For their immense support in the last few years, the Minster of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo has commended the government and people of Korea Republic over the development of taekwondo in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the minister and addressed to the Ambassador, Republic of Korea, it stated that the performance of Team Nigeria in major competitions has been outstanding, adding that this became possible with the continued support of the Korean Government.
NTF President-George Ashiru addresses participants At an NTF program
“We hereby write to convey the profound gratitude of NSC and indeed taekwondo lovers in Nigeria for your unequaled support to the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) under the leadership of Mr. George Ashiru. Your support, no doubt contributed immensely to the sterling performance of Team Nigeria at the last Commonwealth Championship in Edinburg, Scotland, where they posted their best performance ever in any international competition; and has in no small measure promoted youths and sports development in the country,” he said.
The NSC helmsman added: “We therefore, most heartily commend your kind gesture in assisting our team and hope that this will go a long way to further strengthen cordial relationship between your good selves and the Commission.”
In the last few years, the Korea Government has been sponsoring the annual Korea’s Ambassador Cup involving teams within and outside Nigeria.
With few hour into the New Year and few weeks to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships, the rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt will again resume in Cairo come January 23 to 29 and Nigeria’s hope, Aruna Quadri has opened up on his intentions to lead the battle against the Egyptians just like he did during the 2014 ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup where he defeated Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and El-Sayed Lashin to clinch the title.
The Portugal-based player said in this interview that he is hopeful that Nigeria will halt the North Africans dominance. However, the Oyo State-born athlete also appealed to the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye and Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo to ensure that funds are provided for the team to be part of the tournament, which also serves as qualifiers for the 2015 World Championship in China.
Quadri Aruna Team Nigeria Table Tennis Squad member at Glasgow 2014
1. What are you looking forward to in Egypt?
As a member of the Nigerian team, I am looking forward to a better outing in Cairo. Egypt has been ruling Africa for years now and our men and women’s team are looking forward to stopping the Egyptians dominance. I have never won the African championships individual event in my career and winning it will make me happy in January and I seriously believed it’s possible and God will help me as am working harder for the war in Cairo.
2. Egypt has been dominating the tournament in the last five years, do you think Nigeria can halt the reign of the Egyptians?
Yes it’s true and I seriously believe that their dominance will end this month.
It’s not going to be easy for any team to defeat them due to the quality of players their team has got but it’s very possible if our team has the needed support.
Meanwhile, Tunisians and Algerians including the Congo Brazzaville are not walk over matches but we see these teams as a lesser threat to our campaign in Cairo next year.
3. How ready are Nigerian players for the tournament?
We are all ready for the war in Cairo due to the fact that everyone knows what’s at stake and we will all fight to retain our lost glory in Africa this time. Our federation has been working hard and this is the right time to compensate the great efforts of our federation president and members.
Just like we put a smile on his face at commonwealth games, we are all working harder as a team to make him the happiest man in January in Cairo and may God help us more than our imagination.
Aruna Quadri of Nigeria in action
4. Egypt’s Lashin is the men’s single champion, are you targeting the title?
As a matter of fact, the title with Lashin is still eluding me in Africa and winning it will make me fulfilled a little bit just like the way am targeting African games title that was won by Lashin’s compatriot Omar Assar in Maputo and winning the games individual title as well this year will make me fully fulfilled in Africa and it’s very possible with hard work.
5. How prepared are you for the competition?
I think I will be well prepared for the tournament, after the ITTF Star Awards in Dubai, I am going straight to Porto to join my team mates and practice for two weeks in the same venue that I prepared for the World Cup. Presently everyone is on holidays but I am not on holidays fully as am running day after day to keep fit and I wish myself and the entire team members best of the best of luck in our careers.
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.
As the countdown to Thursday November 13, date for the 2014 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award draws closer, Sports Minister, Dr Taminu Danagogo and Nigeria born world top 30 ranking table tennis player Aruna Quadri are among the dignitaries that have confirmed their attendance at the event.
