Other Sports
All Set for Nigeria’s Sports Bodies’ Election
BY CHINWE EDOGA.
With less than 24 hours to election into the boards of 31 sports’ federations in Nigeria, the country’s sports minister on Monday inaugurated a 93-man electoral committee.
The Sports Village Square gathered that the election into the boards will hold simultaneously at the Package A of the Abuja National Stadium complex.
An aide of the minister told Village Sports Square in Abuja that each sports federation had been assigned three-man panel comprising a chairman and two members.
“Considering that there may are up to 50 electorates per federation, the electorates will occupy the outer part of the glass cubicle hospitality lounges”, Sports Village Square gathered.
In a media release signed by the Special Assistant to the sports minister, Nneka Anibeze, the minister, Solomon Dalung “charged the Electoral Committee members to be fair, just, courageous and unbiased in the conduct of the elections”.
He gave the charge while inaugurating the 93-man committee at the VIP lounge of the National Stadium Abuja on Monday.
In his remarks, the minister said that the foundation of change in the sports sector will be laid during the conduct of the sports federations elections and harped on the need to get it right through a democratized process.
“It is important and critical that we get this elections right. It is the foundation of the change we are trying to establish.
“The outcome will either justify or vilify our intentions. It is the credibility of the process that will vindicate our stand to democratize the Sports Federations.
“Apart from the transition of the old tradition where 13 persons were appointed into the boards, the expansion of the electoral college from 13 to 54 presents its unique challenges.
“If a process is fair, transparent and credible, both winners and losers will have a sense of victory.
“So, I charge you all to ensure that we achieve our collective objectives of delivering a fair, transparent and credible election,” Dalung said.
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel also advised the electoral committee members to conduct elections in a democratic way as Nigeria will be monitored by international bodies and observers.
“I will not like to receive any letter from any international federation or the International Olympic Committee asking questions about this election.
“We should do this properly and let it be the best ever. You should conduct this election without sentiments and favour.” Gumel said.
Responding, the Electoral Chairman of the Badminton Federation, Kefas Lar thanked the ministry, the NOC and all sports stakeholders for finding them worthy to serve the country in this capacity.
“We thank you for the elaborate explanation of the guidelines to us all.
“May I state categorically that, having served as the President of the Nigeria Badminton Federation for eight years, the President of African Badminton for five years and the World Badminton Federation for six years, this is the very first time that I am seeing very serious business in the electoral process.
“We are all aware of the decay that is going on in sports administration.
“I assure you, on behalf of other members that Tuesday’s elections will be fair, transparent, just and based on the major principles as stated in the electoral guidelines.
“We pledge to give all our support to ensure that we come out with one of the best elections as projected by the NOC President”, Lar assured.
“The Minister also redeployed all the Secretaries of the federations to other federations to maximize transparency. The Secretaries will return to their original federations after the elections.
A seven-man Elections Appeals Committee was also inaugurated thereafter.
The members were also charged to ensure that they preside over appeals, petitions and complaints of aggrieved contestants with justice and fairness.
The Chairman of the committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Abdulrazak Salau also pledged on behalf of the members, to live up to the task assigned to them.
Other Sports
Teenager Inkosi Brou captures Nigeria’s first medal at International Fencing Championship
Nigeria made a remarkable entry into the global fencing scene-at the weekend with an impressive performance by 16-year-old Inkosi
Brou.
Inkosi secured Nigeria’s first-ever medal in the Sabre category at the
World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.
Competing against some of the world’s elite fencers at the Viking Cup
2024, a Senior World Cup Satellite Sabre Tournament, the world’s No. 67
ranked fencer, Inkosi, clinched a silver medal after a hard-fought 9-15
match against Iceland’s Andre Mateev.
As the No. 5 seed, Inkosi began his campaign in the Round of 16,
defeating Germany’s Magnus De Witt 15-9. He continued his winning streak
in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 victory over Spain’s Oriol
Farre.
In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.
Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.
“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.
“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.
“We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.
A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.
Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.
A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.
Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.
-Reuters
The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.
“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”
“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”
From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.
Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.
The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.
As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.
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