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Infantino, Gusau, Mourinho, Zidane, Ronaldo, Tiger Woods To Grace Chikun/Kajuru Constituency Mini Stadium Project, Sports Academy Chairman House Committee on Sports, Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams is set to fulfill his campaign promise of establishing a world class Sports Academy to his  constituency. According to the lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, Honourable Adams informed that the Federation of International Football Association boss Gianni Infantino, President of CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, France and Brazil World Cup legends Zinadine Zidane, Ronaldo de Lima, American golf icon Tiger Woods and Tennis star Serena Williams will grace the foundation laying stone of the sports facility. Also to storm Kaduna in a yet to be decided date are President of Remo Stars Hon. Kunle Soname, President FC Ebedei, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, and other top stakehold

NFF Election Was Legit,  Stakeholders Fires Back At Uchegbulam Over Unguarded Statement Akin Bolarinwa  Following the recent outburst by the former vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Amanze Uchegbulam on the purported ruling of the Appeal court nullifying the elections of the Nigeria Football Federation, football stakeholders in the country are calling for caution regarding the unguided utterances that may plunge the football system in the nation into disrepute. Amanze Uchegbulam in his recent recreational outburst accused the NFF of disregarding the advice from the then Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, that the 2022 NFF elections be suspended because of an induced court order. However our findings shows that Amanze Uchegbulam is not being truthful because there was a counter order by the Nigeria Football Federation stopping all litigations against the elections which was duly obtained and processed through a competent court of jurisdiction. Uchegbulam who was al

  Egbe urges CAF to enforce ‘sustainable pitches’ across Africa The CEO of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe, is making a clarion call on the Confederation of African Football (CAF)  to ensure only ‘sustainable pitches’  are fixed  as playing surfaces  across the continent,  adding poor maintenance of facilities has stifled the development of the game  as well as  the quality  of play over time. While commending  the  organisers of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023 for providing  an appealing  playing  surfaces, he said it might be difficult to maintain  them  even in the foreseeable future.   “When we talk about the AFCON it shouldn’t be just an opportunity to only showcase the best African players, it should also be seen as an opportunity to construct sustainable pitches that could outlive the AFCON by another 10 years minimum,” explained  Egbe whose company fixed the  MJ Arena in Lagos ahead of the Aisha Buhari Cup in 2022 among others in the country. “The bea

Sports Minister Receives Southampton Powered Community Hub, Affirms Ministry's Dedication to Grassroots Development _Says Ministry remains open to partnerships to create sustainable pathways for aspiring athletes_  The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has stated that the Ministry is dedicated to fostering grassroots sports development to guarantee the future of sports in the country. He made the statement during the visit of the Southampton Powered Community Hub delegation to his office on Wednesday. The Hub is affiliated with Southampton FC of England. Senator Enoh emphasized the pivotal role grassroots development plays in shaping the future of Nigerian football. He expressed the Ministry's dedication to working collaboratively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to propel local-level development initiatives. The UK-based Southampton Powered Community Hub delegation, comprised of distinguished members including Ed Kilby, Southampton FC

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT   Ahmadu Bello University honours NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi   One of Nigeria oldest, and also one of Africa’s most reputable citadels of learning, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State has honoured the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi as its Sport Philanthropist of the Year.   While Sanusi, a product of the distinguished establishment who still shows deep interest in projects that advance the cause of the institution on various fronts, was conferred with the award in the individual category, the ABU Microfinance Bank was conferred with the corporate version of the award.   According to a special bulletin of the school, a total of 117 staff and units of the university were due to be conferred with “various categories of awards for their outstanding contributions to the objectives of the university and to national and international developments” on Wednesday, 24th January 2024.   The bulletin further

 ATHLETICS: •   Members of Team Nigeria Athletics in fine form ahead of African Games ...Umukoro, Onojuvwevo achieved personal best ...Usoro wins triple jump, as Brume finished 4th in Texas Classic ...AFN congratulates all Nigeria Athletes currently competing in the US and other parts of the world By Maxwell Kumoye with additional report by AFN Media     As the date for the 13th African Games scheduled to hold in three Ghanaian cities draws closer, a good number of members of Team Nigeria Athletics are shaping up nicely and returning excellent timing and for some, their personal best. Nigeria triple jump record holder, Ruth Usoro and sprinter, Success Umukoro proved some spark with their stellar performances. Usoro claimed the triple jump title with a leap of 13.89m, Umukoro ran a new 23.49 lifetime best to place sixth in the 200m event. Usoro’s 13.89m mark is the second longest in the world, so far this indoor season, bettered only by Neja Filipic’s 13.90m mark achieved on January 14

