Sunshine Stars Football Club of Ondo players and other crew members survived an attack by gunmen yesterday.
The team was reportedly attacked along the Ore-Benin Expressway on their way to trade tackles with Bendel Insurance FC of Benin in a match day 13 encounter.
The team manager and the Ball boy attached to the team were reportedly seriously hit by the gunmen while other players sustained various degrees of injuries.
Speaking in a phone call with sports correspondent Isaac Afolabi, Media Officer Sunshine Stars FC Micheal Akintunde described the attack as a shock and a direct attack on the Akure-based team.
He however disclosed that the victims were currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
As the budget defence exercise of Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs in Osun State continues at the State House of Assembly, the need to reintroduce inter-house and inter-school sports to curb youth restiveness in the Society, has been stressed.
The State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Dipo Eluwole made the call while presenting the 2024 Budget Estimates of 4.5 billion naira before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, held at the State Assembly Complex, Osogbo.
While noting that sports brings people together, Mr. Eluwole stressed that in the past young talents were identified through sports activities organized by Primary and Secondary Schools.
Also contributing, the Chairman House Committee on Education, Mr. Sikiru Bajepade urged the Ministry to incorporate female football competitions in their activities as a way to promote female sports activities.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Moruf Ayofe while presenting the Ministry’s Budget advocated the need for the State Government to embrace E-Government and E-Budget process with a view to reducing it cost of governance.
Earlier in his Opening remark, The Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Saheed Fatunmise appreciated the presence of his colleagues, members of the committee, representatives of the various departments and experts from the financial sector at the ongoing budget defence exercise.
He said aimed to ensure that the budget is formulated in a manner that optimizes the utilization of resources, enhances transparency and Accountability and timely improves the wellbeing of citizens of the State.
Those present at the session included Ministry of Education, Osun Mass Education Agency, Osun Central Education District Office, Ila Orangun,Osun East Education District Office, Ile-Ife, Osun West Education District Office, Ikire, Osun State Senior Education Board, Osun State Library Board, Osun State Education Board, Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital.
Two Nigerian soldiers, Corporal Hannah Reuben and Lance Corporal Ojolaide Esther, won gold and silver medals respectively at the ongoing 36th World Military Wrestling Championship in Azerbaijan.
The Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed this in a statement and pictures posted on the force’s official X handle on Sunday.
According to the statement, Corporal Hannah Reuben beat her Italian contender in the 68-weight category of women’s freestyle wrestling to lift the gold medal, while Lance Corporal Ojolaide Esther got a silver medal in the 72-weight earlier at the event.
The statement partly read, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wrestling team made an indelible mark on the global stage, setting a record and garnering widespread acclaim.
“The feat was achieved by female wrestler, Corporal Hannah Reuben who beat her Italian contender in the 68 weight category of women’s freestyle wrestling to lift the gold medal.
“The medal was presented to Corporal Reuben by the Vice President of the International Military Sports Council, Mr. Dirk Shwede.
“It could be recalled that this is the first time the Armed Forces of Nigeria is securing a gold medal since participating at the CISM World Wrestling Championship.
“Another commendable performance was by Lance Corporal Ojolaide Esther who got a silver medal in the 72 weight earlier at the event.”
The statement further read that the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Emmanuel Onumajuru, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, were present to witness the glory.
The Main Organising Committee for the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged ” 2024 Gateway Games” has expressed satisfaction with the preparations in place towards successful hosting of the games.
The Secretary, of the Main Organising Committee, Mrs Techla Opara stated this while speaking with journalists at the main bowl of MKO Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta, after the inspection of facilities in the state capital.
Mrs Opara, who noted that there were lots of renovations to be done in most of the centres visited, said there was a need for the government to fast-track the process of constructing the swimming pool as well as the shooting before the next visit.
“We have been taking around to various places where the athletes will participate in various events. I’m quite impressed and I believe that as time goes on, Ogun state is doing well, and I believe that as time goes on, a lot of renovations will be done in most of the centres”.
“Like where they showed us that they are going to control the swimming pool, they are yet to start work there. So I want concentration and the range I want more concentration than before our next visit”
The facilities inspected by the committee included Remo Stars Sports Complex, Ikenne, and the NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu which has been tentatively pencilled down to host a weightlifting event.
