Sports
NSF medal table saga: FG receives panel’s reports
The Independent Committee set up by the Federal Government to review the complaints about the Medal Table at the recently concluded 21st National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Delta 2022’, after an initial review was done has turned their reportDirector of Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga on a state indicated that Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare has received the report in his office in Abuja on Fridat.
He quoted the minister to have stated that the Committee was set up to among others, determine the shortfalls in the computation of the Medal table as well as establish the exact and correct result with a view to putting an end to the complaints surrounding it.
Dare expressed dismay over the level of insinuations and allegations going round attacking the Ministry, its staff and the integrity of the Festival.
He noted that “there is no system anywhere in the world that is perfect, when issues are raised, the system should be allowed to respond to it accordingly”
He explained that the National Sports Festival is borne by the Ministry and as such, if something is wrong with it, the Ministry should be allowed to fix it.
“No one can run the Ministry for us, NSF is borne by the Sports Ministry, if something is wrong with it, we will fix it, we will not be blackmailed into doing it”* Dare said
The Minister reiterated the fact that ensuring the successful organisation of the biennial National Sports Festival is part of the Ministry’s mandate, thus, it is fully committed to ensuring that every challenge that will work against the goal is tackled headlong.
Dare who described the NSF as the Nigerian Olympics called on those culpable to desist from such acts as the Ministry will take all the administrative steps necessary to ensure that the Festival maintains its credibility, both at the local and international levels
While appreciating the Committee for bringing their technical knowhow to bear towards the realization of their mandate, the Minister stated that the Ministry will ensure that the anomalies surrounding the Medal table is fixed accurately, based on the Committee’s recommendation and released to the public as the final result.
“We will fix the Medal Table based on the report submitted and release it to the public accordingly”*, he said.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, stated that the Ministry set up the Independent Committee, made up of experts who had managed the Technical arm of previous Festivals to submit a comprehensive report that will assist the Ministry in addressing the various complaints raised at the end of the competition.
He added that the Ministry will ensure the implementation of the Committee’s recommendation, not only to guide against future occurrence but to continue to build the confidence of the nation’s teeming youth in sports.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Okaro (Rtd), thanked the Management of the Ministry as well as President Muhammadu Buhari in particular for finding them worthy to serve in this capacity
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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