  ATHLETICS : •  AFN scraps office of Performance Director ...Nesiama, Onikeku, others head Committees By Betty Enoch and Trust Ittai      In a bid to add some fillips to it's activities and programs the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has scrapped the position of its Performance Director.  The AFN Board had dissolved all its Committees earlier this month after serving for two years as agreed at the beginning of the tenure in 2021. We gathered that the AFN has set up eight Committees that will help drive it's various programs, events and projects and it named retired Commodore Omasteye Nesiama as head of the Competition Committee. Other members of the Competition Committee are: ✓ Samuel Onikeku ✓ Maria Wophill ✓ Dr. Solomon Alao ✓ Henry Okorie ✓ Prof. Lucas Ojunjimi ✓ Bolakale Alake  ✓ Rita Mosindi - Secretary The other Committees are Technical Committee, Ethnics, Disciplinary and Safeguarding Committee, Budget, Marketing and Sponsorhip Committee, Media and Publicity, Ed

  We are missing one vital point that could drastically change the narratives of African football and create an opportunity for Africa to one day emerge as world cup winners. When we talk about the AFCON it shouldn't be just an opportunity to only showcase the best African players, it should also be seen as an opportunity to construct sustainable pitches that could outlive the AFCON by another 10 years minimum. The beautiful 100% natural grass pitches we see on TV during the AFCON are tournament pitches that can't outlive the AFCON. Climate change is really affecting our continent, Our raining season in Africa is not same anymore and our dry season is not also same anymore. With our lack of maintenance culture in most parts of Africa, CAF should start thinking of introducing synthetic turf pitches with 100% natural infills backed up with proper sprinkler system for the AFCON. This lead-free synthetic turf pitches with 100% natural plant based infills are TV friendly, eco friend

NFF Debunks Sack Rumour Akinkunle Bolarinwa The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has called on football stakeholders in the country to remain calm and ignore the unsubstantiated court judgment in circulation across all social media. The nation's apex football governing body says that they are not aware of the court order claiming that there was no notice served to that effect  According to a top NFF Chief who doesn't want to be named at the moment, "the NFF is not aware of anything concerning court order , neither does has the football house receive any notice to that effect". "Let's have the court papers and then we can deal with it". He stated. The NFF chieftain believe that court of competent jurisdiction don't deliver verdicts through the social media. "Courts don't operate on social media because all parties in the case must be duly served".  The he further stressed that, those who are spreading this falsehood are hiding under one

  Don’t Give up on Super Eagles Yet, Monimichele Pleads With Nigerians. Stadium Facilities Expert, Ebi Egbe, has urged Nigerians not to give up on the Super Eagles just yet because they played a scrappy 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening AFCON 2023 game in Abidjan on Sunday. Egbe whose Monimichele Limited is Nigeria’s leading stadium turf construction company, insisted that in football adaptation to environment plays crucial role in determining how a team will end up in a tournament like the AFCON. “In football, we have adaptation to playing conditions process. The team (Eagles) will perform better as the tournament progresses. Egbe insisted that Nigeria with some of the best players in European leagues will not disappoint. “We have the best players in Africa today. Adaptation to the playing condition of the pitch will change the story of Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the AFCON 2023. “Nigerians will see a better performing Eagles against the host Nation Cote d’Ivoire,” stress

WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF OUR SPORTS - SPORTS MINISTER TELLS SPORTS FEDERATIONS _Urges Sports Federation leaders to shape the trajectory of their domains and leave lasting impact via service to nation_   The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has charged Presidents of different National Sports Federations to partner with the Ministry of Sports Development to ensure a vast improvement in the general performance during the forthcoming African, Olympic/Paralympic Games 2024. Speaking during a technical meeting With presidents of the various sports federations, Senator John Owan Enoh outlined the focus of the meeting to be : Each Federations roadmap ,medals projection, challenges and the way forward towards podium performances at the games. The Minister who described the meeting as important, stressed that coming after the retreat with different Sports Federations in December last year, his expectation was that this technical meeting affords the minis

