Osun State Government Closed Down Osogbo Township Stadium In Preparation for Second Stanza Of NNL.

 Osun State Government Closed Down Osogbo Township Stadium In Preparation for Second Stanza Of NNL.

Osun State Government has issued a directive for the closure of the Main Bowl of Osogbo Township Stadium barring all activities in order to put the turf in good shape before the resumption of the second half of NNL season.

The decision was unanimously agreed upon today at a meeting between the Government and the stakeholders.

The Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, Prince Kola Adewusi who was represented by the Director of Sports, Coaching and Training Osun State Sports Council, Mr Ademola Daini made it known that over usage of the field is hindering the growth of the grass. Hence, there is the need to close down the main bowl from all sporting activities and all other events in order for the field to be in good state pending the NNL resumption.

 " We need to minimize the usage of the main bowl in order for proper maintenance. Closing it down will allow the grass to rest and grow well. The stadium management will have ample time to swing into acting of wetting and applying manure to enhance the growth of the grass." Said Mr Daini.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Osun United FC, Mr Akin Maxwell and the Chairperson of Osun Babes FC, Mrs Tola Usman thanks the state government for the measure taken while promising to abide by the closure instruction by seeking alternatives for their training activities.

Also present at the meeting were, the Secretary of Osun Babes FC, Mrs Ronke Ogunbanwo, the Secretary of Osun United FC, Oyewale Taoheed, The TM of Osun Babes FC, Mr Wole Animasahun, the Chief Coach of Osun United FC, Seye Ajayi, the Chief Coach of Osun Babes FC,  Adebayo Adesina and the Media Officers of Osun United FC and Osun Babes FC, Seyi Akanni and Oluwaseun Omolola.

SmartCity Osun State Football League: Hammola Pummels Brilliant Utd, Elebuibon Boys, Hommydays Share Spoils In Season Opener

 SmartCity Osun State Football League: Hammola Pummels Brilliant Utd, Elebuibon Boys, Hommydays Share Spoils In Season Opener 

It's a new dawn in Osun football as the ecosystem is experiencing a thrilling turn around. As SmartCity Osun State Football League finally kicked off in style amidst glitz and glamour, the much talked about opening worths its hype.

Soccer fans thronged Osogbo Township Stadium with excitement as early as 10am on Tuesday, 13th February 2024, to witness soccer artistry as the league finally kickstarts.

The opening fixtures set up high flying Elebuibon Boys and ambitious Hommydays FA in a classical clash as two sides battled veraciously under a clement atmosphere. Dominant Elebuibon Boys ran riots in fisrt half courtesy of a brace from Jayeola Tolu under four minutes, as Alex Ossai reduced the deficit for Hommydays just before the break. Upon resumption, Homidays forward Joseph Gideon capitalised on opponents defensive mishap to level the scores (2-2), as the scoreline remain unchanged till regulation time.

The second match witnessed a five goal thriller as it's all Hammola Feeders affairs, scoring four times through Shittu Yusuf, Ariwoola Toheeb, Adigun Ismail and Segun Moses while Adewuyi Nurein of Brilliant United provided a consolation goal in all local derby duel.

Foremost paintmaker, Armstrong Paints, rewarded the outstanding players in Jayeola Tolu and Yusuf Shittu with gifts. Osun FA supremo Mayor Sola Fanawopo lauded the state government, headline sponsor, SmartCity and corporate partners and further assured hitchfree season. He stated that the gains of the tourney would be too numerous to mention as the platform is set up for lads to take their career to next level.

Osun State Deputy Governor cum commissioner for Sports Prince Kola Adewusi led other top government functionaries to perform the ceremonial kick off, while notable football administrators, scouts, ex-internationals, football stakeholders, football writers and content providers were also thrilled by the young guns.

SmartCity Osun State Football League powered by Osun State Football Associations will feature over 704 players across 4 Conferences, has BlackdrumTV as the league broadcast partners. Other partners include, Trumax Pharmaceuticals, Sportalytics, Threadsandus, Desarrollar and Sotera Water.

FIFA President, NFF Boss, Mourinho, Zidane, Ronaldo, Tiger Woods To Grace Chikun/Kajuru Constituency Mini Stadium project

FIFA President, NFF Boss, Mourinho, Zidane, Ronaldo, Tiger Woods To Grace Chikun/Kajuru Constituency Mini Stadium project

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, Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, ormer 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 stakeholders will be giving fatherly advice on how best the academy can strive.

African legends and Super Eagles legends Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto, Elhadji Diouf, Austin Okocha, Garba Lawal, Daniel Amokachi, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba and a host of others are expected to grace the event.

Recall, His Excellency Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State gave his greenlight to the project with the allocation of 25 hectares of land for the establishment of a Mini Stadium to host a Sports Academy within the Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency and vowed to make Kaduna a hub for sports business.

This initiative stems from the efforts of Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams, whose House Committee had hit the ground running since the assumption of office.

The astute football administrator and former General Manager of high-flying Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Remo Stars  disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has incorporated the project into its 2024 budget, signaling imminent commencement.

