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OWAN WEST LGA READY FOR IMOUDU CUP, AS ILABOYA GETS AWARD OF RECOGNITION
All is now set for the 11th Edition of Pa Michael imoudu memorial football tournament for under 19 male and female Teams in Nigeria.
The annual football tournament in memory of the first labour leader in Nigeria (Pa Michael imoudu) is being put together by the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC) South South zone, with the Eighteen local Government councils of Edo State represented at the event alongside Private teams from across the country.
The week long soccer carnival that will hold from November 15th – 22nd 2019 at Sabongidda Ora, Adminstrative headquartesrs of Owan West local Government Area(Host/sponsors) is expected to be declare opened by the sports loving Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu,.
According to the Executive chairman of Owan west local government Area Hon Frank ilaboya, the council is ready to stage the event in memory of Pa Michael Imoudu who sacrifice so much for labour during his life time, adding that the football tournament is coming at a time the council has set out Programs to engaged the youth of the locality meaningfully.
“The history of the Nigeria Labour Congress can’t be told without the name Pa Michael Imoudu who sacrifice so much for labour, he Promoted and defended the rights and the social well being of the Nigerian workers.
For me the football tournament in his memory is coming at the right time, as we have lined up various Programs to engage the youth of Owan West Local Government Area, Ilaboya stated.
The Digital chairman as he is fondly called by his admirers said this edition of Imoudu Cup will be different from previous events as some fresh ideas will be added to make it worthwhile.
Pa Michael Imoudu who hails from Oke – Ora, of Owan west local government area of Edo State, donated the trophy for Youth football in Nigeria in 1999, to the federation of youth soccer clubs (FEYSOC) for grassroot football development.
Meanwhile, the national President of the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs, Lawal Futua has congratulate Frank Ilaboya as one of the awardee by Edo state Government Agency, Edo jobs project in recognition of his youth empowerment programs in the state.
Futua praised the efforts of the former Edo FA boss for engaging the youth of Owan West Local Government Area meaningfully.
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2019 Alaghodaro Youth and Job Summit coming up on Monday in Benin City, the Head of Edo State Skills Development Agency, Mrs. Ukinabo Dare, has notified Owan West Council Chairman, Frank Ilaboya, of his nomination for award by the State Government’s Agency.
The notice of award sent to the Chairman by the Head of the Agency reads:
“We would like to use this medium to express our profound gratitude for believing in the EdoJobs project and for the unprecedented level of support you have given us so far.
“As part of the activities outlined for the 2019 Alaghodaro Youth and Job Summit, we will be acknowledging and presenting awards to major stakeholders and partners who have stood by us in achieving His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s Job Creation mandate.
“It is with great pleasure we write to inform you of your selection as one of the awardees for recognition. You and other recipients have stood out as leaders who exemplify ethical standards and admirable behaviour,” Mrs Dare added.
Ilaboya, in his acceptance letter, expressed gratitude to the Agency for finding him worthy to receive the award.
“Honestly, I am excited by this recognition by the Edo jobs, an agency well reputed for job creation and training in the State. I have received several awards for our Youth Empowerment Scheme in Owan West, but I must confess that none compare to this coming from the government agency that is well acclaimed worldwide.
“I want to express my profound gratitude to the Management of Edo Jobs for this honour and promise to keep doing more in the areas they found me worthy.”
The conferment of award will hold at Samuel Ogbemudia Hall (New Era College), Upper Mission Road, Benin City on Monday.
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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