According to Kayode Idowu, General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited-organizers of the award, the Sports Minister, Dr. Taminu Danagogo would be the special guest of honour at the event billed to hold at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
Kayode Idowu also disclosed that Aruna Quadri, Nigeria’s table tennis player who was recently ranked 30 in the world is also confirmed for the award and will be travelling all the way from his base in Portugal to attend the award Gala Night.
According to Idowu, other sports personalities confirmed for the award include American based veteran athlete, Modupe Oshikoya who will also make a trip to Nigerian from United State to attend the event.
Modupe Oshikoya was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award He also disclosed that Nigeria’s foremost Basketball player Olumide Oyedeji has also confirmed that he will be at the event. He noted that Oyedeji who is scheduled to travel on the date of the event had to move his flight to be able to make the third edition of the award.
Other dignitaries and nominees confirmed for the events include, Lagos Commissioner for Youth Sports & Social Development and President of Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) Mr. Waheed Enitan Oshodi who is nominated for the Administrator of the Year Award, Manu Garba, the Coach of the World conquering Golden Eaglets that won the U-17 World Cup in UAE in 2013 nominated for the Coach of the Year Award.
Sports Minister Orders Immediate Resolution Of NFF Crisis…,Wants court case withdrawn; confirms meeting with Hayatou
The Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has ordered quick and unambiguous resolution of the crisis threatening to tear the Nigeria Football Federation apart, and directed feuding parties to sheathe their swords in the interest of peace.
Danagogo, at a meeting with top officials of the Federation and the faction led by Ambassador Chris Giwa, specifically charged that the court case entered into by the Giwa faction should immediately be withdrawn to save Nigeria from impending FIFA hammer. He also confirmed holding a meeting with President of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji (Dr) Issa Hayatou in Windhoek on Saturday, where the CAF supremo told him in no uncertain terms that FIFA and CAF have had it up to their neck with Nigeria.
“Dr. Hayatou told me Nigeria could actually have been stopped from playing the final of the African Women Championship in Namibia on Saturday, but he had to plead with FIFA to stop its Emergency Committee from taking immediate action. He also explained that such an occurrence would have handed the trophy automatically to Cameroon, and people would have thought that being a Cameroonian, he instigated such to favour his country.
“The CAF President was really unhappy with us. He brought out documents which constitute the protocols that every country wishing to be in the international football family had to sign, and which Nigeria signed. Part of these is the fact that disputes in football have to be taken to arbitration, and not civil courts.”
Restating that national interest and the interest of football should be paramount in the minds of those battling for the soul of the Nigeria game, Danagogo directed that the court case should be withdrawn and that both NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Ambassador Giwa should sit down like brothers and discuss firmly on ways to bring to an end the imbroglio.
“I am not interested in who is the NFF President. I am concerned with the interest of our country and the fact that football is such a serious matter for us and a ban from international football would be a disaster.
“I can assure you all that the Federal Government will not take kindly to any individual or group that contribute to an unfortunate situation of Nigeria getting banned from international football.”
Among those present at the meeting were NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Ambassador Giwa, NSC directors Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu, NFF Executive Committee member, High Chief Emeka Inyama, General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Mr. Adama Yahaya, Mr. Sani Fema and Chief Rumson Baribote.
The Sports Minister has ordered the parties involved to reconvene at his office on Wednesday afternoon to report back on their resolutions.
FIFA Hammer Dangles Dangerously…,Blatter, Hayatou furious with Nigeria; 24-hour grace expires on Monday
Nigeria football looks to be, unfortunately, heading into a long, dark night as world football –governing body is set to wield the big stick on Monday (27th October, 2014) against the most populous black nation on earth.
Even as the Super Eagles still have a chance of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to defend their crown, despite a poor start in the race; even with the Golden Eaglets, the reigning champions of the world, ready to compete at the African Championship to be eligible to travel to Chile to defend their world title next year, and with the Super Falcons reclaiming their continental title in Namibia on Saturday, non–conformity to simple football rules and regulations has put Nigeria at the danger of a big slam.
On Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia, CAF President Issa Hayatou told Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo in clear terms that the world was fed up with Nigeria’s incorrigibility in the area of football administration.
Hayatou’s words: “I had to plead passionately with FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter not to take action on Nigeria on Friday, because Nigeria was in the final of the African Women Championship and a ban on your country would have been bad for the competition and our sponsors. We all heard the news of the court ruling on Thursday, and the football world is angry with Nigeria. That is the truth.
Issa Hayatou, photo credit fifa.com
“The FIFA letter that came to your Federation before the elections of September 30 was very clear about an automatic suspension should there be any interference with the political process, and after the elections went ahead, we all thought you had settled your issues.”
The CAF supremo, at a meeting that had Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi, Nigeria’s Deputy President of the CAF Appeal Board, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, CAF General Coordinator, Mr. Paul Bassey and CAF Media Committee Member, Aisha Falode in attendance, said there was no going back on suspension of Nigeria this week if football matters are not withdrawn from civil courts.
“I appealed to FIFA to give until Monday for Nigeria to put its act together. After that, there is absolutely nothing I can do. It is all very disappointing because we have over 50 National Associations in Africa, but a big country like Nigeria is the one always giving us the biggest headache.
“Nigeria signed to be part of the football world by joining FIFA, and opted to abide by the FIFA –approved Statutes that you have. How many times do we have to tell your country that football matters are not taken to civil courts? If Nigeria no longer wants to be part of the football world, then so be it,” an obviously exasperated Hayatou said. His French words were translated to the rest of the Nigeria delegation by the multi-lingual Paul Bassey.
It would be recalled that FIFA President Blatter and CAF President Hayatou, as well as several National Associations and NFF’s partners and political leaders around the world, congratulated Amaju Pinnick following his victory at the September 30 elections.
NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick.
NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who was, inexplicably, stopped by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on his way to Namibia on Friday night with the Sports Minister, monitored the meeting on phone.
On Thursday, the Federal High Court, Jos gave a ruling setting aside the FIFA–ordered elections of 30th September, 2014 into the NFF Executive Committee, stoking the fire of anger at the world body’s Zurich headquarters.
The NFF Executive Committee, led by Amaju Pinnick, has filed for a Stay-of-Execution of the order at the same court, which the court said it will be hear on Wednesday.
Falode, who spoke from Windhoek on Sunday, said it was obvious the Government of Nigeria has to now intervene to avoid the hammer falling on Nigeria football.
“The future of millions of Nigerian youth is being put at risk by some persons who feel they have nothing to lose in the case of a FIFA ban. It is now for the Government to wade in. If we get suspended from international football now, FIFA will not revisit the matter until their 65th Congress on May 29, 2015. That would be too bad for our country’s football,” Falode said.
President Goodluck Jonathan will receive the victorious African women champions The Super Falcons at the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday.
Minister of sports and chairman of National Sports Commission, Tammy Danagogo who divulged this when he met with the Super Falcons before they beat the Lionesses of Cameroon 2-0 in the final of the African Women’s Championship.
According to the minister, a proposal has been sent to Mr. President to receive the team at FEC meeting on Wednesday noting that he is quite sure Mr. President will be looking forward to meet the Falcons on their return as he praised the girls for doing Nigeria proud in Namibia.
Standing from Left:Super Falcons captain Evelyn Nwabuoku,NFF board member Dilichukwu Onyedinma,Nigeria High Commissioner in Namibia ;Ambassasdor Biodun Olurunfemi,Minister for Sports Tammy Danagogo and wife of the Ambassador at the Nigerian House for the dinner.
” I know it is not just going to be a presidential hand shake alone because he likes to appreciate those who do the country proud in any sector of national endeavour. Just get the job done and leave the rest” the minister stated
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons are expected to depart Windhoek for Johannesburg by 2pm on Sunday and depart for Lagos by 11pm and will spend the night in Lagos.
