13 season, was set to step down from his role after suffering another setback in his battle against ill-health.

 Club president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta called a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday evening, where they confirmed Vilanova must undergo further cancer treatment which would make it "impossible" for him to continue in his role.

 "After looking at routine tests, there is [now] an option to continue treating his disease which means it will be impossible for him to continue as first-team coach of FC Barcelona," Rosell told reporters. "I want to ask for the maximum respect for him and his family.

 "We have got together with all of the players and the coaching staff and we have decided not to play tomorrow in Poland [in a friendly against Lechia Gdansk]. It is a very big blow, a huge blow. But Barcelona has overcome many obstacles in in its history and this will be no exception."

 The Barcelona squad, including Lionel Messi, was present in the front two rows of seats of the press conference as Rosell delivered the news.

Coach of the victorious Under-17 Nigerian team, Manu Garba has dedicated the country’s fourth U-17 World Cup trophy to President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife.

Speaking inside the team’s dressing room in Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi, Manu thanked the president and his wife for their efforts on the team, recalling that only President Jonathan hosted the boys after winning silver at the African U-17 Championship.

“This trophy is for President Goodluck Jonathan, who had a strong belief in us despite the fact that we came second at the African championship,” Garba said on Friday.

“We were really fired up when he hosted us after the African Championship and we are looking forward to meeting Mr. President again with the World Cup.”

He described Jonathan as a man of luck, considering that the Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) only in February 2013, ending a 19-year wait dating back to the 1994 edition in Tunisia. The coach also thanked his own wife, whom he hadn’t seen in nearly half-a-year.

“In fact, for the past four months, I was not able to see my wife because of the nature of this job and I’m so happy that all the efforts we put into this work was not in vain,” he said. “I want to use this opportunity to thank my wife for taking care of the home front.”

Manu also thanked Senator Liyel Imoke, governor of Cross River State and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Ibrahim Auwalu, among many others, for their support to the team in several ways.

 

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on Friday qualified for the knockout phase of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, after drubbing group whipping boys, Iraq 5-0 in the final Group F encounter.

 In the match played at the Rasheed Dubai Stadium, Dubai, Manu Garba’s boys scored two goals in the opening four minutes, and then added two more to bring first-half scores to four nil. A fifth goal in the final minute of regulation time confirmed Nigeria’s dominance in the match and worthy winners of the group.

In the other Group F match played simultaneously, Mexico defeated Sweden by a lone goal to clinch second place behind Nigeria; while losers of the day, Sweden managed to qualify with four points as one of the best third-placed losers.

 The Eaglets’ display attracted plaudits from President Goodluck Jonathan, who congratulated them and urged them to maintain the exemplary dedication, commitment and resilience they have exhibited thus far in the competition until ultimate victory is achieved.

“The president urges the Eaglets and their handlers to prepare very well and hone their acknowledged skills and soccer artistry even further to overcome all their remaining opponents in the competition and bring the Under-17 World Cup back home to Nigeria once again,” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati wrote in a statement.

“He assures them of the fullest possible support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they continue in the competition and trusts that they will keep on giving Nigerians great joy and pride with victorious performances in coming matches.”

The Eaglets — with the record of highest number of appearances at the final of the U-17 World Cup, winning three and losing three — next play Iran, who finished second behind Argentina in Group E, in a round-of-16 clash on Tuesday 29th October 2013 in Al Ain at 5pm Nigerian time; and will be favourites to advance to the quarter finals.

 

The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced a 10-year ban for former General Secretary of the federation and Executive Committee member, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and another 15-year ban for former Chairman of the Nigerian Premier League (NPL), Chief Victor Baribote.

According to a communiqué released to the media on Monday, the decision to suspend the duo was taken at Saturday’s meeting of the Executive Committee in Addis Ababa, venue of Nigeria’s victorious Brazil 2014 World cup qualifier against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

The Executive Committee also resolved to constitute a four-man committee to probe bribery allegations against Chairman of the Organising and Disciplinary Committee (O&D), Olaleye Adepoju and Chairman of Enugu State Football Association, Chidi Ofor Okenwa.

