BASKETBALL FROM NBBF

As part of giving back to its immediate community, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, will on Friday embark on its Community Outreach Programme with a visit to future players of the game and the less privileged in the society.

According to the president of the NBBF, Tijjani Umar, the day's programme will begin at 10.30 am with a visit to the current champions of the National Secondary Schools Basketball Championships, the International School, Lagos at Akoka where the students will be given career talks and other motivational addresses.

Speaking through Olumide Oyedeji, Board member and member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the All Stars Game, Umar said the NBBF team which will include some members of the All Stars team will take the students on some basketball skills as well as allow a question and answer session with them.

“The president and I will take the students on career talks and motivational interface. I will particularly talk to them about myself, how basketball took me from nowhere to where I am today while allowing them time for questions and answers,”he said.

Olumide who is the co-captain of the senior men's national team said the Community Outreach programme will also take the NBBF team to the Old People's Home in Yaba where “we will be having lunch with them and then present some gift items to them thereafter.”

The programme will be rounded off at the National Stadium in Surulere later in the day.

NBBF names 24 All Star players

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, has released a list of 24 players and six officials from the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences of the Dstv Premier League for this weekend's All Stars game scheduled for the University of Lagos indoor hall in Akoka, Lagos.

According to the NBBF/DStv League Director, Agboola Pinheiro, 12 players and three officials each were selected from the two conferences for the game holding in Lagos on Saturday with Kano Pillars and Mark Mentors dominating the Savannah Conference list.

“The Savannah Conference will be handled by coaches Peter Ahmedu (Mark Mentors) and Abdulrahaman Mohammed(Gombe Bulls) with former international, Lawal Garba as Team Manager while Coaches Adeboye Aderiboye (Oluyole Warriors) and Chris Nomingo (Dodan Warriors) will handle the Atlantic Conference team with former international, Deji Jaiyeola as Team Manager,” Pinheiro disclosed in Lagos.

Coach Sani Ahmed of Kano Pillars is Head coach of the Savannah All Stars team but has some family commitments while Head coach of the Atlantic Conference, Lati Erinfolami of Islanders, who is also coach of First Deep Water Basketball team will be leading his team to Ilorin for the second phase of the Zenith Bank Women's League.

Players picked from the Savannah Conference are Abubakar Usman, Dele Ademola, Mathew Monya, Onyeka Okeke and Adeolu Ojoh from Kano Pillars, Stanley Gumut, Abdul Yahaya, Akpara Akiti and Timothy Kwor from Mark Mentors, Chibuzor John, Plateau Peaks, John Mathais and Joseli Ibrahim from Gombe Bulls.

The Atlantic Conference players are Chiwendu Nwaigbo and Ibrahim Okpe from Islanders, Obum Onyia, William Ndouba, Solomon Ajebeyi and Boniface Synesius from Union Bank, Azouma Dike and Mamadou Savadogo from Dodan Warriors, Lanre Alimi, Kwara Falcons, Emmanuel Balogun, Customs and Femi Adekanye, Oluyole Warriors.

Niger Potters fined, warned over abandoned match

For failing to honour its Week 7 game against Gombe Bulls in Gombe on April 18, 2014, Niger Potters Basketball Club of Minna have been fined N60,000 while the match is awarded to Gombe Bulls with a warning that such should not repeat itself in their own interest.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF stated in a letter to the club that the fine is to cover the money expended on the match officials who were on ground for the aborted match.

In acknowledging the response of Niger Potters to the federation's query on the aborted game, the NBBF noted that while it appreciates the club's dire financial condition as explained, “it will no longer be acceptable as a reason for not honouring matches in the future (as) we will apply the maximum penalty of relegation if this happens again.”

It would be recalled that Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt suffered the same fate after they failed to show up for the season's opener against Dodan Warriors in Lagos on March 7, 2014 and were subsequently walked over by the Lagos side.

IBILE GAMES

Lagos State Sports Festival tagged IBILE Games 2014 got underway yesterday with activities already lighting up various centres across the state.

  At least seven sports, Ayo, Basketball, Darts, Table Tennis, Para Table Tennis, Deaf Table Tennis and Squash were the events which heralded Day One of the competition at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba and the Knock Up Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while other centres will witness action in sports such as Swimming, Taekwondo, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Tennis on Thursday.

  The tournament, which will end on 10 May, is involving no fewer than 162 secondary schools (public, private, missionary, military and para military) which are competing in the Junior Category, while the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas are taking part in the Senior/Open Category.

  One of the athletes expected to headline the tournament, Oyinlomo Quadri, said that she is looking forward to winning gold medal in Tennis for Maryanne Private School, Lagos Island. She said: “I have been training seriously with the aim of re-enacting the feat I recorded at the last National School Sports Festival in Ilorin, Kwara State where I won gold medal for Lagos State. I trained hard to give my all in order to get a slot in Team Lagos for the DAWN Games,” she said.