The Minister also divulged during the victory dinner at the Nigerian House Windhoek that arriving Lagos the team will be welcomed by the Lagos community,where they will spend a night. They will then leave for Abuja on Tuesday where they will be hosted by the National Sports Commission (NSC) before the team meets with Mr President on Wednesday.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick on Saturday night congratulated the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, following the team’s triumph over Cameroon that returned the African Women Championship trophy to Nigeria.
ASISAT OSHOALA, DEDICATES NATIONAL HONOUR TO TEAM MATES, PARENTS,
The Falcons defeated the Lionesses 2-0 in the final at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek with goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala – indisputably the two best players of the competition.
“I am very happy at the performance of the Super Falcons. They have given this new Board of NFF its first trophy in under one month in office, and I am delighted.
“They played the Lionesses with lion hearts and there was no doubt which was the better team. They made the country proud and I want to assure the team that the NFF will do everything possible to prepare the team adequately for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.”
Pinnick was scheduled to travel out of the country on Friday night alongside Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to watch the final match in Windhoek. He was however, inexplicably, stopped from traveling by some security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
In the event, Dr. Danagogo was joined at the State Box of the Sam Nujoma Stadium by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi.
NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick.
Pinnick added: “The domination of our women in African football is no longer in doubt. Seven titles out of nine editions aptly tell the story. What we must now work hard towards is making our mark at the global stage. That is going to start with Canada 2015.”
Star–girl Asisat Oshoala was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, replicating her feat at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada in the summer. But she was unable to repeat the double, pipped to the Top Scorer’s award by compatriot Desire Oparanozie, who got five goals to her own four. Nigeria’s Francesca Ordega was also named Player of the final match.
The Falcons, alongside the Lionesses of Cameroon and the Les Elephantes of Cote d’Ivoire, who shocked South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the third place match, will represent Africa at the 7th FIFA World Cup finals in Canada, 6th June – 5th July, 2015.
Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Roli Uduaghan and the Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba were among the nation’s leading personalities who graced the grand ball organized by the Nigeria Football Federation for Corporate Nigeria in Lagos on Friday.
The colourful event at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island was an experiential session by the new NFF Executive Committee, led by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, to bond with NFF’s partners and prospective sponsors.
In the presence of top government functionaries, corporate titans and political heavyweights, Pinnick espoused his vision with ease, academic and articulate, and it was applause all the way for the young and energetic new supremo of Nigeria football as he enraptured all who were there.
Put together by NFF’s proposed financial consultants, Financial Derivatives, the event afforded participants and media chiefs an inkling into the new direction for Nigeria football, as Pinnick, 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and Chairman of the Marketing, Sponsorship and Television Advisory Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama harped on useful partnership, mutual respect, accountability, probity and transparency.
Sports Minister, Dr Danagogo praised the idea behind the event and the vision of the NFF, saying he was bowled over by the ingenuity of it all and pledged Government’s full backing for the Federation.
Senator Gumba said he was hugely impressed by the plan for going forward and would get the National Assembly to give total support.
Bain & Co, who will be NFF’s management consultants, talked on NFF Strategy & Restructuring, while the Managing Director of Financial Derivatives, Mr. Bismark Rewane captivated the auditorium with Repositioning of Nigeria Football for Global Competitiveness.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick
Messrs Jibril Aku, Peter Amangbo and Ladi Balogun, Managing Directors of ECOBANK, Zenith Bank and FCMB respectively, President of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and Group Managing Director of BGL PLC, Mr. Albert Okumagba, Mr. Dere Otubu of Staco Insurance, Idaere Gogu Ogan of United Securities, Mr. Aniri Ojuya of Senforce Insurance, representatives of the Dangote Group and NFF’s partners Emzor were in attendance.
Mr Olufemi Adefope of HRG, Dr. John Agawu, Chairman of Sureline Liftboat and the first graduate to play for the Nigeria National Team and Mrs Nimi Akinkungbe of Nigeria Monopoly also graced the occasion, while Mansard Insurance was represented.
