Lagos Athletics Relays Championship Beginning s

The maiden Lagos Athletics Relays Championship scheduled for Teslim Balogun Stadium kicks off on Friday April 24 with over N8m at stake at the two-day tournament.

Over 50 schools in Lagos as well as states like Delta, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo including para military clubs like Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will be part of the competition.

According to the organizers, the championship is one of the series of tournament under the Lagos International Sports Classics, which has hosted and still hosting tournaments in table tennis, badminton, taekwondo, swimming, golf among others.

In all, nine events will be jostled for in the junior and senior categories with the grand finale holding on Saturday April 25 at same venue.

For the chairman, Lagos State Athletics Association, Olatunde Makanju, the competition is aimed at igniting the interest of students in athletes, adding that the maiden edition would provide avenue for the state to be hosting the best legs across the globe.

“From our observation, it has been discovered that athletics is going down in schools and we feel staging this kind of event would help to ignite the interest of the students to embrace the sport. Aside this, we are hoping that the tournament will become a world class event with the best athletes across the world coming to Lagos to compete in the prize-money competition. For us in Lagos, we are always setting the pace and we hope that this maiden edition will be a springboard for the sport to win more disciples and have more young people competing,” Makanju said.

Over 50 secondary schools in Lagos will compete in the junior division with athletes taking part in events like 4x100metre, 4x200m, 100 as well as Swedish relay in 100, 200, 300 and 400m. for their efforts, the top three athletes in each event will go home with N50, 000, N30, 000 and N20, 000 respectively.

In the senior category, states, clubs, tertiary institutions, military, para military organizations and foreign countries will compete in 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400, as well as sprint medley like 100, 200, 400 and 800metres. N120, 000, N80, 000 and N50, 000 respectively will be won by the top three athletes in each event.

NTTF Elite Junior & Cadet Training Camp Excites Players

As the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF)-organised elite junior and cadet training camp enters final week, players taking part in the exercise are still in cloud nine over the quality of coaching coupled with the superb organization of the 14-day training camp.

The two weeks camping exercise was initiated by one of Africa’s most decorated table tennis players, Segun Toriola assisted by national coach, Nosiru Bello and Friday Aba.

The 18 players taking part are made up of nine boys and nine girls and they were drawn from Lagos, Ogun, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and they are between the ages of seven and 16.

For the trio of Tosin Oribamishe, Abayomi Animashaun and Afeez Solanke, the exercise has imparted so much on them as they had acquired new skills as well as correct some of their lapses in the game.

sther Oribamishe is one of the players taking par in the ongoing NTTF elite junior and cadet training camp holding in Lagos1

Oribamishe, one of the most travelled junior players and the current national junior champion, believes that the “elite junior and cadet training camp” should be staged regularly.

“we have never had this kind of camping before and I want to appeal to the federation not to make it a one-off event especially with the presence of Toriola, who has played to the highest level in the world. His presence alone served as a motivation to us because we have seen some of things he has been able to achieve with the game and we are also hoping that we can follow in his footstep.

this camp has revealed my mistakes and I have been able to correct it while I also pick up new skills. So this exercise should be sustained especially for the young players,” Oribamishe said.

For 12 year-old Animashaun, the camping has been an eye opener especially with the presence of his role model, Toriola, whom he said has impacted so much in him during the exercise.

His words: “In the camp, I leant not to be on the defensive side when playing and that I must be on the offensive. Also, my top-spin as well as my looping is now perfect because they are now staying on table.

Also, I have been able to adjust my movement on the table which I found very difficult to correct before. All these are things I have been able to do within the first week of the camping. As we enter the final week, I am hoping that I will pick up new things.”

Solanke, winner of the maiden DAWN Games, admits that being part of the exercise has been worthwhile.

“I am so happy that I made it to the camp and for me this is an opportunity for me to perfect my skills especially as I am looking forward to making it to the national junior team.

I can say that Toriola has really impacted so much in us while the organisation of the camping has been so impressive since last week. We are also hopeful that this week will be more interesting than last week,” the southpaw player said.

According to the President, NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, the players were selected based on their performance in competitions sanctioned by the federation and with the aim of teaching them the basics of the game.

For the initiator of the camp, Toriola, the country still blessed with enormous talents in the game, while efforts should be geared towards nurturing these skills to stardom.