  To Ogunsanwo Emmanuel, who will feature in the Badminton event for Lagos City Senior High School, “expectation from my school is for me to win a gold medal in this event and I’m ready not to fall short of this.” Akintola Otega, a gymnast for the same school noted performing very well at the IBILE Games will afford the opportunity of featuring at the DAWN Games, adding that she is in high spirit to compete for her school at the tournament.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS

Adham Sharara elected to the new position of ITTF Chairman

ITTF President Adham Sharara (right) announcing that he will be retiring from the ITTF Presidency and Deputy President (Left) will become the new ITTF President on 1 September 2014. Photo Credit: ITTF/Remy Gros

Quick links Editorial Photos: http://www.actionimages.com/ittf/ (Login Name: ITTF Media Password : ITTF2000) About the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President Mr Adham SHARARA was elected to the newly created position of "Chairman of the ITTF" today at the ITTF Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Tokyo, Japan. 80% of the AGM delegates voted in favour of creating this position, and Mr SHARARA was voted as the first ever "Chairman of the ITTF" with 90% of the votes. The position "Chairman of the ITTF" is an independent and non-political position without any voting or decision-making power. The "Chairman of the ITTF" will chair the ITTF AGM each year. The new position comes into effect on 1 September 2014 at which time Mr SHARARA will retire as ITTF President, a position that he has held for the past 15 years. At the conclusion of the AGM, the 60 year old Canadian stated: "I am very happy with the outcome. This new position is very well suited to me at this stage, and I will have the time to contribute efficiently in special focus areas needed for the further development of the ITTF. The new plan is designed to move table tennis into the top 5 sports in the world." According to the ITTF constitution, item 1.7.1, the ITTF Deputy President Thomas WEIKERT (GER) will succeed Mr SHARARA as the ITTF President on 1 September 2014. "I am honored to be the next ITTF President," stated Mr WEIKERT, who is also the President of the German Table Tennis Association. I have very big shoes to fill, as Adham has done a fantastic job growing the sport over the past 15 years. However, I am excited about the challenge and I am looking forward to building on the good work Adham has achieved in his Presidency." During Mr SHARARA's 15 years as ITTF President, he has overseen major changes designed to make the ITTF more commercially viable and attractive to TV audiences. This included changing the games from "first to 21 points" to "first to 11 points", and increasing the size of the ball from 38mm to 40mm, just to name a few. Mr SHARARA is leaving the ITTF in good health, after being in charge since 1999. The ITTF's growth under Mr SHARARA includes: ITTF moving up the Olympic funding table after London 2012. ITTF's major events being broadcasted live in 110 countries. ITTF having the third highest number of social media followers among all Olympic international federations. ITTF currently holding over 75 events a year in all corners of the globe. ITTF having 220 National Associations , which is the equal highest of any International Federation second highest of any sport on the planet.  The 2014 AGM was held during the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships, which is being held between 28 April - 5 May 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.

TABLA TENNIS

Team Nigeria on Wednesday in Tokyo showed the Super Eagles how to beat
Bosnia-Herzegovina at the World when the Segun Toriola-led side thrashed
the European side 3-1 at the ongoing 2014 World Team Table Tennis
Championship.
  Toriola started the onslaught, while Aruna Quadri increased the tally
to 2-0 but Ojo Onaolapo fell in the third game to put the game at 2-1.
  Like a true leader, Toriola rounded up the match with a win to give
Nigeria a 3-1 win.
  However, the respite of the female team was thwarted yesterday when
they were beaten 3-0 by Portugal in their fourth game. Out of the four
matches played so far by the Funke Oshonaike-captained side, the team
has lost three with the only win recorded against Italy on Tuesday.
  The team last group game will be against Turkey on Thursday.
  But the male team has done creditably winning three out of its four
matches with the only defeat, which they suffered against Czech
Republic.
  The team will also on Thursday battle Canada in their bid to gain
promotion to the elite division.
  Meanwhile, victory over the Slovak Republic on the first day of play
but defeats against China and DPR Korea meant that Romanian trio of
Daniela Monteiro Dodean, Elizabeta Samara and Bernadette Szocs, success
against Austria was vital in their Women’s Championship Division
contest.
  A win was delivered and delivered in a most impressive manner; three
matches to nil being the score-line.

Daniela Monteiro Dodean beat Liu Jia (3-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9),
Elizabeta Samara followed suit by overcoming Elena Waggermayer (11-6,
11-4, 11-6), with Bernadette Szocs concluding matters.
  She recovered from a two games to nil deficit against Li Qiangbing to
secure a five games success (9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6).

CENTRAL BANK TENNIS

The 36^th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship will hold in Lagos from May 7-17 with the champions and finalists in the men and women singles respectively to get N700, 000 and N500, 000 each.

Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communication Department of the nation’s apex bank said the championship since inception in 1979, has produced talented players that have flown Nigeria’s flag at several local and tournaments.

He added that the championship, which prize money has increased to N14, 300, 000 from N9, 060, 000 last year, serves as a platform for discovering emerging stars that have represented Nigeria at major competitions such as the Davis Cup and the All Africa Games.

“We are of the view of the timing of this year’s championship would afford the NTF the opportunity to select players to represent Nigeria at the Davis Cup tournament scheduled to hold in September 2014,” Okorafor said.

