The Championships are open to athletes who are under-17 as at this year. Confederation of Africa Athletics CAA confirmed Nigeria as the hosts last year, at its congress in Porto Novo, Benin Republic. Some of the countries that have registered include traditional athletics nations like South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and Algeria. Hosts, Nigeria have the highest number of entry with 80 athletes. Ethiopia have the second largest delegation with 42 athletes, South Africa is coming with 30 athletes, while Cape Verde, Guinea, Zimbabwe and Comoros Islands have only two athletes representing them.

Athletics Federation of Nigeria secretary-general Maria Wophil said that more countries are still been expected to register for the Championships.

“Our estimate is that about 500 athletes will be in Warri. This is huge. We are still expecting more entries as the deadline closes on March 4,” she said.

Delta State Sports Commission Chairman and head of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Pinnick Amaju said that Delta was working hard to ensure a successful hosting of the championships. He added that it will be one of best organised athletics events the continent has ever witnessed. The CAA, during an inspection visit in Warri had urged Delta to set a standard in the hosting of the maiden AYC.

While inaugurating the LOC Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan urged the committee to make a good show of hosting the championships. He stated that during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2009, Warri was denied the opportunity of being one of the host cities because of “perceived security fears”. “ We want to use the AYC to show the world that Warri is a perfectly safe city to visit,”
-Punch

Work on the stadium began last week, with the contractors who built the stadium Julius Berger Plc, being in charge of the rehabilitation effort.

The Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi, had assured Nigerians in December 2012 of total rehabilitation of the stadium, starting this, “We have concluded arrangements with Julius Berger to bring alive the pitch of the main bowl and training grounds in January, after the holidays.”

The scope of work includes removal and replacement of the topsoil, planting the approved species of grass, well-watered and nourished until roots are established, maintenance of the pitch, including watering and trimming of the grass for three months.

The terms of the contract also requires Julius Berger to provide new water sprinklers for the stadium.

According to the contractors, work on the stadium would be completed in late February, while the maintenance would take an additional three months.

It is expected that the stadium will be ready for use in late May or early June 2012.

Director of Facilities at the NSC, Ibrahim Shehu, said that systems have been put in place to ensure top-grade maintenance of the stadium when the contractors finish their work.

“The problem we had in the past was as a result of theft of the power cable which supplied power to the stadium. With the lack of electricity, we could not power the water pumps and so could not wet the grass. Now all those problems have been solved. We will make sure that the stadium is of international standard at all times,” Shehu said.
-Punch

Delta amassed 116 gold, 97 silver and 75 bronze medals to dethrone Team Rivers which finished second with 76 gold, 71 silver and 71 bronze medals while the host, Team Lagos placed third with 65 gold, 47 silver and 71 bronze medals.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife Roli, were on hand to witness another historic moment by his athletes who reclaimed the title they last won at KADA 2009.
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State also witnessed the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Delta State government will cough up about N222million as cash incentives for the Eko 2012 medallists.

Uduaghan had promised to reward each gold medallist with N1million, N750,000 for a silver medal while a bronze medal will be rewarded with N500,000, just as the medals eventually clinched by Team Delta at Eko 2012 would attract over N222million.

Other members of the team without medal would also be rewarded as well as officials of the victorious side.

Team Delta also picked the prize money of N20million promised by the Federal Government during the opening ceremony of the Games as Team Rivers which came second goes home with N15million, while Team Lagos settles for the prize money of N10million for coming third.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the Games.

Earlier, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Patrick Ekeji, noted that the Games was historic as all the states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja went home with medals, saying that “at Eko 2012, everybody is a winner.”

Meanwhile, GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on Sunday in Lagos led the state’s contingent to the 18th National Sports Festival, to The Redeemed Church of God (TREM), Gbagada – Lagos for a thanksgiving service as the team savours the joy of emerging tops at the fiesta.

Uduaghan said at the event that though Team Delta prepared well for the national fiesta, it was imperative for the contingent to seek the face of God “before, during and after the games.”

He recalled that on arrival in Lagos, Team Delta was at the same church to ask for God’s favour and protection, noting that the overwhelming victory of the team was an indication of the mercies and grace of God.

“We are here because God has been gracious to us in the last few weeks. God granted us journey mercies and as the games progressed, the medals difference between Delta and the second-placed State continued to widen.

The gap is overwhelming”, he stated.

The Governor, who was accompanied by the wife, Roli, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, particularly commended the efforts of the physically-challenged athletes, stressing that in spite of the complexity of Delta as a State, they were able to distinguish themselves and win valuable gold medals for the State.

Said he: “These athletes have proven that disability does not retard ability”, and thanked Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr Mike Okonkwo for praying for the State and Team Delta.

