Registration begins for Adebutu U-18 football tourney

THE Ogun State Football Association, OGSFA, has concluded plans for the 4th edition of Sir Kesington Adebukola Adebutu Under-18 football championship.

Nigeria paralympic team departs for Rio on Thursday

By Akeem Lawal
THE Federal Ministry of Sports has concluded plans to airlift the team Nigeria Paralympic contingent to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

Gov. Bello donates new buses to Kogi Utd, Confluence Queens

THE administration of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is marching its words with action on sports development to empower the youths in the state.

The governor make the promise a reality with the donation of two Hummer Buses to the two state owned football clubs, Kogi United and Confluence Queens to ease their transportation challenges in their respective league campaigns.

N1.75m up for grabs in 2016 Olympic 5-a-side tournament

By Akeem Lawal
A total prize money of N1,750,000 will be won at this year’s edition of the Olympic 5-a-side Tournament.
 

Disclosing this in Lagos on Tuesday, Category Marketing Manager, Olympic Milk, Raphael Agbaje said over 250 teams with over 4,000 participants will feature in this year’s edition of the tournament.

Eagles, Falcons stars celebrate with Enyeama @34

By Akeem Lawal

SUPER Eagles and Super Falcons stars celebrated with former national team goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama who clocked 34 years on Monday.

Ambode appoints new DG for Lagos State Sports Commission

GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointment of Mr.  Adewunmi Gbolahan Ogunsanya as the  new Director General for the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).

Ogunsanya took over from Mr. Ayodele Agbesanwa.

Ogunsanya's experience in Sports Administration dated back to 2006- 2010 when he was Head, Sports Development in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development after which he was appointed as the Director of Sports in the Lagos State Sports Council.

He led Team Lagos to the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in 2011.

He was a member of the Lagos State Team to 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.   He also interfaced with Chelsea Football Club on Youth Development and Football in London, United Kingdom in 2008.

A graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), Ogunsanya has held series of Managerial posts in the Lagos State Civil Service which included Planning/Senior Administrative Officer in the Lagos State Hospitals Management Board (1992 – 1998), Senior Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (1998 -1999), Lagos State House of Assembly, where he was Private Secretary to the Speaker, Personal Assistant to the Clerk of the House, Secretary to the House Committee on Health and Transport between 1999 - 2006.

He was Assistant Director, Finance and Administration in the Ministry of Rural Development (2011-2011), while his last posting before his appointment was the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency ( MVAA)  where he was the Director of Planning and Project Development.

Ogunsanya was a member of the Lagos State to World Leadership Award, London, United Kingdom (2007), Monitoring and Evaluation, MCID, United States of America (2002) and Change Management, RIPA International, London United Kingdom, 2001.‎

23 athletes to represent Nigeria at Rio 2016 Paralympics

By Akeem Lawal 

THE Paralympic Committee of Nigeria in conjunction  with the Federal  Ministry of Sports, has named 23 athletes and six coaches that would be competing in the Green-white -Green colours of Nigeria at the forthcoming Rio 2016 Paralympic Games holding from September 7-18, 2016 in Brazil.

AUTO CRASH: Club Owners sympathize with Akwa Utd Supporters Club

AGAINST the backdrop  of the reported road mishap which involved members of the supporters club of Akwa utd FC of Uyo on their way to honour a week 33 NPFL league match against Enyimba FC of Aba in Portharcourt.

Moses delighted to score again for Chelsea

.Warns Tanzania ahead AFCON qualifier

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIAN international, Victor Moses is delighted to continue his Chelsea resurgence by scoring his second goal in two games in a 3-0 victory over Burnley as the Blues maintain their perfect start to the English Premier League season.

Dortmund 2 – 1 Mainz 05: Balogun hails team spirit despite loss

By Akeem Lawal

Mainz 05 defender, Leon Balogun believes his team showed great character and team spirit despite the 2-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in their Bundesliga season opener.

