Sports
Pitch Awards: Henry Nwosu pitches for Elegbeleye
Joel Ajayi
A former Super Eagles player, Henry Nwosu has endorsed the nomination of the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye for the annual Pitch Awards Sportsmanship category for the year 2023.
In a touching testimony, Nwosu who has coached a number of professional league sides including Union Bank of Lagos and Gateway of Abeokuta, described the former National Assembly member as embodying the traits that are needed for leadership in the country.
“When I was the Coach of the U-17 team back in 2008, Elegbeleye saw me in Abuja and showed interest in how I was getting on with the job. I didn’t have any official car and was moving around in taxis.
“Three days afterwards, he called me to take delivery of a car. I didn’t ask for it and it was not as if we had a relationship beyond saying hello”, Nwosu recalled of his encounter with the then House of Representatives member.
On the Pitch Award, Nwosu who remains one of the best Super Eagles midfielders insisted that Elegbeleye merits the nomination and in his words, “he deserves to win this award and any award meant to recognise selfless contribution to sports by an individual”.
He said the selfless contributions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) second vice president is such that “unlike some other people who would assist a Coach the way he did for me, Elegbeleye never for once called to send any player or players to me.
He didn’t even make a public show of the gift but was always ensuring that I had a free hand and was comfortable to carry out the task assigned to me by the NFF”
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, Remo Stars Chairman, Hon. Kunle Soname are the other two nominees for the Sportsmanship Award category.
Elegbeleye was in April crowned the Sports Administrator Of the Year, 2023 at the Sportsville Awards.
Sports
Culture Comes Alive in Abuja as 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament Kicks Off in Grand Style
By Joel Ajayi
It was a spectacular showcase of culture and tradition at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja as the 13th edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) African Wrestling Tournament commenced in grand style.
A total of 55 athletes from 11 countries are competing for top honors, with each nation represented by five wrestlers and four technical officials.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Thursday, the Director of Youth and Sports Development for ECOWAS, Ambassador Francis Njoaguani, expressed his appreciation and highlighted the importance of the tournament in fostering cooperation and unity among the 12 ECOWAS member states.
Although Cape Verde is absent from this year’s event, Njoaguani stressed the significance of sports as a powerful tool for regional integration.
“This programme brings together wrestlers from all our member states,” Njoaguani said. “It strengthens collaboration among nations and showcases the unifying power of sports. We believe this will enhance the integration efforts that ECOWAS advocates.”
With young people making up 54% of the ECOWAS population, Njoaguani noted the vital role sports play in economic development and youth engagement.
“Sports not only connect participants but also drive economic growth,” he stated. “We aim to leverage sports to spread the message of ECOWAS regarding integration and youth development, which are essential to our goals of development and human capital enhancement.”
The tournament opened with team events, while individual bouts across weight categories of 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 100kg, and 120kg are scheduled to follow in an elimination format, leading to the semi-finals and finals.
Njoaguani also extended an invitation to the public to attend the tournament’s grand finale on Saturday, where medals and prizes will be awarded to the champions.
As excitement builds, the tournament aims not only to showcase athletic talent but also to foster regional camaraderie and development through the spirit of competition.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to using sports as a platform for youth empowerment, regional integration, and economic growth.
This year’s tournament also coincides with the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, adding greater significance to the event.
Dikko praised the rich cultural heritage embedded in traditional wrestling, describing it as more than just a sport: “It embodies the spirit of resilience, strength, and discipline—qualities that define our great continent,” he said, as dignitaries, athletes, and fans gathered to celebrate this prestigious event.
Dikko further commended the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, noting his dedication to using sports as a vehicle for peace and regional cohesion.
“This tournament is a testament to our collective commitment to promoting cultural ties and strengthening the bonds that unite us,” he emphasized.
Hosting the tournament firmly positions Nigeria as a central figure in promoting and developing traditional sports across the region.
Dikko reiterated the National Sports Commission’s dedication to maximizing the power of sporting events for youth development, regional unity, and economic progress.
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