Sports
Our Aims Is For Athletics To Retain Its Lost Glory-Onikeku
Joel Ajayi
The newly elected representative of Military and Para-military (institutional sports) into the board of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Onikeku, expressed that the Board’s desire is to help the country’s Athletics retain its lost glory. The elated Nigeria Customs Service sports secretary gave this on Monday, shortly after he was elected into the AFN Board in Abuja.
According to him, we have a President, and as a Board member representing Military and Para-military, we shall work with President to see that the objectives of the Board is put in place, as an ex-international, we shall make sure that the welfare of athletes and coaches are put first because without the Athletes and Coaches, there will be no Board or Board members.
“So, the first thing to do is to help the President to make sure that the objective of athletic track and field is achieved.
“I am the sports Secretary for NCS, that deals with all sports so, and you know, when I was competing, I competed in Athletics even though I played volleyball at low level but as a sports administrator, you should be able to function at any sports that will bring excellence. So, being elected into the Board today is another opportunity to serve and ensure Athletics retain its lost glory as it was in the 1990s and early 2000.”
Speaking on the verge of progress made in the club championship recently, the Secretary General, Nigeria Customs Service sports unit, Samuel Onikeku, vowed to do everything humanly possible to ensure the team win the next year’s club championship: “Every year we improve, we will use the league to start preparing for the next year club championship, because we are among the top 4 in Africa but what we’re aiming for is to get to the final and win the club championship, and I’m using this opportunity to thank our Controller General of Custom (CGC) for all the motivation and supports he has been giving to us. So, next year we are going to win the club championship.”
Sports
Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches
…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy
By Joel Ajayi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.
“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.
He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.
Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.
Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.
“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.
“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.
The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.
In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.
Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.
The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.
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