The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday visited former Nigeria captain Henry Nwosu at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba where the legend has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment for some weeks now. Nwosu, the youngest player in the Nigeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in 1980, had been in the hospital for some time now, with top politicians, captains of industry and football chieftains all showing interest in his health status. “I can assure you that all Nigerians, from our political leaders to business gurus and all football people, are interested in seeing you recover from this illness. Everyone, within Nigeria and in the diaspora, is praying for your recovery and eventual recuperation,” Gusau told the legend in the hospital located in the Delta State capital. Nwosu, a formidable force in the Senior Men National Team of Nigeria in the 1980s, played in three Africa Cup of Nations finals (1980, 1984 and 1988) and was one of the best players of the 1984 and 1988 editions, both of which Nigeria lost to Cameroon in the Final. He scored a stellar goal against the Indomitable Lions in the 1988 Final in Morocco, disallowed by Mauritanian referee Idrissa Sarr, and that incident remains of the evergreen talking points in the 65-year history of Africa’s flagship football championship. Cameroon went on to win by the odd goal scored from the penalty spot in the second half. “The NFF will continue to monitor your situation and will be ready to offer whatever support it can while also calling on all those who can lend their support for you to return to your healthy self to act in the nation’s interest,” Gusau told Nwosu.
Lake Placid 2023 World University Winter Games: Olympic gold medalist, Chen, other experts to speak at climate change conference
It promises to be a gathering of experts when the FISU world conference scheduled to coincide with the 2023 Lake Placid world university games gets underway in January. Organizers confirmed this week that esteemed author and environmentalist, Bill McKibben, Nathan Chen, the reigning men’s Olympic figure skating gold medalist, and national wilderness activist Aaron Mair have all accepted to speak at the event being powered by Hydro-Québec. According to a release made by available to the media topics to be discussed at the conference will include alternative energy, farming, forestry, food activism, the science of ice and snow and diversity in the outdoors. The executive director of Lake Placid 2023, Ashley Walden while expressing satisfaction with the latest developments stated…“It’s an incredible honor that so many experts and industry leaders have agreed to join us in Lake Placid this winter to educate and advocate on this critical topic.” The FISU World Conference will be held in conjunction with the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games, a winter multisport event and educational festival for collegiate athletes aged 17-25, set for Jan. 12-22, 2023. The global event is expected to draw 1,500 athletes from more than 50 countries and 600 universities. Athletes will compete in 12 winter sports and 86 medal events throughout the Adirondack region, with competitions held in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, North Creek, Wilmington, Canton, and Potsdam.
Egbe congratulates new Imo Sports Commission boss
Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe has congratulated the new chairman of Imo Sports Commission Prince Eleazar Ogbonna. Ogbonna was on Monday named the new man in charge of Imo sports by Gov Hope Uzodimma. Egbe while congratulating Ogbonna said the governor with the new appointment has taken a bold step to reposition Imo sports. “I congratulate Prince Ogbonna on his new job and also give kudos to Governor Uzodimma for moving to reposition sports in Imo,” Egbe said. Egbe charged Ogbonna to ensure Heartland makes an immediate return to the NPFL top flight. It would be noted that the new Imo sports commission chairman was a professional football who plied his trade in Italy in his heyday.
Onu assures on Abia Warriors but pleads for free hand
New Abia Warriors manager, Erasmus Onu has assured supporters of the club that the club won’t struggle when the new season gets underway. Onu who dumped Heartland after the relegation of the Naze millionaires for Abia Warriors at the end of last season said he has got in his arsenal players who can deliver on the field of play. He was however quick to add that what he is praying for is to get the much needed free hand from the club management insisting that it is a factor that can make or mar a team. “I have seen what they had on ground in terms of players before my arrival. I can tell you that we are on course. I am doing everything to ensure that we play good football and get result. But in all of this, I am praying to get a free hand as this would help me execute my plans,” Onu stated. Onu, a retired Nigerian Customs officer has before joining Abia Warriors coached several Nigerian premier league sides.