On his part, Bishop Okonkwo commended Delta State Government for investing heavily in sports noting it has paid off.

He was particularly delighted that in spite of the abundance of talents coupled with her dominance of sports in Nigeria, Delta State has always honoured God, knowing that without God nothing can be achieved.

However, the Bishop decried the general standard of sports in the country blaming it on the politicization of sporting administration and sports activities.

He cautioned against politicizing sports, arguing that it was responsible for why America’s Michael Phelps could become world best swimmer when Nigeria has millions of people living in the riverine areas of the country and nowhere to be reckoned with.

The chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mr Amaju Pinnick, who attributed Team Delta’s victory to discipline, hardwork and prayers said after all the preparations, there was need for prayers to actualize the desire.

He said the Team Delta has set a record by amassing 114 gold medals in the Eko 2012 Festivals as at Saturday (Dec 8, 2012), and thanked Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his support for the Team as well as for the commitment to sports development in the State.

Via Tribune

Barely two days after the commencement of the 18th National Sports Festival, Rivers State is already blazing the trail with 3 gold medals and 1 silver as Oyo State in the second place with 1 gold, 2 silver medals. Delta state is third on the table as at press time last night with 1 bronze. Kaduna and Lagos are in the fourth position respectively.

Meanwhile, Hope Nfreke was the star of Akwa Ibom’s 4-1 thumping of their Osun counterparts in women’s football at the festival yesterday. The Akwa Ibom’s striker netted a hat-trick within 72 minutes to inspire her team to its second win in the women’s event of soccer at the games. The first of Nfreke’s three goals came within three minutes of the game and she doubled her tally 40 minutes later to give Akwa Ibom a two-nil lead at the break.

The Osun women, however, fought back to halve the tally nine minutes into the restart at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. Mary Abimbola converted a spot kick as Osun tried to claw themselves back into the match. But petite Nfreke was on the prowl again with 18 minutes left as she poked home her third of the morning.Osun made a late surge to salvage the game, but it was Akwa Ibom that drilled the nail into their opponents’ coffin with an 86th minute strike from Precious Akpan.

The 4-1 triumph is the second win for Akwa Ibom in women’s football after Monday’s 2-1 win over their counterparts from Taraba. On Monday, Osun kicked off their quest for a gold medal in women’s football with a 2-1 win over Benue before their loss to Akwa Ibom.

Via Sun

As the opening ceremony of the 18th National Sports Festival begins on Tuesday (today) in Lagos, it is shocking to note that the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, venue of field events, has not been given a facelift by the organisers and officials of the festival tagged Eko 2012.

The Local Organising Committee of the festival has been involved in last-ditch efforts to put facilities in most venues in place but the National Stadium – which has been abandoned for several years – seem not to catch the eye of the organisers.

While workers were seen working vigorously to ensure that every facility was in top shape at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the event, on Sunday night, the reverse was the case inside the opposite National Stadium.

Close observers felt the long-abandoned stadium, which hosted the first two editions of the festival, would breathe a new lease of life because of the festival but a close look at the facilities there indicate that nothing has been done.

Rather, the stadium is bubbling with commercial life with potential sellers during the festival flocking the arena and setting up their stands here and there. Kazza, a fast food outfit, and several others have been renovated awaiting potential customers.

But on entering the main bowl, the tartan tracks inside the facility are in tattered shape while most of the seats have turned heaps of dirt after a long neglect. Apart from managing to get the grass of the football pitch cut, nothing seems to have been done by the organisers of the festival.

Also, unlike other facilities, the weather-beaten edifice was not painted or given a facelift. Apart from the AstroTurf pitch, other venues like the indoor sports hall and the table tennis hall were equally not looking ready for the festival.

Though the table tennis hall had new roofing, which was reportedly put in place by Lagos State, the facility has been noted for its poor lighting over the years.

During an earlier inspection of the facility, one of the inspectors had complained of the lighting but a top official of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation told him to write ‘Work in progress’ in his report.

But no work seemed to have been done on the facility apart from the roofing as the festival begins today.

However, it was learnt that the poor state of the stadium for the games may not be unconnected with division over who handles the renovation of the edifice.

“The National Stadium is under the care of the National Sports Commission, meaning they should have taken care of the renovation of the facility for the festival. If the Lagos State Government was given the directive to refurbish the facilities, I believe they would have done it,” an official of the games, who pleaded anonymity, said.

In stark contrast, the Main Organising Committee on Monday confirmed that all facilities were in the right frame to host a befitting sports showpiece.

