Eagles Await Second Opinion On Echejile…,

Eagles Await Second Opinion On Echejile…,

Coach Stephen Keshi speaking on the scan on Echejile, said it was not conclusive as he was waiting for a better medical opinion to enable him take a decision. “We don’t have to rush things, we are talking of the World Cup here, not just any other competition so we have to be careful what we say here regarding our top players”, Keshi said after Friday evening training.

Eagles In Action In Jacksonville

Ejide’s Wife Delivers World Cup Baby

The Super Eagles camp in Jacksonville, United States was thrown into jubilation, Friday afternoon, when goalkeeper Austin Ejide, gleefully announced that his wife, Chito, has given birth to a bouncing baby girl in nearby Chicago City also in the United States.

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, promptly named the child, the World Cup baby of Nigeria, as she was delivered barely ten days to Nigeria’s opening World Cup game against Iran on June 16. Asked what name he will like to call the baby girl, Ejide beaming with smiles said her name will be called Chimamanda.

Kano Pillars versus Dolphins FC Called Off…

The games involving Kano Pillars versus Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt and El-kanemi of Maiduguri versus Rangers of Enugu has been called off due to the death of the Emir of Kano, his eminence Alhaji Ado Bayero early this morning.

Dolphins had made the over 17 hours journey from Port harcourt to Kano, briefing stopping over in Kaduna to sleep and continue the journey this morning but were given the news of the cancellation of the game after they were settled in their hotel.

They were billed to train at 2pm as Rangers were to use that same pitch by 4pm. Immediately they got the news, officials and players jumped into their bus for another round of 17 hours.

Rangers on getting to kano turned back and returned home. The League Management Company(LMC) is yet to release an official report on the issue and when the games will be rescheduled.

Dolphins celebrate with Fred Igwe

Dolphins FC Logo

The players and management of Dolphins Football Club celebrate with our commissioner, Fred Igwe as he goes to thank God for his blessings.

Igwe was rescued from the hands of assassins’ bullets on August 25, 2013,

A few months later, on march 4, his family was blessing with a baby boy and he’s holding a thanksgiving/ dedication service on Sunday, June 8, 2013.

Players, coaches and back room staff of the club join hands to wish him many more years ahead and many more blessings to come his way.

Women’s League teams up with NTA

The hurricane of collaboration blowing round Nigeria football gathered pace on Thursday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Television Authority.

During the brief ceremony at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, Chairperson of the NWFL, Chief (Mrs) Dilichukwu Onyedinma said the collaboration had been in the pipeline for a long time, as the body sought to give more value to Nigeria women football.

She harped on the quality of the NWFL brand and the pedigree of Nigeria football internationally, recalling that the Super Falcons are six –time champions of the continent, having also attended all FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, while the U-20 girls and U-17 girls have also been at every edition of their World Cup tournaments.

“Nigeria women football is a great brand and the Nigeria Television Authority is also the largest television network in Africa. We are happy to collaborate with NTA.”

Responding, NTA’s General Manager (Sports), Mr. Akinloye Oyebanji disclosed that the preparation of the MOU was the first official assignment performed by the new Director –General of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole. “We are very happy to finally seal this pact today, as this underscores NTA’s non-discrimination policy.

“Whether it is the FIFA World Cup final or some youth football tournament in the remotest part of Nigeria, NTA is there to cover it.”

Also present at the ceremony were NFF Executive Committee Member, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Director of Marketing Adama Idris and officials of NFF, NWFL and NTA.

NTA-Nigeria

NFF, NTDC seal pact on sports tourism

Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation

The Nigeria Football Federation and Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation have sealed an agreement to promote and market Nigeria’s vast tourism products and potential within and outside the country.

“This is a great opportunity for two of the biggest windows available to the nation internally and internationally to collaborate on promoting the nation’s tourism potential and achieve the goal of positioning our dear nation as the preferred Sports Tourism destination for Nigerians and foreigners,” NFF President Aminu Maigari said.

Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Dr (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo added: “I am excited at the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding. Nigeria football is presently on a high domestically and internationally, and we are happy to collaborate with the NFF to achieve our vision.”

Nigeria football has hit new heights at both domestic and international fronts in the past two years, with the Aminu Maigari administration credited for some ingenious steps and policy decisions that have turned things around for the better.

Under the terms of the agreement, the NTDC shall endorse NFF as a sports tourism partner for domestic and international sports tourism, grant NFF reasonable rights to branding of NTDC events, publicize NFF during NTDC tourism events and promote sports tourism at all local and international football matches, starting with the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

On its part, the NFF shall facilitate within its ability the hosting of international matches in Nigeria to encourage foreigners to visit Nigeria, publicize NTDC during local and international football matches, provide free promotional materials for NTDC representatives during football events, assist NTDC to market and promote Nigeria tourism at local and international levels and assist NTDC to facilitate sponsorship for sports tourism promotion.