PARALYMPICS: Koleosho not under pressure to win medal in Rio

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA para-table tennis player, Ahmed Koleosho says he is not under any pressure to win a medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games billed to hold from September 7-18 in Brazil.

EUROPA LEAGUE: Ogu excited to face Inter, Southampton, Sparta

By Akeem Lawal

HAPOEL Be’er Sheva midfielder, John Ogu is already looking forward to exciting matches in the group stage of the Europa League after they were drawn in Group K alongside Inter Milan, Southampton and Sparta Prague.

Tokyo 2020: Ekeoma calls for corporate support for para-badminton

PRESIDENT of Nigeria Para-Badminton Federation, Samuel Ekeoma has appealed to corporate bodies and individuals with passion for persons with disabilities to partner with the federation in featuring at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

Moses pleased with current form at Chelsea

.Proud of Dream Team

By Akeem Lawal

CHELSEA winger, Victor Moses is delighted with his current form at the club so far this season.  

Rivers government pledges support for Victor Ezeji Testimonial

RIVERS State government has pledged its support for the upcoming Victor Ezeji Testimonial.

 

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the Victor Ezeji Testimonial at his office, the state Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Boma Iyaye informed of the state’s willingness to support plans for the celebration of a player whom he described as a ‘legend.’

Remi Tinubu restates commitment to Muniru Muse Cup

THE Senator representing Lagos-Central Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, Oluremi Tinubu, OON says she remained committed to the development of Sports at grassroot level and as such will continue to sponsor the Under 12/U-15 Boys and Girls Muniru Muse Cup.

 

Senator Tinubu stated this during the finals of the 6th edition of the competition held at the Campos Mini Stadium, Ajele, Lagos Island on Sunday, August 21, 2016, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports. 

Highlighting the positive results recorded since 2011 when she decided to partner Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association to sponsor the competition, Senator Tinubu said, "The timing of this competition is strategic in the sense that it was scheduled to hold during the holidays, with the aim of getting our youths productively engaged and thus unavailable for various vices that ensnare young ones in our society.

"We have seen players from the first and second editions become great and promising future stars,  in the likes of Ayo Idowu, Seun Amuda and Yusuf Amanda.

"The third edition not only saw Musa Alli become Most Valuable Player,  but also led to his being granted a scholarship by Greensprings Schools,  Ibeju-Lekki,  Lagos, to further his education. He also performed creditable well at the Warrior Keele Cup in Manchester 2014.

"The same third edition heralded the introduction of the female category of the U-15 Girls football competition, which has showcased great prospects for the national Falconers team.

“The MVP from our fourth and fifth editions respectively, Issa Hakeem of Smart Strikers and Fuad Ayinde of Jokers Stars have both been absorbed into the national U-13 teams. We give God all the glory for making our investment in our youth a worthwhile effort”, she said.

Doulab FC of Obalende however emerged winner of the Under-12 Boys category after defeating Puma Babes 5-3 on penalties, while Highlanders defeated St. John 1-0 in the third place match.

For their efforts, Doulab went home with a giant trophy and the sum of N250,000, Puma Babes got the silver  trophy with N150,000, while Highlanders got N100,000.

In the female category held earlier, Shooting Queen beat Highlanders 4-1 in the final, while Sandra Girls defeated Lifeback FC 1-0 in the third place match.

Shooting Queens got the sum of N250,000 and a giant trophy,  Highlander  got N150,000 with a silver trophy, while Sandra Girls were rewarded with N100,000.

Photo caption:  

(L-r)   Initiator, Senator Muniru Muse, sponsor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON, Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, and members of the Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association during the presentation of trophy to the captain of Doulab FC, winner of the male category of the 2016 Muniru Muse Cup on Sunday.

Afolabi Yusuf of Doulab receiving his prize as MVP in male category. 

Folorunsho Aminat receiving her prize as MVP in female category. 