“It is very important for former players that had represented this country to see how they can help to improve the game through this kind of exercise which I believe if staged regularly will surely help the young players to improve and rub shoulders with the world’s best.

Most of the players are just playing without understanding the basics especially in pushing long balls and also the need for them to be on the attack because nobody plays defensive game these days.

With what I have seen so far, I think there are bright prospects in the game.

Also our former players should change their mind that until they become national team coaches before they can contribute their own quota towards the development of the game.

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth medalist said.

DAWN Games: Oyo humbles Lagos, battles Ogun in football final

A hard fighting Oyo State football team stopped the ambition of Team Lagos from reaching the final of the male football event at the ongoing DAWN Games at the Agege Stadium on Wednesday.

The pulsating encounter saw Team Oyo scoring two quick goals in the first half of the match through Tajudeen Sodiq, while effort of Team Lagos to equaliser could only produce a goal in the second half through Michael Andrew.

In the other semi final match, Team Ogun thrashed Team Osun 1-0 to set up a final clash against Team Oyo on Thursday. Lagos coach Leo Lawson blamed defensive errors for the defeat, saying that his boys lost concentration when it matters most in the course of the match.

“Our target now is on the third place match against Team Osun. We beat them in the group stage and I expect my boys to do the same again when we meet for the bronze medal tie. I hope to present a new set of players that had not played since we began this competition,” said Lawson.

Secretary of Ogun State Football Association, Leo Adenekan is however looking forward to his state winning football gold at the expense of Team Oyo.

He said after his team beat Team Osun yesterday “I’ve the confidence that we’ll win the gold medal of this event on Thursday by the grace of God,” Leo said.

The third place match between Lagos and Osun will be played by 10a.m Thursday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, while the female final between Lagos and Ogun will be decided by 1:30pm at the same venue. The final will take place by 3:30pm.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs. Modupe Omonigbehin is satisfied with the performance of his state in the ongoing Games, which will end on Friday.

Omonigbehin noted that the athletes have proved themselves beyond her expectations, adding that the state may come second at the end of the championship.

“I’m quite impressed with the performance of our students. We have won some medals in some events and we can still win more before the tournament ends on Friday,” she said.

Omonigbehin said that the DAWN Games has lived up to expectations in the area of organisation. She commended the Lagos State Government for its effort to make the tournament a huge success.

She said that the sports facilities put in place by host helped the athletes to perform better and urged other regions in Nigeria to organise an event that will make their athletes prepare for National Sports Festival and future national competitions.

Despite the fact that Team Ondo failed to participate, Omonigbehin said their absence has not really affected the DAWN Games and believes that Team Ondo will take part in the next edition.

SOUTH WEST RUGBY UNION LEAGUE WEEK 4 – Nigeria Police RFC sets new South-West League points record

More records are being broken and set at the on-going South-West Rugby Union League season as the Nigeria Police RFC white washed Eco II RFC by 121 points to 0 at the National Stadium, Lagos. The “Men In Black” started the game well as Muyiwa Olawunmi powered through the Eco II defence to score the first try of the game. The Police side further scored 19 tries with Sulaymon oyebola converting 7 times.

The match between Racing RFC and Hawkster Athletics RFC ended 6-3 in favour of Racing after both fly halfs, Ekpo Williams and Steven James traded penalties. Hawkster mounted pressure on Racing towards the end but the lads from Lekki defended well to ensure their victory. Gosar RFC recorded their second win of the season as they beat Royal Stallion RFC from Ilorin 13-3 to move up to fourth on the log while defending champions, Cowrie RFC secured a 31-0 victory against Lagos RFC in the last game of week 4.

Nothing has changed at the top of the table; Cowrie RFC still sits on top with 20 points followed closely by Racing RFC’s 17 points. The bottom two clubs remains Royal Stallions RFC and Eco II RFC.

The South West Rugby Union League will be on hold to resume on the 28th of June, 2014 due to preparations for the AFRICA NATIONS CUP 1C to be held in Garborone, Botswana in which Nigeria’s “Black Stallions” will face Botswana, Morocco, Zambia, Mauritius and Swaziland.

DAWN Games kicks off in Lagos

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.

MOC hoists flags for DAWN Game

The hoisting of flags for the South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games was held yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) chaired by Wahid Oshodi attended the flag hoisting ceremony.

