Organisers Give Reasons For GOtv Boxing NextGen Search

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The organisers of GOtv Boxing Night have explained why they are holding GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, slated to take place in Lagos between 17 and 19 February.

In an interview in Lagos, Jenkins Alumona, CEO Flykite Sports and promoter of GOtv Boxing Night, said GOtv NextGen Search has been conceived to raise a fresh crop of professional boxers to replace the current stars when they eventually hang their gloves.

According to Alumona, GOtv Boxing NextGen Search was conceived to widen access into the professional category for young professional boxers and amateurs aspiring to turn professional. The search, he added, will widen the pool from which boxer for the hugely successful GOtv Boxing Night will be selected.

“GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is being held in association with the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and it will offer a launch pad into the big time for talented boxers from any part of the country. The event is open to professional boxers and those who wish to turn pro,” explained Alumona.

The event, which will feature five distinguished boxing coaches as judges, will open on 17 February with the unveiling of the partnership between GOtv Boxing Night and the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos. The same day, sparring sessions by boxers registered for the event will begin and continue the next day and at the same venue under the watchful eyes of accomplished coaches, who will then select the brightest talents.

The concluding part of event, which will hold at the Old Skool Restaurant of the National Stadium in Lagos, will be devoted to free medical examination for boxers who make the grade. Selected boxers will also have the opportunity of attending a sports /medical seminar to be addressed by famous sports personalities and doctors on how boxers can take care of themselves and grow in the sport.

Each boxer who makes the cut will have his boxing licence paid for by the sponsors, GOtv Boxing Night.

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Fifty Elite Athletes Arrive Thursday

Fifty elite athletes who are part of the star-cast for this weekend’s Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will arrive in the country on Thursday, February 4th officials have confirmed.

The General Manager for the marathon race, Yussuf Alli revealed that most of the expected athletes will be coming from Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Bahrain, Cameroon and Rwanda.

Alli further stated that the incoming athletes will drive straight to the Expo Center for the Marathon race at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos to collect their race bibs and numbers.

The athletes will also be warmly received by Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission and head of the Organising Committee for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Deji Tinubu

“We are expecting the bulk of our elite athletes on Thursday from their respective bases, they are all eager to be here for the Lagos City Marathon” Alli stated.

Top on the list of those expected in Lagos on Thursday is Kenya’s Josphat Kifanni Too who has a Personal Best Time of 2.08.23secs.

Peter Kiplagat who won the 2015 Geneva Marathon is also expected from Kenya as well as his compatriot Sammy Kibet; winner of the 2011 Warsaw Marathon.

Abebe Negewo winner of the Rome 2012 Marthon is also expected from Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, organisers have also confirmed that as much as 150 Nigerian elites; mostly from Jos will also be arriving in Lagos on Thursday.

Well over 20,000 runners are expected to feature in the February 6 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which is the first of its kind in over three decades.

About N92 million is also up for grabs for marathoners who can run from the Old Lagos (National Stadium Surulere) to New Lagos (Eko Atlantic City), a distance of 42.195 kilometres.

Nigeria On Standby To Host Of Africa Rugby Cup 1C

Nigeria has been asked to be on standby to host the 2016 African Rugby Cup 1C Tournament in case Morocco fails to meet up with obligations to host the tournament. Nigeria lost the bid to the North African country due to security reasons.

It will be recalled that Nigeria placed a bid to host the 2016 Africa Cup 1C in Lagos but according to Rugby Africa, after careful considerations, the Executive Committee awarded the hosting rights to Morocco as they cited security reasons.

According to a mail sent to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation last week, through Coralie Vandenberg; the operations manager of Rugby Africa, the apex rugby body in Africa; she said “despite agreeing that host city, Lagos might be incident free, some countries could feel unsecure and choose not to travel which would jeopardize the tournament”.

They resolved that should Morocco be faced with the same security threats or no longer in a position to host the tournament, the executive committee will reconsider its position and advise sufficiently ahead of time.

Speaking with the President of The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Sir, Fom Edward Pam in Abuja: he expressed his displeasure over the news saying that the move to host the African Cup 1C here in Nigeria is part of the Federation’s strategy to popularize the sport in the country. ‘However we will not let this distracts us from our goal to get promoted to 1B.