Others are Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, MKO International Stadium and well shooting range in Abeokuta.
The 2 Division Nigerian Army Ibadan is to organize its 28th Tiger Golf Open Tournament next month.
This is contained in a statement signed in Ibadan by the 2 Division Nigerian Army public relations officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ekeocha.
According to the statement, the Tiger Opens Golf Tournament is an annual event organized by headquarters 2 Divison, Nigerian Army to promote interaction amongst golf enthusiasts in Nigeria.
The statement notes that the tournament, which will be held from the 1st to the 3rd of next month, has grown from its humble beginnings 27 years ago and has contributed towards sports, the game of golf and in fostering civil-military relations.
It notes further that The 28th edition of the event is scheduled to take place at Tiger Golf Club, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.
According to the statement, Chairman of the event, Brigadier General George Nkenke states that 200 golfers had already registered for the tournament and about 17 trophies are expected to be won.
The statement states further that the Special Guest of Honour for the event is the Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde.
The event, which will start with a cocktail, ends with an elaborate closing ceremony on the 3rd of December this year.
Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Honourable Wasilat Adegoke has hinted that efforts are underway to establish a government-owned female football team.
Ms Adegoke said this while playing host to a delegation of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Oyo State Chapter who paid her a courtesy visit at her office in the State Secretariat, Agodi.
The commissioner stressed that the plan to create a female football team for Oyo State must be accomplished for the state to have a balanced football team.
She said developing sports at the grassroots is her major priority.
According to her, “Plans are in place to revive the annual football competition among secondary schools in the state, Governor’s Cup. We are also working on initiating a similar football competition for primary school pupils. This is important to catch them young”.
Ms Adegoke assured the visiting sports journalists that Governor Makinde would fulfil the promise he made during her swearing-in that the second phase of the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba will commence soon.
While calling for a synergy between her ministry and the sports writers association, the commissioner stressed that she needed the support of Oyo SWAN to actualize her mission to foster the development of sports in Oyo State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter of SWAN, Mr. Niyi Alebiosu thanked the commissioner for opening the doors of her office to the association.
He charged the commissioner to not only focus on the development of sports at the grassroots but also devise ways to retain the athletes bred in the state.
Oyo SWAN Chairman requested from the commissioner the inclusion of sports writers in all the sporting bodies and associations to be created by the sports ministry so as to allow SWAN to have direct involvement in the development of sports in the state.
Outstanding players of the Elford Aliyu Football Foundation have been rewarded for their excellent performances throughout the 2023 FC Challenge season.
At a ceremony to climax the season, held at Bashorun Ogunmola High School, Ring Road, Ibadan, the outstanding players, who were voted for by their colleagues, scooped various awards in the different age categories, while some parents were also rewarded for their commitment.
Our sports correspondent reports that the Deputy Director, News and Current Affairs Department, Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station, Mr Adewumi Faniran received the Leadership and Monitoring Award, while his son, Bukunmi Faniran received an award of the Coach Player of the Year for the under 10 category.
Some of the other awardees were Babalola Jomiloju who won Player of Players for under 10, Ariyo Matthew clinched Player of Players for under 13, while the Player of Players award for under 17 went to Babalola Gbeminiyi.
Also, Olamijulo Idowu was crowned the most consistent player of the year for the under-10 category, while Adewale Ayuba won the same award for the under-17 category.
In a remark, Deputy Director, News and Current Affairs Department, Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station, Mr Adewumi Faniran charged the players to remain committed to the game by always exhibiting hard work and diligence.
Mr Faniran also advised the players to focus on their education to complement their pursuit of a career in football.
The Elford Aliyu Football Foundation is expected to resume training on the 20th of January, next year.
The Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife will host the 2023 edition of the West African Universities Games, WAUG in December 2023.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Simeon Bamire disclosed this at a news conference in Ile-Ife.
Professor Bamire said the university was prepared for the sporting fiesta, explaining that necessary arrangements have been put in place to make the stay of all officials, participants and their handlers worthwhile, particularly in terms of accommodation and medical facilities.
He noted that the minister of interior, Doctor Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo will be the special guest of honour at the opening and closing ceremonies of the event.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the competition, which comprises table tennis, basketball and athletics, will feature sportsmen and women from universities in Nigeria and countries within the West Africa sub-region.