The MOC boss said at the ceremony that the hoisting symbolised the readiness of the host, Lagos to stage a glamorous competition.

“I want to tell our brothers and sisters that from other south-west states that we are expecting them for the Games. We want to show again that we can repeat the show and the glamour of the last National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 during the DAWN Games,” he said.

“The athletes and officials will experience the hospitality Lagos is known of at the championship. Everything from health, security and all those things that will make us put in place a glamorous competition are ready. The facilities are world class and by Friday this week, the Games will begin,” Oshodi said

The DAWN Games, which will kick off on May 16 to 24 and will be staged at three centres: Agege Stadium, Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba and the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Over 2000 athletes from six states made up of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and host – Lagos are expected to compete in 12 school sports events.

ITTF World Tour: Ondo T/Tennis players canvass for Govt sponsorship

Players of Ondo State Table Tennis Association yesterday in Akure called on the state government to come to their aids by sponsoring them to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World championships.

It was recalled that the state Teams; senior and junior were invited to represent Nigeria in the world tour following their excellent performance at the NTTF Pilot League and Toyin Okenla National Secondary School championships held respectively in Lagos.

In a separate interview with newsmen, the players thanked the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko for his timely love and support for Table Tennis begging for his quick intervention in order to participate in the career boosting championships.

“It is not common to invite a state to represent it’s country in an international championship and this shows that we have records. We want to thank the government for the encouragement, the World Tour will boost our rankings as players and a state”, Ojo Onaolapo said.

“Attending the championship will improve and expose the standard of the grassroots programme of the Dr. Mimiko led government. We need to improve on our knowledge and skills”, Akinyinka Kehinde added.

According to the invitation letter, the Sunshine senior team is expected to represent Nigeria in the GAC Group ITTF World Tour, China Open Chengdu Super Series between June 4 and 8 while their junior counterparts will do same at the Funchal Junior & Cadet Open ITTF Circuit in Portugal between September 3 and 6.

However, The Teams head coach, Adedotun Omoniyi urged the state government to sponsor the teams which he said will help in preparing the players for the forth coming National Sports Festival slated for Calabar.

“Table Tennis remains the states’ number one area of advantage in a competition so there is need to expose players to modern techniques”.

“The penalty for non show policy, there be a charge of £150 per player and coach and cancellation amounts will be added to the association’s invoice to be paid together with the hospitality costs to the organisers either by bank transfer or by cash on site.

Also the association will not be allowed to enter future World Tour events if any cancellation fees remain outstanding”, ITTF Competition Manager, Karl Jindrak said.

The senior players include; Ojo Onaolapo, Boboye Oyeniyan, Fagbamila Akinwale and Akeem Lasisi while Oladiran Joshua, Akomolafe Sunday, Amadi Umah and Akinyinka Kehinde form the junior team.

SOUTH WEST RUGBY LEAGUE WEEK 3 REVIEW….

NIGERIA RUGBY FOOTBALL UPDATE

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE WEEK 3 (CLASH OF THE TITANS)

The highlight match of the South West League week 3 games between Cowrie RFC and Police Machine ended in favour of Cowrie RFC by 31 point to 6, the arsenal of the Police Machine was neutralized by Cowriere RFC as they fought viciously to retain their six years 15s unbeaten race in West Africa, in other games, Racing RFC retained a clean sheet by demolishing Eco II RFC by 70 points to 0, Lagos RFC lost to Gosar RFC by 5 point to 12, while Hawkster Athletes won Royal Stallions RFC by 24 points to 13.

Cowrie RFC sits on top of the league table with 15 points, Racing RFC with 13 points is in second place while Eco II is at the bottom of the table with no point.

The South West League continues with its week 4 games on the 17th of May at the Main bowl of the National Stadium.

(GIR) GET INTO RUGBY ENDORSEMENT

The experts to undertake the Get into Rugby programme will arrive into the country tomorrow 5th May 2014, the Get into Rugby programme was initiated by the International Rugby Board in a view to spread the sport to schools and also for grass root development of the sport.

The training progamme will be held at the Media center of the national stadium on the 6th, 7th and 8th of May 2014, already 50 coaches and 35 teachers from eight states (Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Plateau, Kaduna, Abia and Imo state) have registered to participate in the first phase of the programme.