He also acknowledged the impart made through the  introduction of the Wheelchair tennis last year following Nigeria’s winning of the African Championship in Kenya in March which ensured qualification for the World Team Cup from May 24-30. The tournament will serve as qualifier for the event which will feature about 40 countries in The Netherlands.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the CBN’s support tennis with a view to promote and develop the game in line with the financial institution’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

NTF President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, who was represented by the immediate 1^st vice president, Yemi Owoseni, commended the support of the CBN stressing that the federation is particularly challenged by the determination of the sponsor’s resolve to the development of the game particularly through the Junior Tennis Initiative aimed at discovering future stars to serve a feeder to the championship.

2014 IBILE GAMES

 

With the official receipt of the torch for the 2014 Lagos State Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games by the Conference 57, the torch tour kicks off with the visit to all the Local Government Areas, LGAs, and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in the state.

  Conference 57 is the umbrella body of all chairmen and chairpersons of Lagos' 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, which is headed by Akeem Omoyele Sulaimon of Bariga LCDA. The Ibile Games will hold from April 30 to May 10, 2014.

  Receiving the Torch of Unity during the Joint Allocation Committee (JAC) meeting of the in Lagos at the weekend, Secretary of the Conference, Hakeem Adisa Bamgbola said that with the body receiving the Torch of Unity, it symbolised the beginning of the Games 2014 with the Tour of the torch.

  "I think IBILE Games 2014 just started with us receiving the Torch before it travels to all the local councils in the state," said Bamgbola, who is also the Executive Chairman of Itire Ikate LCDA.

  "All the local councils are fully prepared because we have submitted our forms and I must say we are ready for the Games. I also want to reiterate that Conference 57 will no doubt support the organisers of the championship as we'll put heads together to see how we can put our weight behind a successful organisation of the competition this year," he said.

  According to the itinerary of the tour released by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament, the torch tour will begin tomorrow with visit to Iru-Victoria Island, Lekki, Eti-Osa, Eti- Osa East, Ibeju Lekki and Ikoyi-Obalende.

  On Wednesday, it will be the turn of Coker-Aguda, Itire-Ikate, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye, Mushin, Onigbongbo, Shomolu, Bariga, Kosofe, Agboyi-Ketu and Ikosi-Isheri.

  On Thursday, the Torch will go to. Oshodi-Isolo, Isolo, Ejigbo, Igando- Ikotun, Egbe-Idmu, Agege, Alimosho, Ayobo-Ipaja, Agbado-Oke Odo, Ojokoro, Mosan-Okunola, Orile-Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojodu.

  Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo, Iba, Otto-Awori, Oriade, Ifelodun, Ajegunle, Apapa and Apapa-Iganmu will receive the Torch on Friday.

  On Monday April 28, the tour will visit Ikorodu Central, Igbogb-Baiyeku, Ikorodu West, Ikorodu North, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island East, Lagos Island, Ikeja and Surulere.

  The following day, it will be Epe, Eredo, Ikosi-Ejirin, Imota and Ijede, while the torch tour will be rounded off on Wednesday April 30, with the visit to Badagry, Badagry West and Olorunda.

DAWN GAMES

The Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) and inspection of facilities for the DAWN Games (South West Secondary Schools Games) holding in Lagos, comes up this week from Thursday April 23 to 25, 2014.

  The DAWN Games, involving all the southwest states of Nigeria - Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Ondo, starts May 16 to 24, this year in Lagos.

  According to the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the Director of Sports/ General Manager, Sports Council and the Director in charge of sports in the Ministry of Education will represent each state at the JTM and inspection.  

  Others expected are representatives from DAWN Commission, National Sports Commission (NSC) South West Zonal Coordinator and LOC members.

  The inspection begins on Thursday April 24 and the team is expected to inspect the venues like Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere; and Agege Stadium.

  The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp in Iyana-Ipaja, which will serve as the Games Village will also be inspected.

  The Joint Technical Meeting follows the inspection on Friday April 25.

  The games will feature 12 sports, which are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and volleyball with over 2000 athletes and officials expected to participate.

QUADRI PROMISES ON GOLD

Ahead 2014 Commonwealth Games: Quadri sure of table tennis’ medals,
calls for more support
Among the medals won by Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games, table tennis
has contributed some of it even as the next games holds in Scotland,
Portugal-based Aruna Quadri believes with more support, Nigeria stands a
chance of clinching medals in Glasgow.
  Quadri, who defied all odds to make the last 16 at the International
Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-sanctioned World Tour tagged Spanish
Open, admitted that the attention giving to football is really affecting
the fortune of other sports, particularly table tennis adversely.
  “We really need support and motivation as we are hoping that things
must change in our country's sports because priority is just being
accorded to football. For us in table tennis, things are not going well
because is not giving enough support to the sport and this is putting us
in a difficult situation all the time. Most times, we spend our personal
money to attend competitions in order to be well prepared the
Commonwealth Games. We really appreciate the financial support the
President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi
has been giving to us since January,” he said.
  Unlike their foreign counterparts who have been getting granting from
their sports ministry to attend tournaments in order to be in top form
for the games, Quadri however, pleaded with the National Sports
Commission (NSC) to consider supporting the players with grant to attend
competitions.
  “I wish to take part in more pro tours before Commonwealth Games but
I need support and motivation, I have spent a lot on myself and I am in
need of financial support to keep playing tournament regularly so as to
be in good shape for Glasgow Games,” he added.
  He expressed optimism that Team Nigeria has the wherewithal to be
among the medal winning teams in Scotland, but said, “We stand a
chance of winning medal in Scotland because at the Spanish Opens, we had
five English players and five Indian players with one English and two
Indians making it to the last 64. But as Nigerians, we were only two
that took part in the competition and only one of us made it to the main
draw (round of 64). England and Indian are not better than us at
present, but because they are playing tournament regularly to keep
improving. We also need support to be playing tournament regularly and
with that, we can be doing so much better than before,” he admitted.
  “We are seriously calling the attention of NSC and stakeholders to
support table tennis so that we can regain our past lost glory in the
game,” he said.
  .