Professor Bamire commended Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his Oyo state counterpart, Engineer Seyi Makinde for their assistance and commitment towards the hosting of the sporting events.
The Vice-Chancellor appealed to spirited individuals, corporate organisations, captains of industries, members of the diplomatic corps, seasoned administrators and sports enthusiasts to assist the university financially and materially to foster unique hosting of the championship.
As the date for the National Sports Festival close in, the Ogun State Boxing Association has continued to intensify preparations towards the biennial event with the November edition of Boxing Hall of fame.
The competition held at the indoor hall of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja Abeokuta attracted pugilists from various clubs in the state.
In the 67kg weight contest of the competition, Pascal Michael punched out his opponent, Ridwon Odekunle to emerge champion in the November edition of the tournament
The 19 year-old Pascal, proving too hot for Odekunle to handle, as the referee quickly stopped the fight to prevent further punishment after the opponent suffered from a deep cut in the face.
The highly elated winner speaking to sportswriters shortly after the bout, vowed to continue to train harder to actualize his dream of becoming National Champion representing Team-Ogun in the forthcoming 22nd National Sports Festival slated to hold in the state come, 2024
The Cobler who has been in boxing for the past five years, also expressed his desire to become a world champion in the nearest future, just like his boxing idol , Manny Pacquiao of Philippine.
In other bouts decided in the monthly boxing show, Ayomide Ogundare won by unanimous decisions of judges, after overwhelming Abdulsaliau Samod in the 63.5 kg contest, just as Rasak Tairu defeated Jamal Adeniyi with a unanimous decisions in the 60 kg fight.
Also in the 57 kg contest, Ayobami Kasali outclassed, Ifeoluwa Yusuf with a unanimous decisions just as Faruq Oshikoya defeated David Kushimo with unanimous decisions in the 51kg fight, while Segun Ojo won by split decisions against Noah Satimo in the 47kg contest.
In the two female bout decided, highly experienced Damilola Shodipe outclassed Damilola Shobayo with a unanimous decisions in the 60kg fight just as Sukura Taiwo beat Abidemi Ife with a unanimous decisions in the 46 kg contest.
The Confederation of African Football on Wednesday listed Nigeria’s forward, Victor Osimhen; Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and 27 others as contenders for the 2023 men’s African Player of the Year awards.
CAF announced the Gala awards billed to be held on December 11, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco, on their official website.
According to the statement, “A panel of CAF Technical Experts, African Football Legends, and selected media representatives from a number of countries put together the preliminary list for the various categories with the performance of the nominees between November 2022 and September 2023 serving as the period under consideration.
“Thirty (30) players made the cut for the top prize; CAF African Player of the Year, whilst 20 players have been nominated for the CAF Interclub Player of the Year. Coach of the Year, CAF National Team of the Year and Club of the Year have ten (10) nominees each just as CAF Young Player of the Year – for players under the age of 21.
“For the first time, CAF has introduced the CAF African Goalkeeper of the Year Category (Men and Women) in the prestigious event that seeks to reward and celebrate exceptional Players, Officials and Administrators during the period under review.
“It will be the first time that shot stoppers will be acknowledged for their performances, further expanding the network of winners for the annual event. 10 players have been nominated for the novel award.
CAF maintained that the ultimate winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, Head Coaches and captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.
It further added that the nominees for the Women’s categories will be announced in due course.
Recall that Senegal forward Sadio Mane was crowned CAF African Player of the Year whilst Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was coronated CAF African Women’s Player of the Year for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.
Full List of Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association):
Player of the Year (Men)
1. Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria and Borussia Dortmund)
2. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria and Al Ahli)
3. Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso and Bayer Leverkusen)
4. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon and SSC Napoli)
5. Vincent Aboubacar (Cameroon and Besiktas)
6. Ibrahima Sangare (Cote d’Ivoire and Nottingham Forest)
7. Seko Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire and Al Nassr)
8. Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo and Olympique Marseille)
9. Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Pyramids)
10. Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
11. Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
12. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
13. Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool)
14. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana and West Ham United)
15. Thomas Partey (Ghana and Arsenal)
16. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and VfB Stuttgart)
17. Yves Bissouma (Mali and Tottenham Hotspur)
18. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain)
19. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco and Olympique Marseille)
20. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco and Galatasaray)
21. Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco and Manchester United)
22. Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
23. Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al Hilal)
24. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco and Sevilla)
25. Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
26. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and SSC Napoli)
27. Sadio Mane (Senegal and Al Nassr)
28. Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)
29. Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
30. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Ferencvaros).