Pinnick promised that a similar event will take place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja at the beginning of next year.
Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo and NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, departed Nigeria on Friday night for Windhoek, to cheer the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, in the final of the 9th African Women Championship.
The duo flew aboard a South African Airways aircraft from Lagos to Johannesburg, and scheduled to connect another South African Airways flight from Johannesburg to the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Windhoek on Saturday morning.
The Super Falcons, six-time African champions, will confront the Lionesses of Cameroon at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday evening in the final of the 9th African Women Championship.
Nigeria edged South Africa 2-1 in the first semi final before the Cameroonians got the better of the Ivorians in the other semi final, but not before their match went into extra time.
By virtue of their qualification for the final, both Nigeria and Cameroon have made sure of their places at the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada in the summer of next year. Africa’s third representative will emerge after the third place match between South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday evening.
In a swift reaction to the submission of the President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Muhammad, the Chairman, National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu, said that the sports minister should be given more time in office as the NSC boss has been busy since assuming office.
The NASCOM boss who is currently overseas on an extended trip said he understands why the NSSF boss made the comments, saying that it was borne out of his passion for grassroots sports development being the grandfather of school sports in Nigeria.
“I think since the minister resumed office, NASCOM has been trying to meet with the NSC boss but the tight schedule has been preventing this. We know that the minister is interested in school sports and this he has expressed in private capacity, which we are aware of this.
NASCOM is ready to support the minister in his efforts to develop sports at grassroots level.
Idowu, however cautioned that people should not over react about the state of school sports.
He however said that the minister should be given more time to settle in, while also expressing confidence in the NSC boss.
Since assumption of office few months ago, the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo has not made any concrete pronouncement on his vision for school sports and this alone has become a source of worry for stakeholders. From the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), this alone has become worrisome as the federation believes the ideal of the former minister, Bolaji Abdullahi should have been followed up to galvanise more support from the private sector.
According to the President, NSSF, Ibrahim Muhammad, there has not been any conscious efforts by the minister to give school sports the needed attention and support for the sports to thrive at grassroots level.
An enraged NSSF boss said: “I am surprised that up till now the minister is yet to unfold his plans for school sports in Nigeria.
The former minister tried his best and he ensured that the National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM) headed by Yemi Idowu took off in the right direction and since the committee was inaugurated, NASCOM has indeed given the needed support for NSSF and Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON). This alone brought live and vibrancy to school sports. But we are not happy that the minister is not even showing enough concern for school sports in Nigeria.”
“I could recall that at the last Sports Retreat attended by President Jonathan after the dismal performance of Team Nigeria at the 2012 London Olympics, it was unanimously agreed that school sports holds the key to sports renaissance in Nigeria and this was what prompted the then minister to bring in reputable individuals to be in charge of NASCOM.
For us, NASCOM has really done well under the leadership of Yemi Idowu and with the pace they had started, I believe by now we should have made tremendous progress in grassroots sports in the country,” he added.
He however, challenged the minister to make known his plans for school sports, saying “we need the support and backing of NSC to ensure that bodies like NASCOM is supported to lead the resurgence of school sports in Nigeria,” he said.
“For the first time in the history of school sports in Nigeria, NASCOM through Yemi Idowu was able to get private sector support for the annual National School Sports Festival held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Sterling Bank supported the games and it was a success and for us at NSSF, this is what we needed and we want this to continue so that more talents can be unearthed for Nigeria as a nation. There is no doubt that talents abound in the country but deliberate efforts must be made and the minister can spearhead this just like Bolaji Abdulhai did it with the Presidential launch of the Rhythm N Play project,” Muhammad queried.
The NSSF helmsman further disclosed that the next National School Sports Festival would hold in Otukpo, in Benue State as approval has been given for the games to hold.
For this year’s fiesta, Muhammad said the students would compete in 21 sporting events while swimming will not be part of the championship for this year.
newfanzone 