TAEKWANDO GRASSROOT DEVELOPMENT

In continuation of its “Inspire the Future Campaign” launched last year, three time Olympian and founder/chief executive officer of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF), Chika Chukwumerije at the weekend in Lagos inspired 172 taekwondo Kiddies between the ages of 4 and 16.

  The event which was held at the Abesan Comprehensive School, Abesan Estate, Opaja, Lagos, witnessed scores of parents and members of the public come to watch the martial art maestro inspire the kids.

  The programme included aerobic drills, plyometric exercises, co-ordination and agility training, basic taekwondo movements, and a mini kiddies’ competition.

  At the end of the programme, many parents who came to watch their kids as well as see the three-time Olympian were not disappointed.

  Mrs. Irabor Oyakwe said, “I have five children and all of them do Taekwondo. They were all inspired to start after they saw Chika Chukwumerije on TV. We are really grateful that he could come here. Look at the number of kids here from different clubs in Lagos, looking so excited and happy. It is really worth it”

  Another parent, Michael Ugboko, who is also a World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) 3rd class International Taekwondo Referee and whose three kids attended the workshop, commended the CCSF initiative, noting the large difference in quality of coaching methodology on show at the workshop. He urged the CCSF to continue to add value through its annual competition and practical workshops.

  Special guest of honour and double All Africa Games gold medallist as well as the current Vice-President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Binga, was in attendance to witness the inspirational event.

  Speaking to the kids at the end of the event, she stressed to the kids, the importance of participating in sporting activities, while excelling in their education, especially the female child.

  The Nigeria Female Taekwondo legend, who was undefeated for 18 years in Nigeria (1989 – 2006), is an officer with the Nigeria Customs Service, and the only female executive in any of the National Sports Federations, stressed to the female kids that “education combined with sports, apart from the obvious intellectual benefits, would equip you with the right kind of emotional and psychological tools necessary to be strong, independent and society-building women.”

  Chief Instructor of the Host Club, Lucky Ogumelen, thanked CCSF for honouring its invitation, and commended the quality of the training programme,

  “Practically everyone that came today has never trained with ladders, cones nor done some of the exciting training drills Chukwumerije gave to them. Thus participants, not only gained a lot of inspiration, but also increased their wealth of practical knowledge. The kiddies’ experience with the Olympian would inspire and remain with them forever”.

  CCSF boss, Chika Chukwumerije, remained reflective after the event, “the spread of Taekwondo nationwide is impressive, but there is a lot of work to be done in transferring the right kind of knowledge to upcoming Taekwondo athletes across the country.”

  He commended the instructors for the “fantastic job they were doing at the grassroots level, and encouraged them to take advantage of the National Coaching course the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, led by George Ashiru, would organize in a couple of months, to update their coaching methods”

  He again reiterated the need for the private sector to support Africa’s fastest growing Olympic Sport, “We need the private sector to take advantage of growing numbers and invest in what could be the ultimate CSR program. The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, NGOs like mine, and various clubs across the country, need a lot of support in training these kids, whose numbers are doubling every other week.

Driving home advantages of programmes like this, he added, “genuine taekwondo training programme do not just develop people who kick and punch, they develop young minds to be creative, productive and problem-solving members of Nigerian society”

  CCSF Boss vowed to continue nurturing the CCSF vision of “producing educated champions and inspiring the future.”

BASKETBALL

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has fined the Police Batons Basketball Club and slammed a five-match suspension on one of its coaches and players for their conduct in a Week 5 game in Ilorin between them and the Kwara Falcons.

Those affected are Coach Dominic Dike and Malu Williams, a player who spots jersey number 9, whose overall conduct and behaviour during the said game the federation views as “short of the standard expected in our fast growing league.”

According to a press statement from the NBBF, coach Dike and Williams are each suspended for five league matches with immediate effect and with a warning that they use the suspension period to improve their behaviour.

The team was also fined N50,000, part of which will be used to replace the damaged plastic chairs in the Ilorin Sports Hall while it was strongly advised to learn to channel its grievances through the available appropriate structures.

The NBBF noted that “Although your team won the game, be on notice that the intimidation of game officials and opponents,use of abusive language and damage to property (plastic chairs in the hall) without recourse to available channels of protesting any observed or perceived shortcomings on the side of any game official(s), are actions capable of damaging the image of our game and league and taken together, are a bad example especially coming from a team of law enforcement officers.”