Saudi Arabia is set to host the men’s 2034 World Cup after Australia decided against bidding to stage the tournament.
Football Australia confirmed its decision only hours before Fifa’s deadline for declarations of interest on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia is the only other nation to bid.
“We have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” read a statement from Football Australia.
Australia’s governing body says it intends to focus its efforts on hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the Club World Cup in 2029.
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Morocco, Portugal and Spain will host the 2030 tournament, with matches also in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
FIFA had said the 2034 World Cup would be held in Asia or Oceania, and an Australian bid was regarded as the only potential challenger to Saudi Arabia, which announced its intention to bid shortly after Fifa’s decision.
Despite receiving support from the Asian Football Confederation, Saudi Arabia would likely be viewed as a controversial host.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has trained over two hundred match commissioners ahead of the 2023/24 Nigeria National League, NNL, Nationwide League One, NLO, and Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, season.
The training held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, had participants from the 18 southern states of the country.
Declaring the event open, the Chairman, NFF Match Commissioners Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli asserted that the football body would not condone any form of negligence from the match commissioners.
Alhaji Babagana who emphasized the importance of ensuring that match commissioners fulfill their roles effectively, expressed the committee’s commitment to preventing any laxity in their performance, citing past instances that have hindered their operations.
He stressed the need for each match commissioner to maintain consciousness regarding their responsibilities and execute their assignments diligently.
Alhaji Kalli noted that the committee was prepared to impose sanctions on any commissioners found negligent in their duties.
The NFF executive member, who is also the Chairman, Ogun State Football Association, Alhaji Ganiu Majekodunmi, expressed his confidence that the knowledge and insights gained from the seminar would significantly impact the upcoming football season.
The draws for the the Maiden Edition of the Kayode Eso Football Tournament has been conducted in Ibadan.
The competition which would be hosted by Bodija International College, will feature seven other schools in a 9-a-side competition for under-15 boys.
Other participating schools asides the hosts are, International School Ibadan, Kings College Ibadan, City of Faith Comprehensive College, Lead City High School, Valencia College, Fontana International School and All Souls High School.
Speaking at the pre-tournament draws, the Principal of Bodija International College, Mr Franklin Dairo said it is aimed at channelling the boundless energy of youths in the right direction.
“Young people have lots of energy to spare, and football is a very good sport to utilise this energy” he said.
Mr Dairo explained that although this is the maiden edition of the tournament, plans are already in motion on what future editions of the tournament would look like.
“We will be expanding the reach in future editions, using a bigger pitch and having more schools involved”, he added.
A representative of the Nigeria Referee Association, Oyo State Branch, gave detailed rules and regulations that must be adhered to for the tournament to be successful and drama-free.
In his closing remarks at the event, Director of Schools, Bodija International College, Mr Olumide Esho, promised that necessary arrangements will be put in place for the children to have an enjoyable tournament.
Mr Esho urged all participants to give their best as the top three schools will be rewarded.
Our correspondent reports that the draws for the tournament was witnessed by representatives of the participating schools.
Here are the match-ups for the first round of fixtures; City of Faith Comprehensive College vs International School Ibadan, Fontana International School vs Lead City High School, All Souls High School vs Kings College, and Valencia College vs Bodija International College.
Manchester United and England legend, Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86.
A statement by the legend’s family reads,” It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family”.
“His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and to the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
Sir Charlton came through the Manchester United youth system and went on to become one of the club’s greatest-ever players, famously surviving the Munich air disaster at the age of 20.
The former forward went on to score 249 goals in 758 games for the Red Devils, winning three league titles and the FA Cup.
He also lifted the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968, scoring twice in the 4-1 final win over Benfica.
Manchester United also paid a heartfelt tribute to Charlton and offered their sympathies to his family.
“Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club,” read a statement.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world”.
“He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game”.
“Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation”.
