Youth Alive Junior League Jumpoff This Weekend In Lagos

The 2015 season of the Lagos state Junior Basketball tagged “Youth Alive” Junior Basketball League will Jump ball on Friday 16th January, 2014.

The annual developmental league for Under 15 and 19’s which has been remodelled, will for the first time feature schools and Academies in seperate a category and 4 different traditional basketball venues across the Lagos metropolis will entertain the best amateaur basketballers in the state.

According to the Technical Director of the Lagos State Basketball Association who doubles as the Cordinator of the Youth Alive Junior League, Mr Gbade Latona said the idea is to avail all interested schools and basketball Academies an opportunity to participate and reduce travel time of teams to the playing arena during game days.

Lagos Youth Alive Basketball Holiday League resumes at Rowe Park

Traditional basketball courts Mobolaji Johnson Sports Center, Rowe Park, Yaba; Police College, Ikeja; Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island and the Ilupeju Basketball Court will all be utilised for the League. As matches will hold simultaneously at all venue on Fridays and Saturdays for the 6 month period the League will run.

Opening day fixtures set for this Friday, will see Dodan Warriors Academy A against Raptors Academy U19 s and Del Basketball Academy battles Raptors Academy in the Under 15 category at the Ilupeju center. At the Police College center, Police Rookies will battle Warlord Academy in the U19s, while Phidell play Police Rookies and Diamond Academy against Police Rookies on Saturday.

The Rowe Park Center will see the River Dragons U19s’ against Deepbond U19s’ while Strong Tower and River Dragons battle in the U15 category on Friday. The following day will feature Top Field against River Dragons while we will witness the first female match up of the season when Raptors faceoff against Hope 4 Girls at same venue.

Lagos Basketball Association Organise 2-day Coaches /Officials Seminar

The Lagos State Basketball Association is inviting all Basketball Coaches, Referees and Table Officials for a 2-day refresher clinic and regularisation exercise at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Center, Rowe Park, Lagos tomorrow.

The seminar which starts up on Thursday 15th- Friday 16th will afford the Lagos State Basketball Association an opportunity to certify and monitor grassroot coaches, their programmes and progress of the talents they are grooming under their various developmental programmes. Is also aimed to sanitise and improve the officiating aspects of the game of basketball (both floor and Table officials).

FIBA Badged Nigerian Ref

According to the release from the secretariat, the seminar comes with a participation fee of N3000 (Three thousand naira) at will be holding at the Lagos State Sports Council, Rowe Park for the 2 days, and new coaches and officials are invited.

Teenage Commonwealth Medalists Rule At Lagos Taekwondo Open

Nigeria’s latest taekwondo revelations, Abubakar Isah Adamu and Shola Olowookere, repeated their golden Commonwealth feat by bagging gold medals in the just concluded Lagos Opens, held at Rowe Park, Lagos.

The tournament, organized by the Lagos State Taekwondo Association and sanctioned by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, attracted a total of 195 fighters from across Nigeria, and had in attendance most members of the historic Taekwondo National Team to the 2014 Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, where Nigeria Taekwondo got their biggest medal haul records since 1987 All African Games.

It can be recalled that Adamu and Olowookere, who are both 17 year old, won the first Gold medals in the Kyreougi [fighting] during the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, and have been touted by Taekwondo pundits as the future of Nigeria Taekwondo.

Sunday Onofe, who narrowly missed out on a medal in Edinburgh, won the Gold medal in the -87kg Middleweight division, and Chiamaka Onumonu who also narrowly missed out on a medal in Eddinburgh defeated her fellow bronze-medal winning commonwealth teammate, Uzoamaka Otuadinma, in a keenly contested final of the +67kg Olympic weight division. Judith Ehis, who also missed out on a Commonwealth medal, blazed through all opposition to clinch the Gold in the consolidated -67kg Olympic weight division.

Captain of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Team, Chika Chukwumerije came as coach of his young Team Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF), guiding his three athletes to two medals – one gold and one silver.

Commenting on the overall performance of his team mates at the Lagos Opens, Chukwumerije noted, “The obvious gap in tactical knowledge between his team mates and the rest of their opponents, and the sheer amount of self-confidence exhibited en route to their respective victories”.

While congratulating his team mates, he noted that the tournament provided ample opportunity for the National Technical Crew to look at prospective new entrants to the National Team”.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze medallist also expressed his delight at the progress of 17 year old Adamu and Olowookere, noting that their recent form was very good for Nigeria Taekwondo, as 2015 was a very important year.