The MOC secretary-general, Abba Yola, said, “From the MOC, I want to say we are satisfied that Lagos is ready to host the 18th National Sports Festival with all the equipment in place. This is the first time in recent years that a state will match its words with action by ensuring that all what they promised were ready even before the kick off of the game

Via Punch

“We have not responded because we are yet to receive any such query from them (NFF). We can only answer a memo sent to us and in this case I have not seen any from the NFF,” Babalola said.

When reminded that the NFF issued a press statement detailing that a query had been sent to the NPL board, the Secretary insisted it was not in their file.

He said, “I suggest you go back to them to confirm if they actually sent it.”

The PUNCH had called the NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari last week to get the deadline given for the response from the NPL and to which he said 36 hours. On Thursday, we also called him after speaking with Babalola but he referred to the NFF Secretary Mr. Musa Amadu as he was out of the country.

Amadu responded to our inquiry thus, “Did he say he has not received any letter to that effect? No problem, you will get all the details when the response is received from them and deliberated upon.”

The Nigeria Football Federation queried the leadership of the Nigeria Premier League in respect of allegations of inappropriate management of funds related to broadcast right fees, as contained in the report of its auditors. The auditors’ report was exclusively published by The PUNCH on October 18 and 19.

Maigari then issued a statement on the 20th through the federation’s Chief Media Officer Ademola Olajire and which read, “The NFF is highly concerned for the integrity of the Nigeria Premier League, which has been built to a presentable brand as a result of over 20 years of hard work, and which was recently rated as best in Africa.

“We cannot afford to fold our arms and remain silent over such a matter that directly attacks the credibility of an important aspect of the Nigeria game.

“The NFF is deeply concerned and we are determined to get to the root of this matter.”

The NFF had said that they were only awaiting response from the leadership of the NPL before taking further action.

-Punch

By Onochie Anibeze
Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, former Green Eagles winger and one time Attorney-General of Rivers State has accused the National Sports Commission of plotting the failure of Mr. President to “right the wrongs in sports administration in Nigeria.”

Adokiye

Adokiye’s accusation was sparked off by the invitation of the commission to him to attend the Presidential Retreat on sports October 22 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Goodluck Jonathan had informed of the retreat while presenting the 2013  budget proposal to the Nation last week Wednesday.

In the letter signed by Patrick Ekeji, the Director-General of the Sports Commission and forwarded to Adokiye by Alhassan Yakmut, one of the Directors of the Commission,  Adokiye was told that he would bear the cost of his attendance in Abuja. The letter partly read: “It is therefore with great pleasure, that you have been invited as a participant to the one day Presidential Retreat. You are however expected to bear the cost of your attendance.”

Adokiye lives in PortHacourt and he is a private person. He is a brilliant lawyer and one of the great stakeholders in sports in Nigeria, having excelled as a soccer player and also a sports administrator.

He replied the National Sports Commission this way:

Dear Sir,

I am unable to thank you for the ‘invitation letter to the Presidential retreat on the Nigerian sports sector’ because it is obviously a very bad joke. It is incredible that though you are paid with tax payers’ money to manage sports in Nigeria (a task that has overwhelmed you), you seem to believe that you can request a self-employed, private citizen like me to come all the way to Abuja to help you do your work AT MY OWN EXPENSE!

It is not rocket science to know that you want Mr President to fail in his attempt to right the wrong in sports administration in Nigeria.

Yours faithfully,

CHIEF ADOKIYE AMIESIMAKA.

Our investigation showed that other  invitees received the same letter and many have opted out.

-Vanguard

Imoke made this pledge following the award of the hosting right to Obudu Ranch Resort for the 30th World Mountain Running Association Championship which will hold in 2014.

The governor told WMRA officials and delegates at the association’s meeting in Italy penultimate weekend via a recorded video message that the champioships in Obudu will be the best ever. “His Excellency expressed his total commitment to the project and assured that all that is needed to be done to make the championships a huge success will be done”,revealed Patrick Ugbe,the Cross River state Commissioner for Youth and Sports.

Ugbe added that Gov Imoke`s message and the general acknowledgement especially by WMRA president,Bruno Gozzelino of the huge success the annual Obudu International Mountain Race has recorded since its inaugural edition in 2005 ensured Obudu got the nod to host the championships in 2014.

”His Excellency has been the pillar behind the success of the annual mountain race.

This fact is not unknown to WMRA president who upon noticing the governor’s  commitment to the race urged him to bid for the 2014 championships”,said Ugbe.

The Commissioner added that it was Gov Imoke that mid-wived the coming on stream of the African mountaining championships. “He-Imoke- has been like the Valiant Owusu in traditional African poetry whom the citizens of the town depend on. Without His Excellency’s unalloyed support and commitment,the race would have been dead by now”,he added.

