The organisers of the JKF youth cup have released modalities for the competition starting November 22nd across Ekiti state. The competition being organised by the Ekiti State Football Association is aimed at scouting for talents in the U-15 boys and girls categories across the state. And it will see 16 boys team and 8 girls […]
via JKF YOUTH CUP: Organizers Release Schedule — finixsportsblog
Twelve year-old Abayomi Animasahun once again made Nigeria proud in far away Shanghai, China when he defied all odds to finish second in the boys’ singles of the 2015 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Hopes Challenge.
Animasahun, who has continued to compliment his feat at his first international competition at the Egypt Junior Open in June when he won the U-12 boys’ singles while he also finished among the top eight at the China Junior Open last week was the toast of ITTF officials who described the Ekiti State-born player as Africa’s prospect in the sport.
From the group stage, Animasahun made nonsense of some of the highly-rated players from Netherlands and Thailand to settle for second place having lost to United States’ Nikhil Kumar in one of the three matches in the preliminary round. But for placing second, he joined the American boy to qualify for the semifinal stage.
In the quarterfinal match, he continued his fine-form when he overcame New Zealand’s Nathan Xu 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5) to set up a semifinal tie against Belgium’s Adrian Rassefosse which he won. He finally set up a rematch against the American boy who had earlier defeated him in the group stage.
However, what befell Animasahun happened again in the final match as the American won the match at 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 to be crowned the boys’ champion.
But the performance of the young Nigerian attracted accolades from ITTF Education and Training Coordinator, Dejan Papic.
Animasahun attracted a lot of attention, first he managed to outlast Nathan Xu of New Zealandin long top spin exchanges. The surprise victory made him hot, he moved better in the semifinal against Belgium’s Adrian Rassefosse and played with increased confidence. But in final, he ran out of steam and American Kumar played better in each game. It seemed the fact that Kumar being a left hander was one of the deciding factors,” Papic said.
In the girls’ singles, it was Egypt’s Sara Elhakem emerged winner after beating Germany’s Sophie Kee in the final.
Animasahun’s compatriot, Muibat Bello failed to make it to the podium having finished in the eighth among the 16 players that competed in the event.
Alhaji Busari Ishola successfully retained his seat as Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association at elections conducted in Ilorin on Tuesday morning.
The elections, supervised by Member of the NFF Executive Committee and chairman of the Finance Committee, Otunba Dele Ajayi and Dr. Christian Emeruwa (Assistant Chief Sports Officer), saw 12 of the eligible 14 delegates casting ‘yes’ votes for Ishola. The two other delegates were absent from the polls.
Mr. S. A. Fowomola also received 12 votes to become the vice chairman, while Bolaji Yahaya, Toyin Olokooba, Idris Jibril Etsu, Dayo Ayodele, Yusuf Mohammed, I. Oloruntoba and Lawal Wasiu also won seats on the executive board.
Alabi Takes Over In Ekiti State
Ayodeji Desmond Alabi is the new chairman of Ekiti State Football Association after defeating incumbent Dr. Isaac Ayodele at the elections conducted in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
Alabi polled 16 votes to Ayodele’s three, and in the same vein, Mr. Ariyo became the first vice chairman after polling 16 votes to Oloworemon’s three.
The maiden edition of South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games begins on Friday May 16 in Lagos with over 2,000 athletes and officials in attendance.
The DAWN Games, which will be competed by athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti State, is a 12 sports tournament of Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSSF. The sports are Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Scrabble, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo and Volleyball. It will be staged in three centres across Lagos: Agege Stadium, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba and the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, while the NYSC Camp at Iyana Ipaja in Lagos.
According to the schedule of event released to the media by the Technical Sub-Committee of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), athletes and officials are expected to check in to the Games Village on Friday with accreditations taking off in full swing, while events will begin on Sunday May 18 with Football and Gymnastics taking the centre stage at the Agege Stadium and Rowe Park Sports Centre respectively.
According to the schedules, Rowe Park will also play host to Badminton, Basketball and Tennis. At Teslim Balogun Stadium, sports such as Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Swimming, Scrabble and Athletics will be on stage, while Agege Stadium will also host Chess.
It was gathered that Team Ogun, would present 186 athletes, while no fewer than 163 athletes will represent Team Lagos.
Meanwhile, a member of basketball team for Lagos, Ololade Azeez has expressed confidence that Lagos will win gold medal in both male and female basketball event of the competition.
“I am happy to be among the players that will represent Lagos at DAWN Games. Our training so far is superb and very impressive. We are in good form now and ready to win gold medals for team Lagos in Basketball both male and female category,” he said.
Head Coach of Badminton of Team Lagos, Kayode Olatunji said there is high spirit in camp as the players are looking forward to participating at the DAWN Games, adding that the supports the players and officials received from the state government will boost their morale to excel at the Games, which will end on 24 May.
Chairman of the Ekiti State Football Association, Dr. Isaac Ayodele has been confirmed as the new Chairman of the Ekiti State Sports
Council, after approval by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Congratulating Ayodele in Abuja on Wednesday, NFF President Aminu Maigari observed that the promotion was as a result of Ayodele’s diligence, hard work, painstaking nature and all-round brilliance.
“We are happy that an important member of the NFF Congress has been so promoted by his State. I have known Dr. Ayodele for some time now and I believe this promotion was as a result of all the noble values that he possesses.”
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In his letter of congratulations to Ayodele, Maigari wrote:
“Certainly, this appointment is a firm approval, by the Government of the Ekiti State, of your outstanding qualities and as a competent,
highly intelligent and diligent person. The Government and good people of Ekiti State must also surely have been impressed with your
stewardship as Chairman of the State Football Association.
“We boldly proclaim your reputation as a thorough, disciplined, dedicated and passionate administrator, and our prayer is that the
Almighty God will continue to give you the wisdom and erudition to justify the confidence that has been reposed in you by the Government of Ekiti State, while looking forward to further promotion for your person in Ekiti State and elsewhere.
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