Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi took his wards through another rigorous session Monday morning, one of the last before the announcement of the final 23 man list for the World Cup in Brazil later this month and came away with a damning conclusion, “these players have all convinced me of their abilities but they are also confusing me on who to or not to drop”.
He said so far all the players merit to go to the World Cup but there was nothing he can do to change the laws governing the World Cup. Adding that the players who will be dropped should take it in good faith and not conclude that they have been victimized.
He continued thus: “God, it’s a difficult decision to make regarding the naming of the final 23 but we have no choice but to do it, otherwise we will be failing in our duties. The players have been so committed, so professional that you feel like shedding a tear because some of them must just go home”.
The list of the final 23 players that will be taken to the World Cup is billed to be sent to the NFF for onward release to World football governing body, FIFA and the Nigerian and global soccer public.
Nigerian Stars In Philly Visit Eagles…Predict Brazil 2014 Win
Super Eagles Ejike Uzoenyi with towering Michael Bamiduro of the Philadellphia Eagles
Four Nigerian stars who play for the Philadelphia Eagles in the American Football League on Sunday paid a visit to the training session of the Super Eagles to urge them on in the coming FIFA Brazil World Cup 2014.
The four of them are Emmanuel Achor, towering Michael Bamiduro, Imeh Igwenagu and Ifeanyi Momah. They took time off to take pictures with the players as Coach Stephen Keshi assured them that the team will not fail in its task of doing Nigeria proud come Brazil 2014.
Igewnagu, who spoke on behalf of his mates said they came to pay homage to the African champions, who have been using their pitch for training so far and to wish them well in the World Cup. He praised the team for the professional manner they were received, declaring that they will not only be rooting for the team but was sure that the team will do Africa proud at the Mundial.
“We are very sure that this team will excel in Brazil and we will put them in prayers because at the end of the tournament we want to join all Nigerians in celebrating Nigeria’s triumph at the sundial”
Super Falcons will depart for Kaduna Wednesday morning to continue their preparation for the second leg tie of the Africa women championship (AWC) qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello stadium on June 7.
Nigeria who won the cup eight times has a 4-1 advantage from the first leg and will qualify automatically for AWC if they avoid heavy defeat against the She Amavubi of Rwanda. A draw will do for the Falcons to qualify.
Team administrator Ruth David who revealed the team’s itenary said the Falcons would train at the Ahmadu Bello stadium pitch before the game.
Team media officer Gracious Akujobi quotes coach Edwin Okon as sayinh that Falcons would train hard to get use to the grass pitch after training in astro turf for the past two months.
Meanwhile, coach Okon has said that his girls would play the She Amavubi as if their whole life depend on the game stressing “we wont be over confident when we play them.We would not be complacent” he said.
On her part,Turkey based striker Desire Oparanozie has promised that she and her team mates will continue the goal scoring from where they left off in Rwanda,adding that goals is the name of the game and they are ready to make Nigerians happy come Saturday.
“We may have won the first leg 4-1 but we are not done yet.We know goals make fans happy and we are ready by God’s grace to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians” she promised.
The African Volleyball Confederation “CAVB” announced on Sunday the implementation of one of the most important development projects in the history of the sport in the continent, “The African Dream Project” under supervision of FIVB President Dr Ary Graca.
The project will take the name of “Dr. Ary Graca Volleyball Development Program for Africa” as it comes from the great interest of the World Volleyball Governing body “FIVB” to help volleyball development from the scratch since Dr Ary took over the responsibility in 2012.
“It is with great joy that I confer to you a unique game changing development in the history of African Volleyball,” CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani said happily after he announced the implementation of the project.
“After years of extensive preparation, lobbying and consultation I wish to announce that the FIVB President, Dr. Ary Graca has given his approval and support for the African Dream – Dr. Ary Graca Volleyball Development Program for Africa. This is pursuant to our Kigali 2013 congress resolution,”
The Programme aims at having a common project mainly focusing on volleyball at school. All relevant stakeholders must be involved which are Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Youth, and National Olympic Committee. The project will see the setting up of centers that will be used to develop identified athletes at young age and arranging all the keys for their involvement later on to their corresponding Youth national teams.
Elwani asked all National Federations interested in taking part of this project to send their requests by the 9th of June to send them the relevant project documentation.