GOtv Boxing Unveils NextGen Search For New Stars

The next generation of professional Nigerian boxing stars is set to be unveiled at the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, an event billed to hold between 17 and 19 February at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gymnasium on Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos. The GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is open to professional as well as amateur boxers wishing to turn pro.

According to Jenkins Alumona, CEO of Flykite Sports, promoters of GOtv Boxing Night, GOtv NextGen Search was conceived to give hidden boxing talents an opportunity to demonstrate their prowess as a route to getting selected for big fight events, particularly, GOtv Boxing Night, the biggest ever boxing event in Nigeria.

“We are calling on professional boxers as well as amateurs ready to turn professional from every part of the country to come and show what they can do.

“GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is part of the ongoing plan to revive boxing by widening the access to GOtv Boxing Night, which is broadcast in 47 African countries by SuperSport.

“It is a launch pad to development and sporting stardom for boxers with ability,” explained Alumona.

The event, which will feature five distinguished boxing coaches as judges, will open on 17 February with the unveiling of the partnership between GOtv Boxing Night and the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame. The same day, sparring sessions by boxers registered for the event will begin and continue the next day under the watchful eyes of accomplished coaches, who will select the brightest talents.

The final day will be devoted to free medical examination for boxers who make the grade. Selected boxers will also have the opportunity of attending a sports /medical seminar to be addressed by famous sports personalities and doctors on how boxers can take care of themselves and grow in the sport.

Each boxer who makes the cut will have his boxing licence paid for by the sponsors, GOtv.

Lagos SWAN invites 27 players for All Stars friendly

The coaching crew of the Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has invited twenty seven players to camp for a friendly match against Lagos All Stars billed for Saturday January 23 at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Topping the list of the invited players are: Goalkeeper Ladi Egbedire (Silverbird TV), captain Wale Joseph (The Tribune), Raymond Nwaduba (SportsDay) Kalu Emmanuel (NTA), Wale Ajose (Complete Sports) Gift George (NTA), Femi Obong Daniel (Cool/Wazobia FM), Henry Esabunefe (SportsDay) and with Sean Amadi (Brila FM).

All players are to report from the two training sessions billed for Wednesday and Friday (8-10 am) at the SWAN Secretariat.

According to Coach Tobi Emmanuel (New Telegraph), all players are to confirm their availability for the match with the Team Manager, Ayo Bada (The Niche). New players are also welcomed.

Lagos SWAN Team

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Ladi Egbedire (Silverbird TV), Kunle Shokoya (Complete Sports) and Shina Oludare (Goal.com), Dele Ojo (The Sun)

Defenders: Wale Joseph (The Tribune), Raymond Nwaduba (SportsDay) Kalu Emmanuel (NTA), Wale Ajose (Complete Sports), Bolarinwa (Cool/Waziobia), Jerome Obunita (SportsDay).

Midfielders: Gift George (NTA), Femi Obong Daniel (Cool/Wazobia FM), Babatunde Alao(Complete Sports), Johnny Edward(Complete Sports), Tunde Oyedele (eyeonthesports.com), Enitan Obadina (MasterSports), Eddy Archibong (Mitv), David Chukwu (NTA), Wole Opatola (Mudial Sports), Wale Sanusi (SuperSport), Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels TV).

Strikers: Henry Esabunefe (SportsDay) Sean Amadi (Brila FM), Kayode Ogundare (Complete Sports), Jimmie Akinsola (Beat 99.9 FM), Francis Ore SuperSport).

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: US Based Nigerian doctors join Volunteer team

The February 6, 2016, Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is not just attracting international elite marathoners, athlete managers and journalists, many Nigerians in diaspora are showing interest, and the latest are two Nigerian doctors practicing in the United States of America.

Dr. Blessing Fadaka and Dr. Nurudeen Lawal are coming to Lagos to work as volunteers during the Lagos City Marathon, first full marathon in Nigeria in 30 years.

Both Fadaka and Lawal believe that volunteering during the marathon is just one way of giving back to Nigeria, a country that gave them so much,

Said Lawal, “I’m a trained Nigerian physician in internal medicine and cardiology who happens to be working in the USA,

“My medical training in Nigeria was mostly tuition free and my goal in life is to take any opportunity to contribute to the development of Nigeria hence I offer my services where needed’’.

