Sport

Southwest Female Basketball Competition Dunks Off In Ogun

By Web News 997

A two day South-West female basketball competition has dunked off in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The competition under the Women Elite Sports Empowerment Initiative, WESIE, is designed to develop female basketball players across the southwest region as well as their coaches.

The facilitator of the tournament, Coach Adebayo Iyabode explained that the southwest basketball competition was part of the efforts to develop the game at the grassroots level.

Coach Iyabode noted that the tournament organized for female players between age 16 and above was also put together to inspire the younger ones to contribute their quota to their various communities through sports.

Also, head coach, Oyo State Basketball, Mr. Taye Shobogun said more grassroots competition was required to raise formidable teams for the country especially the female players.

In some of the matches already decided, Book and Ball from Osun State defeated Hoopsdream of Oyo state 17 to 15 points while Pacers Basketball team from Ekiti state lost by 12 to 21 points to Fortune Basketball from Ogun state.

The competition holding at Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta attracted five states from the southwest region of the country.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Return Of PHE, Will Aid Discovery Of New Sport Stars – Experts

By Web News 1207

A retired Principal, Mrs Tina Oghuvwu has called for the return of Physical and Health Education, PHE, in schools towards the development of talents at the grassroots level.

Mrs Tina made the call during a basketball clinic put together by an academy held at the Ogun State Sports Council premises, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The retired principal who described the absence of PHE in schools as minus for sports development in the country, also expressed worry over the dearth of sporting facilities across schools especially in Ogun State.

Mrs Tina encouraged parents to support their children in their chosen carriers particularly in their quest to participate in sports which she said would also improve their learning skills.

In a remark, a female basketball coach, Mrs Iyabode Adebayo explained that the clinic was part of efforts of the Fortune Basketball Academy to develop and raise talents for the state.

Mrs Adebayo stressed the need for government at all levels and corporate organisations to support initiatives geared towards improving the game of basketball at the grassroots level.

Our correspondent reports that over thirty players took part in the clinic.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Basketball Player Tasks Government On Women Empowerment Through Sports

By Web News 1475

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian basketball player, Funke Adeniji has emphasized the need for government to take advantage of sports to develop and empower women in the society.

Miss Adeniji made the call during a basketball clinic organised for girls held at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

Olusegun Folarin who was at the venue of the clinic has the details.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

NSF 2022 Bid Committee Visits Ogun, Inspects Facilities

By Web News 1217

Ogun State Government says it is ready to host the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival, NSF.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde stated this during an inspection visit by the Evaluation Bid Committee team of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, who were in the State to assess sporting facilities available for hosting of the festival.

Conducting the committee round sporting facilities in Abeokuta, Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode, Dr Kehinde emphasized the state’s readiness to host the biennial sports competition in 2022, pointing out the present administration was passionate about sport development.

Speaking after the inspection, the chairman and leader of the committee, Mr Katmwan Dungse who described facilities available in Ogun State as a top-notch, said they had a better chance of hosting the festival in 2022.

Facilities inspected included MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta Sports Club, Alake Sports Center, Ijeja, June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta Grammar School, Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sagamu, and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.

The winning bid to host the 21st National Sports Festival in 2022 would be announced at the closing ceremony of the 20th edition of the Festival, scheduled for Edo State in March 2020.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Draws Held for Egba Youth Football Competition 2020

By Web News 1327

The draw for the 2020 edition of Egba Youth Football Competition has been held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital with a call on stakeholders to join hands with the government to develop sports at the grassroots.

The draw which was held at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta attracted sports administrators, coaches, and Veteran journalists.

  • Some of the stakeholders at the event
  • Results of the draw

The Egba Youth football Competition is an initiative of a member of the Ogun State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, designed to promote unity and peaceful coexistence in various communities in the state.

The initiator of the championship, Mr. Alexander Soyinka explained the competition was borne of the need to empower youths through sports.

Mr. Soyinka said arrangements had been concluded to ensure a hitch-free championship.

Also, the Director, Admin, and Supply, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Alhaji Adetunji Kanimodo who described the championship as laudable said the development of the sports sector remained key in the cardinal point of the present administration.

Alhaji Kadimodo appealed to the participating teams to abide by the rule of fairness throughout the championship.

Other speakers at the draw including Chief Lai Labode, Mr. Olasunkanmi Odunaiya, and Mr. Wasiu Mustapha said there was the need for more grassroots competitions to complement the efforts of government in the discovery of talents for the country

The representative of the Apostolic Church Football Team, Mr. Joseph Ayunke noted that sports especially football was important to develop the youths and preach the gospel.

Mr. Joseph said the Egba Youth competition would go a long way to engender love, peace, and unity in the communities.

Twenty four teams were drawn into six groups with the opening game scheduled to kick off on the 6th March 2020.

Olusegun Folarin