“The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him”, the Manchester United statement added.
When Kelvin Kiptum lined up for his first major local competition in 2018, Kenya’s new marathon icon did it in borrowed running shoes because he could not afford a pair of his own.
At this month’s Chicago marathon, as he set an awe-inspiring world record of two hours and 35 seconds, times really were changing as he sported the latest in Nike’s array of ‘super-shoes’ – which some say helped him achieve his feat.
As the 23-year-old flies across the world’s toughest courses, the story of his rise in marathon running is just as incredible as the strides he takes.
“It has been a long journey for me through my career,” the Men’s World Athlete of the Year nominee, as proposed by governing body World Athletics, told BBC Sport Africa.
“I have been trying so hard to pursue this dream to run a world record.
“It has come true and I am really happy. My life has now changed.”
Kiptum’s reception upon his return to Kenya testified to his new-found celebrity status. The hero’s welcome began two days of celebrations, moving from the capital, Nairobi, to his home in the south-west of the country.
The London Marathon champion, who at times looked embarrassed by the attention from family, friends, government officials and the media, says he almost cancelled his trip to Chicago, one of the world’s leading marathons.
“During the last stages of my training, I was a little bit sick – suffering a groin injury and a little bit of malaria,” he explained.
“I was feeling like I was unable to compete because I was out of training for two-three days, but one week before (the race) I had recovered a little bit. I knew I had trained well for about four months.”
Coach Gervais Hakizimana – a retired Rwandese runner who had spent months targeting the world record with his athlete – convinced Kiptum not to pull out, telling him to “recover for a few days and get back in training”.
The relationship as coach and athlete began in 2018 but the pair first met when the world record holder was much younger.
“I knew him when he was a little boy, herding livestock barefooted,” Hakizimana recalled. “It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels and I would chase him away.
“Now, I am grateful to him for his achievement.”
The road to remarkable runs
Kiptum may have one world record, two of the other six fastest times ever in the distance and three marathon wins out of three, but just a year ago he had never even run a marathon.
The father-of-two is among a new crop of Kenyan athletes who began their careers on the road, breaking away from the past tradition of athletes starting on the track before switching to longer distances.
Kiptum says his unusual choice was simply determined by a lack of resources.
“I had no money to travel to track sessions,” he explained.
“My training place is far from a track, so I started training with road-running guys – and that’s how I got into marathon.”
According to Hakizimana, Kiptum needed time to warm up to the idea of running a marathon, which he initially thought might be too tough.
“He had some fear and preferred the shorter half-marathon until 2022 when he finally agreed to a marathon,” says Hakizimana.
A decent half-marathoner, it is nonetheless the longer 42km that has catapulted Kiptum to global recognition thanks to his triumphs in Valencia, London and Chicago, all of which have been achieved since December.
Kenya is home to some of the world’s greatest marathon runners, with former world record holder and two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge most prominent among them, but Kiptum has qualities that make him special, says athletics commentator Martin Keino.
“The level of fearlessness that Kiptum portrays in his race is what is needed to rise to the top,” Keino told BBC Sport Africa.
“He is almost holding back in the first half of the marathon and then attacks the second half like nobody ever has – that kind of racing is very rare to see.”
Sparking the dream
As a result of his approach, Kiptum has gone from obscurity to world record holder in just five years, with this stratospheric rise a reward for persisting with his dream even when others did not share his vision.
Kiptum’s love for running stemmed from watching his cousin, an athlete who often ran as a pacemaker for Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie, but he had to convince those closest to him that he could make it in athletics.
For starters, his father was adamant that he should go to college instead.
“He wanted me to study to pursue my diploma to be an electrician but I was saying that I needed to be an athlete – I had that passion,” Kiptum recalled.
“That period was very hard for me because I trained for four years, yet there were no successes and they were disappointed in me. But I kept on pushing.”
Eventually his father came around, even occasionally helping him get to early morning training on time.
After Kiptum’s record-breaking win, his father effusively praised him as an “obedient son who has stayed true to his upbringing”.
Can Kiptum claim a sub two-hour marathon?
As he races into the future, there is one major concern – namely, that Kiptum’s blistering speed will lead to injuries.
“He’s training a lot and at this rate, he is in danger of breaking,” his coach Hakizimana recently told news agencies.
