Leave isreal now! –Rufai tells Eagles’ keepers

As the year draws to a close, former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who stood between the goalposts for Nigeria for over a decade, and won laurels with the Super Eagles, has charged the trio of Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba and Austin Ejide to seek for greener pastures in other parts of Europe if they intend to join the big league of goalkeepers in the world.

The former Stationery Stores of Lagos and Femo Scorpions’ safe hands, played international football in Benin Republic with AS Dragons before heading for Belgium, where he spent six years. Thereafter, he joined Go Ahead Eagles in Holland. But much as his records go before him, Rufai has declared that Nigeria’s top three goalkeepers are making themselves inferior before the world.

The reason for his declaration is simply: “the trio of Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba and Austin Ejide, are playing in a league that is not as competitive as others in Europe.”

Rufai launched a fierce attack on the base of the players, declaring that where they play their games goes a long way in determining how they are rated among other goalkeepers in Africa and in the world.
“Where our goalkeepers ply their trade matters a great deal, as it affects their rating. All our three goalkeepers to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa play their games in Israel where the league is not as competitive as it is in places like Spain, England, Portugal, Holland, Italy, France or even Turkey.
“There is no doubt that they may be playing for the best teams in the Israel, but that is not enough to reckon them among the world-class keepers.”

He recalled that though he started his professional career in neighbouring Benin Republic, he was always challenged to take his game to a higher league, a desire that later saw him joining the Belgian, Spanish and Dutch leagues. “I expect our goalkeepers to have the same type of attitude because it will help in their ratings.

They don’t necessarily have to wait for big teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United or their like across France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal to mention a few to come calling for them. I rather believe that they can make greater impact with middle class teams, as they would be outstanding with their performances in such teams. Don’t forget how our players in Europe were rated in the mid 90s even though most of them started with middle class teams.”

Rufai noted that stars like Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Uche Okechukwu, Celestine Babayaro, Ike Shorunmu, George Finidi, Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba and others, flourished because they were in top teams across Europe in their playing days.
“If the new Super Eagles must be as competitive as it should be, then our players, including the goalkeepers, need to be in top-class leagues across the globe.

We need Enyeama, Aiyenugba and Ejide to get greater challenges that will bring out the best in them, if not, they will remain inferior goalkeepers in the eyes of the world. I believe that a move to other parts of Europe will greatly uplift their performances. I say this because I speak from experience. It worked for me and I am sure that it will work for them as well.

“These players mean a lot to me because the goalkeeping department is very important in every team. If our goalkeepers move to more competitive leagues, the kind of training they will engage in will be a whole lot different from what they are getting at the moment in their current clubs.”

Rufai, it would be recalled, played 65 international matches for Nigeria, scoring once. He represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 (Nigeria’s first-ever appearance, where he also acted as captain) and 1998.

He was also in the squad of Eagles that won the Africa Nations Cup in Tunisia in 1994.
 Source:http://www.sunnewsonline.com/




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Siasia faces tough luck in Eagles’ job

There is little to suggest that the Nigeria Football Federation has moved away from its usual half-hearted efforts at arranging top grade friendly games for the Eagles.
This is one factor that would work against Eagles coach, Samson Siasia in his bid to build a solid team ahead of the soccer battles ahead.
Checks at the NFF during the week reveals that there are no plans to arrange matches for the Eagles in the FIFA free days in the 2011 calendar.A member of the NFF technical committee admitted in a phone interview that there was no game on the cards for the Eagles in the 2011 calendar.
“No we have no plans for any friendly game. I don’t know of any for the moment,” said the official.
Siasia who is in Europe to meet with some of the Nigerian top stars has plans to play a quality friendly game to test the might of the team he is putting together.
The Eagles coach is no stranger to the turmoil that is the NFF. During his days as the under-21 coach, he was practically running the team on his own and it appears that is about to play itself out again.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/




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Imoke wants to produce long distance champs

Nigerian athletics is traditionally sprints oriented and perhaps this is why, the country is yet to make any impact in the long distance events even as there are abundant and naturally endowed talents waiting to be discovered.

Producing world champions is the sports legacy Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke wants to leave behind when he finally fades from the corridors of power.
Imoke said that in the next five years Nigeria should boost of quality long distance runners that could challenge those from Ethiopia and Kenya who have for eternity dominated the world scene and even the six-year old Obudu Mountain race.
His enthusiasm is fueled by the fact that world distance champions like Halie Gebrselassie were trained to become who they are and secondly; on top of the Obudu mountain there are kids who have shown traits of long distance running..
“We have identify about nine kids we want to train to become world champions. They are from the Obudu mountain area, which interestingly has the same climatic conditions with that of high altitude Ethiopia and Kenya.
“The kids are been put through school as a first step. If you are not in school you cannot get into the progamme, because it is meant to be a high performance training.
“Right now we have put a lot of things in place to see that the training goes on. Even when a governor who does not love the mountains takes over, the programme can still go,” said Imoke..
But for these kids and others to imbibe the culture of long distance running there has not be regular local competitions for them.
“We are partnering with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to run national development progammes. There is a need for national championships to keep the kids busy.
“Certainly our aim is to produce world and Olympic champions. And so it is not just going to all training and no competition to run in.”
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/




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Rugby delegates meet to resolve leadership crisis

The Nigeria Rugby Stakeholder meeting was held on Tuesday, December 21 to deliberate on ways to move the game forward in the country.

