Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Suspends Hafiz Ayinla For 12 weeks

Following a report by President’s Cup tournament officials manager over the conduct of Hafis Ayinla of Cowrie RFC during the final game of the tournament against Marlins RFC from UK, a 4 man committee set up by the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation has found him guilty in line with article 10.4(s), 10.4(m) of the International Rugby Board.

Hafis who was shown a red card for engaging in a verbal altercation with the centre referee, Denis Clement, decided to take laws into his hands after the decision which he perceived unfavorable.

After a thorough investigation and reviews of video evidences, Hafis was found guilty of a verbal attack on the referee and also conducting himself in a manner that negates the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Hafis Ayinla of Cowrie RFC Breaking a Tackle at SWL Fixtures against Eco II RFC

In line with regulation 17 of the IRB which deals with players’ indiscipline and foul play on the field of play, the Cowrie RFC of Lagos player has therefore been suspended from participating in any NRFF sanctioned tournament for 12 weeks.

The committee further recommended that more stringent punishment should be handed out to the players in case of future acts of misconduct inorder to protect match officials and the integrity of the sport.

Oyo, Lagos Picks South West Zone Ticket, As President’s Cup Zonal Qualifiers Ends In Akure

The Oyo State Team defeated Ogun and Ondo State to lead group B at the ongoing Zonal qualifiers for the 1st edition of the President’s Cup at Akure Sports Stadium, Akure.

The Oyo team who are the defending champions of the DAWN Games in their first match yesterday defeated the host State, Ondo by three goals to one before stopping Ogun State who they defeated by two unreplied goals to top their group with six maximum points.

Lagos State who paraded one of the youngest teams in Akure defeated their Osun State counterparts in their first match with two goals from Chike Egeonu to stop the boastful Osun boys who had earlier on Monday defeated Ekiti State 2-1.

Chike Egeonu was again the hero of the Lagos team in their second match when he rose from the bench in the second half of the match against Ekiti state to score three goals with assist from Adewale Lasisi and Ahmed Solaja.

Speaking after the match head coach of Team Lagos, Olatunde Lawson expressed satisfaction with the performance of his boys.

But he was quick to point out the quality of their opponents, saying the teams are not that bad, but maybe they lack quality preparation.

He revealed that they are going back to the drawing board to prepare for the National finals holding later this month.

NTTF President’s Cup Gets New Date

Following the political activities that will engulf Lagos this week, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) have decided to move the maiden President’s Cup to December 17 to 18 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

According to NTTF, the tournament is aimed at inspiring the players as well as put them in good shape for the major competitions in 2015. The change in date was prompted as the venue would be used for political event this week.

Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium

The players listed for the N1.8m prize money tournament are expected to arrive for the competition on December 16.

Top 16 players within and outside the country will be invited for the tournament holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium and the event will also be used to honour outstanding players and officials this year.

In the prospectus released by the organizers, the 16 men singles and the 16 women singles players shall be drawn into four groups of four players in each group.

The matches will be played in a round robin format with the top two players progressing to the next stage of the championship. The top eight players will also be drawn into two groups of four each with the top two advancing to the semifinal stage.

On the eligibility of the players, the organizers said: “The NTFF Technical Committee shall determine the other criteria for invitation which shall include for each event, but not limited to available top four Nigerians in the current world rankings as well as performances during the year 2014. Only players registered by clubs which are affiliated to their state association and or the NTTF are eligible.”

Nigeria Table Tennis Federation

They added: “All players shall hold the current NTTF Player’s License, which must be produced on demand.

Invited players shall complete an acceptance form which shall be forwarded to the Secretary General on or before the close of acceptance which shall be 2.00pm on Tuesday December 9, 2014. All unaccepted invitations shall be extended to players in the ‘reserved List’.”

Every player listed for the competition will be rewarded with cash while the star prize is N250, 000. For the award, the player of the year as well as the young player of the year will be honoured at the colourful event in the presence of dignitaries.

NTTF dangles N1.8m President’s Cup At Top Table Tennis Players

As part of efforts to inspire the players to aim high, the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is staking N1.8m for the maiden President’s Cup holding next month.

The tournament according to the federation would involve the top 16 players within and outside the country, while the event will also be used to honour outstanding players and officials this year.

The two-day championship holds at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, on December 10 to 11.

According to the prospectus released yesterday by the organizers, the 16 men singles and the 16 women singles players shall be drawn into four groups of four players in each group.

Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium

The matches will be played in a round robin format with the top two players progressing to the next stage of the championship. The top eight players will also be drawn into two groups of four each with the top two advancing to the semifinal stage.

On the eligibility of the players, the organizers said: “The NTFF Technical Committee shall determine the other criteria for invitation which shall include for each event, but not limited to available top four Nigerians in the current world rankings as well as performances during the year 2014.
Only players registered by clubs which are affiliated to their state association and or the NTTF are eligible.”

They added: “All players shall hold the current NTTF Player’s License, which must be produced on demand.
Invited players shall complete an acceptance form which shall be forwarded to the Secretary General on or before the close of acceptance which shall be 2.00pm on Tuesday December 9, 2014. All unaccepted invitations shall be extended to players in the ‘reserved List’.”

Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo serves the ball to India’s Kamal Sharath Achanta (unseen) during their Bronze Medal Team table tennis match at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Every player listed for the competition will be rewarded with cash while the star prize is N250,000.

For the award, the player of the year as well as the young player of the year will be honoured at the colourful event holding on December 11