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TAEKWONDO: NSCDC RETAINS TITLE KOREAN AMBASSADOR’S CUP
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) again ruled the Korean Ambassador’s Cup which eighth edition ended in Abuja at the weekend.
The event, which was sponsored by the Korean Embassy, held in attendance a total of 165 athletes from two countries, 19 Nigerian states, two Universities, seven clubs and the paramilitary.
Countries that participated included Republic of Cameroon and Niger Republic while the 19 states that participated included Delta, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Plateau, Niger, FCT Abuja, Taraba, Ondo, Lagos, Borno, Zamfara, Abia, Rivers, Cross River, Kano, Osun and Bayelsa.
Universities that participated included A.B.U Zaria and University of Benin while the participating clubs were Dragon Temple Martial Arts, Q-Madi, KinNupe Taekwondo Foundation, Aitek Taekwondo, Legendary Club, Fortress Taekwondo Academy, Galaxy Int’l School TKD Club, Vintage TKD and Metropolitan TKD Club
After two days of contests, NSCDC topped by the table with eight medals – three gold, one silver and bronze medals. The paramilitary team was followed by Lagos State based club, Q-Madi which won three medals comprising of gold, silver, and bronze; while Niger Republic came in third position with two medals – gold and a bronze.
African Champion, Uzoamaka Otuadinma, established why she is the best in the continent as she won the gold in the female +67kg.
Fellow national team mate, Chinazum Nwosu, extended her five-year domination in the female -57kg as she won the gold with a performance that earned her the Most Valuable Player Award of the tournament.
Other winners in the female categories are Plateau’s Ifeoma Dennis who won gold in the 67kg and Kano’s Sekinat Adebayo who won gold in the 49kg.
In the male categories, Commonwealth gold medallist, Shola Olowookere showed why he was one of best upcoming Nigerian taekwondo star as he demolished four opponents to clinch the gold in the male -68kg. The 2011 African Games’ Bronze medallist, Sunday Onofe, won the gold in the Male 80kg by defeating a 6ft 6 tall Kenneth Ogbu of Taraba, while the gold in the male -58kg went to Q’Madi’s Abdulmujeeb Sanusi.
In the last male 80kg category, Niger Republic’s Djibo Kadri put in a scintillating performance to clinch the gold with a performance that earned him Most Valuable Player Award of the tournament, while Cameroon’s Bassonyam Blais had to settle for a bronze in that same category.
The Best Team Award went to NSCDC with their medal haul of eight while the best coach award went to NSCD coach, John Victor, who is also one of the national coaches. The best referee award went to World Taekwondo certified referee, Thursdaline Peter, who was an ex national player and recently won Best Referee at the Korea International Open.
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New dawn expected as Nigeria sports ministry partners with Yanga Games
Towards creating a new dawn for Nigerian Sports, the Federal Ministry of Sports has signed a landmark agreement with top lottery company Yanga Games to raise the revenue profile of the Ministry and ensure a new deal for the welfare of athletes.
Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership between the Ministry and Yanga Games in Lagos on Friday, Chairman/CEO of Yanga Games Derrick David Kentebe said: “we are so super excited by this opportunity to work with the Ministry of Sports Development to change the narrative about Sports in the country.
Continuing, he remarked: “We see opportunity for marketing our athletes and sports generally . We shall avail ourselves the best use of this unique and special partnership. We shall pursue this mandate with vigour, passion and unrivaled commitment to bring benefits to all the critical stakeholders.”
The agreement according to Kentebe will provide support for retired athletes, enhance grassroot sports Development and advance the potentials of special athletes.
He assured that ” Yanga Games has the capacity to raise funds on behalf of the Ministry of Sports for athletes Development, endorsement and sponsorship deals for athletes”.
Minister of Sports Senator John Owan Enoh assured that the Ministry has total and absolute confidence in Yanga Games to deliver on the given mandate.
“Gone are the era when we depended solely on government to fund sports development. We are partnering with Yanga Games to bring maximum benefits to the athletes and all critical stakeholders.
“We shall give institutional encouragement and support to the Management of Yanga Games to succeed in this onerous task of rebuilding our sports sub sector.”
Speaking further, Kentebe said ” We shall raise about 34 Billion in the next four years to assist athletes and improve sports in the country.
“We shall help to develop grassroot sports and sustain youth involvement through raffle draws, fund raiser and other avenues.
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Iheanacho and Ndidi on course for return to Premiership as Leicester will not lose points for rule breaches
Leicester City cannot be deducted any points in the second-tier Championship if they are convicted of any violations of the Premier League’s spending rules, the English Football League (EFL) said on Friday.
Nigeria duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi are Leicester players yearning for the club’s return to the English Premiership.
Leicester, who were relegated from the top flight last season, were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League last month for alleged violations of the league’s spending rules.
The Championship’s governing body EFL wrote to the Premier League saying they would apply any sanction handed down on Leicester while they are still in the second tier, a move Leicester opposed.
However, the EFL said they later changed their position in a letter to the English FA’s League Arbitration Panel (LAP).
“EFL has confirmed to all parties that… it does not have the power under the Regulations as currently drafted,” the EFL said in a statement.
Leicester said they will continue to co-operate with Premier League and the EFL with regards to the charges against them.
“Any charges against the Club should be properly and proportionately determined, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time,” Leicester said.
The LAP said that the Premier League Disciplinary Commission’s proceedings against Leicester will not be expedited to conclude by May 4 due to any possible points deductions not being applicable this season.
Leicester are top of the standings in the Championship with 88 points from 41 matches as they seek a promotion back to the Premier League.
-Reuters
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Super Eagles’ kids fly to Spain for UEFA Tourney
Nigeria’s U15 boys, nicknamed Future Eagles, will fly into Spain on Tuesday afternoon for a UEFA U16 Development Tournament to which the African giants have been invited.
The special invitation has come as a result of Nigeria’s pedigree in youth football, in which she has won five world titles at U17 boys’ level and reached the FIFA World Cup final on two occasions at U20 level.
As part of its preparation for the tournament, the Future Eagles trained for a week at the Remo Stars’ Sports Institute in Ikenne, during which it played two matches against the Remo Stars’ U16 boys (Beyond Limits FC), winning one and losing the other.
Only last month, the Future Eagles, coached by Patrick Bassey, also won one and lost one against their Moroccan counterparts on a two-match tour of that North African country. Their first game ended in a 2-3 defeat, but they buckled up to win the second game 5-3 in the city of Kenitra.
The UEFA U16 Tournament, which brings warm memories of the UEFA-CAF U17 Meridian Tournament that started in 1997 but was discontinued a decade after, will take place at the Pinatar Arena Football Centre in San Pedro del Pinatar.
It can be recalled that the UEFA-CAF Meridian Tournament was part of a cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF, and Nigeria won the inaugural tournament in 1997. The Eaglets defeated the Spain U17 team 3-2 in the final in Lisbon, Portugal.
Spain won the next three tournaments hosted by South Africa (1999), Italy (2001) and Egypt (2003) before France broke their run by winning the 2005 edition hosted by Turkey. The tournament was abolished in 2007.
At this new tournament, the Future Eagles will play against Belgium on Friday, 12th April (8pm), face Italy on Sunday, 14th April (8pm) and square up to England on Wednesday, 17th April (1pm). Other games will see England against Italy on Friday, 12th April 5pm), England against Belgium on Sunday, 14th April (5pm) and Italy against Belgium on Wednesday, 17th April (11am).
The Future Eagles’ delegation to Spain, inclusive of 20 players, will be led by Zannah Mohammed Malah, a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee.
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