-Vanguard

By Prince Charles Dickson | Jos, Nigeria | August 20, 2012 -

In local parlance there is a word called ‘wash’. It actually has a relationship with some of its original dictionary meaning, especially in informal terms.

However, in Nigeria it is used as a slang. Its earliest use came with the era of ‘money doublers’. Mischievous characters that deceived unsuspecting but greedy persons that for a certain amount of money they would buy a chemical which they would use in ‘washing’ papers which inevitably turn to currencies.

Somehow the examples they show their unsuspecting victims are genuine.  I do not know how they do it, but after huge monies exchange hands, it’s all a ‘wash’…a fraud, a lie, all part of the ‘419’. And many fall victim of these miscreants.

Stay with me and you will get this week’s admonishment in the next few paragraphs. The term ‘wash’ was prominent in those 80s and early 90s.

Today, Nigeria is in a state of ‘wash’, I will take a few points from the just concluded Olympics, renewed secessionists song and the recent miracle of electricity. Meanwhile, I kept hope until the elaborate closing ceremony, hoping against hope, but each time we were close to a medal during the whole competition, it was all ‘wash’.

Journeying through the social media, Nigerians at their painfully creative best consoled themselves, Gabon picked a medal, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa all climbed the podium, even Uganda was not left out, but Africa’s ‘giant’ was missing in action.

Comedian Julius Agwu even advocated we get one by hook or crook, even if it means stealing from another athlete.

Others advocated corruption, balloting snatching, bombing as sports that if introduced could be our strength.

Despite an almost appalling show, our basketball team showed grit and courage, especially in the light of where we are coming from and the kind of sloppy preparations they had to go through.

As usual, it turned out a jamboree, at the last count four governors attended at some point, numerous officials and all could not give us any hope–just a ‘wash’.

The truth be told, it was no miracle, you listen to athletes from the other nations talk of the intense training and preparation spanning two, three and four years and compare it to our usual three-four weeks’ training, camping and ‘wash’.

We had the pain of the Olympics to bear, but nothing to beat it like the foolishness and ‘wash’ of our ‘so-called’ elders. IBB and Obj started, enter Clark and then Dokubo the young misdirected character created by us.

Soon it was the Ndi-Igbo, and Arewa over presidency 2015, while we are bedeviled by a nation tearing apart in 2012, we are still at the stage of who governs, not how and it all tells you we are yet to learn the ‘shoeless’ lesson.

Many were reacting and exchanging mouth-cuffs on Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo’s statement “What will happen is unimaginable in the history of the world. I feel pained because I am a Muslim. I know the north will suffer because not only oil, we will cut them off totally from the coast. No food will go in…”

Yours sincerely merely smiled because ‘all na wash’. Not because he did not make sense or he did, but because Nigerians need to watch ‘Hotel Rwanda’, or see ‘Sometime In April’. A man’s face we all can see, the heart only few, if any can know.

Whether the Ogoni and Bakassi people in the Niger Delta declare their independence within an interval of seven days of Bayelsa state, popping an approval for a state emblem, anthem and coat of arms to mark and strengthen a sense of identity for the Ijaw people or not, it’s all a ‘wash’ because fact remains that we require true federation both structural and fiscal. We need purposeful leadership and not all these washes.

At the last count, ten states have anthems, emblems, coat of arms, all that don’t bring quality leadership. We did not get a simple Olympics medal because we did not plan to get any…

In the midst of all these, silently something good has happened whether it continues or not will determine whether it is a ‘wash’ or real. In almost one month each day I have seen light, it’s been for over 10 hours a day.

Many have testified to even more, in parts of Kaduna, Lagos, Adamawa, in Owerri, it’s almost 18 hours of electricity for Nigerians. In fact, I had people complain of “overlight” as in much electricity and their ‘units’ easily finished. Some fresh breath or ‘wash’ we will see.

There are two lessons, one is that it means things can work, especially in the light of the fact that PHCN workers are on strike and fighting the government. If their continued fight means electricity for us, let them continue to fight.

Secondly though, is the fact that, it is shame we can’t make anything work until we sell it to Indians, Chinese, Canadians, or Togolese. Meaning, give it to us and we turn it to a ‘wash’, there is something inherent in us that makes ordinarily possible things impossible.

Many excelled with Nigerian blood competing for other countries at the Olympics, but without our flag. In recent times there has been constant improved electricity…add elements of good governance, social justice, fairness and security of lives, our flag will fly.

I end saying, let’s not tear down the east wall to repair the west…we can, if we want to, only do we want to, time will tell.

Prince Charles Dickson
Editor,  burningpot.com

Nigeria’s 1st Online Newspaper
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