Mikel keen on Tokyo 2020

.Hits Chelsea Wednesday

.Ready to fight for Blues’ shirt

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA Under-23 national team captain, Mikel Obi is keen to participate at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after helping the Dream Team VI to win a bronze medal at the just concluded 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Alumona explains GOtv Boxing’s partnership with Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame

Mr. Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director of Flykite Promotions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, has explained why GOtv Boxing is in partnership with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) for the 76th Monthly Saturday Boxing Show.

Ighalo ranked 5th dirtiest EPL forward of 2016

By Akeem Lawal

SUPER Eagles and Watford forward, Odion Ighalo has been ranked 5th among the Premier League strikers who have committed the most fouls during the 2016 calendar year.

OLYMPICS: Igali laments exit of female wrestlers

.Says we’ve leant from Rio experience

.As male wrestlers compete on Sunday

By Akeem Lawal

PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali believes the country has learnt in a hard way that better preparations are prerequisite for winning medals at international events such as the Olympics.

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search unveils 16 young boxers

By Akeem Lawal

Boxers in sparring session

THE second edition of GOtv Boxing NextGen search ended on Friday, with the unveiling of 16 promising young boxers at a brief ceremony held at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym. 

Iheanacho happy to sign 2-year extension at Man City

SUPER Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has signed a two-year contract extension to commit himself to Manchester City until 2021.

Quadri confirms Africa’s relevance, says ATTF president

THE President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy has said that the performance of Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri is a confirmation of Africa’s relevance in table tennis worldwide. He believes the 2014 ITTF Star Player is a pride to Africa in Brazil.

Boxers troop out for GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 2

ABOUT 100 boxers turned up for GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 2, which opened at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym on Wednesday.

Divine Oduduru finishes 7th in 200m semis

NIGERIAN'S Divine Ejowvokoghene Oduduru failed to qualify for the men’s 200m final after finishing 7th in heat 2 of the semi-finals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Thursday.

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search: NBB of C urges boxers to participate

THE Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) has called on boxers not older than 25 years of age to participate at GOtv Boxing NextGen 2, starting in Lagos on Wednesday.

Mariam Usman fails in weightlifting

MARYAM Usman’s selection as the only weightlifter to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games was embroiled in controversy and her performance at the weekend in Rio has confirmed the reservation about the decision by the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) to choose her ahead of youthful Oluwatoyin Adesanmi.

OLYMPICS: Okagbare faces tough hurdle in 200m semis

REIGNING double Commonwealth Games sprint queen Blessing Okagbare will need to run faster than her 22.23 seconds personal best to stand a chance of making the 200m final when the semi-final is run at 2am on Wednesday August 17,2016.

Oke, Lamigoke, Ukaoma out of Rio Olympics

NIGERIA continued her bad run in track and field as the duo of Olu Olamigoke and Tosin Oke failed to qualify for the finals of the triple jump event.

Ajagba will go for another KO, says Konyegwachie

AS Team Nigeria continues its search for the first medal in the Rio Olympics, coach Anthony Konyegwachie has promised that his ward, Efe Ajagba would deliver the first medal to Nigeria. 

Ajagba knocks out Nigel Paul in Round One

.To meet Dychko in q/final
By Akeem Lawal
Nigeria’s sole representative in the boxing even of the Rio Olympics, Efe Ajagba is through to the quarter final after knocking out Trinidad and Tobago’s Nigel Paul in round one of the Men’s super heavyweight (91+kg) - Round of 16 bout decided inside the Riocentro-Pavilion 6 on Saturday night.

Kogi Utd 1-0 Sokoto Utd: Abdul Sule wants players to stay focused

CHAIRMAN of Kogi United, Abdul Sule heaved a sigh of relief after his team recorded a 1-0 victory over Sokoto United in a Nigeria National League Week 11 encounter decided at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on Saturday.

Dream Team hammer Denmark 2-0, to face Germany in semis

GOALS from John Obi Mikel and Aminu Umar ensured the Nigeria Under-23  team, Dream Team VI defeated Denmark 2-0 in the quarter final match of the Men's Olympic Football Tournament at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador on Saturday.