It added that the “uncontrollable outburst by your coach Dike Dominic and player, Malu Williams (both under observation for similar conduct in previous games), is totally unacceptable,” resulting in the sanctions meted out to them in order to remedy the situation.

TAEKWANDO

As part of efforts to popularize taekwondo as well as to take the sport to grassroots level, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije will be hosted to a one-day workshop with kids by a club in Abesan Estate in Ipaja Area of Lagos. The event holds on Saturday April 19 at Abesan High School by 7am.

  Kids across Lagos are expected to be part of the exercise hosted by the Fitness and Kickers Taekwondo Academy.

  According to the Chief instructor of the academy, Lucky Ogumelen, the visit by one Africa’s finest taekwondists would surely inspire kids in the area to aim high in the sport and their academics.

  “For us hosting Chika Chukwumerije is indeed a privilege which I know will indeed benefit the athletes. We are grateful that the Beijing Olympics medalist had accepted to be our guest and we are hoping that kids in the area will turnout with their parents and guardians to be part of the event, which is a once a lifetime experience,” he said.

  For Chukwumerije, the event is part of his vision to inspire the future athletes, which is also one of the objectives of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF).

 

TENNIS

A new national tennis championship, the Midwestern Oil & Gas Junior Tennis Championship, has been added to the Nigerian tennis calender with the inaugural event scheduled for May 12 to May 18 at the prestigious Lagos Lawn 

Tennis Club.

The championship which is part of the ITA Junior Tennis Circuit run by the International Tennis Academy

will feature boy's and girls singles events in four age groups - 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s.

Engr Sanni Ndanusa, the president of the Nigeria Tennis Federation has commended Midwestern Oil & Gas for the sponsorship, emphasising that, "the sponsorship will go a long way to consolidate the focus on Junior tennis development as means of laying the right foundation for producing world class players in the future."

The managing director of Midwestern Oil & Gas, Mr Adams Okoene, who was guest of honour at the last CBN Junior

Tennis championship in February said: "We are happy to contribute our quota to the various efforts to engage and empower our youths  and sports is a truly veritable tool to accomplish that."

The tournament has been scheduled to run alongside the CBN Senior National Championship with the Midwestern finals coming up a day after the CBN finals.

Engr Ndanusa who is also the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee said "both tournaments running side by side

will give the young kids an opportunity to see the standard at the senior level and aspire to attain and surpass that in record time."

Adding, "It is an experiment and we shall like to see the impact on the young boys and girls, some of whom might participate in the preliminaries of the senior event."         

SHOOTING

24 shooters have been pencilled down 4 closed camping by d nigeria shooting federation ahead of d world shooting championships in slovania 

The tournament which is billed 4 next month is part of preparations for d commonwealth games in glascow, scotland scheduled 4 June 

According 2 d president of d nigeria shooting federation mr wole madariola d  shooters are part of d team dat did d country proud at d recently concluded africa shooting championship held in Cairo egypt where d team won 5 bronze medals 

The slovania tournament will precede a training tour of China where d team will depart for glascow scotland 4 d commonwealth games . 

The president disclosed that plans are in d pipeline by d presidency 2  honour d shooter‎s who won medals 4 d country in egypt. 

He continued that d new sports minister has pledged d ministry's full support 4 d federation. Stressing that arrangements are on ground 2 build a world class shooting  range ‎in both abuja and lagos which will further boost d growth of d sport. 

The president also mentioned tha 3 of d federation's official have been nominated 2 take part in a jury and jugde courses outside nigeria this according 2 him will not only expose ‎d officials 2 d latest techniques but also keep d shooters abreast with d latest trend in d sport 

 Meanwhile Mr wole  madariola has called on the law enforcement agencies to arrest any person found with weapons parading themselves as members of the federation. He stressed that every shooter with d federation has a modified identification which clearly spells out the calibre of weapons the shooter is expected 2 carry. Explaining that weapons are kept in the amoury of the federation as no civilian is expected to carry weapons.

TAEKWANDO

Barely a week after clinching gold medal at the 35^th Belgian Open, captain of Nigeria taekwondo team to the 2011 All Africa Games, Uche Perez Chukwumerije at the weekend in Hamburg, made it to the last eight of the German Open.

  Chukwumerije, who had to fight through injury, which he copped on his way to victory at the Belgian Open last week was impressive in his fist round fight against Serikzhan Abdrassilove of Kazakhstan.

  The tactical encounter saw the two athletes fighting save but it was the Nigerian champion that emerged winner with a 2-1 win.

  His second fight - the last eight (quarterfinal) pitched the 2011 All Africa Games gold medallist against, the current Military World Champion, Sajjad Mardani of Iran.

  The Iranian, who was one of the top rated athletes in the men’s +87kg of the competition had earlier this year claimed gold medal at the 2014 Dutch Open when he defeated Olympics champion, Gabon’s Anthony Obame knew that he had to be at his best to overcome Chukwumerije.

  Despite signs of competition fatigue in his first fight, Chukwumerije managed to shrug off stiff challenge from his first Kazahstanian opponent. However, his efforts to rally against the experienced Iranian, who also won a silver medal at the last 2013 World Championships in Mexico, were not enough to secure a win for him. But he fell 10-0 to the Iranian.

