The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National League (NNL), Barrister Sajo Mohammed has declared that he is on a mission to add value to the game in the country with his aspiration to be on the board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Sajo has since picked nominated form to contest the September 30 election in Benin as a member representing the North East zone. Speaking on his vision in an interview granted Sportsville on Channels TV on Sunday, Sajo said he is aspiring to be in NFF in a bid to further add value to the running of the game in the country. In his words…”I am going to NFF to add value and I will support for the presidency of the soccer federation a candidate who I know will add to the game. We need to attract more sponsors to football, especially to the NNL which is the most important league. We need to develop the game from the grassroots,” Sajo said. He further disclosed that he would use his membership of the board if elected to unite the youths of the North East zone. The Adamawa born football buff said he is confident of getting into the board having built bridges across the country. “I have friends from different parts of the country…from the East, West, South and the North. I have been reaching out to my friends and the feedback I am getting is good,” Sajo said.

Lagos LG bestows award on Egbe

The 2022 Award for the Ambassador of Ajegunle has been bestowed on the MD/CEO of Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd Mr Ebi Egbe by the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area in Lagos State. The Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Ajeromi Ifelodun Heroes and Icons award, Comrade Andrew Olaseni Collins in a statement noted that Mr Ebi Egbe was selected for this year’s award based on his track record of constructing world class sporting facilities across Nigeria and beyond. Comrade Andrew Olaseni Collins also alluded to Mr Ebi Egbe’s unmatched excellence, professionalism and attitude in his field of endeavor which reflects the Ajegunle spirit of resilience and dilligence. The Ogboinbiri, Bayelsa state born FIFA match Agent has been on the forefront in the drive of eradicating poor football playing pitches across Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan Region by partnering with State Governments and the Private Sector through Soft and Revolving loan arrangement to drive the growth of football at the grassroot level.

Responding to the rare privilege by the organizers of Ajeromi Ifelodun Heroes and Icons Awards for this recognition as the Ambassador of Ajegunle, Mr Ebi Egbe thanked them and promised to continue his drive to eradicate poor football playing pitches across the length and breath of Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa. Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd has over the years built and refurbished various stadiums across Nigeria ranging from the Muhammadu Dikko stadium in Katsina, Aper Aku stadium in Makurdi, Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa, Mobolaji Johnson Arena (former Onikan stadium) in Lagos, Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Enyimba International stadium, amongst others. Mr Ebi Egbe has promised to grace the Ajeromi Ifelodun Heroes and Icons Awards ceremony later in the year to receive the prestigious award.

Nigeria’s Walking Football Team set for Rwanda tour

The Nigeria Walking Football Soccer Team would on Friday depart for Kigali for a two-match international friendly matches against their Rwandan counterparts as part of their preparations for next year’s Walking Football Nations Cup to be held in Manchester, England. Walking Football is reportedly a slower paced version of the beautiful game and it was originally designed to help get over 50’s back into football and increase physical activity through rekindling players’ love for the game. Now in its formative years in Nigeria, the Walking Football Team would be accompanied to the tour of Kigali by the interim Chairman of Waka Football In Nigeria, Godson Uti , while Chairman of Imo State Football Association and Presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2022 NFF Elections, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, is expected to captain the team for the international friendlies .

“ Nigeria and Rwanda are two of African countries that will feature at next Walking Football Nations Cup to be held in Manchester in the summer of 2023,” Uchegbulam said. “ Of course, the team is made up of old football enthusiasts and former players but we are not taking anything to chance as we are preparing well for the Nations Cup and going to Rwanda would show our readiness for the assignment.” Under the auspices of the Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA), there will be a maximum of 32 teams across two age groups of over 50s and over 60s for the delayed Walking Football World Nations Cup in Manchester which was to be held in 2020 but shifted to the summer of 2023. Apart from Nigeria and Rwanda, five other African national teams including Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Morocco have also confirmed their participation at the Manchester’s Walking Football World Nations Cup.

Lekki Sports Consulting Cup ends in Lagos as Sponsor, Madueke promises more for grassroots football

The maiden Lekki Sports consulting Cup Invitational Tournament sponsored by Okaka Football Club proprietor,Chief Dr Arinze Madueke was concluded this past weekend in Lagos, Nigeria. The Tournament aimed at discovering new talents , encouraging the spirit of sportsmanship ,and subsequently sending talents abroad for further training and development as well as ushering them into professional football, was held at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium with 12 invited teams taking part from August 29th to September 4, 2022. The tournament climaxed with the final match between Ablaze FA of Ikorodu and Kiddos RA with Ablaze achieving a hard fought 1-0 victory to emerge champions under the sunday morning pouring rain.

Earlier, Legend FC defeated KidSport 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 full time scores to emerge third placed team. There were individual awards to deserving talents. Lawal Warris of Ablaze FA was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, Benson Victor of Kidsport U15s was voted the Best Young Player, Olumide Solanke won the best Goalkeepers award. Abdul Qudus Saka of Kiddos RA and Tomola Megba of Legend FC both shared the honours of the highest goals scorers with 3 goals and one assist each. Speaking to the press after presenting the medals and the golden trophy to the winners, the tournament’s sponsor and President of Okaka FC, Chief Dr Arinze Madueke said “Ultimately the whole idea is to know that we have been able to identify talents and we will be able to give them the support they need to actually excel and move forward with their career. As a firm advocate for grassroots football, Chief Madueke said the tournament will also hold in in other parts of the Country.

“We won’t stop at just the Lagos tournament as the plan is to take it to Abuja and Awka to give budding talents in those Cities and environs same opportunities” “I know there are budding talents in the Northern and South Eastern parts of the Country so we want to also see them in action and pick the best to benefit from the lofty plans we have for them”, He said. In addition, Dr Madueke who is also the Chairman of Zidora Group of Companies and Zidora Aid Foundation said he is out to maximise the power of football in enhancing the lives of young people across the country. “I am passionate about this tournament because I know the important role that grassroots football play as a starting point for most players pathways and I know the true value of football and the opportunities it can provide to young people and I am looking forward to doing a whole lot more.”