Segun Toriola inducted into '7 Club' in Rio

AFTER being officially inducted into the 7’ Club at the Olympic Games, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has described Nigeria’s Segun Toriola as a global brand that deserved honour by the world table tennis ruling body.

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search begins August 17

THE second edition of GOtv Boxing NextGen Search will hold on 17 and 18 August at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Kanu, Enyeama proud of Dream Team

By Akeem Lawal

FORMER Nigeria internationals, Kanu Nwankwo and Vincent Enyeama have showered praise on the country’s Under-23 national team for qualifying for the quarter final of the football event of the Men's Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016.

Countries scramble for Toriola as coach

THE rapturous applause that attended his exit from the Table Tennis event of the Rio Olympics could have been mistaken for a victorious ovation.  Nigeria’s legendary table tennis icon Segun Toriola exited the Rio Games but held his head high the way only legends do.

Ikorodu, 3SC game abandoned

THE Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 30 encounter between Ikorodu United and 3SC at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday was abandoned in the 89th minute following fans trouble.

Onazi delighted with Trabzonspor debut win

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIAN international, Ogenyi Onazi is delighted to make a winning debut for Trabzonspor in a 2-0 victory over Hungarian football club side, Gyirmót SE in an international friendly game on Thursday night.

Nigerian flag raised in Olympic village

By Akeem Lawal

Nigeria flag being hoisted at the Games Village.

THE Nigerian Green, White, Green flag was on Wednesday raised and the national anthem played at a special ceremony at the athlete's Olympic Games Village located in Barra da Tijuca, close to City of Sports Complex, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Wrestlers to commence training in Rio on Wednesday

By Akeem Lawal

THE seven Nigeria wrestlers to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will on Wednesday commence training in Brazil, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

I'm fully fit and ready for Olympics, Reuben declares

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA female wrestler, Hannah Reuben says she has fully recovered from the injury that prevented her from participating in the Spanish Grand Prix held last month in Spain and now ready to compete for medals at the Rio Olympics.

ENYIMBA VS SUNSHINE: Olorunleke pleads for fair officiating

By Akeem Lawal

Olorundare praying before a match...pix courtesy Tayo Ajakaye Photography

SUNSHINE Stars goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke believes the team is capable of beating Enyimba in Wednesday’s rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League game at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, should the match officials allowed a level playing ground.

Onazi thanks Lazio fans after sealing €5m Trabzonspor move

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA international, Ogenyi Onazi has expressed his appreciation to SS Lazio fans after completing his move to Turkish Super League side, Trabzonspor.

 

The Super Eagles vice captain, who spent five seasons at Stadio Olimpico, put pen to paper on a four-year-deal worth €5m with Trabzonspor on Tuesday, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

GOtv Boxing Night 8: Skoro eyes Kakembo rematch

Skoro (l) in action against Lucky Boy

WAIDI “Skoro” Usman, winner of the best boxer award at GOtv Boxing Night 8, has expressed readiness to fight Uganda’s Edward “Shaka” Kakembo, who beat him to the African featherweight title at GOtv Boxing Night 6 last December.

Al-Farouq Aminu out of Olympics as NBBF names 12

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA national basketball men’s team, D’Tigers’ power forward, Al-Farouq Aminu will not participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Umar hopes goals help Plateau Utd out of relegation

By Akeem Lawal

PLATEAU United striker, Kabiru Umar says his main focus now is to ensure that is team escape relegation at the end of this Nigeria Professional Football League season after hitting his fifth goal for the club against Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC last Sunday.

GOtv Boxing Night 8: Afonja Warrior lauds sponsors

NEW national middleweight champion, Abolaji “Afonja Warrior” Rasheed, has described the intervention of GOtv, sponsors of GOtv Boxing Night, in Nigerian boxing as the saving grace of the boxers and the sport itself.