  With his efforts, Chukwumerije had garnered points to improve on his world rating scheduled to be released this month.

  Speaking from Hamburg, after his loss, a disappointed Uche Perez reflected after the fight, “I did not get my tactics right, and I was a little tired from last week. In this sport, you get punished for not getting your tactics spot-on. A huge positive is that I gained 2.6 ranking points from getting to the Quarter-finals, but I am a bit disappointed I could not secure the whole 10 points”.

  He however, emphasized the need for the young upcoming players, as well as the current Elite athletes to compete more internationally and gain international ranking points.

  “In the space of two weeks, I have gained about 12.6 points. By the time the next ranking comes, I would have moved up a lot of spaces on the World Ranking list. The more Nigeria taekwondo athletes compete and gain those points, the more likely we would we can qualify more people for the Rio 2016 Olympics, since top six in the world qualify automatically”.

  He noted that it was impossible to compete against nations that sponsor their teams for practically every point-ranking tournament, thus canvassed for more private sector and public sector support/investment for taekwondo, who is claimed is getting massively popular every other day, especially amongst teeming Nigerian youth.

  President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru again sent his congratulations to the self-sponsored Uche Perez in Germany, urging him to maintain his current form until the crucial African Senior Taekwondo Championships, billed to hold in Tunisia on May 6 to 8, this year, where a massive 40 ranking points awaits gold medallists.

  Ashiru also urged other elite and upcoming athletes to be inspired by Uche Perez’s recent form, and seize every opportunity to gain global ranking points wherever they can.

 

GOLF

 

The Captain of the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos, Mr. Ted Iwere, has said that his newly-inaugurated Executive Committee will focus on the developmental plans his predecessors have outlined for the Club.

 

Iwere, who recently assumed leadership of the Golf Section of the Club, noted that the Club is the most populous club in the country, adding:  "There is a very strong development programme on ground at Ikoyi, and the Golf Course and Clubhouse have at different times been undergoing different stages of upgrade. These have been made possible by the on-going investments of the Club on its facilities, coupled with the growing contributions of the corporate community in supporting the development of the game at the Club and in the country."

 

In his acceptance speech at the inauguration of the Executive Committee, Iwere said he has assembled a team of knowlegeable, experienced and committed golfers whose work will impact on the Club's activities and overall outlook in the next one year.

 

Iwere said: “As we set out to serve our fellow golfers and the game of golf, as we pursue  the common good of the Golf Section in particular, and the Club in general,  we will count on you. Our strength is in you, the members of the Golf Section, because, none of us is as smart as all of us."

 

He added: “What the Golf Section needs is continuous improvement. In line with my campaign, the Five-Year Strategic Plan, as approved  by your good selves at the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Golf Section, gives  us a track to run on."

 

The new Executive Committee has Tony Onwu as Vice Captain while Tony Okwoju and Dan Akujobi are Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

 

Other members of the Executive Committee are Chris Ogan, Course Officer; Tim Ayonmike, Assistant Course Officer; Ben Oghojafor, House Officer; Stuart Connal, Assistant House Officer; B. H.  Sumanth, Competition Secretary; Abisodun Awoleye, Assistant Competition Secretary; Akin Akinola, Handicap Secretary; Akin Oteniya, Caddy Officer; Seyi Siwoku, Entertainment Officer; and

Ngozi Ngoka, Lady Captain.

 

Kayode Ogunleye, Bintu Tinubu and Anthony Oboh are Project Officers while Matthew Jacobs serves as Professional Liaison.

WRESTLING

IKOT ABASI WILL COME ALIVE ON EASTER MONDAY THE 21ST OF THIS MONTH FOR THE FIRST EVER PRO WRESTLING SHOW SPONSORED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT UFOT UDOINYANG.

THE EVENT IS MEANT TO SHOWCASE THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF THE AREA THAT IS SURROUNDED BY THE OCEAN.ABOUT TEN WRESTLERS ARE ON THE BILL FOR THE SHOW WHICH INCLUDE POWER VIC WHO IS FROM IKOT ABASI OTHERS ARE WRESTLERS FROM CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC,THE GOLDEN TWINS AS WELL AS HULK POWER OF BENIN REPUBLIC ARE ALREADY IN LAGOS TRAINING FOR WRESTLING EXTRAVANGANZA.

ALSO ON THE BILL ARE TWO FEMALE WRESTLERS LADY JOY AND BLAZE ARE ON THE BILL TO THRILL THE CROWD

ACCORDING TO THE INITIATOR OF THE FIGHT VETETAN SPORT JOURNALIST MIKE UMOH,THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF IKOT ABASI COMING HOME FOR THE EASTER HOLIDAY ARE ALL APPRECIATIVE OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR PUTTING UP THE SHOW IN THEIR TOWN.

THE SHOW IS SANCTIONED BY THE AFRICAN WRESTLING ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS THE NIGERIAN WRESTLING BOARD OF CONTROL.

THE FIGHT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS IN IKOT ABASI. 