Twenty six delegates from across the country along with five observers attended the meeting, which was held at the National Olympic Committee board room of the National Stadium, Lagos. The delegates were made up of rugby club proprietors, members of state associations and players’ representatives.

Ntiense Williams, Convener and secretary of Friends of Rugby said, “The attendance of the delegates clearly shows that Nigerian Rugby Stakeholders are prepared to resolve the lingering leadership crisis which has engulfed the present concession board of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation.”

This crisis led to Nigeria being banned by the International Rugby Board since 2009.

Resolution of the council

According to Williams, the meeting deliberated on the state of rugby in the country and the present ban on Nigeria by the sport’s world governing body, and after studying the situation through all the available documents from the International Rugby Board and the Confederation of African Rugby a motion was raised for members to take a decision on whether to endorse the present concession board of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) or to endorse the IRB directive for a democratic election to be conducted into the board of the Rugby Federation.

The meeting which lasted for over two hours eventually voted 24 to 2 in favour of the IRB’s directive, and immediately gave a constitutional six weeks’ notice (End of February) for a special General Assembly of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation to be called.

In the interim, a seven man Nigeria Rugby Stakeholder Forum Committee was set up to follow through on this issue and other pressing issues.

Members of the committee include, Tunde Akerele as chairman; Edward Pam Fom, representing the North Central; Abdulahi Musa, representing North West; Richard Raphael, representing North East; Obasi Josuah, representing South East; Gbenga Hamed, representing South West; and Ntiense Williams, representing the South-South.
Source:http://234next.com/




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‘Lawmakers insensitive to sports’

Rev. Iloh

The controversy surrounding the salaries of members of the National Assembly has refused to die down as stakeholders in sports have joined in the call for a review of the federal lawmakers‘ remuneration.


In the salary scale effective in the federal legislature, a senator‘s monthly salary is N15.18m while that of a member of the House of Representatives is N10.59m. This amounts to a staggering figure of N182m per annum for a senator and N127m per annum for a member of the lower House. With a total of 109 Senators and 360 Representatives, the annual salaries of the legislators stand at N67.32bn.

The furore over the legislators‘ salaries began in November when the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido, posited that 25 per cent of the overhead cost of the federation was spent on the legislators.

In the 2010 Appropriation Bill, the National Sports Commission was allocated N5.48b (recurrent) and N4.9bn (capital), a far cry from the N25bn proposed for the sector. The proposed amount would have taken care of, among other things, two advance life support vehicles and sport medicine equipment of international standard, construction of mini sports centres in 24 states and the purchase of sports equipment for 37 mini sports centres. In the same Bill, the NASS was allocated N118.9bn (recurrent) and N9bn (capital).

In spite of the huge slash in the proposal, the NSC was able to complete and equip 18 of the mini sports centres. But stakeholders in the sector believe the NSC could have achieved more if the budget had been increased.

Nigeria had missed out in featuring at international competitions because the athletes could not participate in elimination events. Many times, the lack of funds is the only reason the country‘s flag is not hoisted at major competitions.

At the last Commonwealth Games in India, Nigeria could not present athletes in some sports because the NSC did not have enough funds for the athletes.

The poor funding in the sector has also led athletes to defect because, to them, the country has not made sports worthwhile.

It cost the Federal Government N42bn to construct the National Stadium in Abuja. Half of that amount could be used to maintain the existing sports facilities across the country. This is a minute figure compared to the legislators‘ pay.

Some Nigerians got SMS and emails shortly after Sanusi revealed his discovery on the lawmakers‘ salaries. The message reads, ”Do you know that it costs tax payers N290m yearly to maintain each member of our National Assembly in a country where nothing works and 80 per cent of the population earn below N300 a day? A working day earning of a senator is more than a yearly income of a doctor; it‘s more than the salary of 42 Army generals or 48 Professors or 70 Commissioners of Police or more than twice the pay of the US President or nine times the salary of US Congressmen.”

The message further requests the recipient to forward to their neighbours.

While the message is informing (US President earns $400,000 per annum and the VP earns $221,200 a year), it is interesting to note that the 20 clubs in the Nigeria Premier League have not paid their players their outstanding salaries and bonuses for the past year due to the lack of sponsorship.

Whereas a Senator goes home with over N182m in a year, the total sponsorship package for the NPL in four years is N2.65bn.

A wrestling coach once said Nigeria would need to invest N1m on a wrestler in two years to be sure of winning gold at the 2012 Olympics. Invariably, N20m would be enough to prepare a complete wrestling team ahead of the Olympics.

A former President of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Rev. Moses Iloh, could not understand the rationale behind the allocation of the huge amount to the legislators, describing it as unfair and insensitive to the plight of many Nigerians who still struggle to live above poverty line.

He said, ”I find it hard to believe that the people who are entrusted with power have actually turned on the people to milk them dry. Nigerians are angry with the lawmakers and this issue must be addressed urgently before it degenerates into something else.

”The money could have been channelled to youth development through sports.

