Sports
FG to Partner Republic of Hungary On Grassroots Football Development
The Federal Government has expressed its willingness to partner with the Republic of Hungary on grassroots football development by ensuring a successful hosting of the Dreamland Embassy of Hungary Football Tournament scheduled to take place in Abuja between November 14 – 20, 2022.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, gave the assurance on Friday in his office in Abuja, when he received the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Sandor Beer who came to brief him on the preparedness of the Tournament as well as solicit the Ministry’s support towards the success of the competition.
According to him, the game was an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its budding football talents at the grassroots with a view to harnessing them for international competitions.
Dare therefore assured of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with Republic of Hungary in ensuring the success of the tournament.
He explained that Nigeria, being a football loving nation, had a lot of football talents at the grassroots who can be trained into taking the game as a career.
The Minister therefore urged the Hungarian Government to furnish the Ministry with the database of her citizens who are already playing football at a professional level in their country for the purposes of documentation and statistics.
“We need the contact information of these young ones so that we can stay in touch with them, celebrate them as ambassadors on our website, in our speeches, in the media; they can become role models for our teeming youth. We will bring our Coaches to share ideas and rub minds with the Coaches from your clubs with a view to developing a robust domestic grassroots football league in Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Sandor Beer, stated that he was in the Ministry to update the Minister on the level of preparedness for the competition and to further solicit support for the success of the Tournament.
He informed that Scouts from Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Romania will be visiting the country during the event, to see prospective Nigerian footballers who can be recruited into their various clubs.
Amb. Beer added that the 7-day Tournament is expected to feature 16 Nigerian teams from Lagos, Abia and other States across Nigeria.
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, who was part of the visit, thanked the Minister for receiving Ambassador Beer warmly and providing a conducive environment for such grassroots partnerships and collaborations to thrive in the country.
Sports
No crisis in NAWIS ahead of AFN elections on Monday
Joel Ajayi
The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), known for its orderliness since its establishment in 1990, continues to uphold its standards ahead of the upcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.
With members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, NAWIS has consistently operated without external interference.
Over the years, its members have been nominated to various boards of national sports federations after meeting established criteria, including the payment of annual dues.
The association has attracted a strong base of respected sportswomen who have served the country with distinction, both during and after their active careers.
In preparation for the AFN elections, zonal elections were conducted on June 2 and 3, producing representatives for the national exercise.
While NAWIS initially planned to hold its election in Zaria, Kaduna State, the association’s headquarters, it was later rescheduled for Abuja on Monday, June 9, following directives from higher authorities.
Importantly, NAWIS has a set of strict guidelines that govern its electoral process, particularly the requirement for timely payment of annual dues. Failure to meet this condition results in automatic disqualification.
This guideline was the basis for the disqualification of Maria Wophil, who has reportedly not paid her annual dues since 2017. Her attempt to hurriedly settle outstanding debts just before the election was deemed non-compliant with NAWIS regulations.
Who is Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju?
Commonwealth gold medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju is one of the leading contenders for the NAWIS representative position in the AFN.
She made history as the first African woman to run the 400m in under 50 seconds and brought glory to Nigeria by winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
Yusuf-Olukoju also claimed gold in the 400m at the 1991 All-Africa Games and silver in the 200m.
Based on nominations and her track record, Yusuf-Olukoju is considered the most qualified candidate. However, three other contenders have also shown interest, and the final decision will be made in the election slated for Monday, June 9, in Abuja.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News5 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