“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation met at the Saro-Maria Hotel in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia on Saturday, 12th October, 2013 to discuss pertinent issues in Nigeria football and decided as follows:

“The Executive Committee praised the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for finding time out of a very heavy schedule during the African Union summit in Ethiopia, to attend training session of the Super Eagles on Saturday, 12th October 2013, which hugely inspired the players to defeat Ethiopia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture, first leg in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 13th October 2013.

“The committee, based on the report of an investigative committee headed by Barrister Chris Green, approved a 10-year ban from all football-related activities on one-time NFF General Secretary and former NFF Executive Committee member, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“Similarly, the committee, based on the report of an investigative committee headed by Chief Emeka Inyama, approved a 15-year ban from all football-related activities on former NPL Chairman, Chief Rumson Victor Baribote. These decisions by the Executive Committee are subject to ratification of the Congress of Nigeria football at the next Annual General Assembly, as contained in the NFF Statutes.

“Also, the NFF resolved to constitute a four-man committee to probe bribery allegation against the chairman of the Organissiang and disciplinary Committee (O&D), Olalyeye Adepoju as well as Chidi Ofor Okenwa, chairman of Enugu State Football association.

“The Executive Committee resolved to set up a four-man committee to investigate an allegation of bribery against a member of the Executive Committee, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju. Barrister Chris Green is chairman and members are Chief Inyama, Hon. Shehu Adamu, Alhaji Muazu Kawu and Brigadier-General Emma Okaro (rtd), with Alizor Chuks as Secretary.”

 It announced also that in the meantime, Barrister Adepoju is suspended from chairmanship of the Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the Federation.

 “Committee resolved to set up a four-man committee to investigate a petition against Mr. Chidi Ofor Okenwa, chairman of the Enugu State Football Association. Vice President, Chief Umeh is chairman, with Chief Inyama, Alhaji Yusuf Fresh and Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande as members, with Danlami Alanana as secretary. The committee has two weeks to submit its report,” the communiqué continued.

 On other matters, the Executive Committee ordered the Nigeria National League to deduct three points and three goals from Gabros International FC’s campaign in this year’s competition, as a direct result of the club’s failure to pay CHF2,000, being cost of arbitration in a case against Hertha BSC Berlin FC of Germany.

 It expressed confidence in the ability of the U-17 National Team, also known as Golden Eaglets, to record a successful outing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals taking place in the United Arab Emrates between 17th October and 8th November 2013.

“Executive Committee approved the appointment of a retired FIFA-graded referee, Mr. Sani Zubairu, as Consultant to the NFF Referees Unit. Committee approved confirmation of the appointment of Management Staff of the Federation, with a four-year contract spanning March 2011 – March 2015.

“The Executive Committee approved the promotion and confirmation of Members of Staff based on results of the last promotion/confirmation examinations. The Committee approved Thursday, 28th November as date for the 2013 Annual General Assembly of Nigeria football, with Warri, Delta State as venue.”

Those who attended the meeting were Aminu Maigari (President), Mike Umeh (Vice President), Emeka Inyama (Member), Dilichukwu Onyedinma (Member), Ahmad Muazu Kawu (Member), Effiong Johnson (Member), Christopher Green (Member), Muazu Suleyman (Member), Ayodeji Tinubu (Member), Shehu Adamu (Member), Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member), Yusuf Ahmed Fresh (Member) and Musa Amadu (Secretary).

Olaleye Adepoju (Member) and Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member), who were absent, offered their apologies.

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The official handover of the rehabilitated Main Bowl pitch of the National Stadium Abuja to the National Sports Commission by Julius Berger PLC, the contractor that fixed it, will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2013.