“The Federal Government is obliged to spend for sports because over 60 per cent of the population are youths and if we must have hope of a brighter future we have to develop the youths today. These youths have taken to sports and it will only be sensible for any government to invest more in sports.

”My fear is that the NSC cannot be trusted with money. If such an amount is given to it, it should be monitored closely and accountability must be their watchword.

”Many of the sports associations have not been organising competitions due to lack of funds. How can our athletes excel at international competitions if we cannot have domestic competitions for them?

”Corruption has been institutionalised in our government because Nigerians behave as if they are mesmerised when they see their leaders mismanage public funds. The legislators‘ salaries must be reviewed and they should be paid according to their attendance. They must also be made to return the excesses they had collected in the past three years.”

A former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association Group Capt. John Obakpolor told our correspondent on the telephone that domestic football could have developed if it had funds for players‘ welfare.

”I would not have commented on the outrageous legislators‘ pay because it‘s really annoying and embarrassing,” Obakpolor said. ”But we must look at what we can use the money for if the lawmakers are not getting as much as that.

”The painful part of our football is that we have nothing to be proud of in domestic football. The stadium facilities are substandard and the players, who are the major actors, are living in penury.

”Why would Nigerians prefer foreign football to the domestic games? If there was proper funding, the players would get their salaries regularly and they would play quality games. Which player will want to play his heart out when he knows he will get nothing in return?

”There is the need to pay coaches and referees regularly and very well to improve the quality of our football. If this is missing, there is little to look forward to in our football.

”If there was adequate funding for our football, we would not need to wait for other countries to invite us for international friendly games before the national teams would get to play.”
Source;http://www.punchng.com

 

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Mourinho rejects Inter return

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists his future lies at the Bernabeu amid speculation linking him with a return to Inter Milan.

Mourinho led Inter to an unprecedented treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last season before switching to Madrid.

He was replaced at Inter by Rafael Benitez, but with reports suggesting the Spaniard‘s time at the San Siro could be coming to a swift end, Mourinho has found himself touted for a possible return to Italy.

However, the outspoken Portuguese, who on Sunday caused a stir by asking the Madrid hierarchy do more to protect the team in the face of perceived refereeing injustices rather than leave it all to him, is adamant he is going nowhere.

He was quoted as telling Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday,”I have a four-year contract with Real Madrid, and I‘m going to continue here for a long time.”
Source:http://www.punchng.com/




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Hayatou praises Globacom for CAF awards

CAF President, Issa Hayatou, has praised Globacom for the sponsorship of the CAF awards, saying the partnership has raised the standard of African football in past six years.

Hayatou, who said this at the 2010 Glo-CAF Awards ceremony in Cairo, Egypt on Monday, noted that the involvement of the company in the organisation of the award has complemented the performance of the players.

Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o won the African Player of the Year award a record fourth time ahead of Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan and Cote D’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba. At the well attended ceremony inside the Ball Room of Intercontinental City Stars Hotel, Hayatou said the year witnessed landmark achievements for African players and African football.

He said, “The African footballers have in the calendar year thrilled us from Luanda to Johannesburg, passing through Lubumbashi, Rabat, Niamey, Gaborone, London and Milan with unimaginable moments of joy.”

He added, ”The achievements on the field is here tonight being celebrated by CAF in partnership with our sponsor, Globacom, and this is very good for the profile of the players and African football.”

Hayatou expressed appreciation to the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jnr, describing him as “a passionate lover and supporter of African football.”

Adenuga, whose goodwill message on the night was relayed through video, had also noted the fact that Africa made tremendous stride in football in 2010.
Source:http://www.punchng.com




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Emenike, Onuoha relevant to Eagles – Ugbade

Tunisia‘94 Nations Cup winner Nduka Ugbade believes the Europe-based duo of Emmanuel Emenike and Nedum Onuoha have something to offer and has hailed Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia‘s decision to involve them in his plans.

The former Golden Eaglets captain maintains Emenike could help provide the cutting edge the Eagles need in front of goal, and Onuoha the solution to their leaky defence.

Karabükspor striking sensation Emenike only last week pledged his international future to Nigeria, turning down an opportunity to play for Turkey after a meeting with Siasia in the Eastern European country.

Siasia was scheduled to meet with Sunderland defender Onuoha, who has represented England at the junior levels, to persuade him to play for Nigeria but the heavy snow in England forced him to suspend the meeting.

Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday, Ugbade said with Emenike and Onuoha in the team Nigerians would be guaranteed good performances from the Eagles at competitions.

”We were known for speed, endurance and individual creativity in the past and I think with players like Emenike and Onuoha we can return to the top again,” the FIFA U-17 World Cup winner said.

”We already have Taye Taiwo who is effective and gifted with shooting abilities. And there‘s (Elderson) Echiejile who is a very good player.

”I support Siasia‘s decision to invite new players.

”With new players, the old ones know they have to improve their game or lose their places.

”Every department of the national team requires strengthening – I believe every Nigerian knows this.

”Siasia was a great player for Nigeria and knows what it takes to build a strong team.

”I‘m not surprised at his decision. I believe Nigerians will be happy with the national team again.”

He however warned Siasia against focusing on the foreign-based players, saying the domestic league could have some players capable of breaking into the main team.