Dr Blessing Fadaka

Lawal who learnt about the marathon from Fadaka decided to volunteer because as a firm believer in physical fitness, he believed that contributing in any way to encourage the culture of running or fitness is good.

“A large program like this will attract people with varying degree of fitness. I hope to offer assistance in emergency health services especially as an advanced trainer and practitioner in cardio pulmonary resuscitation in an unlikely instance of such need arising. I will also make my services available in any form the organizing committee might deem it fit.’’ Said Lawal

DE-Royals FC Crowned National F5WC Champions.

Massive Turn out at the F5WC Nigeria Qualifiers

Victor Ikpeba And Jonathan Akpoborie were also on hand to take pictures with Fans and players

Nigeria’s Premier National Football Fives Tournament Ended yesterday at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island. over 1000 teams from across Nigeria were Registered to compete in the six geo-political zones of the country and from the regional qualifiers 16 teams qualified to compete in Lagos for the title of National Champion and With the Honour of representing Nigeria at the 2016 F5WC holding in Bangkok, Thailand.

Defending Champions DE-Royal Fc of Lagos Island successfully retained the title they won last year after a nail-bitting final game against Ago FC of Ogun State.

De-Royal were stunned early on in the first half when Ago Fc opened scoring against the run of play, De Royal levelled up the score a few minutes before the end of first half.

The Second Half was a delight for the neutrals as both teams gave it their all, but it eventually ended 1-1 and it was down to the luxury of penalties which which was won by the DE-Royals Fc.

Kabiru Nasiru of De-Royal Fc was voted the Most Valuable player and his 7 goals at the National Finals were enough to also see him win the Golden Boot award.

Kabiru Nasiru of De-Royals FC displays his Golden boot and MVP Awards with him his Mr Bamise Oyebami Brand Manager Olympic milk

The Olympic Milk Sponsored event witnessed a huge turn-out of fans who were treated to scintillating football displays by the various teams mixed with Musical Performances, Free-styling, Olympic branded giveaways and lots of Olympic Apple fruit drink to drink.

Mr Bayo Akande of FiveSports, Organisers of the event said: “we would like to thank our Sponsors Olympic Milk for their immense support we really appreciate the fact that the brand has come to identify with Nigerian Sports through their various sponsorship of Sporting events.”

“Our plan is to grow football fives in Nigeria, We intend to take it to such lofty heights that it would become the most popular form of football in the world.”

“We brought the Amputee Soccer players here today today for an exhibition game just so we can show the world a snippet of what we have planned for five a-side football”, the Lagos FA under 13 boys and girls and the under 15 boys have also shown to the world what they are capable of, this is just a tip of the iceberg as we reveal our long-term plans for five a-side football going forward.

De Royals FC Lagos, winners of the F5WC Nigeria Qualifiers

“We also would like to thank our friends in the media who have been of immense help to this Fives tournament since hit the road last in search of the The best Five A-Side team in Nigeria”. We must commend all the state FA’s we’ve worked with on this project”

Akande Also used the opportunity to thank the Nigeria Football Federation and the Office of the Senior Special Adviser On Sports in Lagos State, for backing the Football Fives Initiative.

De-Royal Fc Will now represent Nigeria at the 2016 F5WC Finals holding in Bangkok Thailand from the 2nd to the 6th of march 2016.

NFF 1st Vice President Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi with Samson Adamu of Copa Lagos to his left

On hand to cheer on the teams and lend support to the organisers were former Super Eagles Players, Victor Ikpeba and Jonathan Akpoborire, Olympic Gold Medalist Eniefiok Udoobong, NFF 1st Vice-President and Chairman of Lagos FA, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Former Secretary General of the then Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Dr. Tijani Yusuf, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State On Sports Adeyinka Adeboye, Veteran Sports Journalist Yomi Opakunle, Samson Adamu MD Kinetic Sports (owners of the Copa Lagos Brand) and so many other dignitaries

DE ROYAL RETAINS NATIONAL FIVES TITLE…To represent Nigeria at F5WC By Akeem Busari

Defending champions of the National Fives Championship, De Royal Fc of Lagos, on saturday,at the Hilario Campos
mini-stadium,Lagos, successfully defended the title it won last year.