ROWING

THE ROWING,SAILING AND CANOEING FEDERATION HELD IT,S BOARD MEETING AT THE NIGERIA OLYMPIC COMMITTEE BOARDROOM LAST WEEK IN SURULERE LAGOS.
THE MEETING CHAIRED BY THE THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL FESTUS PORBENI REACHED FAR REACHING DECISIONS THAT WILL MOVE THE SPORTS FORWARD PART OF WHICH WAS THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAGOS STATE ROWING ASSOCIATION MR PATRICK EGBELE AS THE CHAIRMAN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERATION.
AN IMPRESSED EGBELE SAID THE APPOINTMENT WOULD AFFORD HIM THE OF RE POSITIONING THE SPORT FOR BETTER RESULTS.
OTHER FAR REACHING DECISIONS REACHED WAS THE ADOPTION OF ORGANIZING A NATIONAL ROWING TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD AT THE JABI LAKE ABUJA IN SEPTEMBER,THIS THE BOARD SAID WOULD AFFORD ALL THE ROWERS REPRESENTING THEIR VARIOUS STATE AT THE ROWING EVENT OF THE NATIONAL SPORT FESTIVAL BILLED FOR CALABAR CROSS RIVER STATE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE EVENT.
THE NATIONAL SPORT COMMISSION HAS ALLOWED FOR THE INCLUSION OF ROWING AS SCORING EVENT IN THIS YEAR;S NATIONAL SPORT FESTIVAL THE SPORT CARRIES 40 MEDALS.

OPEN WATER

SEVEN STATES AND GHANA HAVE INDICATED THEIR INTEREST IN TAKING PART IN THE OPEN WATER EVENT OF THE LAGOS BOAT REGATTA ORGANIZED BY THE LAGOS WATERS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.
ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAGOS AQUATIC ASSOCIATION REV SAMUEL JESIMIEL, THE STATES COMING ARE  OSUN,DELTA,ONDO,BAYELSA,CROSS RIVER,KOGI AND LAGOS STATES WILL BE THERE WHILE GHANA WILL BE THE ONLY COUNTRY COMING THE EVENT.
THE OPEN WATER COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AS PART OF ACTIVITIES OF THE ANNUAL INTER STATE LAGOS WATER REGATTA WHICH HOLDS AT THE LAGOS LAGOON ON OZUMBA MBADIWE VICTORIA ISLAND.
THE EVENT WILL HOLD ON EASTER SUNDAY.

BIRTHDAY GOLF

A GOLF COMPETITION IN HONOR OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT SENATOR DAVID MARK TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY BILLED TO HOLD THIS WEEKEND HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL THE EASTER PERIOD.
FEDERATIONSPORTNIGERIA  GATHERED THAT THE SENATE PRESIDENT HAS A PACKED NATIONAL ASSIGNMENT THAT WILL MAKE HIM NOT TO BE AVAILABLE  FOR THIS WEEKEND;S PROGRAM  BILLED FOR THE ABUJA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB.
THE GOLF COMPETITION WILL INVOLVE TWO CATEGORIES NAMELY THE PROFESSIONALS AND THE AMATEURS,WHILE THE THE PROS WILL PLAY FIVE MILLION NAIRA THE AMATEURS WILL PLAY THE GIFT PRIZES AT STAKE.

NIGERIA WINS ANOTHER GOLD

Few days after Uche Perez Chukwumerije claimed gold at the 2014 Belgian Open, another Nigerian, United States-based Saturday Bashir clinched gold medal in the welterweight division at the 2nd Columbia International Taekwondo Championships, held in Cali, Columbia.

   The seven-day tournament, which ends on Wednesday April 9, had athletes from Switzerland, Philippines, Nigeria, Canada, Ghana, Benin, Chile, U.S, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, and host - Columbia.

 Bashir, a 2013 Korean Opens gold medalist, defeated his opponents from Columbia 12 – 7 in the first fight, Chile 8 – 0 in the second fight, before going to stamp his supremacy over Ghana 10 – 8 in the final to win gold medal.

  His opponent in the final Ghana’s Anthony Adjetey is ranked 14th in the world and with this result, this gives a clear indication of how Team Nigeria might fare over their African counterparts in next year’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

  Bashir represented Nigeria at the 2013 World Team Cup, and it was his performance at the 2014 US Opens, that made him to be among the few selected athletes fully sponsored to the championships in Columbia.

  The sponsorship includes full return airfare, feeding, registration fees, medical costs and provision of hydration supplements.

  This performance excited the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) that its elite athletes are showing top form, as the Rio 2016 Olympics is barely 28 months away.   NTF athletes’ representative, Chika Chukwumerije, hailed the wonderful week in which personal sacrifice, determination and hard work of Nigeria taekwondo’s elite athletes brought collective glory to Nigeria.

  “Saturday Bashir was my teammate to the 2007 All Africa Games. Back then; he was technically sound, physically fit and very hardworking. He is an athlete whose profile inspires our young athletes, and once again, he represented Nigeria well”,” the Beijing Olympics medalist said.

  He added that the success stories of Uche and Saturday would “go a long way in motivating the young upcoming athletes, and has set a winning example that can be followed.”

  NTF President, George Ashiru, on behalf of the board and Nigeria taekwondo community, has sent his congratulations to Saturday in Columbia, and urged all elite athletes to continue to grab international exposure and ranking points wherever they can.