”It‘s not every player that plies his trade in Europe that is invited to play for Brazil,” Ugbade said.

”We‘ve seen some of the top foreign-based Brazilian stars warming the bench for home-based players.”

”We can do the same in our country to enable us to get the right players for competitions.”
Source:http://www.punchng.com




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EFCC quizzes Adamu over N24bn COJA expenses

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday grilled the suspended member of FIFA Executive Committee, Dr. Amos Adamu, over his activites in the 8th All Africa Games and other sporting projects in Nigeria.




Adamu, was the Executive Director of COJA 2003, during which the Federal Government released N24bn for its hosting.

Besides, his involvement in Nigerian Football Federation and Confederation of African Football are being probed by the anti-graft body.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed this to our correspondent in Abuja.

Adamu, is accused of mismanaging the COJA funds.

Allegations against Adamu include, spending N1.3bn on public relations; awarding contracts to his wife and son-in-law worth N180million and N80 million respectively.

It was also gathered that the EFCC had seized Adamu’s travelling documents pending the outcome of the interrogations.

However, Babafemi said, “We invited him and he came in the morning (wednesday). We are investigating a series of financial activities relating to COJA 2003, NFF, CAF and even FIFA. But we are not investigating him on the FIFA bribery scandal. That is left for FIFA to do.”

Adamu, who was suspended by FIFA for three years following a bribe-for-vote allegation on the hosting rights for 2018 and 2022 World Cup, was made Sole Administrator of the Nigeria Football Association in 1992.

He was Director General of the Nigerian National Sports Commission for 10 years before being redeployed in November 2008.
Source:http://www.punchng.com

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Football federation inaugurates panel on Ogoli

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, yesterday in Abuja inaugurated a six-man ad-hoc medical panel to review the circumstances leading to the death of Ocean Boys FC defender, Emmanuel Ogoli.

Ogoli slumped during a Nigeria Premier League match between his club and Niger Tornadoes of Minna at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday, December 12 and died before medics could get him to hospital.

Maigari said the panel has six weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a report to help prevent such incidents in the future. He said the panel was inaugurated because of the knowledge that such incidents can be prevented.

“We feel very sad over this incident and we are determined that it should not happen again. That has compelled the decision of the NFF Executive Committee to put together this group of highly qualified and highly -experienced physicians to help us find a way out,” Maigari said.

The panel has as chairman a former Super Eagles medical doctor and sports physician with over 20 years experience, Abdulkadir Muazu, with Akin Amao, who is also a former Super Eagles doctor as well as Azubuike Onyebuchi and Mohammed Sani Isah as members. Christian Emeruwa is the secretary.

Source:http://234next.com

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Sports Commission backs Premier League over sponsorship deal

The Nigerian Premier League had a breakthrough yesterday when an adjudication panel set up by the National Sports Commission, gave it the all clear to proceed with MTN as new title sponsors.

Last week, the league organising body announced telecommunications company MTN as its new sponsors on a four-year deal.

Barely twenty four hours later, rival bidders Glo launched a protest, claiming the bidding process was not transparent.

The NFF also weighed in, berating the NPL for ‘not following established protocol’.

On Tuesday, the NSC called all the parties and then set up a committee comprising of 10 lawyers to evaluate the process.

After over 15 hours of deliberation, the panel not only ruled that the NPL had been fair to all parties involved in the process, but commended them for doing what it called ‘a professional job’.

And on Wednesday, after briefing the Nigeria Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari, the NPL was given the go ahead to do business with the new sponsors.

Source:http://234next.com

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EFCC arrests Amos Adamu

Amos Adamu, FIFA Executive Committee member who was banned for three years by FIFA from all football related activities for his role in the cash-for-vote scandal, was yesterday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He arrived the commission’s office yesterday morning and was interrogated for several hours by operatives of the anti-graft agency over how the N24 billion budgeted for the 2003 All Africa Games, whose organising committee he headed, was spent.

Adamu returned to Nigeria on Friday night from Europe where he had been since the cash-for-vote scandal broke in October.

Billion naira “PR”

The former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) is also expected to explain how N1.3 billion was spent as “PR”.

Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson of the EFCC said Adamu is being quizzed for another 180 million naira involving his wife as well as an 80 million naira expenditure involving his son-in-law.

Adamu was expected to be granted administrative bail last night according to Babafemi, who confirmed that the FIFA executive committee member had indeed been questioned by the commission.

“He will be granted bail tonight (yesterday) but we are seizing his passport so that he’ll be available anytime we need him,” Babafemi said.

Adamu’s arrest comes barely 24 hours after he appeared before the House of Representatives where he defended himself over the cash-for-vote scandal, which broke after English newspaper, Sunday Times of London released a video in which Adamu reportedly asked for money in order to cast his vote for the United States after the undercover reporters posed as businessmen representing American interests.

After the FIFA ethics committee handed its verdict in November, Adamu, the former Director of Sports Development in the Ministry of Sports and until the vote scandal, President of the West African Football union (WAFU) indicated he was going to appeal the decision insisting he was innocent of the charge against him.

He also authorised his lawyers to head to court to stop the EFCC from interrogating him over the cash-for-vote scandal. The case came up for hearing on December 13 with Adamu asking the court to declare that the EFCC lacked jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute him over the matter.