The competition which was the Nigeria qualifiers for the Football World Championship slated to hold March, 2016, in
Bangkok, Thailand, started in November, 2015, with over 1000 teams participating in qualifiers across the six geo-political zones of the country.

The qualifiers produced 16 teams from different parts of the country, who converged in Lagos for the finals.

The teams were divided into four group of four teams each, with the top two qualifying for the quaters and then to the semis, that saw De Royals defeating Awolowo fc of Lagos, 1-0 in the the first semi-final.

And in the other semi-final game AGO fc from Ogun state also beat Kaduna state representatives, Kakuri fc, 1-0 to set up an epic final game against De Royal fc of Lagos.

In the exciting final game that had the capacity crowd that included several dignataries and football
stakeholders, including NFF 1st Vice-President and Chairman of Lagos FA, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Dr.Tijani Yusuf, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, Adeyinka Adeboye, Victor Ikpeba, Jonathan Akpoborire, Yomi Opakunle, Samson Adamu of Copa Lagos fame amongst other important personalities, on the
edges of their seats.

It was the Ogun state side, AGO fc, who scored the curtain raiser. And expectedly,crowd favourites, De Royal fc got the equalizer with a powerful strike off the boots of its talismanic player, Kabiru Nasiru, as the first half ended on equal
terms.

In the second stanza, it was a end to end action, with neither side able to break the deadlock. At the end of regulation
time,the pulsating encounter went straight into penalties, with De Royal winning 5-4, to cart home the giant golden trophy and a whopping N1.5m cash prize.

Individual honours went to Semiu Adegboyega of De Royal, as the best keeper of the competition.

Kabiru Nasiru receiving his Golden Booth Award from Dr Tijani Yusuf

Duminitive attacker of De Royal fc, Kabiru Nasiru, got double honours as he was chosen the Most Valuable Player, as well as the highest scorer of the competition with 7 goals.

Speaking at the end of the competition, Bayo Akande, CEO of Five Sports, expressed gratitude for a successful competition.

“I am glad that this year’s edition was a huge success and also an improvement on the last edition” he said.

“we would like to thank our Sponsors Olympic Milk for their immense support we really appreciate the fact that the brand has come to identify with Nigerian Sports through their various sponsorship

He disclosed that there are plans to increase the venues to more than 12 cities and also increase the participation across all
ages, gender and abilities.

Five Sports who has the exclusive license rights as the Local Organizing Committee to organize the competition in Nigeria, is also keen to forster national social integration,using the fun medium of 5-a-side football to promote discipline, healthy living, team ethics and fair competitive playing among amateur players.

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Media Accreditation commences

The process of accreditation for media practitioners hoping to cover the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has now been opened by the organizing committee.

Head of Media for the race, Olukayode Thomas stated that forms for the media will be available for collection at the Marathon Office at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere from Thursday, January 14th even as he added that collected forms expected to be properly filled should be returned before 28th January.

“Yes, the process for media accreditation has started, interested journalists can now pick up the forms at the Marathon Office to fill and submit promptly, the media have been an important part of this project and we hope to continue our smooth relationship. Thomas stated.

With as much as 20,000 athletes expected across the world, Thomas said the Lagos City Marathon should match other City marathons which has been a veritable way of projecting the hosting cities.

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Organizers call for Volunteers

The Organizing Committee for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon have opened another veritable channel for Lagosians to contribute to the development of their City as a volunteer scheme for the Marathon race has been activated.

Head of the Volunteering department for the Lagos City Marathon, Ebidowei Oweifie said the call for volunteers to come on board is in line with international best practices as well as giving the citizenry a chance to be part of the epoch event billed for the Centre of Excellence on February 6, 2016.

“This is a big event and we are ready to make it a memorable one, we are calling on everybody to come on board and contribute their little quota” Mr. Oweifie stated

Interested members of the public ready to be part of the volunteer scheme for the Lagos City Marathon are enjoined to pick forms at the Marathon office situated inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, opposite the National Stadium.

The forms will be available from Wednesday January 13th through 27th. Organizers assured that there will be no discrimination as all interested individuals will be given the chance to contribute in making the marathon race a huge success.