He encouraged companies to support them by sponsoring their training development programs, and giving them sporting scholarships.

NSCDC, Jaguar Dominate 5Th Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championships

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Jaguar teams at the weekend ruled the 5th Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship.

NSCDC, the defending champion in the male category retained the title it won in 2013 after beating Oyo to the podium in the final while NSCDC female team could not repeat the feat of their male counterpart as they conceded defeat to Jaguar team at the three-day tournament held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park in Lagos.

In the presence of the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo, who described taekwondo as a sport with a lot of potential for Nigeria at international tournaments, NSCDC were at their best to clinch the coveted trophy ahead of others.

I have come to know that Taekwondo is one sport where Nigeria has lots of potentials and I am really impressed and elated that every effort is been made by the federation, government at all levels particularly the states and federal government and of course private individuals and corporate organization to ensure that we harness these talents for future podium performance,” the minister said.

To clinch the title for the second time, NSCDC overcame Oyo 37-22 points.

An excited member of the NSCDC male team, Bright Kolade attributed the victory to hardwork.

“We are the defending champions and I am so happy we won again this year. This is the second gold we are winning as a team in this tournament which makes it interesting because it is coming back to back. Special thanks to our coach because he did it. He is a national coach and I can say he is the best,” he boasted.

In the Poomsea event, Kano and Ogun dominated the event with Kano female team garnering 34.80points while Ogun led the male category with 30.10points closely followed by Lagos with 29.40points.

The Kano team was led by Commonwealth Champion, Adaeze Asigbe, who attributed their victory to determination and commitment of the team.

For the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, the tournament was aimed at discovering the best of the bests that will represent the country in subsequent tournaments.

“In this year’s championship we are working with teams and because it is an open tournament, we can have like two teams from same state. We have about forty teams from all over the country including the armed forces and police. Even the civil defense teams who are the defending champions are here too. Basically, we are looking for the best of the bests, so this tournament is not a grassroots tournament. It is for teams with strong athletes coming together trying to compete”, the NTF boss said.

Cote d’Ivoire, Benin in as players arrive for Lagos International Badminton Classics

The number of countries expected to take part in the Lagos International Badminton Classics continued to swell, as Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic are the latest teams to confirm their participation in the tournament.

Canada is the first country to arrive for the championship as at the weekend as more players are expected to arrive on Monday for the tournament, which will serve off on Wednesday June 4.

With this development, the number of participation nations improved to 17 with the likes of United States and France leading 13 other countries to Lagos for the competition scheduled to serve off on June 4 to 7 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned tournament has also been listed as an International Challenge series with prize money of $15,000.

According to Confederation of Africa Badminton, this competition is the highest category of championship ever hosted by any African country, while its attendance is also the highest for any badminton international championship in Africa.

Also as part of the efforts to woo back supporters of the game, the board members of the Lagos State Badminton Association led by its chairman, Francis Orbih paid a courtesy visit to Oba Dr. Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona, at the weekend in recognition of the monarch’s immense contribution to the development of the game in Nigeria especially in Lagos.

At the event, the king accepted to be the father of the day during the grand finale of the competition on June 7.

Meanwhile, former national player, Oby Edoga believes the tournament would help to revive the fortunes of the sport in Nigeria.

“Generally, hosting of an international event of this magnitude, puts the particular sport in the limelight, both within and outside the country.

Nigeria’s duo of Jinkan Ifraimu Bulus and Ola Fagbemi in action against Thailand at the just concluded 2014 Li-Ning BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals held in India.

In particular, the badminton Classics will rekindle interest in the game, which is almost going into oblivion for lack of tournaments. It will also expose our players to world class standard as well as provide an opportunity for our players to garner points and improve their rankings both in Africa and in the world,” she said.

Edoga added that it would help the players to amass points towards the qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Other nations already confirmed are Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, Austria, Italy, Israel, Slovakia, and Czech Republic.

The remaining countries are Canada, United States, India and New Zealand.

Five events – men’s single, women’s single, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles will be competed for at the championship.

DAWN Games 2014: Lagos dominates gymnastics, as football enters semis

Team Lagos were outstanding in the Gymnastics events of the maiden South-West Secondary Schools Championship tagged DAWN Games 2014 as they won 17 medals to top the medal table of the sport decided at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba.

The breakdown of medals won showed that the Ortega Akintola inspired Team Lagos won 8 gold, 6 silver and. 3 bronze. Team Ekiti were second with 2 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medal. Ogun were third with 1 gold, 5 bronze while Team Oyo could only win 3 silver and 2 bronze to claim the fourth position.