He also prayed the court to restrain the EFCC and the police from infringing his right to personal liberty as enshrined in Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution. His lawyer, Niyi Ayoola-Daniels, told the court that FIFA was not an agency of the Nigerian government and as such the EFCC could not interrogate him in his capacity as the football body’s executive committee member. The case was adjourned to 17th January, 2011.

Source:http://234next.com/

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I’m not Africa’s best-ever player -Eto’o

A record of winning African Footballer of the Year award four times entitles Samuel Eto’o to be the continent’s best-ever player but it is a title that sits uncomfortably with the Cameroonian. The 29-year-old Inter Milan’s striker crowned a year of unprecedented club success with the award, handed to him in Cairo on Monday as he finished ahead of perennial rival, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast and Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan in the polling.

The Cameroon’s captain has now achieved more honours and won more major medals than any other of the continent’s players but is reluctant to accept he might be Africa’s best ever.

“That would be impossible to say. To win the Footballer of the Year four times is to create a new record but I don’t think it gives me the right to say I am the best,” he told Reuters in Cairo after accepting his award.
“There were greats in previous generations who had different challenges and situations to mine. You can’t really compare the times.

“Now, there are youngsters who are climbing the ladder of success behind me and who are coming up really fast. Who is to say who is the best?”
But there is a case to be made that Eto’o’s achievements are unsurpassed by any of the other top footballers to emerge from Africa.

Monday’s award beat Abedi Pele’s trio of successive African Footballer of the Year accolades in the early 1990s.
At international level, Eto’o has competed at three World Cup finals, captaining his country at this year’s tournament in South Africa.
He has won the African Nations Cup twice and 18 goals in six finals tournaments is a record that will be tough to beat. He also won an Olympic gold medal in 2000.

But it is at club level that he has excelled. Moving to Spain as a teenager and determinedly working his way through the difficulties of adapting to new conditions and bouts of racism to go on and prove to be one of the finest strikers in Europe.
At Barcelona, he won two UEFA Champions League winners medals and scored in both the 2006 and 2009 finals, and was victorious again in May’s final with new club, Inter Milan. With both teams, he won domestic league and cup honours too.
The baby-faced Eto’o’s exceptional speed and finishing ability have set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
His achievements overshadow a gallery of legends, such as Mozambican-born Eusebio, who played in four European Cup finals but won just once, Roger Milla, who was named the best African player of the last century.

and Abedi Pele, who won club honours but never qualified with his country for the World Cup.
Eto’o’s achievements also easily outshine current rival Drogba but he must still match the 1995 achievement of Liberian George Weah, the only African ever crowned World Player of the Year.
“These honours are not something that you seek out but when they come they give great pleasure. And they motivate too,” Eto’o said.
Source:http://www.sunnewsonline.com/

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Oladipo, Odegbami laud Mamora over grassroots football

President, Nigerian Supporters Club, Prince Rafiu Oladipo and former Green Eagles’ skipper, Chief Patrick Olusegun Odegbami, have commended Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora on his efforts at developing grassroots football in Lagos state.



The duo, who made the commendation last Weekend in Lagos during the final of the 7th edition of Senator Mamora Cup at the Gbagada Playground said that “for football to grow and develop in Nigeria, it must be developed from the grassroots.”

Oladipupo, who spoke as the Chairman on the occasion, therefore, challenged other individuals, social organisations and corporate bodies to emulate Mamora by sponsoring grassroots football, so that soccer would grow in the country.
‘Mathematical’ Odegbami, who spoke as the special guest at the event expressed delight at how “Senator Mamora is promoting grassroots football,” asserting that “if other well-to-do people in the society could emulate this great man, Nigeria, in no time, would be greater in theworld of soccer than she is now.”

The sponsor of the annual competition, responding said the objective of the tournament was to “harness the physical energy, mental and psychological potentialities of the youth towards gainful engagement,”saying that “it is the idle hands that serve as workshop for the devil.”

Besides, Mamora, who is a medical doctor by training, said that “since sound mind always resides in sound body, making the body sound to accommodate sound mind is imperative”. He said that “hence, our resolve to engage in this programme that would keep our youths healthy and gainfully engaged.”
The Senator, who was once the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, speaking further, said that “for our football to grow and develop, we must engage in the ‘catch them young’ programme,” assuring that “even after leaving office as a senator, the competition would still go on.”
Going down the memory lane, Mamora recalled that “the competition started seven years ago with only 16 clubs,” expressing delight that “today, 108 participated in this year’s edition.”
Beating his chest, the vibrant politician disclosed that “the competition has produced stars of international recognition,” revealing that “Kabiru Akinsola, who made Nigeria proud as Under 17 player in 2007 as well as Ugoh Edet who was part of the Flying Eagles in 2009 were discovered through our efforts.”
At the end of the final matches, Devine Promise FC from Ikorodu went home with the trophy and N200,000 cash having beating Maryland FC from Kosofe through penalty shootout. Maryland also went home with N150,000.
Earlier, Tosban FC of Ifako-Gbagada defeated Unique FC from Ikorodu for the third place bronze and N100,000 cash.
Source:http://www.sunnewsonline.com/
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Glo-CAF Awards: Omidiran commends Falcons, Perpetua

FALCONS
A member of the youth committee of the Federation of International Football Association, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran, has expressed delight at the continental awards won by the Super Falcons and striker Perpetua Nwocha.

