The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is planning to have more women and athletes into its executive board. This plan is part of the agenda being proposed in her new constitution to be discussed and possibly ratified on August 29 in Doha. It would be noted that the world weightlifting body had early this week circulated a revised version of its proposed Constitution with a view to securing approval for it at the forthcoming resumption of the IWF’s Constitution Reform Congress on 29 August in Doha. The draft Constitution was approved by the Reform and Governance Commission on 13 August and by the IWF Executive Board on 15 August. “After the IWF’s Member Federations approved the Constitution in principle during the first part of our Constitution Reform Congress, the IWF is grateful to the independent experts and others in the Reform and Governance Commission, under the leadership of Darren Kane, for taking the time to make the revisions necessary to ensure the Constitution can achieve the required two thirds majority when we reconvene,” said IWF Interim President Dr Michael Irani.
“This version also reflects lengthy discussions on our future governance before and even during the weightlifting competitions of Tokyo 2020 aimed at achieving consensus.” Revisions to the draft Constitution, which can be found on the IWF website increased women’s representation on the future IWF Executive Board and increased representation for athletes. Considering the importance of athlete representation, there will also be a voting presence for athletes within the Congress. “Taken together, the provisions of this new Constitution represent a very significant improvement in the IWF’s governance, an improvement that would see the IWF ranked more favourably in the ASOIF governance survey alongside our Olympic counterparts,” continued Dr Irani. “The IWF urges its member federations to examine the document carefully and to come to Doha fully prepared to make the changes required to ensure weightlifting’s Olympic future.”
Aisha Buhari tourney: I’m constructing sustainable pitches for Lagos -Egbe
Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe has declared that he is constructing at the Onikan and Agege Stadiums, playing pitches that would outlive the Aisha Buhari International Invitational tourney billed for next month. Egbe said what his outfit is constructing are pitches that would remain solid even in the next two decades. In his words…”What we are constructing are world class hybrid synthetic pitches with 100 percent foot stability, very similar to 100 percent properly installed natural grass pitch and perfect ball movement with zero undulation and no overheating.” He noted that what Nigeria needs are not tournament pitches that would go bad after being used for the particular tournament for which it was constructed. “I m a Nigerian and I know what the country needs for our football to grow. I am in this industry to first of all raise the bar when it comes to our infrastructure. The job I am doing right now is one which Lagos would enjoy even in the next 20 years once the pitches are properly maintained and with the right traffic on it. Lagos has hosted several tournaments in the past and we always start talking about a good playing turf when the opportunity to host another tournament presents itself. That is going to end with what we are doing at Agege and Onikan,” Egbe said. The Bayelsa State born football buff thanked Gov Sanwo-Olu for giving him the opportunity to give Monimichelle touch to the sports facilities in Lagos, even as he added that he is going to give Lagos the very best as the Centre of Excellence.
80-year-old Grand Pa shines in Brass-Nembe marathon race
8 0- year grand father, Nathaniel Tommy Isele Puko proved that he is still a super fit man in spite of his age at the Israel Sunny-Goli marathon held in Brass, Bayelsa state on Saturday August 14. Pa Puko alongside a 69 year old woman Mrs Taitai stole the show at the event which was bankrolled by Hon Sunny-Goli a member of the federal House of Representatives representing Brass/ Nembe federal constituency. The mammoth crowd that lined the routes to watch the marathon race cheered Pa Poku as he raced to the finishing line to the admiration of all. Pa Puko was rewarded by many as he smiled home with cash. The marathon which was won by Anthony Sample Wari from Odioma is to be an annual event going by the plans of the financier, Rt. Hon Isreal Sunny-Goli. Speaking after the race, Hon Sunny-Goli said he never knew the marathon race would attract such a huge crowd of his constituents. “The primary aim of the event is to unify constituents and cement the relationship of oneness as people with one indivisible entity to foster peace and unity. This has been achieved from what I saw,” Sunny-Goli said. He added that December this year, another historical one would be organized to discover some hiding talents at the grassroots level to encourage sporting activities.
UNIBEN rules varsities karate tournament
The Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) through the Nigerian University Karate Association (NUKA) and in collaboration with the University of Ilorin successfully organized the 3rd Edition of the All-Nigerian University Open Karate Championship from 9-12, August, 2021. There were a total of 71 entries from 7 Universities. However, 19 other universities could not attend the event due to one reason or the other. 71 competitors were accredited and competed. The Nigerian Karate Referee Commission (NKRC) officiated at the event with about 16 certified referees to maintain standard competition rules in line with the mandate of the World Karate Federation (WKF). The passion and quality of Karate displayed at the 3rd All-Nigerian Universities Open Karate Championship was impressive but leaves room for improvement in the training of athletes. However, out of the 71 athletes that competed, 5 had been discovered amongst whom are all the Medallists at this year’s event.
The names of these athletes will be submitted to the KFN Youth and School Sports Committee and Grassroots Department of the Ministry of Youth and Sport Development for onward monitoring and support. University of Benin came out tops with 8 gold medals, 6 Silver and 9 bronze medals, while second place goes to hosts University of Ilorin with 5 gold medals, 4 silver and 10 bronze medals, Fed University of Agric. Makurdi finished in third with one gold medal, University of Abuja had 3 silver and 2 bronze medals while Delta State University finished with 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, PH and Kwara state University finished with no medals. Chairman Nigerian University Karate Mr Femi Johnson said, “The performance of athletes was very promising with room for wider participation in subsequent editions.
Our plan is to increase the capacities of University Coaches through continuous training, make the University Karate Championship bi-annual, improve on training facilities and explore international training opportunities for athletes. The 3rd Edition of the University Karate Championship albeit several challenges were successful. However, there is an urgent need to galvanize and encourage University Karate Coaches to amplify the standards of competing athletes. The event achieved its purpose of providing a platform for exposing talented young Karate players to a high-level competitive experience and in the process discover promising athletes amongst them.
