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.

Bala seeks for support to succeed as new Katsina United gaffer

 

Bala seeks for support to succeed as new Katsina United gaffer

By Ibitoye Shittu 

Experienced Nigerian Coach Abubakar Bala has broken his silence hours after being named the new Coach of Katsina United thanking the club management for choosing him as their man.

Bala was on Wednesday, December 13, unveiled in Katsina with the club's management giving him the mandate to change the fortune of the side this term in the top-flight.

The former Kwara United handler disclosed that he has been monitoring Katsina United ever since he walked away from Lobi Stars stressing that he is ready to work hard and make the club's faithfuls happy. 

He then solicited for support from fans, stakeholders and the players in his quest to achieve greater things this season with Katsina United. 

"I'm happy to be found worthy of carrying out this great task out of so many and I want to thank the management, fans and all my good Nigerian Sports Journalists who are always with me.

"I'm happy and we will work very hard to have a successful season by the Special Grace of God," the former Niger Tornadoes coach explained.

Bala who signed a one year contract with Katsina United will later on Thursday meet the players and other members of the coaching crew.

Meanwhile, Katsina United are currently occupying 15th position on the NPFL log with 14 points after 12 matches.

Para Games: Osun Storms Venue With 30 Athletes, Ready For Podium Finish

 Para Games: Osun Storms Venue With 30 Athletes, Ready For Podium Finish 

30  ATHLETES from Osun will leave Osogbo  this  morning  for Abuja , the Federal capital  to compete  with their counterparts from  the  other states of  the federation   in the 2nd National  Para Games-.

 

This is contained in a release issued by the Chief  PRO-. of the Sports Council, Mrs Funmilayo Moradeyo

This  state representatives will vie for honours in  5 games.namely: Para Athletics; Para  Canoeing; Para  Swimming; Para Powerlifting and Para Table Tennis.

The  athletes and their handlers have promised to leave no stone unturned. to  sweep medals for the state.

Meanwhile, the  athletes and the  officials  have expressed appreciation to the Sports loving Governor- Senator  Ademola Jackson Nurudeen  Adeleke   for making funds available for them to participate in the event ,promising to do their best to justify the confidence repose in them at the tournament proper.

 .However, the  General manager of the Sports Council  Mr Rotimi Dunmoye  has commended  the efforts put in place by the Deputy Governor who doubles as the Commissioner for sports- Prince Kola Adewusi  to make  the state participation a reality together with  the   Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports - SA- Prince Kolawole   Joseph and SSA- Senior Special Assistant- Mr Iyiola Semiu Babatunde

He said the trio have done a good job in putting things in order.

The contingent are expected back next week.