Out going President of the nation’s soccer governing body, NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has vowed to ensure non of the incumbent sponsors of the game in the country quit even in the face of very harsh economic climate. Amaju said he is doing this in the spirit of patriotism insisting that Nigeria should come first whether he is in office or not. The FIFA Council member noted that government can not fund football alone hence he is striving to ensure the avalanche of corporate sponsors that embraced the game under him are retained. It would be noted that Amaju has started getting result in this direction with Nike’s decision to extend their deal with NFF until 2026. Amaju had during the NFF Annual General Assembly in Lagos last week called for unity amongst football stakeholders, even as he stressed that he was the worst hit when Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup in spite of all the efforts himself and the entire executive committee put into it. “The God of soccer was not just on our side because we did all we were supposed to do to ensure qualification,” Amaju stated. The youthful football buff has also pledged to give total support to whoever emerges the new president of the soccer federation after the September 30 elective Congress in Benin.
Egbe thumbs up Bayelsa United over NPFL ticket
Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe has given a pat on the back to Bayelsa United for staging a comeback to the elite class of the nation’s domestic league. Bayelsa made it to the NPFL after their 2-0 home victory over Cynosure of Abakaliki, ending the season with 44 points ahead of Crown and Warri Wolves. Egbe while saluting the team noted that Bayelsa deserves to be in the elite class. “Last season, the club showed their quality by beating all the top clubs in the land to win the Aiteo Cup. They have shown that the Aiteo Cup feat was no fluke. I want to congratulate Depriye ( Computer) and his boys for a job well done. They have landed where they deserve to be,” Egbe said. Egbe charged the players not to relent but ensure they do well in the NPFL and make a possible return to the continent.
Lagos SWAN congratulates Gafaar on reappointment, commends Sanwo-Olu on sports development
The leadership of the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN) has commended the reappointment of Oluwatoyin Gafaar (Bolowotan) as the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC). In a release signed by its Chairman, Debo Oshundun, the body declared the announcement as a call to finish the good works he started before his voluntary resignation weeks ago in line with the directive given to all political aspirants holding public office. “We welcome Gafaar back to the saddle he left a few months ago. Truth be told, his partnership with the chairman of the sports commission achieved a lot while he was in charge. ” The various renovations completed and others presently ongoing across many sports facilities in Lagos State speaks volume of his drive and vision” for standard sports infrastructure in the state. “During his tenure as the DG, Lagos hosted the Super Eagles after a very long time on their way to book their last African Cup of Nations ticket and played some World cup qualifiers matches before the team relocated to Abuja”, Oshundun said. Members of the most vibrant sports writing body in Africa also congratulated the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu for identifying excellence and rewarding result-oriented tenure with new responsibilities. “We must congratulate His Excellency for putting the right peg in the right hole”. It is not in doubt that under Gafaar, grassroots sports in Lagos state got a fresh breath courtesy of the synergy between the LSSC leadership and the Lagos state government. More grassroots events were held in many associations, talents discovered and groomed for national events such as the National Youth Games and National Sports Festival”. The body is optimistic that the bond forged between the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission and Lagos SWAN will continue to grow and result in a win-win situation for all Lagosians.
HiFL: IAUE Minders Quarter-Final Hopes Dashed, Loses To DELSU Titans
The Rivers-based Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Minders have crashed out of the Higher Institution Football League (HiFL) after a 4-2 loss on penalties to DELSU Titans in the midweek games. Both teams were levelled up on aggregate after a 5-5 score over the two legs. The IAUE Minders striker, Abel Eli stepped up to convert a penalty kick to put his side ahead in 10th minute of the first half of the game. Coach David Egbiri of IAUE Minders expressed his displeasure with the outcome of the game considering the preparedness of his side ahead of the match. “My boys had their chances; they also played well and were meant to proceed to the next round if they listened and played to instruction”, Coach Egbiri lamented. The game was dominated by the IAUE Minders but was leveled up immediately after the half-time when DELSU Titans’ Onyekachi Njoku scored in the 46th minute to give his side a lifeline after a brilliant touch in the box putting the ball pass the Minders goalkeeper. After sustained pressure from the Titans, the Minders got ahead in the 75th minute through a well-executed finishing from Omodio Great. The goal was short-lived as the Standbic IBTC Man of the match awardee, the IAUE Minders’ first goal scorer Abel Eli, got a brace in the 80th minute to restore parity after a brilliant piece of play.