Omidiran said the women’s team had been boosting the image of Nigeria in global football over the years.

At the Glo-CAF Awards on Monday night in Cairo, Egypt, Nwocha emerged as the Woman Player of the Year while the Super Falcons were voted the best African female team.

The former member of the Nigeria Football Federation stressed that she was proud of the national team and Perpetua.

She said, ”The consistency of Falcons over the years has never been in doubt. The team won the AWC in style and generally the players were wonderful.

”Perpetua was outstanding and she again won the best player of the year. The country was listed in the special awards because of the achievement of the women’s teams.

“The country also did well at the women’s U-17 and U-20 World Cups. I am so proud of the players.

”We have many talents in this country and we have to work hard to bring out the best in these players at continental and global events.”

Omidiran is gunning for a seat on the NFF board as the representative of women’s football. The election holds next month.
Source:http://www.punchng.com

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‘Iyabo Abade’ battles to overcome sex change ...five years after surgery in USA

Abade (right) and one of the doctors that performed the operation

Life could be cruel. If not, how else can one explain the fate of James Johnson, formerly Iyabo Abade, who had a successful sex change in the United States five years ago, but still battling to adjust to life as a male?

JJ as she, sorry, he is fondly called is also battling to be accepted by the society in his immediate constituency as a footballer and the world generally.

It is a big issue. Johnson was almost in tears while narrating his ordeal to our correspondent on Saturday. He has done everything possible to remain a footballer but things are just not working.

Johnson grew up as a female and was on the verge of playing for the Super Falcons when she came out to confess she was a hermaphrodite. Money was raised for her from various sources and she underwent an operation in USA. She was told she had more male hormones in her body and so she opted to be a man. She changed her name from Iyabo Abade to James Johnson after the operation.

A hermaphrodite is a person or an animal with both male and female organs. While it is common in animals, it is rare in humans.

The organs and functions of one or both sexes usually develop imperfectly in a hermaphrodite. So far, according to the World Book Encyclopedia, few human cases have been reported.

The medical community has not given a clear reason for this condition but the most common cause is Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.

The AIS is the condition in which the body does not respond to the androgen being produced.

However, since coming back to Nigeria as a man in 2005, things have not been the same for JJ. He struggled to travel for another test last year, but now there is need to undergo another surgery.

He said, ”My church, Family Worship in Abuja, bought me a ticket to travel last year December. The doctor told me I must stay in the USA for at least one year. He said I had to undergo weekly tests to complete the process.

”I need about N7m for this because I have to pay for accommodation and take care of myself out there for a year.”

So far, Johnson is yet to be performing the full function expected of a male adult. Five years after the surgery, Johnson is yet to have a sexual relationship with a woman.

”That is a tough one. I am still not fully okay. I still feel somehow but the doctors said after the final surgery I will be okay. I have a girlfriend. She has been my friend even when I was a female and till date we are still very close. I have not attempted having sex with her because I know I cannot do so yet.

”I need to be told all is well before I do all of that and the doctor is yet to give me the go-ahead. My girlfriend is Agatha Agu, she is in school in the USA, ”he said.

Life as a man has been tough for Johnson in many ways. It has been difficult for him to get a stable football club. It is also tough for him to make ends meet, especially in the past two years.

In 2006, he played for NEPA of Abuja. In the 2007 league season he played for Plateau United and in 2008 and later, Crown, Ogbomosho.

He narrated his ordeal in the three teams. He said, ”I underwent screening like every other player and picked in each of the three teams. Things went on well for me till they discovered my identity as the former Iyabo Abade.

The players and officials became hostile to me the moment they realised my predicament. Can you imagine the officials of a club where I passed the screening calling me to tell me that I won’t be able to cope.

”In some cases if they read about me in the newspapers they will now call me to confirm and that is the end. The stigma has been a big problem in the three teams and so since 2008, no job.

“At the moment, I am ready to do anything. I can drive very well and if I get a job as a driver I will go for it.”

Johnson is the fourth born of a family of six. His father died in 1999 but the mother is still in Lagos with other siblings. Funny enough, the family look up to him to take care of the mother and his younger ones.

”So much pressure is on me while I am trying to even sort myself out. It is not easy. In 2008, I sold my car, a Mercedes Benz 190, at N300,000 just to pay my rent. Agatha, my girlfriend, has been very supportive. Things have been generally bad. How my Christmas will be for now, I do not know,” he said.

In the New Year, Johnson‘s target is to get help to travel abroad for the final surgery and then move on with life in any field, not necessarily football.

He said,” I want a normal life. To be able to do whatever a man can do without asking anybody about the implications. I want to earn a living. I want to take care of my mother and my younger ones. I want to live responsibly.

”Physically, I have the ability to do things I want as a man, except having sex with a woman for now but I don‘t think that is enough to be facing the problem I am going through. I am able.”

Our correspondent spoke to a Professor of Sociology, Prof. Lai Olurode, on the predicament of Johnson. The former Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences in the University of Lagos said it was psychological.