A delighted Adams said: "I want to thank Governor Uba Sani for this project, as he is a die hard sports fan and shares the same vision of using sports to empower the youths in Kaduna State.

"We want to use School Sports to take the youths off the streets. The coming of the FIFA President, other top icons  in sports and of course the former Super Eagles stars will change the orientation of our youths.

"The long run effect of this will amount to a decline in banditry, kidnapping and hooliganism.

"The Sports Academy will go into partnership with top football clubs in Europe like Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and others. In next few weeks, the Sports Ministry will move to site."

Meanwhile wife of Kaduna North Federal Constituency Rep Member who's Chief Consultant of the project, Mrs Bello El-Rufai stated: "The Sports Academy will be an envy of all, as am giving my assurance that all hands will be on deck, including professionals to making sure we provide a world class sports facility for all sports lovers in Kaduna State."

Recall that during his campaign leading up to the 2023 Elections, the Member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency pledged to establish a Sports Academy in the region, underscoring his commitment to fulfilling electoral promises.

Amazing Debuts For Padel Tennis In Osun State

 

Amazing Debuts For Padel Tennis In Osun State 

A novel game in Nigeria, Padel Tennis, has made its debut in Osun sports industry with the commissioning of the tennis facilities in Osogbo, capital of the state.

The multi-billion naira Padel Tennis project is located beside FunField Event Center, around Dele Yes Sir RoundAbout, Ofatedo, Osogbo, Osun State.

Padel game is a new game in Nigeria but it has been known in some western countries. The tennis courts are first of its kind in Nigeria and Osun.

The sports facilities including two standard Padel Tennis courts, a lounge and office, were built by a game firm, iPadel Tennis.

Commissioning the structures, a traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Adebayo Faforiji, Oteniara III, Alamuye of Amuye-Faforiji, described the game as a significant means of developing the state economy and discovering talents.

The monarch, while commending the iPadel team for the initiative, described the introduction of the game as a significant development for the state and Nigeria as a whole. 

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of iPadel game, Boluwatife Fasugba,said the Padel Tennis would usher more opportunities to the sport sector. 

According to Fasugba, he chose Osogbo because of the fast growing economy of the city which he believes padel game is going to add value to. 

He said the game is for the general public and it can be played by both genders including the young and old for better wellbeing, health and fitness of sports enthusiasts.

Fasugba added that the game will enhance fitness and promote healthy growth in the body. 

He implored the state government to assist young entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in the state and also appeal to the government to open door to engage with local investors instead of focusing only on foreign investors. 

Fasugba said the facilities worth close to One Hundred Million Naira, adding that people can play the game with just Three Thousand Naira. 

Highlight of the commissioning was a novelty launching game between Oba Faforiji, a cleric who had prayed on the site and the iPadel team.

Three FC Ebedei Graduates Make Super Eagles 2023 AFCON Squad

 

Three FC Ebedei Graduates Make Super Eagles 2023 AFCON Squad

FC Ebedei has once again proven why it's the pace setter of football excellence in Nigeria, after having three graduates in the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote D' Ivoire.

Nigeria, a three-time AFCON champion who are one of the favourites to emerge winners of the content biggest football fiesta, are seeking a 4th title with Jose Peseiro in charge.

 

Three FC Ebedei products had made the provisional 45-man list ahead the December 15th, 2023 CAF deadline for the submission by all participating  AFCON teams, but at the end, the duo of Frank Onyeka (Brentford -England) and Rapheal Onyedika (Club Brugge- Belgium) made the final 25-man party to Cote D' Ivoire. 

As injury ravaged the Super Eagles squad during the pre-AFCON camping in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with the striking department the most affected, the need to fill the void came about.

First was Germany-based Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface who was replaced by Terem Moffi of French Lique side Nice, after he sustained a groin injury. With the squad not done with the unfortunate incident, then came the news of Sadiq Umar who was reported to have sustained an unfortunate injury.

Super Eagles Portuguese gaffer wasted no time in inviting Trabonzor of Turkey striker Paul Ebere Onuachu, to bolster his strike options heading into the tournament.

With the invitation of inform Onuachu to replace injured Sadiq Umar less than 72hours to Super Eagles opening AFCON Group A game against Equitorial Guinea at the in Ivory Coast, is a testament that the Nationwide League One club is the best and professional administered football club in Nigeria.

No club in Nigeria even at the topflight level- Nigeria Professional Football League and Nigeria National League has same number of representatives.

In the many interviews the Nigerian sporting media have had with the President of FC Ebedei, Barrister Churchill Oliseh, one of his quotes which is now a fact.

"In the last 20 years of Nigeria's football, the success recorded by Super Eagles or the age-grade teams in any international competition has a product of FC Ebedei."

It will be recalled that the trio visited their boyhood club (FC Ebedei) last year on Monday July 10, 2023 and played a novelty game tagged FC Ebedei vs Onuachu, Onyeka, Onyedika and friends which ended 1-1 with Onuachu scoring a late minute equaliser.