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I Have Scored 17 Goals In All Competition This Season- Sadiq Umar Reveals

Published

5 years ago

January 19, 2021

….Vows To Score More Goals

former- Under 23 star, Sadiq Umar says there are no limits to his scoring abilities after he fired a brace to lead Almeria to the Round of 16 of the Copa Del Rey in their 5-0 rout of La Liga Santander side, Deportivo Alaves last weekend.

Sadiq opened the scoring for the La Liga Smartbank side in the eighth minute before getting his brace in the 45th minute. Ager Aketxe, Andres Battaglia (own goal), and Juan Villar were the other scorers for Almeria in the rout.

The forward who has now scored five goals in his last two games for Rojiblancos including a sensational hat-trick in their 3-1 victory over Ponferradina on January 3rd, 2021 told www.dasportstainment247.com that they were able to eliminate Alaves in the Copa Del Rey because of their self-belief and confidence.

The 23-year-old’s two goals against Alaves made it his 17th goal of the season having scored six goals for his ex-club Serbian’s Partizan Belgrade from 10 games before crossing over to Almeria in October last year. He has netted 11 goals from 19 games for Almeria with nine of those goals scored in the La Liga Smartbank and an additional two in the Copa Del Rey.

Having met his target of 17 goals for last season in just 29 games this term and with lots of games more to be played, the Striker opined that he hopes to score more crucial goals for Almeria as they eye La Liga Santander return at the end of the season.

“My target is to beat my last year’s goals and now I have done it. Without limits, I just have to keep on going and see where I will arrive (at the end of the season),” Umar told www.dasportstainment247.com.

The Rio Olympics bronze medallist added that Rojiblancos are improving In every game based on the numbers of matches and successes they have recorded including the morale-boosting 5-0 triumph over the topflight side, Alaves last weekend.

“For us to beat a first-team side (like Alaves) all came with the belief and the pep talk we had among ourselves. We told ourselves that we needed to get a positive result from big games such as this and this inspired us to achieve our target. Even though I had played bigger teams than this before, like playing against big clubs in the Europa League like Manchester United. I also played in Serie A (for Bologna and AS Roma). I have experience when it comes to such games.

“But here (before the game with Alaves), we didn’t bother ourselves thinking we want to play a first division team because of the commitment to the target we have set for ourselves. We just wanted a test in bigger games and we did past the test. Now, it gives us more confidence in the team which keeps us going,” he concluded.

Umar’s superlative season is rubbing on Almeria positively as they are currently third in the La Liga Smartbank with 41 points from 20 games. They are a point and four points adrift of second and first placed Mallorca (42 points) and Espanyol (45 points) who both have played a game more than Almeria.

The Rojiblancos will host Sabadell on Sunday this week after their tie with Kenneth Omeruo’s Leganes initially fixed for January 10th, 2021 was postponed indefinitely because of bad weather and they will be relying on their best marksman in the league (nine goals) for goals.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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