“I suggested to him that he slow down the pace, but he doesn’t want to. So I told him that in five years he’ll be done – and that he needs to calm down to last in athletics.”
However, Kiptum has other ideas, saying that his world record has motivated him to try to become the first man to break the two-hour barrier in marathon.
In 2019, Kipchoge – widely considered the greatest marathon runner in history – did run under two hours but his record was not recognised because it was not in open competition.
Kiptum draws inspiration from his compatriot and hopes to compete against him one day, with such an opportunity possible at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, if not before.
“Eliud inspires all of us,” Kiptum said. “For the young generation, he is our role model.
“If I get a chance to represent my country at the Olympics, it will be my first time – so I’ll be focusing on getting a medal. I have an Olympic dream.”
He may have inspired the young protégé but now Kipchoge may watch Kiptum take not only his world record but his Olympic title as well.
“As Eliud winds up his career,” said Keino, “we are now seeing the future of marathon racing here in Kenya.”
The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has banned Mr Jonathan Bukabakwa, a former youth coach at clubs of the Urban Football Agreement of the regions of Lipopo and Malebo in Congo DR, from all football-related activities for 20 years.
Mr. Bukabakwa was banned after having found him guilty of sexually abusing a minor football player and in addition, the adjudicatory chamber imposed a fine of CHF 100,000 on Mr Bukabakwa.
According to a statement issued by FIFA, the case arose following serious allegations related to the sexual abuse of minors in the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA) that were made on several media platforms, in which various football coaches of different regions and leagues in Congo DR were accused of having abused minor players.
FIFA had earlier this year, suspended Mr Bukabakwa for five months.
It states further that, in deciding the case, the adjudicatory chamber took into account the evidence collected during the investigations and was comfortably satisfied that Mr Bukabakwa had breached article 24 (Protection of physical and mental integrity) of the Code of Ethics and the terms of the decision were notified to Mr Bukabakwa on Friday, October 2023, the date on which the ban comes into force, and will be followed by the notification of the grounds within the next 60 days in accordance with the FIFA Code of Ethics.
The statement adds that the decision taken by the adjudicatory chamber was in line with FIFA’s zero tolerance approach to all forms of abuse in football.
The world football’s governing body has regularly updated its regulatory framework in recent years to provide greater protection to victims of discrimination and sexual abuse or harassment.
The General Manager, Ogun State Sports Council, Mrs. Iyabode Rotimi has appealed to the state government to provide modern equipment and ensure payment of competitive maintenance allowances to athletes to reduce the cases of poaching athletes by other states
Mrs Rotimi made the appeal while receiving the newly appointed Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka, who paid a familiarization visit to the management and members of staff of the sports council at Ijeja, Abeokuta.
Describing the issue of poaching Ogun state athletes as worrisome, the Ogun State Sports Council general manager expressed the readiness of the entire management and staff of the council to work harmoniously with the commissioner to achieve the set goals.
Responding, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Qudus Yusuff, said the preparation for the refurbishments of the sporting facilities as well as procurement of equipment was in top gear.
Mr Isiaka restated the readiness of the state government to give necessary support towards the success of the forthcoming National Sports Festival.
The commissioner used the opportunity of the visit to tour the sporting arena and was able to have an on-the-spot assessment of all the facilities and equipment being used at the stadium.
Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its readiness to deploy world-class sporting facilities and showcase the state’s immense potential culture to the world.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka, stated this while speaking with Journalists in Abeokuta ahead of the National Sports Festival.
Mr Isiaka noted that the state was not only planning to host the national sporting event, but also perform brilliantly as well as exhibit the boundless tourist attractions in the State, while also empowering the youths with the opportunity for growth and self-development.
He stated that his Ministry would further implement the “Building Our Future Together” Agenda of the State Government, pledging to coordinate the activities of government in his new agency.
He urged major stakeholders in the Sports Ministry to ensure all hands were on deck in his quest to take the Ministry to greater heights, adding that implementing the goals and objectives of the State Government would be a grand success.
The Newly Installed Chairperson of Oyo State Netball Association, Mrs Romoke Ayinde has called on the Government and lovers of Sports to rally round the development of the resuscitated game of Netball in the Country and make it popular among other Games.