He said, ”It is not easy for him psychologically to cope with the opposite sex where she was before as a female. The stigmatism is a societal thing but there is a need for him to be psychologically prepared for the battle he is facing now.

”I believe it was a mistake for him to have chosen to be a male. It would have been easier for him as a female. Life continues.

”I think the best thing for him is to travel out of the country and start another life where he is not known at all. Co-existing with people is a difficult thing for him and this is just natural.”

A psychologist, Prof. Hellen Osinowo, said Johnson‘s case was a big gender conflict because of the societal values. Osinowo is head of Department, Psychology, University of Ibadan.

She said, ”It is important to know whether the parents were aware of the ambiguity early enough. This guy grew up as a female and now had a sex change to be a male. His friend might be thinking he is not a complete man because he was not born a man.

”He should have been told about the effects before the sex change while there should have been pre-psychological and post-psychological training for him to be able to adapt and be ready for the challenges for the decision to be a male.

”There should be determination on his part to sort the problem. He should decide he has to move on no matter what anyone says and he should also be sure that he has completed the change process because that will give him confidence anywhere he finds himself.”

Johnson has decided to approach the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission for assistance.

”I need to go for another surgery. I have wasted seven years of my life on this issue. My resolution for 2011 is to move on, anyhow. I love football but as it is, after my last surgery, the focus will be to get a job for survival and to live a normal life. It has been tough for me but I am looking at the New Year with hope,” Johnson added.
Source:http://www.punchng.com

 


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2010 African Footballer: Eto’o wins again!

 Samuel Eto’o Fils Monday emerged the 2010 African Footballer of the year after beating Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan and his Ivorian challenger, Didier Drogba. It is the Camerounian skipper’s fourth African title after winning it in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

After winning almost everything in football with Catalan giants, Barcelona, he joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2009 and played a vital role as the Nerrazzurri completed a treble of Serie A title, Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League. On the international scene, he was part of the Cameroon team at the Angola 2010 CAN where he scored two goals in a tournament Camerounians would love to forget. He was also with Cameroun at the 2010 World Cup where the Indomitable Lions failed to win a single match.
The Cameroun hit man has been a constant feature in coach Rafael Benitez campaign in the Italian Serie A where he has scored ten goals this term.
Eto crowned his tremendous year with another mile-stone achievement when he helped Inter Milan of Italy win the FIFA Club World Cup in UAE last weekend.
Winners
Most promising talent of the year
Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese and Ghana)
Women Footballer of the Year
Perpetua Nkwocha
Coach of the Year
Milovan Rajevac
African Club of the Year
TP Mazembe

National Team of the Year
Black Stars of Ghana
African-based best Player of the Year
Ahmed Hassan — Egypt
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/

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Ghanaians sulk over Gyan

Ghanaians are furious over the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) not to name Asamoah Gyan the 2010 African Footballer of the Year.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o was given the award at the event in Cairo on Monday night for a record fourth time.
The winner of Monday’s award was decided by votes from national coaches of the continent’s 53 countries affiliated to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
But the decision has been met by fury in Gyan’s home country of Ghana with protests from fans on radio shows and media.
Gyan’s three goals propelled Ghana to the final of the African Cup of Nations in Angola in January and six months later led the Black Stars to the quarter finals of the World Cup.
Eto’o was an integral part of Inter’s success last term, scoring 16 goals during a highly successful campaign under then_coach Jose Mourinho. However, his exploits with the Indomitable Lions were limited as they were knocked out early in both the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup in South Africa.
Ghanaian fans and pundits are furious that Eto’o was given the award given that his performance was confined to only his club in Europe.        A caller to a local radio said: “Eto’o should be vying for the European Player of the Year award not African award. What did he do for his country this year?”
Another caller said the decision will discourage players from playing or performing for their countries. “The message by CAF by giving the award to Eto’o is that you must not play for your country but must concentrate on your European clubs.
“African football won’t be interesting with such suspicious decisions by CAF.”
Last week, Gyan was crowned BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2010.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/





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Silver-lining in a cloudy Nigerian sky

Nigeria and indeed world soccer historians will tell you that the outgoing year 2010 was the worst ever in Nigerian football, on and off the field.
Despite a semi final placing in the African Nations Cup, despite a world cup qualification, there was nothing to write about the year with due respect to the girls.

