SWAN CUP: Izamoje, Mitchel, Alao lead Lagos SWAN squad .For July 24 friendly against ex-internationals

Veteran broadcaster and CEO of Sports Radio 88.9 Brilla FM, Larry Izamoje, President of AIPS Africa, Mitchel Obi and Managing Director of Complete Communications, Mumini Alao, have been penciled by the technical crew of the Lagos State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to lead the football team for the international friendly against the ex-international on July 24.

The friendly match which is expected to herald the 2015 edition of the SWAN cup sponsored by Winners Golden Bet will have the Lagos SWAN All Star Veterans Team battle the former Green/Super Eagles players by 3pm on July 24, 2015 at the Legacy pitch of the National stadium.

Some of the ex-internationals who have confirmed their participation for the match include: Victor Ikpeba, Jonathan Akpoborie, Tajudeen Disu, Etim Esin, Aziengbe Iyoriobhe, Yisa Shofoluwe, Ipaye Wasiu, Raymond King, Simeon Bremner Alada, Micheal Dominic, Friday Ekpo, Tajudeen Ajide, Raymond King, Austin Popo, Clement Temele, Segun Oguns, Nicholas Ukadike and Peter Nieketen.

Larry Izamoje,

Lagos SWAN FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Ben Alaiya (SportsDay), Pius Ayinor (The Punch)Kazeem Tijani (Complete Sports) Ladi Egbedire (STV/Rhythm) Murphy Ijemba (Brila FM)

Defenders
George Aluo (The Sun) Ade Ojeikere (The Nation) Tony Nezienya (NAN) Adekunle Salami (New Telegraph) Ejiro Omonode (MasterSport) Christain Opara (The Guardian) Dare Esan (Complete Sport)
Jide Alabi (Silverbird TV) Godwin Enahkena (LTV) Linus Odogu (NTA) Patrick Omoriodon (Vanguard)
Andrew Ekejuba (National Mirror) Ben Memuletiwon (National Mirror) Emma Jemegha (Soccer Star)
Wale Joseph (Tribune) Raymond Nwaduba (SportsDay) Babatunde Alao (Complete Sport)
Jerome Obuninta (SportsDay) Emmanuel Kalu (NTA)

Midfielders

Tony Ubani (Vanguard) Harry Iwuala (Youdees) Festus Abu (The Punch) Bimbo Adeola (Mega Sports)
Mike Miyaki (SuperSport) Quasim Elegbede (Complete Sport) Desmond Ekwueme (SportsDay)
Kunle Solaja (The Sun) Femi Obong Daniel (Cool/Nigeria info/Wazobia FM) Deji Balogun (LTV)
Duro Ikhazuegbe (ThisDay) Alfred Okoligwe (MasterSport) Eddy Archibong (Mitv)
George Gift (NTA) Samson Akindele

Strikers

Larry Izamoje (Brila FM) Mitchel Obi (MasterSport) Mumimi Alao (Complete Sports) Felix Awogu (SuperSport) Onoche Anibeze (Vanguard) Fred Edoreh (Sport Talk) Moses Praize (SuperSport)
Emma Njoku (The Sun) John Joshua Akanji (Soccer Star) Jekins Alumona (Strategic Outcomes) Henry Esabunefe (SportsDay) Jimmy Akinsola (Beat FM)

Technical Crew
Technical Adviser: Paul Ogazi (NTA) Coach: Emmanuel Tobi (New Telegraph) Team Manager: Ayo Bada (The News)

National Sport Commission Pledges Support for Nigerian Sport Award

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged to throw its weight behind the organizers of the Nigerian Sports Award in its quest to inspire outstanding performances in Nigerian sportsmen and women through recognition and reward. The Director General, National Sport Commission, Al-Hassan Yakmut made this known in Abuja recently when he received members of the Award Panel who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Addressing the members of the Award Panel during the courtesy visit, Yakmut commended the effort of the organizers for remaining steadfast and committed towards the objectives of the Award, which is to reward excellence performance among Nigerian athletes.

The Director General noted that the Nigerian Sports Award could be described as the outsourced aspect of the National Sports Policy, which has provision for Reward & Incentives. He added that the Commission needs to give its maximum support to the initiative especially in line with the Public-Private Partnership drive of the government.

A Member of the Award Panel,Nigerian Sports Award, Mitchel Obi, presenting an award to the Director General, National Sports Commission, Al-Hassan Yakmut in Abuja recently.

Speaking earlier on the mission of the team to the National Sports Commission, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Ikeddy Isiguzo disclosed that the Panel was in Abuja to congratulate Yakmut on his recent appointment as the Director General and also to deepen the relationship between the Commission and the Nigerian Sports Award.