NATIONAL TRIALS

Following the invitation of the Nigeria National team to participate in the AFRICA CUP 1C 15s tournament in Gaborone, Botswana from 13th – 22nd of June. The Southern trail which was coordinated by the national technical crew led by the technical adviser was held at the main bowl of the National Stadium Surulere in Lagos on the 3rd of May 2014, the trial had over two hundred and fifty players in attendance,. The technical crew will be in Abuja this weekend to conduct the Northern trail.

Corporate Nigeria backs DAWN Games, as Lagos sports festival ends on Saturday

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the DAWN Games 2014 has recorded significant success in its marketing drive as more companies continue to sign on as sponsors/partners for the Games.

The DAWN Games (South-West States Secondary Schools Games) will hold in Lagos from May 16 to 24, 2014 with over 2,000 athletes from the six states, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos competing for honours in 12 sports.

Some of the companies that have signed on with the Marketing Subcommittee include Nestle Nigeria Plc, Honeywell Foods, Bingo Foods and Beverages with Vivi Chocolate, GT Bank, First Bank and PZ.

Some of these companies are already very visible at the designated Games venues. According to the Marketing Subcommittee, other companies are expected to come on board before the Games commence.

Chairman of the LOC and Lagos State Commissioner of Sports, Wahid Oshodi, expressed the state government’s appreciation to all the companies that are supporting the DAWN Games, adding that this only goes to confirm that in Lagos State, there is indeed an excellent collaboration between the public and private sectors in all areas, sports inclusive.

He further enjoined other private sector companies to support the state government in its efforts to ensure effective and sustainable sports development.

Meanwhile, Star College of Ikorodu have emerged the winners of the Men’s Volleyball event after defeating Rockford College, Ikorodu at the final played at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at the Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games which ends on Saturday.

Star College won the final by 3- 0, while United Christian College, Ikorodu settled for the third position. Star College team were also adjudged the best male school in the Volleyball event of the Games.

Davo Patrick of Star College was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player due to his performance.

Rockford College, Ikorodu dominated the women’s category, as the school defeated United Christian Secondary School by 3-0.
Musa Abosede of Rockford was adjudged Volleyball’s Most Valuable Player in the female cadre, while Ajigbada Girls Senior High School, Surulere were the Best Female volleyball school.

God, hardwork gave us victory – Sunshine Queens

Coach Kennedy Boboye of Sunshine Queens FC on Thursday attributed his team’s 4-0 victory over Ibom Angels of Uyo in the mid-week fixture of the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) to God favour and hardwork.

The coach told the team Media Officer, Biyi Akinnodi that his girls gave a good account of themselves against the highly rated Uyo side.

“I want to appreciate the effort of my players, they displayed class. The players were so determined and focus from the beginning to the end of the game.

“We have been so good at home but the Ibom win is our best so far this season and I hope and pray we take the form away.

“It was obvious to everybody at the stadium that we scored four good goals. I’m delighted, this is the type of goals I need from my players especially in away matches.

“Our focus is now on our next game in Calabar at the weekend. No injury worries in the team except for Shola Oyewusi who was injured against Ibom and she is ok but we cannot risk her this weekend”, Boboye said.

Kayode Afolabi, Sunshine Team Manager, hailed the team’s performance saying much is expected from the team outside the state.

Sunshine Queens and Falcons midfielder, Zirike Elizabeth described the match as unbelievable saying her team deserved the win with the level of love in the camp.

“We prayed and worked for the win, the victory belongs to God”.

Goals from Shola Oyewusi, Adekunle Adenike, Koku Iyabo and Herny Chisom gave the Akure based team the maximum three points.

The team is currently 5th on the log with 15 points with a match in hand against Adamawa Queens and will battle Pelican Stars of Calabar this weekend in the week 11 tie of NWPL.

Photo Credit: ondonews.com

DAWN Games will foster unity among youths in South West, says Ibirogba

DAWN Games will foster unity among youths in South West, says Ibirogba • Ogun shapes up for tourney

Chairman of Media and Publicity Subcommittee of the DAWN Games, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, has said that the tournament would help foster good relationship among the youth of the south-west states of the country

The maiden edition of the DAWN Games, a competition among secondary schools in Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States, will be held in Lagos from May 16 to 24, 2014.

