Sports
Key into sports development policies Dare urges corporate organisations
To ensure that sports is taken seriously as a business in Nigeria, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has called on individuals, corporate and private organisations to key into its sports development policies.
He made the call on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja during the Handing over ceremony of a Training Pitch to Afrikings Homes Limited.
A statement by Director of Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga quoted Dare to have stated that the programme is a fall out of the Adopt-a-Pitch initiative of the present administration, aimed at improving the welfare of athletes even as they prepare for the 2024 Olympics and Common Wealth Games.
Dare explained that the initiative has, amongst others, led to the renovation of the Abuja and Lagos National Stadia as well as other mini Stadia across the country.
“What we are doing is in line with the Adopt an Athlete Initiative, in which we are creating a funding pathway for the athletes. The initiative, which started as Adopt a Stadium, has seen the renovation of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja; National Stadium Surulere and other mini Stadia across the country which will be ready soon” he said
The Minister explained further that the Ministry has already kick started the implementation of the National Sports Industry Policy, which will leverage on the private sector, National Development Plan 2021-2025 whereby individuals and corporate Organisations will be partnered based on 70% private and 30% government sector funding.
For the successful realization of this policy, Dare added, “The Ministry will soon be hosting the first edition of the Sports Expo and Exhibition Programme so as to avail individuals, private and corporate organisations as well as other stakeholders with up-to-date information to enable them key-in appropriately into their areas of interest”.
Dare who commended Afrikings Homes Limited for coming out to adopt the Training Pitch, expressed optimism that the move will stir more corporate bodies to key into the Adopt Initiative.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Afrikings Homes Limited, Mr. Kingsley James Awodi said that his Organisation saw the effort of the present administration in the development of sports and decided to partner with government with a view to providing wider opportunity for our teeming youth to explore their sporting talents. “We saw the effort government is making in the development of Sports through its adopt initiative policies in the country and decided to partner with the Ministry to further drive the opportunities provided by government for our teeming youth to excel in sports.”
He added that
his organisation is adopting one training pitch, which will be ready in 6 to 8 weeks and will be maintained for 2 years.
***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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