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TAEKWONDO: NSCDC RETAINS TITLE KOREAN AMBASSADOR’S CUP
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) again ruled the Korean Ambassador’s Cup which eighth edition ended in Abuja at the weekend.
The event, which was sponsored by the Korean Embassy, held in attendance a total of 165 athletes from two countries, 19 Nigerian states, two Universities, seven clubs and the paramilitary.
Countries that participated included Republic of Cameroon and Niger Republic while the 19 states that participated included Delta, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Plateau, Niger, FCT Abuja, Taraba, Ondo, Lagos, Borno, Zamfara, Abia, Rivers, Cross River, Kano, Osun and Bayelsa.
Universities that participated included A.B.U Zaria and University of Benin while the participating clubs were Dragon Temple Martial Arts, Q-Madi, KinNupe Taekwondo Foundation, Aitek Taekwondo, Legendary Club, Fortress Taekwondo Academy, Galaxy Int’l School TKD Club, Vintage TKD and Metropolitan TKD Club
After two days of contests, NSCDC topped by the table with eight medals – three gold, one silver and bronze medals. The paramilitary team was followed by Lagos State based club, Q-Madi which won three medals comprising of gold, silver, and bronze; while Niger Republic came in third position with two medals – gold and a bronze.
African Champion, Uzoamaka Otuadinma, established why she is the best in the continent as she won the gold in the female +67kg.
Fellow national team mate, Chinazum Nwosu, extended her five-year domination in the female -57kg as she won the gold with a performance that earned her the Most Valuable Player Award of the tournament.
Other winners in the female categories are Plateau’s Ifeoma Dennis who won gold in the 67kg and Kano’s Sekinat Adebayo who won gold in the 49kg.
In the male categories, Commonwealth gold medallist, Shola Olowookere showed why he was one of best upcoming Nigerian taekwondo star as he demolished four opponents to clinch the gold in the male -68kg. The 2011 African Games’ Bronze medallist, Sunday Onofe, won the gold in the Male 80kg by defeating a 6ft 6 tall Kenneth Ogbu of Taraba, while the gold in the male -58kg went to Q’Madi’s Abdulmujeeb Sanusi.
In the last male 80kg category, Niger Republic’s Djibo Kadri put in a scintillating performance to clinch the gold with a performance that earned him Most Valuable Player Award of the tournament, while Cameroon’s Bassonyam Blais had to settle for a bronze in that same category.
The Best Team Award went to NSCDC with their medal haul of eight while the best coach award went to NSCD coach, John Victor, who is also one of the national coaches. The best referee award went to World Taekwondo certified referee, Thursdaline Peter, who was an ex national player and recently won Best Referee at the Korea International Open.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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