As part of activities marking the handover, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will take on local side, Amakson Soccer Academy, in a friendly match. Secondary schools in Abuja will also participate in athletics competitions.

Side attractions will include performances by Whizkid, Ice Prince Zamani and White Nigerian.  Leading comedians in Abuja will also perform on Tuesday starting from 3pm.

The contract to rehabilitate the Main Bowl pitch of the National Stadium Abuja was awarded to Julius Berger in January this year, after a disruption of power supply to the stadium affected the regular wetting of the pitch which made it to be overgrown by weed. 

The scope of work completed by Julius Berger includes, removal and replacement of the topsoil; planting the approved specie of grass, well watered and nourished until roots are established; and maintenance of the pitch, including watering and trimming of the grass. It also provided new water sprinklers for the stadium.

Last week, the Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi gave assurances that the Commission has a plan for the regular maintenance of the pitch and also stating that there will be regular activities at the stadium after the handover.

Julius Ogunro

A (Media and Strategy) to HM Sports

 

A hunting lion cannot be said to lack high mathematical intelligence in predicting movements of its prey just as humans, more so, we learnt in the modern age that quantum physics can explain key aspects of any ‘matter’ in our universe, regardless of how minute it is in size or weight to us. However, an occasional anomaly will occur but such occurrence can also be predicted by some unknown variance missed by the observer. However, the necessary key to mitigate such anomaly is the obligation we placed on ourselves in implementing relevant practical agenda with all human efforts directed towards it just as the hunting lions.

It was argued that the National Sports Commission (NSC) is doing its best in turning around the country’s sports fortune and this writer doubt whether spending monies on toothless panels constitute an effort. The nation sports’ buffs queried the quality of individuals appointed by Bolaji Abdullahi (sports Minister) to such unnecessary panels but  there’s no suggestion about lack of credentials, however,  the question that was  asked was simple; to what extent can they (panel members) reverse the negative trends’ character of the country’s sports? The answer is quite clear, They can’t do ‘nada’. It is also clear that the NSC agenda must focus on purging every anomaly of the system because they have grown to become the custom practiced by NSC.

The Past

For whatever reason, the British and old Military regime immediately after the country’s independence established (what was then known as) community centre in certain areas of the country at that time. One of such areas is Abule Ijesha borders by Army Military Sports Camp, Yaba College of Tech, UNA (near Shomolu), University of Lagos and St Finbarr’s College.

The products of that area includes; Rashid Balogun (this writer also a former athlete), Tony Osheku (former athlete & foremost athletics Coach), Raymond King (former Super Eagles Goalie), Mike Dominick (former junior eagles star), Hakeem King Joe (former world boxing champion), Bremna (former junior Eagles and Super Eagles star), Muda Lawal (former Super Eagles star) and from those that schooled in the vicinity as a youth; Sunday Uti (Olympic bronze medalist) and Super Eagles stars Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Godwin Odiye and others.

In those days, street by street relays were common to the chagrin of some parents (personally, this writer's father leads the way in maintaining discipline of all children in the area directing them to go to community centres but I ain’t my daddy but very proud of him then and now). At the community centre in Abule Ijesha; there were table tennis competitions and practice among youths, daily football games (also what was called set where boys choose whom they want on their team while the unselected wait until a certain time to eliminate a player on the losing team) along with inter-club championships, Volleyball and basketball were also played there. Swimmers uses a free flowing pond called ‘Odo ogbe’ in Onike and Rowe Park. Boxers used Military sports center on Morocco Road.

The area boast of Archie Moore (former World Boxing Champ. At both Olympics and professional level for USA) as a coach, Coach Mommoh of the army who refused promotion and demoted to private for remaining loyal to his youth team comprising Bremna, Mike Dominick, Hakeem Balogun (younger brother of this writer), Raymond King and others. Football clubs in the area included Mommoh Boys FC, Seven Planners (Muda Lawal team), etc. YES, Glory days indeed and this writer challenges anyone to match the record of this area in the entire country.