Football event which enters semi final stage on Wednesday with Team Lagos taking on Team Oyo as early as 8am at Agege Stadium, while the second semi final scheduled for the afternoon will involve Team Ogun and Osun State.

Finals of events such as Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Scrabble and Chess will take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Meanwhile, chairman, Technical Committee of Lagos State Football Association, Dotun Coker, has said that the football event at the DAWN Games has shown that there is positive and future in the development of football in the Western part of Nigeria.

Coker, said the tournament which was the initiative of DAWN Commission and designed for Secondary School students within the South West zone would create an enabling environment to harness young sports talents in the region.

The Chairman, LSFA Technical Committee, said he had saddled the chairman of Ikeja Football Coaches Council, Rafiu Taiwo, with the responsibility of writing a technical report and also to identify the best 18 football players for the region ahead of future tournaments.

According to him, Coach Taiwo is expected to submit his report to him for ratification and easy passage to the DAWN Commission.

He detested the lackadaisical attitude of the Lagos State Football Coaches Association for not been present at Agege Stadium where football is taking place, stressing that their presence would enable them to present the LSFA a detailed technical report based on their assessment of each participating team.

DAWN GAMES 2014 APPROVED SCHEDULE OF VENUES & DATES

DAWN GAMES 2014 APPROVED SCHEDULE OF VENUES & DATES
FRIDAY 16TH May – SATURDAY 24TH MAY, 2014

MOBOLAJI JOHNSON SPORTS CENTRE, ROWE PARK, YABA

S/N. SPORTS. EVENTS (BOYS) EVENTS (GIRLS) DURATION. EVENTS DATES. VENUES. REMARKS

1 GYMNASTICS. 6. 5. 3 Days Sun 18th May–Tues 20th May, 2014 Sports Hall

2 BADMINTON. 2. 2. 2 Days Weds 21st May– Thurs 22nd May, 2014. Sports Hall

3 BASKETBALL. 1. 1. 3 Days. Mon 19th May – Weds 21st May, 2014. Basketball Courts

4 TENNIS. 2. 2. 2 Days. Mon 19th May – Tues 20th May, 2014 Tennis Courts

TESLIM BALOGUN STADIUM, SURULERE

S/N. SPORTS. EVENTS (BOYS) EVENTS (GIRLS) DURATION. EVENTS DATES. VENUES. REMARKS
5 TABLE-TENNIS. 2. 2. 2 Days. Mon 19th May–Tues 20th May, 2014. Sports Hall

6 TAEKWONDO. 5. 3. 2 Days. Weds 21st May–Thurs 22nd May, 2014 Sports Hall

7 VOLLEYBALL. 1. 1. 3 Days. Mon 19th May–Weds 21st May, 2014 Volleyball Courts

8 SWIMMING. 16. 16 3 Days. Mon 19th May–Weds 21st May, 201 Swimming pool

9 SCRABBLE. 2 + 2 MXD. 2. 2 Days. Tues 20th May–Weds 21st May, 2014 Sports Bar

10 ATHLETICS. 13. 13. 2 Days. Tues 20th May–Weds 21st May, 2014 Main Bowl
3 3. 1 Day Fri 23rd May, 2014 Main Bowl. Additional 1 day for Finals of 100m, 4X100m relay and 4X400m relay (Boys & Girls)

11 CHESS. 8. 8. 2 Days. Tues 20th May – Weds 21st May, 2014. Media Centre

12 FOOTBALL. 1. 1. 1 Day. Thurs 22nd May, 2014 Main Bowl. 3rd Place and Final Matches (Boys & Girls)

AGEGE STADIUM

12 FOOTBALL. 1. 1. 3 Days. Sun 18th, Mon 19th & Weds 21st May, 2014. Main Bowl

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.

More schools, local councils register for 2014 Ibile Games in Lagos

The number of schools and local councils as well as Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) willing to be part of the 2014 Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games continued to swell following the number of entries received so far by the organisers.

At the weekend, the organisers received huge turnout with schools and councils hoping to beat the deadline for registration. The games holds from April 30 to May 10 this year.

The premises of the Lagos State Sports Council (LSSC) at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba, has been a beehive of activities with the officers from the schools and the local councils rushing to submit their registration forms in order to beat the deadline.

Director of Sports, LSSC, Dr. Kweku Tandoh said that the IBILE Games would be keenly contested this year in view of the large number of secondary schools and LGs/LCDAs presenting athletes for the Games.

He added that the LOC and the subcommittees have intensified efforts to ensure a very successful sports fiesta.