With as much as 20, 000 athletes expected across the world, the organizers have announced that the winners of both the men and women’s events at the maiden edition of the Lagos City Marathon will go home with $50 000 each, while second and third place finishers will take $40 000 and $30 000 respectively.

The top 20 Nigerians will also be rewarded with cash prizes starting from N1 million, while the second and third positions will settle for N750 000 and N500 000 respectively.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is scheduled for February 6, 2016 at 7am. The start point is National Stadium, Lagos and the finish point Eko Atlantic.

I AM TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THE GROWTH OF FOOTBALL IN NIGERIA- GAFAR

I AM TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THE GROWTH OF FOOTBALL IN NIGERIA- GAFAR By Akeem Busari.

Hopes for a better year for football in Nigeria, in 2016 and beyond,has further been raised by Alhaji Gafar Olawale Liameed, President of Lagos-based 36 Lion football club, has restated his total and unalloyed committed to the growth and progress
of Nigerian football during an interview in his office, in Lagos.

“For over 15 years, we have been using 36 Lion football club, as a platform to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country,” he stated.

Explaining the problems faced by club owners and administrators, particularly at the grassroots level, the boardmember of Lagos FA, pointed at the lack of quality facilities and the huge financial implications of running a local club as the major factors affecting the development of football.

“It is not easy at all,” he explains. “For nine years,I single handed sponsored my team through the national amateur leagues to the professional cadre, We spent an average of N24million a season. And I wouldn’t lie, that was the nine most difficult years of my life” Gafar disclosed.

LIAMEED GAFAR PRESIDENT 36 LION FOOTBALL CLUB LAGOS

According to the hugely experienced football administrator, “despite the daunting challenges, we remain resolute and determined to continue doing what we know best. And that is using football as the platform to continue our contributions to the
socio-economic development of the country,” he added.

Speaking further, he revealed plans to help raise the bar in the development of youth football, beginning with the establishment of a top class sports complex. “It is our desire to provide quality training facilities for our youth players.
We have concluded plans to set-up a complex that comprises a gym, swimming pool, four good playing
pitches, accommodation and of course, a skills acquisition centre.

“We understand that there is life after football and that is why we have also decided to equip the youths for life” Gafar, also
fondly referred as the Lion King, concluded.

Akeem Busari

GAFAR: NIGERIAN FOOTBALL LACKS CHARACTER – By Akeem Busari

Several stakeholders in Nigerian football have deduced different reasons for the success of Nigeria football. However, a major
stakeholder in Nigerian football, particularly at the grassroots level, has come out to state that it is not uhuru.

Speaking during an exclusive interview in his office in Lagos, Alhaji Gafar Olawale Liameed, President of 36 Lion football club, Lagos, praised the achievements recorded by the country at the youth level, he was however, quick to state that more work need to be done in order to replicate the same successes at the senior national team level.

Gafar O LIAMEED, Board member LSFA. PRESIDENT 36 LION FOOTBALL CLUB LAGOS

He went ahead to admonish all stakeholders and football administrators in the country, to transfer the same Energy and Zeal that worked at the youth levels to the senior side. “You begin to wonder why we haven’t been able to achieve similar success at the senior team level.

Everybody has a share of the blame, “Gafar, remarked, “It all comes down to our character. Our football culture lacks character. Our players at the senior team, have consistently displayed a lukewarm attitude whenever they are called to play for the country,” the Lagos FA board member lamented.

He continued: “Have you watched the Germans, Spaniards and even the Americans play for their countries? You will marvel at their hunger, passion, patriotism and the zeal to win. Unfortunately, that is not the case with our national team players”.

In recent times, the only game I watched and saw our players show hunger, determination and dignity to win ,was the 2013 AFCON
Championship held in South Africa. It was the quater-final match against Cote D’lvoire, which we won 2-1,” Gafar said.

LIAMEED GAFAR PRESIDENT 36 LION FOOTBALL CLUB LAGOS

According to him, “immediately our players get into the senior national team, their character changes, they begin to display that unsavoury attitude of “what has Nigeria done for me” ? Painfully, 80 percent of these players, if they have not played in the U-17, U-20 and U-23 teams of this country, there is no way foreign clubs would consider them for contracts, the hardworking and unassuming football administrator, concluded.