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TAEKWONDO: NSCDC RETAINS TITLE KOREAN AMBASSADOR’S CUP

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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.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Time to put second star on England shirt, says new coach Tuchel

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England FA Press Conference - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 16, 2024 New England manager Thomas Tuchel and FA CEO Mark Bullingham during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

England head coach Thomas Tuchel strode confidently into Wembley Stadium on Wednesday with a single-minded vision to win the 2026 World Cup for the success-starved soccer nation.

A whirlwind week has seen the 51-year-old German sign an 18-month contract to lead England to the tournament being played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking at a packed news conference, the former Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach borrowed a quote from Brazilian great Pele to describe his excitement at becoming only the third foreign coach to lead England.

“I’m of course obviously very excited and honoured to be here today as a new head coach of England,” Tuchel, who will take up his new role in January, told reporters.

“I just had the chance to read a quote from Pele in the building who said that Wembley is the heart, the capital and the cathedral of football and I think he was absolutely right.”

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England, however, have not won the World Cup, or any other major trophy, since 1966 and Tuchel said it was time to capitalise on one of the best squads since that 1966 team.

“I understood very quickly that it’s a big job,” Tuchel said. “Once I made a time frame up in my mind from January to the World Cup, I felt already excited that it suited my passion, to strive to push this group of players.

“To be part of this federation with such a strong record in the last tournaments to push it over the line and to try to put a second star on the shirt,” he added in reference to the convention of international teams wearing shirts bearing the number of stars to match their World Cup triumphs.

Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, said around 10 candidates had been interviewed for the job but that Tuchel had a clear vision that would give a highly-rated squad the best chance of winning the World Cup.

QUESTIONS RAISED

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After eight years under Englishman Gareth Southgate, in which England reached a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals, the choice of Tuchel has raised questions about why another English coach was not appointed.

Tuchel, who was asked one question in German, said he had not made a decision on whether he would sing the national anthem, but had a message for critics of his appointment.

“I’m sorry, I just have a German passport but the supporters felt my passion for the English Premier League, my passion for the country, how I love to live here,” Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, said.

“Hopefully, I can convince them and show them and prove them that I’m proud to be the English manager, I will do everything to show respect to this role and to this country and the target for the next 18 months is nothing else.

“Everyone can be assured that we will do it with passion and with emotions and we will try to install values and principles and rules as quickly as possible to make the dream come true.”

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Tuchel, who will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry, said the relatively short 18-month contract was streamlined and allowed him to focus solely on the World Cup.

“It’s 18 months and then we agreed to sit together and then we see. I have good experience with 18 months personally,” Tuchel, who was sacked after a similar period by Chelsea and lasted only one full season at Bayern Munich, said.

“I think it’s a good time frame because it will help us to focus. We are here to work on the best possible outcome for the World Cup and then let’s see whatever comes.”

-Reuters

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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