CAVB Board of Administration in its ordinary meeting early last month approved to start the project as a key factor in African development in the coming years.
The number of countries expected to take part in the Lagos International Badminton Classics continued to swell, as Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic are the latest teams to confirm their participation in the tournament.
Canada is the first country to arrive for the championship as at the weekend as more players are expected to arrive on Monday for the tournament, which will serve off on Wednesday June 4.
With this development, the number of participation nations improved to 17 with the likes of United States and France leading 13 other countries to Lagos for the competition scheduled to serve off on June 4 to 7 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned tournament has also been listed as an International Challenge series with prize money of $15,000.
According to Confederation of Africa Badminton, this competition is the highest category of championship ever hosted by any African country, while its attendance is also the highest for any badminton international championship in Africa.
Also as part of the efforts to woo back supporters of the game, the board members of the Lagos State Badminton Association led by its chairman, Francis Orbih paid a courtesy visit to Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona, at the weekend in recognition of the monarch’s immense contribution to the development of the game in Nigeria especially in Lagos.
At the event, the king accepted to be the father of the day during the grand finale of the competition on June 7.
Meanwhile, former national player, Oby Edoga believes the tournament would help to revive the fortunes of the sport in Nigeria.
“Generally, hosting of an international event of this magnitude, puts the particular sport in the limelight, both within and outside the country.
Nigeria’s duo of Jinkan Ifraimu Bulus and Ola Fagbemi in action against Thailand at the just concluded 2014 Li-Ning BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals held in India.
In particular, the badminton Classics will rekindle interest in the game, which is almost going into oblivion for lack of tournaments. It will also expose our players to world class standard as well as provide an opportunity for our players to garner points and improve their rankings both in Africa and in the world,” she said.
Edoga added that it would help the players to amass points towards the qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.
Other nations already confirmed are Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, Austria, Italy, Israel, Slovakia, and Czech Republic.
The remaining countries are Canada, United States, India and New Zealand.
Five events – men’s single, women’s single, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles will be competed for at the championship.
France will face Netherlands in Sunday’s BNP Paribas World Team Cup men’s World Group final while the women’s World Group final will be contested between Netherlands and Great Britain. Great Britain defeated USA 2-1 to claim their fourth quad title on Saturday. Belgium won the men’s World Group 2 event with a 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final.
The World Team Cup is the ITF’s flagship wheelchair tennis event, often referred to as the Davis and Fed Cups of wheelchair tennis. The initial event took place in California in 1985 involving six men’s teams. The women’s competition began the following year, with quad and junior events introduced in 1998 and 2000 respectively. The ITF introduced regional qualifying for the men’s and women’s events in 2012
For further information, please contact the ITF office in Alphen on wheelchair@itftennis.com.
BNP PARIBAS WORLD TEAM CUP, ALPHEN, NETHERLANDS RESULTS – 31 MAY
Men’s World Group – Semifinals
FRANCE (1) defeated JAPAN (3) 2-0