The chairman of the Media Subcommittee, who is also the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State said the competition would bring youth in the region together to compete in a healthy environment, adding that the DAWN Games is symbolic because the south-west states want to show the rest of the country the cordial relationship that exists within the people and governments of the region and the need to use youth and sports to preach unity among the people.

Meanwhile, as the kick off date of the Games draws nearer, Team Ogun say they can’t wait for the school sports championship to start.

Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Mr. Adesola Faleti, said the state’s athletes are ready and are in good sporting form to excel at the competition.

“The athletes have been training for a couple of months. We are going to participate in 12 sports events and in Ogun State, we specialise in more than 33 sports, thus taking 12 out of 33 won’t be a problem for us,” said Faleti during the inspection of facilities and venues for the championship which took place recently in Lagos.

Faleti noted that the Games would enable Ogun State Sports Council to assess its grassroots developmental programmes which has been well supported by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and more importantly it would assist the sports council the opportunity to replace
its ageing athletes.

”Since inception of Governor Amosun’s administration, we had been mandated to develop sports at the grassroots. I think the DAWN Games will definitely assist us to discover budding talent to replace the older athletes,” he said.

The former national pugilist said the state’s effective grassroots sports programme had earned Ogun a positive result as the National Sports Commission, NSC, invited over 22 athletes from the state to the national team, while six junior football players were also invited to the camp of the national U-13 team.

“DAWN Games can bring positive and better future for the nation as athletes we will discover in the regional championship can be selected for the country’s future international outings.

“I believe the DAWN Games is another opportunity to explain the commitment of the southwest state governments towards building Nigerian future stars who would take over from the ageing national athletes.

The DAWN Games is the needed grassroots developmental programme which we can use to aid the growth of sports and the wellbeing of our athletes,” he said.

He concluded that Ogun State Sports Council is working with the support of the Ministry of Education to place athletes that will excel in the DAWN Games on scholarship for them to continue their education.

The DAWN Games will feature 12 sports, which are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and volleyball with over 2000 athletes and officials expected to participate.

The events will take place at Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and Agege Stadium. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Iyana-Ipaja will serve as the Games Village.

NIGERIA RUGBY FOOTBALL UPDATE ! SOUTH WEST LEAGUE WEEK 3 (CLASH OF THE TITANS)

NIGERIA RUGBY FOOTBALL UPDATE

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE WEEK 3 (CLASH OF THE TITANS)
As the week 3 of the southwest league set to hold on the 3rd of May 2014 at the main bowl of the national stadium, Cowrie RFC will be taking on Police RFC, the game which will be the highlight game of week 3 games is tagged ‘clash of the titan’, Cowrie RFC with six years unbeaten 15’s game race in West Africa set a record last week in the country (highest scored point in a single match) by winning the Royal Stallion RFC by 97 point to 0 in the second match of the week two games will face the determined Police RFC in the last match of week 3 games, Police RFC once sting Cowrie RFC in the final of the independent 7’s tournament held last year at the onikan stadium.
In other matches of the week 3 games, in the first game, Racing RFC will take on Eco II RFC, Lagos RFC and Gosar RFC will knock heads in the second game while the third game will be between Royal Stallions RFC and Hawster Athletics RFC,

(GIR) GET INTO RUGBY ENDORSEMENT
Following the NRFF endorsement as one of the union to participate in the IRB Get into Rugby programme, The Get into Rugby experts will be in Nigeria to undertake a three day training programme for coaches and teachers, the training will be held at the Media center of the national stadium on the 6th, 7th and 8th of May 2014, already 50 coaches and 35 teachers from eight states (Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Plateau, Kaduna, Abia and Imo state) have registered to participate in the first phase of the programme.

This endorsement will automatically trigger grass root development of rugby in Nigeria.

“Try their potentials, let them play and motivate them to stay”

NATIONAL TRIALS
Nigeria National team will be competing at the AFRICA CUP 1C 15s tournament to be held in Garborone, Botswana from 13th – 22nd of June. Our opponents includes; Botswana, Morocco, Zambia, Mauritius and Swaziland. However, trials for National Team selection will be held in two regions i.e. North and South, the southern trials will be held at the main bowl of the national stadium surulere on 3rd of May 2014 during the Southwest League Week 3 games while the Northern trials will be held in Abuja on the 10th of May 2014, Players from oversea have been contacted to participate in the trails. The NRFF technical team will only pick players from these trials to participate in the National closed camp in order to prepare for the tournament.