  Sports Minister Extends Gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for National Teams' Backlog, Boosting AFCON Preparations _Says move further reiterates the President's commitment to sports development_   The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recent approval of a substantial N12 billion disbursement to address the longstanding outstanding backlog owed to Nigeria's National teams, as well as boost the mood of the Super Eagles, ahead of the African Cup of Nations kicking off this weekend. The payment encompasses the settlement of senior national team coaches salaries spanning 15 months, as well as the disbursement of bonuses owed to both senior and junior national teams (male and female). This significant financial injection is particularly timely as it arrived just when the preparations of the Super Eagles for the AFCON struck top gear. The Minister thanked Mr. President for appr

  SCRABBLE JAMZ: •  PANASA picks luxurious Hillview Guest Center, Accra to host the Special Scrabble Side Event at African Games  ...Nigerians in the diaspora, Scrabble Hall of Fame nominees to compete for honours in the Side Event By Maxwell Kumoye        The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), have picked luxurious Hillview Guest Center, one of the top hotels in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to host the Special Scrabble Side Event during the 13th African Games, in March this year. We gathered that the continental governing body of the game of words carefully selected Hillview Guest Center, Accra, because of it's serenity, world class facilities and services, coupled with it's location. The President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, told your authoritative news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG that the 80 players and officials will be adequately accommodated in the 120 holiday paradise rooms of Hillview Guest Center, that is about 11 miles from the iconic Kotoka Internati

  SCRABBLE JAMZ: •  Nigerians, Ghanaians and others to battle for 2.5 million naira Special Scrabble Side Event at African Games By Mishael Emmanuel        Over thirty five Nigerian wordsmith have entered for the Special Side event scheduled to hold before the scrabble event of the 13th All Africa Games, taking place in three Ghanaian cities. The list of scrabble players heading to Accra for the Special Side event is led by African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) winner, David Ojih. University of Lagos (UNILAG) student, Musa Lateef, the 2023 King of the Scrabble In The Jungle is also heading to Accra for the Special Side event alongside, Emmanuel Enyi. Joy Ola, is one of the talented young Scrabble Amazons along with Grace Jompe that is also making the trip to the West African country Ghana that is rich in oil, gold, cocoa and scrabble disciplines. Other household names in the scrabble fraternity in Nigeria who will be in Ghana are, Engineer Ojior Osikhena, Engineer Adowei, Engineer

AFRICAN GAMES UPDATE: • Sports Minister Senator Enoh meets with different sporting federation Presidents …Urges Sports Federation leaders to stamp their footprints in gold …We have the power to change the narrative of our sports – Senator John Enoh to Sporting Federations By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye          The Minister of Sports Development in Nigeria, Senator John Owan Enoh, has charged the Presidents of different National Sports Federations to join hands with the Ministry of Sports Development to guarantee a vast improvement and record breaking performance during the forthcoming 2024 African, Olympic/Paralympic Games. The Sports Minister made this passionate appeal during a technical meeting with presidents of the various sports federations. The Senator outlined the focus of the meeting to be, each Federations: 1. Roadmap 2. Medal Projection 3 Challenges and the way gorward towards podium performances The Minister who described the meeting as vital and a key to success, st

AFCON 2023: Egbe Lauds Tinubu, Minister For Release Of Funds To Eagles Leadership News ADVERTISEMENT AFCON 2023: Egbe Lauds Tinubu, Minister For Release Of Funds To Eagles Egbe The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s foremost sports facilities construction company, Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the sports minister, Senator John Enoh, for the timely release of funds to the Super Eagles ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cup holding from Saturday January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Cote d’ Ivoire. President Tinubu on Monday through the Sports Minister announced the release of N12 billion to the NFF to enable it clear all outstanding debts owed the team as well as cover expenses for the prosecution of this year’s AFCON finals. Reacting to the President’s gesture, Egbe whose company has constructed many stadia in the country including; Enyimba International Stadium, Aba and Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena in Lagos described the gest

Nigerians should not give up on the Super Eagles just yet because in football we have adaptation to playing conditions process. The team will perform better as the tournament progresses. We have the best players in Africa today, adaptation to the playing condition of the pitch will change the story of Nigerian Super Eagles in the AFCON 2023. Nigerians will see a better performing Eagles against the host Nation cote de ivoire. I have said this times without numbers. Nigerian Football Federation need to have a facilities committee with seasoned groundsmen as advance team to any major tournament. Technical playing conditions report would have helped our coaches in team formation which might see the need to fuse some of our NPFL players who are doing very well in our local premier league primarily because of the playing condition of the AFCON pitches. It takes contineous traing for an elite player who has been trained on a speed football pitch to adapt to the playing conditions of a slow b