Nicolas Peifer (FRA) d. Takashi Sanada (JPN) 61 57 64
Stephane Houdet (FRA) d. Takuya Miki (JPN) 63 60
Frederic Cattaneo/Stephane Houdet (FRA) v Satoshi Saida/Takashi Sanada (JPN) not played
NETHERLANDS (2) defeated GREAT BRITAIN (4) 2-1
Tom Egberink (NED) d. David Phillipson (GBR) 36 60 62
Gordon Reid (GBR) d. Maikel Scheffers (NED) 63 64
Tom Egberink/Maikel Scheffers (NED) d. Marc McCarroll/Gordon Reid (GBR) 75 62
Men’s World Group – 5th/6th place play-off
SWEDEN defeated AUSTRIA 2-1
Peter Vikstrom (SWE) d. Joseph Riegler (AUT) 60 63
Stefan Olsson (SWE) d. Martin Legner (AUT) 62 61
Martin Legner/Joseph Riegler (AUT) d. Greger Kallsholm/Peter Vikstrom (SWE) 63 76(5)
Men’s World Group – 7th/8th place play-off
USA defeated KOREA, REPUBLIC 2-0
Jon Rydberg (USA) d. Sang-Ho Oh (KOR) 76(4) 76(3)
Stephen Welch (USA) d. Sung-Bong Han (KOR) 62 63
Jon Rydberg/Stephen Welch (USA) v Sang-Ho Oh/Ha-Gel Lee (KOR) not played
Men’s World Group – 9th/10th place play-off
AUSTRALIA defeated POLAND 2-0
Ben Weekes (AUS) d. Albin Batycki (POL) 60 61
Adam Kellerman (AUS) d. Kamil Fabisiak (POL) 75 64
Adam Kellerman/Ben Weekes (AUS) v Kamil Fabisiak/Piotr Jaroszewski (POL) not played
Men’s World Group – 11th-12th place play-off
ARGENTINA defeated THAILAND 2-1
Suwitchai Merngprom (THA) d. Ezequiel Casco (ARG) 61 62
Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) d. Wittaya Peem-Mee (THA) 60 60
Ezequiel Casco/Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) d. Suthi Khlongrua/Wittaya Peem-Mee (THA) 75 75
Women’s World Group – Semifinals
NETHERLANDS (1) defeated JAPAN (3) 3-0
Marjolein Buis (NED) d. Kanako Domori (JPN) 60 60
Aniek van Koot (NED) d. Yui Kamiji (JPN) 62 61
Marjolein Buis/Aniek van Koot (NED) d. Kanako Domori/Yui Kamiji (JPN) 61 36 107
GREAT BRITAIN (4) defeated GERMANY (2) 2-0
Lucy Shuker (GBR) d. Bianca Osterer (GER) 62 61
Jordanne Whiley (GBR) d. Katharina Kruger (GER) 60 62
Lucy Shuker/Jordanne Whiley (GBR) v Katharina Kruger/Bianca Osterer (GER) not played
Women’s World Group – Position 5-8
CHILE defeated KOREA, REPUBLIC 2-1
Macarena Cabrillana (CHI) d. Young-Suk Hong (KOR) 63 46 64
Ju-Yeon Park (KOR) d. Francisca Mardones (CHI) 62 64
Macarena Cabrillana/Francisca Mardones (CHI) d. Young-Suk Hong/Ju-Yeon Park (KOR) 36 76(4) 108
THAILAND defeated USA 2-1
Kaitlyn Verfuerth (USA) d. Wanitha Inthanin (THA) 75 62
Sakhorn Khanthasit (THA) d. Shelby Baron (USA) 61 61
Wanitha Inthanin/Sakhorn Khanthasit (THA) d. Emmy Kaiser/Kaitlyn Verfuerth (USA) 63 16 106
Women’s World Group – Position 9-12
COLOMBIA defeated KENYA 2-0
Johana Martinez (COL) d. Rahel Akoth (KEN) 60 60
Angelica Bernal (COL) d. Phoebe Masika (KEN) 60 60
Angelica Bernal/Johana Martinez (COL) v Phoebe Masika/Jane Ndenga (KEN) not played
CHINESE TAIPEI defeated RUSSIA 2-1
Chia-Yi Lu (TPE) d. Polina Shakirova (RUS) 64 62
Ludmila Bubnova (RUS) d. Yi-Shan Wu (TPE) 60 61
Chai-Yi Lu/Yi-Shan Wu (TPE) d. Ludmila Bubnova/Polina Shakirova (RUS) 61 60
Quad Event – Final
GREAT BRITAIN (2) defeated USA (1) 2-1
Jamie Burdekin (GBR) d. Nick Taylor (USA) 60 61
David Wagner (USA) d. Andy Lapthorne (GBR) 61 60
Jamie Burdekin/Andy Lapthorne (GBR) d. Nick Taylor/David Wagner (USA) 61 26 107
Quad Event – 3rd/4th place play-off
ISRAEL defeated JAPAN 2-1
Noam Gershony (ISR) d. Shinichi Hirata (JPN) 60 61
Mitsuteru Moroishi (JPN) d. Shraga Weinberg (ISR) 64 62
Noam Gershony/Boaz Kramer (ISR) d. Shota Kawano/Mitsuteru Moroishi/ (JPN) 75 62
Men’s World Group 2 – Final
BELGIUM (2) defeated BRAZIL (1) 2-1
Carlos Santos (BRA) d. Gert Vox (BEL) 60 62
Joachim Gerard (BEL) d. Daniel Rodrigues (BRA) 64 61
Mike Denayer/Joachim Gerard (BEL) d. Daniel Rodrigues/Rafael Medeiros (BRA) 46 63 107
Men’s World Group 2 – 3rd/4th place play-off
ITALY defeated SPAIN 2-0
Luca Arca (ITA) d. Martin Varela (ESP) 64 62
Fabian Mazzei (ITA) d. Alvaro Illobre (ESP) 62 61
Luca Arca/Fabian Mazzei (ITA) v Alvaro Illobre/Martin Varela (ESP) not played
Men’s World Group 2 – 5th/6th place play-off
