Sports

2023 Ladies In Sports Conference Focuses On Fight Against Human Trafficking.

Published

1 year ago

June 19, 2023

A one-day conference at the Marriott Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, held on Friday the 16th of June 2023 discussed and agreed on collaborative modalities to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery in Sports.

The event was hosted by Ladies In Sports, a Nigerian based foundation, which brought together personalities from all works of life to design efforts to end this human right violation.

“Expanding the fight against human trafficking” was the topic of the next panel of the conference moderated by Dr. May Ikeora, a human rights and women empowerment advocate.

During the session, speakers Laurent De Boeck – Chief of Mission of International Organization for Migration (IOM) to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ojonuka Ajuda, Head of Women’s Football at Integral pointed out that human trafficking in sports does not only affect men.

Ajuda revealed that her department has received complaints from some women who have been exploited and abandoned in another country.

“Women find it difficult to speak about it” She added, while emphasising on the need to create awareness.

“Women’s sport is still developing, so women athletes are already in a vulnerable position and so fake agents want to prey on them.”

De Boeck added that even men are afraid to speak up, but he urged victims to have the courage. The IOM provides protection and assistance to victims of trafficking, ensuring freedom and a chance at a new life. He said that the social pressure from families and communities also makes some athletes desperate. Then when things go south the victims blame themselves.

The panellists urged sports stakeholders to be intentional about ensuring that athletes have a safe environment to thrive, starting from the grassroots. They also emphasised on the education of the athletes and their parents. “They should attend conferences like this, and there is a lot of information online, FIFA’s regulations and policies are publicly accessible,” Ajuda advised.

LIS Founder Tega Onojaife expressed immense gratitude to everyone who graced the 7th LIS Conference as well as the sponsors that contributed to making the event a reality.

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Sports

Nigerian teenager, Ilenikhena outshines Yamal Scores, As Monaco beat Barca 2-1

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2024

The Gleamer

Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena scored on his Champions League debut as Monaco produced an upset against 10-man Barcelona.

The 18-year-old substitute raced on to Vanderson’s long ball over the top of the defence in the 71st minute and blasted his shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Eric Garcia had earlier been shown a straight red card with just 10 minutes gone when he fouled Takumi Minamino as the last man after a poor pass out from the back by Ter Stegen.

Monaco took the lead soon after when Maghnes Akliouche slotted past Ter Stegen who was rooted to the spot.

Barcelona’s own teenage star Lamine Yamal equalised with his first Champions League goal when he latched on to a long ball and cut inside before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.

But Ilenikhena’s goal, his first since signing from Royal Antwerp in the summer, condemned Barcelona to an opening defeat.

Vanderson’s strike from the edge of the area was pushed past the post while Minamino had an effort deflected on to the crossbar for the hosts.

It could have been a more emphatic win but Folarin Balogun had a penalty overturned late on following a video assistant referee (VAR) check after he was adjudged to have gone down too easily under the challenges.

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