  Nigerians Will Turn on NFF If Super Eagles Fails At AFCON, Says Akpehe An ex-player of Stationery Stores, Nigerdock, Ashanti Kotoko and Stade Abidjan, Austin Akpehe said that Nigerians won’t be happy with the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, if the Super Eagles fail to perform at the 2023 AFCON, Wakawaka Sports Extra reports. The Founder of Galaxy Sports Development China and Galaxy Sports Academy Nigeria noted that the NFF needs to take a drastic change with the Super Eagles set-up adding that it has proven not to work over time. The UEFA Licensed Coach, Agent and Consultant decried the mismanagement of the Nigeria Premier Football League by past administrators for the inability to have NPFL players in the current Super Eagles team. “I think the NFF will plan and take drastic action if they did not reach a certain stage. if they don’t deliver, they have to change. What they have there is not working and repeating the same errors. “If the coach fails, we all are

Super Eagles of Nigeria Heading To Glory In Cote D'Ivoire 2023 Tomorrow! The Super Eagles of Nigeria are not at their best form, in the last few years and they need to opt for their first game in the AFCON on Sunday at the Olympic stadium of Ebimbé, Abidjan against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau.  A quick look at the possibilities the Nigerian squad has, in defending its nation on Day 1. Jose Peseiro with a big opportunity to start very strong in the AFCON on Sunday, as Nigeria faces Equatorial Guinea and proves his numerous critics wrong.  IN GOAL Who Nigeria starts in goal will determine if the defense will start with pressure from behind or not. Peseiro has his plan for this position and he and his technical department alone can tell who they decide to use amongst Nwabili, Uzoho, and Olorunleke. DEFENCE Coming out with a MOM as a defender surely depends on how many risks and sacrifices you are ready to stake for your team after 90 minutes. Peseiro has gifted wingbacks in his defen

  Match Commissioner Denies Any on Field Attack Against Sokoto United, Says NNL Should Investigate Further Following the harsh and hasty summary jurisdiction released by the Nigeria National League (NNL) board after the matchday 7 game between Malumfashi FC and Sokoto United at the Abubakar Labo stadium in Malumfashi, Katsina State, the match commissioner Ibrahim Garuba from Jigawa State has stated in clear terms that he is not aware of any attack or beatdown of any players or officials of Sokoto United during and after the game. The Jigawa-State born match commissioner stated that he is yet to submit full match comprehensive report to the NNL board. "I am just writing the comprehensive report of the match because after the game was abandoned nothing happened." According to Mallam Ibrahim Garuba, there were disagreement caused by the opposing team, Sokoto United due to time wasting tactics and which the center referee constantly warned against. "After observing the norma

  Japan High School Tournament Ends In Style Sampson Adedeji The high school soccer tournament currently going on in Japan has ended and Nigeria-born UEFA Licensed coach Bolarinwa Obalola Kobashi was among the scouts for the occasion. Over 100 high school students across the length and breadth of Japan took part in the amazing tournament. The tournament was organised to discover and scout new talents for the J-League One and Two, and other tiers of the league in the country. At the end of the final on Monday almost 20 players were picked for the J-League One and Two. Some of the players will also represent the country in the upcoming U17 and U18 International competitions.

  I am not the chairman of Malumfashi FC, Surajo Baba tells NNL, wants his name to be cleared Following the Summary Jurisdiction released by the Nigeria National League owing to the crisis that erupted during the NNL Matchday 7 between Malumfashi FC and Sokoto United at the Comptroller Abubakar Labo Stadium in Malumfashi, Katsina State. The former chairman of Malumfashi FC Alhaji Surajo Umar's name was mistakenly quoted for the new chairman's name Alhaji Mansur Abubakar Labo in the article Number (VII) of the decision of the Summary Jurisdiction which revealed that the Malumfashi Chairman has been Banned from all football related activities for three Months. According to Surajo Umar Baba who spoke to the press at the late hours of Monday in Katsina town; "I wish to first of all state here that i am not the chairman of Malumfashi FC. I believe it was a mistake from the NNL because I seized to be the chairman of Malumfashi immediately I was appointed as the chairman of Katsi