Other Sports
Uproar as Alleged Inauguration of Taekwondo Board Leaks
Controversies that arose from the election into various sports federations in Nigeria have not totally been settled.
In one of the sports bodies with inconclusive election, the stakeholders in taekwondo have alleged that the sports ministry had decided to inaugurate the board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) despite the election of the president being inconclusive.
According to a statement signed by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Gideon Akinsola, the secretary of the federation on Tuesday clandestinely called on elected board members to come to Abuja by 3.00pm on Wednesday despite the absence of a president for the board.
The election of a president on June 13 was inconclusive and subsequent rescheduling of the activity for July 21 did not hold.
According to the press statement, “it has become crystal clear that some individuals are so desperate for fame, power and control that they are willing to play any possible dirty game to smuggle themselves through the back door into elective offices of the NTF, especially the office of the President”
It went on to state that “many times the delegates trooped to Abuja to vote for the NTF President at great expenses, on the invitation of the Sports Ministry, for elections that never held.
“At the last call on July 21, the information was that the delegates would be called back to Abuja in two weeks for the final elections for the position of the NTF President.
“But alas, this was not to be as weeks later, nothing was heard from Abuja.
“But like a bad macabre dream of the worst kind, yesterday evening, Tuesday, 22/8/2017, news slipped out to us that the NTF Secretary was clandestinely calling NTF elected Board members to sneak into Abuja by 3.00pm the next day, for inauguration of the NTF Board by the Honourable Sports Minister.
“The big question is why the hurried, hush, hush over night secrecy, without a completed ballot and without a duly elected NTF President?
“It reeks of conspiracy, complicity and compromise. One is compelled to smell foul play in high places.
“Is the Sports Ministry entwined in these evil machinations? Is this a power play to wrest power by force with connections from high places?
“Is this a fear that the majority of true taekwondo stakeholders will vote right? Is this money at work?
“Why can’t we just cast the ballots and let a true winner emerge?”
Continuing, the statement urged the sports minister not to allow himself to be dragged or associated with such unacceptable and undemocratic process.
“We the true taekwondo stakeholders have toiled for years to get to this level and we say a big ‘no’ to such hoodwinking and undemocratic process.
“This is neither a military regime nor a dictatorship. Let it be noted by the teeming taekwondo practitioners, club owners, media, NTF, NOC, IOC, AFTU, WTF and the world at large, that anything short of a proper election to choose the next NTF President will be unacceptable in its entirety”.
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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