NFF Logo

ABIA WARRIORS GETS THEME SONG

Glo Premier League side, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has developed a theme song as one of the efforts aimed at further improving the club’s rising profile.

Packaged by fledging public relations outfit, SS&B media, the production has the instrumental, chorus and other versions which have been fashioned to ease the mind with a danceable rhythm.

Fans had a feel of the song for the first time during Abia Warriors’ home game against Akwa Utd in Umuahia with most of them acknowledging the rhythm by dancing away.

Chief Emeka Inyama addressing Abia Warriors Players

In an interview, the Chairman of the club, Chief Emeka Inyama said the song was produced with international standard in line with the club’s new image.

Chief Inyama said Abia Warriors is being run like a professional outfit compared to what obtains abroad, pointing out that with the club’s ultra-modern secretariat which is ICT compliant, a well furnished club camp and good organizational background, Abia Warriors will continue to lead the way in modern football management.

He commended the team for making the government and people of Abia State as well as their fans all over the world proud with their scintillating performances and urged them not to relent.

WSB Post-Season IV Franchise Conference wrapped up in Baku

This Conference was staged on June 5-6, just before the two-legged WSB Finals which starts today, in order to provide each of the future 15 WSB Franchises an overall evaluation of Season IV, and to discuss detailed plans and clear objectives for the upcoming Season V.

“The WSB program has overall significantly improved and expanded throughout these four seasons, and the great support from all Franchises and participating National Federations in this continuous development have been the keys to this success”, stated Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, the AIBA President and the WSB Board Chairman at his opening speech of the Conference.

In the course of the Franchise Conference, the WSB team presented the overall evaluation of the Season IV emphasising on the matters to be improved by the next season.

The second part of the Conference was dedicated to the upcoming Season V.

As the number of Franchises has been increased to 15 teams which new additions China, Morocco and Venezuela, a new competition format and schedules were presented.

In addition, new PR and Marketing Strategies and plans were discussed to enhance the overall revenues for the Franchises and WSB.

One of the most important issues to agree was the overall improvement of the quality of TV production.

All host broadcasters in hosting franchise countries will work closely with WSB in order to provide the best quality of TV programs for the success of WSB Season V.

Important decisions were made including the news that Season V will start at the beginning of January 2015 this time.

In addition, all foreign boxers will be selected via Boxers’ Draft due to the Olympic Qualifying Process.

As we all are aware, the next WSB Season has a significant importance as it will be the first Olympic Qualifying Event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Therefore the Olympic qualification process became one of the central themes of discussion.

The WSB Chief Executive Officer Karim Bouzidi highlighted after the Franchise Conference that all the WSB Franchises this opportunity for discussion very seriously, and had worked very hard over the course of the two days.

He also announced that the WSB Team Draw will be held on July, 16th in Istanbul in the framework of the AIBA Executive Committee Meeting.

Finally, WSB provided Franchises with some of the upcoming innovations for the new Season V, amongst which will be the new WSB website, the construction of which is being completed by one of the biggest design names in the industry.

Don’t forget to follow the WSB on Twitter to stay up to date with events.

LORD COE LOOKS FORWARD TO CHAIRING FIRST MEETING OF ANOC YOUTH WORKING GROUP

ANOC Youth Working Group looks to international best practice for inspiration

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Youth Working Group has called a three-day meeting in London between 31 August and 2 September 2014, with British Olympic Association and London 2012 Chairman, Lord Coe, set to lead discussions around how ANOC can support NOCs worldwide in keeping young people at the heart of sport.

As Chairman of the ANOC Youth Working Group, Lord Coe will bring a wealth of first-hand experience in transforming young lives through sport. He was the figurehead for the London 2012 Games that pledged to “Inspire a Generation” and is the Chairman of London 2012’s international education legacy programme, International Inspiration (IN), which has enriched the lives of over 12 million children and young people in 20 countries since its inception.

ANOC Logo

Through the NOC network and countries which participated in IN, young representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Great Britain, Jordan, Palau and South Africa have been selected to join Lord Coe on the ANOC Youth Working Group. ANOC is looking to draw on this best practice example of harnessing the inspirational power of sport effectively and sustainably and will use this Working Group as a pilot programme for future years.

Lord Coe said:

“There are very few things more important in sport than youth participation and youth engagement, and so it is a real honour to be chairing the ANOC Youth Working Group. I am very grateful to ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah for this prestigious appointment and I will look to use all my experience from London 2012, International Inspiration and other projects. I have no doubt that working together we will find innovative ways for ANOC to empower its NOCs to help young people play and stay in sport.”

ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah added:

“With a membership of 204 NOCs, ANOC has huge potential to reach millions of young people from all corners of the globe. It is the job of the ANOC Youth Working Group to help us discover the means to harness this immense potential. Recent Olympic and Paralympic Games have demonstrated sport’s power to inspire young people and ANOC, through its NOCs, can help ensure that this momentum is maintained 365 days a year.”

DWS 2014: CHINA’S PROSPECTS EYE CROWN AT FINAL STOP IN MONTERREY

Monterrey (MEX) will host the last stop of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series 2014 on June 6-8, bringing together 80 divers from the top nations in the sport. The competitors will vie for top honours in eight events – men’s and women’s 3m springboard and 10m platform, individual and synchro – with a total prize money of US$696,000 on offer.

Going into Monterrey, a first-time host of the Series, China’s He Chong looks strong with 77 points in the men’s 3m springboard. The reigning World champion is followed by Ukrainian Illya Kvasha (68 points) and two-time winner in last year’s Series. British Jack Laugher is third (58 points), his best result yet in this competition.

In the 10m platform, Russian Victor Minibaev, third overall in the 2013 Series, has a lock on the top spot with 62 points. Tom Daley of Great Britain and Chinese Qiu Bo, both 2012 Olympic medallists, currently tie for second place with 48 points each.

Among women, Wang Han positions herself as the top qualifier with 82 points, ahead of main challenger and team-mate He Zi, 70 points. Italy’s Tania Cagnotto is third with 56 points.

On the higher board, Chinese Liu Huixia leads with a comfortable 82 points. Malaysian Pandelela Rinong Pamg, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, is currently second with 68 points. Roseline Filion from Canada, who clinched her first World Series title with Meaghan Benfeito in the synchro same event in Windsor last weekend, totals 50 points.

In Monterrey, world-class divers will also take the opportunity to finetune their preparation for the FINA Diving World Cup, taking place next month in Shanghai, China (July 15-20).

Ikpeme preaches Consistency to Eaglets

The Golden Eaglets Eaglets have for the umpteenth time been told to be consistent and responsible as the team shift base from Abuja to Calabar for their closed-camping.

Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director Technical at the NFF, addressing 33 selected players picked after 70 days of rigorous screening and documentation during their training session at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Thursday, said it was imperative for the players
to realize the purpose of being in the national team.

He told the players in an unequivocal manner that without consistency in performance and attitude, they stand no chance at all of a successful career.

“First and foremost, I want to congratulate you because you have been picked from thousands who came for the screening,” he said.

“But be that as it may, I want to remind you that there are three things that you need to imbibe in order for you to succeed.

“There must be consistency on your part in order to give your best at all time as well as internalise information from your coaches and above all, you must have a winning mentality,” he noted.

Ikpeme, a trained psychologist and instructor, would later demonstrate to the players in practical way the art of being consistent from a shooting range, adding that they must always strive to achieve their objective.

“You have to be responsible for your action and ensure that you allow the ball to reach your target whether you are passing to your teammates or you are aiming to score goals,” Ikpeme advised.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets would expectedly draw the curtain on the first phase of their programme with another practice match against Ibadan-based SRHD Sports Football Academy at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch on Friday before departing for Calabar this weekend.

WE’LL ROAST RWANDA IN KADUNA- FALCONS BOAST

Super Falcons have on arrival in Kaduna Wedneday afternoon vowed to beat the She Amavubi of Rwanda silly in their second leg Africa women Chamoionship (AWC) qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello stadium on Saturday.

Falcons after having a feel of the Ahmadu Bello stadium pitch soon on arrival on Wednesday assured that they would consolidate the 4-1 advantage from the first leg in Rwanda by winning very well. 

The girls, oozing with optimism agreed that the She Amavubi’s  would come fighting, but they would be beaten soundly again in response to the charge of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to finish what they started two weeks ago by dismissing Rwanda from the AWC.

Skipper of Super Falcons, Evelyn Nwabuoku said there was no cause for alarm as they are ready for whatever opposition  Rwanda will offer adding
“We are ready for them and we are not really concerned about the pitch
whether it is artificial or grass,we are at home and we’ll make it count”

Veteran Onome Ebi said Rwanda will fall no matter how much they try noting that Falcons are looking beyond the qualifiers and are focussing on the AWC in Namibia.

Midfielder Asisat Oshoala on her part said that Super Falcons are set to make the first leg score line look like a child’s play as they would pummel their visitors come Saturday.

Rising star, Chiwendu Ihezuo said they would not underrate their guest despite having a 4-1 lead from the first leg in Gisenyi pointing out “we want to hold tight to our lead and try to win again by whatever goals margin.

The Rwandan delegation are expected to arrive Abuja on Thursday from Kigali and will then make the two hours journey by road to Kaduna for the match on Saturday.

Super Falcons Training in Kaduna