Mrs Ayinde made the call during the Unveiling of the Game, and Commissioning of Projects at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.
She said Netball had been forgotten in Nigeria for almost Fifty years, appealed to well meaning nigerians to contribute to Sports development particularly, Netball Game which was capable of reducing crimes among the Youths.
Mrs Romoke Ayinde promised to work with all female Schools in Oyo State to catch the Students young and encourage those willing to develop interest in Netball.
Speaking, a Gospel Singer, Mrs Funmi Aragbaye decried the current state of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, old Liberty Stadium Ibadan, saying Federal Government needs to revive the heritage in the interest of this generation and the next.
Netball is similar to Basketball, Netball is a game of Seven Players of Two Teams without dribbling and some other rules.
Plans are underway to introduce boxing competition in secondary schools in Ogun state as part of the catch them young initiatives of the state boxing association.
The Chairman, Ogun State Boxing Association, Mr. Somide Christopher announced this during the 14th Boxing Hall of Fame held at the indoor hall of Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta.
Mr Somide explained that the tournament was being organized in conjunction with Boxing Hall Of Fame to expose raw talents discovered in the state to competition.
He also noted that the tournament was to discover talented boxers from secondary schools and tertiary institutions, assuring young boxers of commitment of the association to their welfare to keep them in shape for more competitions.
Mr Somide solicited the support of corporate organizations and individuals in providing the needed equipment for boxing while pleading with the boxers to always stay away from drugs to prevent destroying their future in the game.
Also, the Chairman, Ogun State Boxing Board of Control, Dr. Ademolu Okunleye assured that the board would continue to work hard to ensure the growth of boxing in the country, particularly in Ogun State by supporting the tournament.
In some of the bouts, Fidelis Henry knocked out Aduragbemi Adegboro to emerge champion in the 86 kilograms category, Uriel Ajayi defeated Aboy David by split decisions 4-1 in the 67 kilograms fight while Adebayo Adura beat Cole Oluwaseun in the 60 kilograms contest.
Also Akinleye Quam defeated Saheed Odejide in the 52 kilograms category, Movei Frank beat Aliu Usman in the 54kilograme fight while Mubarak Bamidele won against Michael Olajuwon in the 49 kilograms contest.
In the female category, Aliyah Olalekan defeated Anu-Oluwapo Shoyombo in the 52 kilograms contest while Fathia Gafar beat Timilehin A. in the 50 kilograms fight.
Oshimen was substituted in the early minutes of the second half after sustaining an injury.
Super Eagles Gaffer, Jose Peseiro told Journalists that the Napoli forward would undergo a scan and ruled him out of Monday’s game against Mozambique in Portugal.
Paseiro said the it would be unnecessary to play Oshimen no matter the outcome of the scan.
Osimhen was the highest goal scorer last season in the Serie A and led Napoli to their league title for the first time in 33 years.
Super Eagles of Nigeria will today tackle the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia in an international friendly match.
The match will be played at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao in Portugal at five o’clock in the evening.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have been drawn against Host Nation Cote D’Ivoire in Group A of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, Afcon schedule to take place next year.
Other countries in the group are Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.
According to the draw, Group B consist of Ghana, Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique, Group C has Defending champions Senegal, Cameroon, Gambia and Guinea while Group D housed Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Algeria and Angola,
In Group E, Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia will battle one another while Group F has Morocco, DR Congo, Tanzania and Zambia.
The pioneer chairperson of the Netball Federation of Oyo State, Ambassador (Alh) Romoke Ayinde says there will be the unveiling of a Netball tournament on Wednesday 18th October 2023.
Amb. Ayinde made this known during a news conference held at Kayrom Lee swimming pool side, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
The chairperson of Oyo State Netball Federation noted that Netball as a sport had been abandoned in the country since 1973, hence the need to resuscitate it through the forthcoming tournament.
Amb. Ayinde also mentioned that the tournament which was certified by the Nigeria Netball Federation (NNF) will feature girls and ladies aged 11 years and above.
She, however, solicited financial support from the government, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to bring back the glory of Netball in the country.
Amb. Ayinde said the tournament will commence at 9 a.m. each day at the Netball court of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, and urged members of the public to troop en mass to the court for an exciting tournament.