One word that can describe these activities is ‘Community’.

Now

As this writer wrote severally on the current affairs of the country’s sports fortune, it is quite unnecessary to repeat them here as the story continues to build on a daily basis. But the challenges of the media are going behind the result of a game and explain how those performances were achieved with qualitative reasoning rather than propaganda spin by the NSC and sports federations. Selling sports’ results may sell very well but to what benefit can the country derive from the new swimming record for men when females from Egypt have better records? Again for what benefit can a report that a Nigerian male ran a “2hrs. 20mins” new national record for the marathon when Kenyan girls are running faster? This writer is very sure that Nigerians got the point because to expose the rot that the country woeful result means globally could better position the country in the future.

Recently, Bolaji Abdullahi noted that the country will henceforth concentrate on six sports, this is clearly ill-advised considering for years now the country relied only on football with its own budget line item exceeding over N3Billions annually with no tangible (World Cup) result. What the Minister should be discussing is how to fund the youth directly in all sports rather than wasting scarce resources on illegal six sports federations.

Advocacy for the status quo is nothing other than a mere selfish foolish act of deception that few media pundits are using Facebook to chide the youth of today that seeks better welfare and training packages. Although, this writer may not agree or disagree with certain views but the youth and others are constitutionally protected to speak or write without fear of retribution but they must not be offended with opposing views.

Way Forward

The Sports Minister keeps shouting about British system and in fact wasting monies for that purpose just as his predecessors did the same thing with Germany, Cuba and when Australia hosted the Olympics and did very well. Such models presuppose adequate facilities and manpower and they are based on restructuring past weaknesses in certain areas of their country’s sports fortune. Even at that, what was being restructured clearly outpaced Nigeria total medal counts for all Olympics games the country participated in.

In fact many swimmers in one Olympics delivered to their respective countries more medal each than Nigeria in all its Olympics outing and this writer simply ask, is it not better to zoom-in this sport and get just two swimmers from the age of 8 and train them abroad than waste N8Billion on good for nothing sports federations? Colloquially, more bangs for our buck because an athlete (swimmer) can potentially flood the country with about 10 medals.

The NSC must recruit athletes for direct electronic funding schemes through the finance Ministry. Federations can no longer receive any fund from NSC due to lack of NSC control as a result of their independence from national government interference, accountability, transparency, in addition to accusations that those federations short change athletes on issues of government transfer payments.

The Ministry of Education must take over National Institute for Sports (NIS) as the NSC simply lacked the skills to handle any form of education because churned attendees of such institute has yet to deliver any athlete of prominence in NIS history.

Patronage of the Director General of NSC and Bolaji Abdullahi must end and detail list of visitors to NSC ought to be published and archived as the official record. This is necessary either as a security necessity or paper trail for auditors in terms of asset protection.

Finally, it should be obvious that Bolaji Abdullahi simply cannot handle this Ministry and all he has been doing is based on ‘trial and error’ that is becoming too costly for any country to progress because correcting a faux pas raises eyebrow on how the error was made in the first place. That is the trend that NSC continues to follow regardless of costs, therefore, NSC must be restructured with new set of qualified (academically, professionally and athletically) people along with at least six commissioners as opposed to none as it is now. Yes, Nigerians can guide a horse to water but they can’t force it to drink BUT THEY CAN MAKE IT HOMELESS AND NO WHERE TO GO FOR NEXT MEAL.

I rest

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has described Enugu Rangers forward Alhaji Gero as a quality player deserving of his maiden invitation to the senior national team to engage Cote d’Ivoire in the second leg of the CHAN qualifier.

“I saw a lot of qualities in him; that was why I invited him,” Keshi said. “I expect him to bring in competition to those who are already in the team.”

Gero featured at the recently held FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, where the Flying Eagles gallantly lost out to Uruguay in the quarter-final, after suffering a first-half red card to a defender.

 

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