SRI LANKA defeated GERMANY 2-1
Upali Rajakaruna (SRI) d. Anthony Dittmar (GER) 60 60
Steffen Sommerfeld (GER) d. Gamini Dissanayake (SRI) 75 63
Gamini Dissanayake/Upali Rajakaruna (SRI) d. Sven Hiller/Steffen Sommerfeld (GER) 67(3) 61 108
Men’s World Group 2 – 7th/8th place play-off
CANADA (3) defeated SWITZERLAND (4) 2-1
Joel Dembe (CAN) d. Raphael Gremion (SUI) 64 62
Philippe Bedard (CAN) d. Daniel Pellegrina (SUI) 06 63 64
Raphael Gremion/Christophe Vouillamoz (SUI) d. Philippe Bedard/Jean Sylvestre (CAN) 63 2-3 ret.
Men’s World Group 2 – 9th/10th place play-off
MALAYSIA defeated MOROCCO 3-0
Ariffahmi Zaquan Ariffin (MAS) d. Fouad Boughnim (MAR) 75 64
Abu Samah Borhan (MAS) d. Ayoub Ettali (MAR) 63 62
Abu Samah Borhan/Ariffahmi Zaquan Ariffin (MAS) d. Fouad Boughnim/Ayoub Ettali (MAR) 36 63 104
Men’s World Group 2 – 11th/12th place play-off
GREECE defeated ROMANIA 2-1
Ciprian Anton (ROU) d. Epaminondas Stamatis (GRE) 36 63 76(6)
Stefanos Diamantis (GRE) d. Mihai Gaita (ROU) 62 61
Stefanos Diamantis/Epaminondas Stamatis (GRE) d. Ciprian Anton/Mihai Gaita (ROU) 61 61
The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed grief over the death of Sir (Chief) Peter Olaoye Adepoju, father of a former Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju.
Pa Adepoju, a Knight of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, died at the age of 90 in Ibadan on Saturday, 24th May, 2014.
Commiserating with the younger Adepoju, also former Chairman of NFF Disciplinary Committee, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said that the death of a parent is always heartbreaking, and assured that the NFF and the entire Nigeria football family mourned deeply with the lawyer over the loss of his father.
“We are consoled that Sir (Chief) Adepoju left very bold footsteps in the sands of time, and do pray that God will grant the household he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss, and also pray for the deceased to have eternal rest,” said Maigari.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has concluded the first of three stops on a visit to Africa, taking in the final two days of the 2nd African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana.
Some 2,500 athletes from 54 African nations competed in 21 sports at the competition, which finished with a closing ceremony on Saturday night.
While in Gaborone, the IOC President attended a reception hosted by the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Lassana Palenfo, which was attended by representatives of all 53 African NOCs present at the Games and representatives of the South Sudan sporting movement.
During the visit the President also met with IOC members in Africa to discuss a range of topics, including the Olympic Agenda 2020. The group exchanged ideas on the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement and the contribution that Africa could make.
On Saturday the President convened a meeting of the Sudan NOC and representatives of the South Sudan sporting movement, which the IOC is currently helping to set up its own National Olympic Committee. The parties discussed ways to assist athletes on the ground as well as humanitarian issues.
The delegations also reported that since the IOC signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations, they had been able to contact local UN officials to work on programmes related to sport and development.
Later, the IOC President laid the foundation stone at the site of the future headquarters of the Botswana National Olympic Committee.
At the ceremony for the new HQ, which is being supported by the IOC, he praised the Botswana NOC for their vision.
“You may be a small African country in terms of population,” he said, “but you have placed yourself at the heart of Olympic sport in Africa.”
President Bach is in Africa on a three-nation tour that will also include stops in Kenya and Ethiopia.
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