Monday evening, at the impressive and expansive Intercontinental Hotel, City Stars in Cairo, hope was rekindled as Nigeria featured prominently in the awards.
When the Master of Ceremony, South Africa’s Mark Gleeson started reeling out the names of African countries who had done the continent proud overtime, and were due for a special CAF President Award, he started with Algeria and by the time he got to Cote D’Ivoire after mentioning Cameroun, Globacom’s Modele Sharafa_Yusuf got worried that Nigeria was no more in the scheme of things.
Not to worry, it was an alphabetical consideration. Then came Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, then South Africa that drew a thunderous applause for hosting, on behalf of Africa, FIFA’s best World Cup ever.
There was also an instance to be proud being a Nigerian and that was during nominations for Woman Footballer of the Year.
Three Nigerian players, Stella Mbachu, Perpetua Nkwocha and Ebere Orji were the nominees and predictably Perpetua emerged winner and she majestically trotted on to the stage to collect her award from President of Nigeria’s
Supporter’s club Dr. Rauf Ladipo resplendent in his Green_white_ green attire complete with a cap with Nigeria boldly inscribed on it.
That was not all. Nigeria also had an opportunity to come early on to the stage when the award for best Women National team was announced. In contention were the Falcons, Equitorial Guinea and Nigeria’s U_20 team. The Falcons won ( Surprise?) and President Maigari was on stage to receive the award.
When it was time to choose Africa’s eleven for the year 2010, those of us present were unanimous  that Vincent Enyeama was going to man the posts. We could not think of any other Nigerian that had done enough in the year under review to merit a place in that team. We were proved wrong as Taiye Taiwo made the starting line up.
Others in that classical consideration were Didier Drogba, Eto’o, Gyan, Pele Ayew, Gomaa, Bougera, Kevin Boateng, Hassan Ahmed and Ahmed Mouhamady.
Perhaps the keenest of challenges came during the National Team of the Year and Coach of the Year awards.
The debate was simple. Which was greater, winning the African Cup of Nations, or qualifying for the quarter final of the World Cup. The World Cup triumphed as Ghanaian coach Milovan Rajevac was crowned coach of the year ( Also led Ghana to the semi final of the Nation’s Cup ) and Ghana emerged National Team of the Year.
Rajevac who was embroiled in a storm with the Ghanaian Football Federation was gracious enough to go straight and present the award to the Ghanaian FA President with an embrace, just as he also hugged Egypt’s coach Hassan Shehata in a rare show of sportsmanship.
There was no denying Egypt the glory of Hassan Ahmed being crowned Best Player evolving in the African continent just as Ghana capped a glorious year with the emergence of Kwado Asamoah of Udinese as the most promising talent in the year 2010.
When it was the turn of Club of the year, C.S Sfaxien and F.U.S.Rabat knew they had no chance as  T.P.Mazembe, General Manager Eddie in his noir et blanc ( Black and white ) attire received the trophy to great acclaim.
Then came the big one. Africa footballer of the year. Favourite, Cameroun’s Etoo’o crossed over from Abu Dhabi where he had helped Inter Milan to demolish T.P.Mazembe, yet the presence of Asamoah Gyan and Ghana’s impressive run in the World Cup raised doubts and heightened expectations.
Two of them were called onto the stage and at the end of the day, the Camerounian, deservedly triumphed, becoming the first African player ever to win four African footballer of the year crowns, a record that will take some beating.
In his speech, CAF President Issa Hayatou said he was delighted to once again preside over an event that marks the end of a successful football calendar. He cited the remarkable achievements recorded in the year, including Nigeria’s women U_20 World Cup feat, T.P.Mazembe in the FIFA World Club Cup and of course the World Cup that was gloriously hosted by South Africa.
Perhaps the sweetest speech of all should be credited to the Globacom Chairman Mike Adenuga Junior, who in a video presentation of less than two minutes, extolled the strides of African football, his company’s determination to further those strides as evident in the renewal of sponsorship of the award for another five years .
The curtain was drawn on the simple but impressive ceremony, the  five course meal had also come to an end. As Africa’s football and business lords strode out of the hall they could not fail but notice the brightly lit giant Enyeama poster that adorned the entrance of the hall.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/



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Nigerian wrestler dies fighting for title, Commander wins UPWF belt

TRAGEDY hit the indoor sports hall of the National Lagos Stadium in Surulere on Sunday when national heavyweight title contender, Lion Man, slumped and died shortly after losing the belt to Power Lee via a technical knockout.

Lion Man, whose real name could not be ascertained at press time, came into the fight hoping to win the belt he lost to Osita Offor, also known as De Ultimate Commander, about five years ago.

Unfortunately, he could not live to even receive the consolation from those that felt he gave his all in the tragic fight.

The pugilist, whose wife is said to be five months pregnant, jumped into the ring with the mien of somebody eager to dispatch his opponent quickly.

But he met strong resistance from Power Lee, who after the initial moments of the fight, began to pummel the visibly unfit challenger.

And to save Lion Man from further punishment, the ring judges stopped the fight, but it came too late.

Shortly after the Enugu State-born wrestler trudged off the ring, news filtered in that he had slumped and died just outside the venue of the championship.

He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was certified dead by doctors.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Nigerian Wrestling Board of Control (NWB of C), Everest Ofoegbu, said it was an unfortunate development that could have been avoided if all the wrestlers had adhered strictly to the rules of the sport.

“We try to preach the safety in wrestlers being physically fit for every competition, but at the end you still find some people not adhering to the rules,” he said.

“We will find a way of monitoring the fitness of our wrestlers to avoid future occurrence of such sad incidents. This is really unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, in the main event of the day, De Ultimate Commander defeated American Shelton Benjamin and Warlord to become the new Universal Pro-Wrestling Federation (UPWF) champion in a three-way fight decided by knockout.

Another American, The Barbarian, beat his compatriot, Katanka, by a pin-fall, the same way Mike Mondo defeated Jeff Lee in the main supporting bout of the night.

America’s tallest woman wrestler, Lindsay Hayward, lost to her compatriot, Trenesha Biggers, just as Nigeria’s The Executioner defeated Congo’s Shakabula.

Source:http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/

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