Isiguzo called for more participation and involvement of the National Sport Commission in the Nigerian Sport Award by making its presence felt during the award Gala Night ceremony which he described as the celebration of the achievements of the sports Ministry.

He used the occasion to announce to the Director General that the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award would hold at a yet to be made public date in November at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“We want more presence from the Ministry and the reason is very obvious, whatever anybody says, the Ministry does a lot for the athletes and when we have an event of that magnitude, the presence of the Sports Ministry from the Minister of Sports to the Director General and other key office holders is very important because we are celebrating the achievement of the Ministry’’ he said.

Nigeria Sports Awards

While presenting the Nigerian Sports Award plaque to the Director General as a mark of honour, Mitchel Obi, a member of the Award Panel stated that the appointment of Yakmut is well deserved having come a long way in Nigerian sports from being a Volleyball player to an administrator.

“It is our privilege to present to you this unique award for your commitment to sports development in Nigeria and also a reflection of the vision you have for Nigerian sports and we believe that with the Nigerian Sports Award, it is a recognition for those who have excelled and those who are on the path of excellence.

LAGOS SWAN CUP 2014: Team SWAN calls up Ogazi, Alao, Obi, Awogu and others

LAGOS SWAN CUP 2014: Team SWAN calls up Ogazi, Alao, Obi, Awogu and others….Rafiu Ladipo as Centre Referee and Seyi Akinwunmi, Match Comm

Ahead of the Lagos SWAN Cup 2014, the technical committee in conjunction with the Team SWAN Coaching crew after weeks of scouting and deliberation has released a provisional list of players that will take on the Nollywood All Stars at the novelty match to herald the official opening ceremony of the SWAN Cup 2014.

A Shortlist of 34 players has been submitted to the coaching crew but this list will be pruned down to 18 players and 4 officials. The game which will last 50 minutes with 25 minutes both halves will be 11 a side and each team will be made up of male and female players, with an unlimited number of substitutions.

Top on the list is long standing captain Paul Ogazi, the Mastersports duo of Ejiro Omonode and AIPS Africa President Mitchell Obi, also invited to camp is Brilafm Boss Larry Izamoje, Hotsports MD Taye Ige, Supersport GM Felix Awogu, Jenkins Alumona, Mumini Alao and Super Eagles Media Officer Ben Alaiya while a high powered women’s list consist of Ejiro Babafemi, Nneka Anibeze,Henrietta Ukaigwe, Blessing Nwosu, Pepsie Adiukwu, Mercy Igbafe, and Barrong Tony-Uranta amongst others.

Meanwhile, Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President General, Nigerian Supporters Club Worldwide, will be the Centre Referee. The no nonsense centre referee has asked that both teams come with their “A” game as he would not be showing them any favours but concluded that FIFA rules will be applied to the fullest, while the Lagos State FA Chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has been appointed match commissioner of the day.

In the same vein, the Sponsor, Winners Golden Bet speaking through their Assistant General Manager, Deji Beecroft, have promised to spice up the event in their own way. Beecroft is set to lead a large entourage of supporters to the game while stating that this is just the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship between his company and Lagos SWAN.

On its own part, Organisers of the Nigerian Sports Awards, Unmissable Incentives LTD have stated that their drive to use Awards as a form of stimulating growth in Nigerian Sports is what informed their decision to provide all the medals and trophies that will be won during SWAN CUP 2014.

Kits for all the teams that make it to the Semi finals of the Lagos SWAN CUP 2014 will be provided by OWUSPORTS Nigeria, and C.E.O. Of the company Barrister Tunji Brown has promised fresh designs which he says are the hallmark of OWU.

So come Thursday, April 24, 2014 all roads lead to the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, as Team SWAN battles Team Nollywood in the SWAN Cup 2014 opening ceremony novelty match.

The Full list for Team SWAN below:

Paul Ogazi

Mitchel Obi

Ejiro Omonode

Larry Izamoje

Mumini Alao

Felix Awogu

Niyi Oyeleke

Felix Okugbe

Taye Ige

Onochie Anibeze

Adekunle Salami

Chris Opara

Dapo Sotiminu

Ben Alaiya

Tony Ubani

George Aluo

Jide Alabi

Jenkins Alumona

Ladi Egbedire

Godwin Enakhena

Ken Ochonogor

Femi Obong Daniel

Mike Maiyaki

Ejiro Babafemi

Henrietta Ukaigwe

Blessing Nwosu

Deola (NTA)

Pepsie Adiukwu

Mercy Igbafe

Barrong Tony-Uranta

Nneka Anibeze

Mariah Olatunji

Cecilia Omorogbe

Anulika (VON)

Anabel Okweri )FRCN)

Chisom Mbonu.