  However, one of the organizers Columbia championships, Edwin Montoya, who is also the Director of the Specialized Centre Taekwondo in Columbia, noted “he was very pleased with the diversity of countries, and especially with the presence of athletes from Africa, which is not very common, thus allowing better understanding and exchange among all cultures.”

 

Again the battle for supremacy between Nigeria and Egypt came to fore at 
the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-sanctioned 
African Junior Championship as Team Nigeria clash against Team Egypt in 
the girls’ final.
  However, Congo Brazzaville prevented Nigeria from playing in the final 
of the boys’ event after the Congolese beat Olasunkanmi Oginni-led 
team to secure a spot ahead of Nigeria in the last four of the event.
  Also in the boys’ cadet division, Nigeria failed to advance to the 
last four following the inability of the team to beat Congo Brazzaville 
in the group game concluded on Tuesday.
  Unlike their male counterpart, the trio of Tosin Esther Oribamise, 
Ajoke Ojomu and Alimot Ayinla ensured that their place in the final was 
not usurped as they defeated Algeria 3-0 in the semifinal after coming 
second behind Egypt in Group One. Egypt also walloped Tunisia 3-0 to set 
up another encounter against Nigeria in the final of the junior event.
  In the girls’ cadet event, the Nigeria managed a 3-2 win over 
Algeria while Egypt had no problem beating Tunisia 3-0 to confront 
Nigeria in another final.
  Meanwhile, the doubles and singles events will commence on Wednesday, 
as all eyes will be on Egypt, Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville and Tunisia.

The eight-man team of Nigeria will on Monday begins its quest for glory 
in the team event of the 2014 International Table Tennis Federation 
(ITTF)-sanctioned African Junior Championship holding in Cairo, Egypt.
  The team led by national coach, Nosiru Bello and assisted by Dotun 
Omoniyi will compete against seeded teams like Egypt, Tunisia and 
Algeria.
  In the team event draw held at the Le Meridien Hotel in Cairo, 
Nigeria’s male team has been pitched against host – Egypt, Congo 
Brazzaville, Djibouti and Congo DRC in Group One while Tunisia, Algeria, 
Angola Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa are in Group Two.
  In the female draw, Nigeria will tackle Egypt, South Africa, Angola in 
Group One while Algeria, Tunisia, Congo Brazzaville and Congo DRC are in 
group Two.
  In the cadet team event draw, Nigeria’s male team will battle Egypt, 
Tunisia and Algeria in Group One while group Two consists of Congo 
Brazzaville, Angola, South Africa and Djibouti.
  For the girls’ draw, Nigeria will tackle Tunisia, Angola and Congo 
DRC in Group Two while Egypt has to confront Congo Brazzaville South 
Africa and Angola in Group one.
  The top two teams in each group is expected to qualify for the 
semifinal stage of the event.
  The Nigeria male team is made up of Olasunkanmi Oginni, Babafemi 
Babatunde, Joseph Osedunkwu and Sunday Akomolafe, while the female team 
has Tosin Esther Oribamise, Agnes Onoja, Ajoke Ojomu and Halimot Ayinla.
  Meanwhile, Egypt’s quartet of Aly Ghallab, Mahmoud Fathy, Ahmed 
Mabrouk and Ahmed Dabous are the top seeded players in the Championships
  Ahmed Dabous currently stands in second place behind Algeria’s 
Yaniss Douifi, with Tunisia’s Kerem Ben Yahia in third spot. Mahmoud 
Fathy is in fourth position with Aly Ghallab in sixth spot. Sandwiched 
in between is Congo Brazzaville’s Gracce Babekidio in fifth spot.
  The ranking produced by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) is 
a combination of the current ITTF World Rankings combined with the 
results gained at the immediate previous African Junior Championships.
  Tunisia represented by Kerem Ben Yahia, Nadim Ben Mekki, Chouab Lagha 
and Salim Hassine occupy the second seeded position in the Junior 
Boys’ Team event with Algeria and Congo Brazzaville being the third 
and fourth seeds.

    Algeria is represented Yaniss Douifi, Salim Amokrane, Arslane 
Beldjelali and Abderrahmane Alioua; whilst for Congo Brazzaville the 
squad is formed by Christ Bientaki, Michel Lignandzi, Grace Babekidio 
and Doukoure Mbema.
  All four leading teams field players who have tasted international at 
events organised by the ITTF Global Junior Programme.
  Aly Ghallab, Yaniss Douifi, Kerem Ben Yahia and Christ Bientaki formed 
Team Africa at the ITTF Cadet Challenge staged in Puerto Rico in January 
2012; meanwhile later in the year Aly Ghallab was on duty when the 
tournament was staged in Guam and in January 2013 at the ITTF Junior 
Circuit Finals in Guatemala.
  In the Cadet Boys’ Team event, Egypt also fields the top seeded 
outfit. Karim Elhakim and Youssef Abdel-Aziz are the players in 
question.
  Congo Brazzaville with Michel Lignandzi and Regis Kiassi on duty are 
the second seeds being followed by Angola’s Sebastiao Lemos and 
Alessio Antonio. Babatunde Babafemi and Sunday Akomolafe of Nigeria 
occupy the fourth seeded place.