Osun State House of Assembly says all hands must be on deck to resuscitate Sports activities in the State to improve its Economy.
The Chairman House Committee on Youth, Sports and Special Needs, Mr. Abiola Awoyeye stated this during an oversight visit of the Committee to Osogbo Sports Stadium.
Mr. Awoyeye who expressed disappointment about the state of the Osogbo Sports Stadium noted that it was an indication that Sport development was neglected by past Administrations of the State.
He lauded Governor Ademola Adeleke who during his ten months in office had sponsored Osun United amongst other policies aimed to improve Sports activities in the State.
The Lawmaker who assured residents of the State of the Government’s resolve to further improve the Sector, urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Osun Cares and the Ministry of Sports and Special Needs to ensure effective synergy with the Committee to collectively attain the 5-point Agenda of the Governor.
During a visit to the State Ministry of Youth, Mr. Awoyeye explained that the committee had gone through the report submitted by the Ministry and promised to act on it in due course.
Corroborating his view, Member Representing Ifedayo State Constituency, Prince Kasope Abolarin stressed the need for all to ensure things were done in line with the policy of Governor Ademola Adeleke .
Earlier in a remark, the State Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mr. Olalekan Olagunju noted that lots of programmes are in the pipeline for Youths and appealed for improved Budgetary Allocation for the Ministry.
Other members of the team are The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Prince Kasope Abolarin, Member Representing, Irepodun/Orolu, Mr. Adekunle Oladimeji, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth, Mrs Taiwo Oladunjoye, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Special needs, Mr.Olawuni Oladele, the General Manager Osogbo Sports Stadium, Mr. Rotimi Dunmoye, amongst other stakeholders.
Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco could be placed in the same group when the Africa Cup of Nations draw is made in the Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The six top seeds include Morocco, who created history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first semi-finalists from Africa.
Nigeria is among the second seeds while South Africa has had to settle for a place among the third seeds for the draw in Abidjan, the Ivorian economic capital.
Add surprise 2021 Cup of Nations quarter-finalists Gambia from the fourth seeds and it would be a striking “group of death,” the term given to particularly tough sections.
Nigeria, three-time winners of the premier African football competition, and former champions South Africa were unlucky not to be seeded higher.
The Super Eagles lie sixth in the continental rankings and, ordinarily, would have been a top seed, avoiding Morocco, title-holders Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt in the group stage.
But host countries not only automatically qualify for the two-year tournament, they are also always among the first seeds.
To accommodate the ninth-ranked Ivory Coast, sixth-placed Nigeria had to give way and now share second-seed status with Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
South Africa had been ranked above DR Congo for some time but, in the rankings that decided the seedings, they were placed one place below the Congolese.
It was an ironic change of positions as South Africa defeated DR Congo in a friendly match just a couple of days before the rankings were released.
The other third seeds are Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania while the fourth seeds include Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Gambia and Tanzania.
Shock 2012 champions thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Didier Drogba-inspired Ivory Coast, Zambia are back at the Cup of Nations after three straight failures to qualify.
Zambia and Mozambique, whose last appearance was in 2010, are the only qualifiers who have not featured in at least one of the last two tournaments.
Despite a poor Cup of Nations record, Morocco is set to be installed as favourites to win the January 13-February 11 competition.
They have been champions just once in 33 editions topping a 1976 group in Ethiopia in one of only two editions where a mini-league determined the champions.
In the last Cup of Nations, hosted by Cameroon in 2022, Morocco was eliminated by Egypt in the quarter-finals.
Morocco coach, Walid Regragui, mastermind of the stunning World Cup campaign after taking charge just a few months earlier, says he will quit if his team fails to at least reach the semi-finals.
“We must be at least in the semi-finals of the CAN (Cup of Nations). If I do not go to the semi-finals, I will leave on my own,” he told the Moroccan media.
“I told my players that we cannot be kings of the world before being kings of our continent. Everyone wants to beat Morocco after our results in Qatar.
“This makes it more difficult for us to win, but it also motivates the players to improve and I welcome that.”
All six top seeds plus Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, DR Congo, South Africa and Zambia have won the Cup of Nations. The other champions Ethiopia, Sudan and Congo Brazzaville did not qualify.
