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Nigeria Taekwondo Federation Board Inaugurated Amidst Foul Play Cry

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Amidst allegations of inconclusive election into the board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), a new board of the body was on Wednesday inaugurated by the Nigerian sports minister, Solomon Dalung.

The board is headed by Margaret Binga whose route to the board was through Nigeria Women in Sports (NAWIS).

The minister charged the board to revive its federation’s grassroots development initiative and frowned at the use of recycled athletes in almost all the federations. He urged them to develop new ideas for getting new talents.

“I want to be invited to see young athletes of ten years old being trained. I’m tired of seeing recycled athletes who have been on stage for close to two decades.

“I will adjudge your performance on how committed you are to grassroots sports development because I am convinced that if you train young people today, our potential in future and our dominance in the next 10 to 20 years is guaranteed.

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“We have depleted completely our professional athletes profile and we are just recycling them”, remarked the sports minister.

Dalung also urged the new leadership to resist presiding over the federation as sole administrator.

“Let me charge you that the era of sole administration is gone for good. Every Federation must hold regular meetings as provided for, quarterly. Inability to hold your quarterly meetings is inviting the board to sit and impeach you.

“It is a collective responsibility and the board is responsible to Nigerians.”

He also said that he’ll be strict with the prudent management of funds from donor agencies, sponsors and partners and directed that a constitution of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation be developed within three months.

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“Call a congress, adopt the constitution and deposit a copy with the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“We shall not hold elections again with guidelines in future. Without a valid constitution, it means the Federation will be managed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and you cannot complain of interference by the Ministry.”

He recalled that the crisis in taekwondo was one of the first that welcomed him in office as a minister.

“I did everything possible to bring about reconciliation but the differences were sharp and contrasting.

“The crisis affected the performance of federation at the 2016 Olympics therefore, unity is very important in everything you do.

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For those members who have held responsibility in the federation and are aggrieved, you must recognize their contributions to developing the federation.

“You must shield your swords of differences and give a leadership guide to support the development of Taekwondo in Nigeria. Taekwondo is one of the medals -fetching sports in Nigeria if there is unity of purpose among the members of the federation.”

In her acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated President, Margaret Binga, thanked the minister on behalf of the board and pledged total commitment to the uplift of Taekwondo in the country.

“I want to tell the minister that the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation board will not disappoint Nigerians.

“We thank you sincerely for inaugurating us today and we’ll kick start our programs immediately. We promise that we’ll go back to the grassroots, discover athletes and harness them.

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“We’ll seat and chart a way forward and we promise that with God on our side, come Tokyo 2020 and the next all Africa games, we will be on the podium.”

Election into the board of the NTF had been crisis-ridden, leading to it not been conclusive at the general election into all the boards on June 13.

George Ashiru who contested for the post of the president was disqualified. According to the report of the election petition committee, he petitioned along with 20 state delegates.

Ashiru was nominated as ex-officio member.  At the presidential Election, he was told that his name was not on the list by The Chairman of the electoral committee.

But the Appeal Committee noted that Ashiru’s name was wrongly substituted and found merit in his appeal and consequently nullified the presidential election and directed that fresh election be held and reinstate Ashiru as the Ex-officio/philanthropist/sponsor on the Board of the NTF.

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The same situation also affected another petitioner, Temitayo Popoola who was on South West platform.

It was alleged that the master list was not used in the conduct of the election. Consequently, the Appeal Committee noted that the petitioners’ name was wrongly substituted, found merit in the appeal and consequently nullified the South West zonal election and ordered a fresh one.

According to a source in the board who did not attend the inauguration of the board, the rerun election never took place.

“When we were called to reassemble on July 21, we were kept waiting and it was obvious no election was going to hold. In frustration, some of the delegates left.

“It was then we were told that if we could form a quorum, which is 30, we should go ahead with the election. We could only raise 26 out of the expected 30. So we were told to disperse to be called up two weeks later.

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That never happened. I am therefore shocked to learn that we were being secretly called to come for an inauguration after an inconclusive election”, remarked the board member,

 

 

 

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Teenager Inkosi Brou captures Nigeria’s first medal at International Fencing  Championship

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Nigeria made a remarkable entry into the global fencing scene-at the weekend with an impressive performance by 16-year-old Inkosi
Brou.

Inkosi secured Nigeria’s first-ever medal in the Sabre category at the
World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.

Competing against some of the world’s elite fencers at the Viking Cup
2024, a Senior World Cup Satellite Sabre Tournament, the world’s No. 67
ranked fencer, Inkosi, clinched a silver medal after a hard-fought 9-15
match against Iceland’s Andre Mateev.

As the No. 5 seed, Inkosi began his campaign in the Round of 16,
defeating Germany’s Magnus De Witt 15-9. He continued his winning streak
in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 victory over Spain’s Oriol
Farre.

 In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.

Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.

“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.

“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.

Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.

 “We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.

“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.

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Stolen Ferrari Recovered Almost 30 Years Later –

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Stolen Ferrari Recovered Almost 30 Years Later -

A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.

The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.

Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.

The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.

A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.

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Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.

Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.

-Reuters

 

 

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Bayelsa State are National Para Games champions

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The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

 

The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.

 

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.

 

“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”

 

“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”

 

From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.

 

Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.

 

The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.

 

As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.

 

 

 

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