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NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL SHIFTED AGAIN, THIS TIME TO APRIL 2021

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The Edo 2020 National Sports Festival earlier scheduled  to hold  from  Sunday February 14th- 28th has been  postponed  till April.

Originally, the fiesta was to hold last year March. It was later shifted twice to December dates before next Sunday date was picked.

Now, the games have again been shifted. This decision was reached after the emergency meeting of the National Council on Sports convened by the Minister of youth and Sports who is the chairman of council.

In attendance were commissioners of youth and sports from the states and the directors of sports and also, the permanent secretaries. The Deputy Governor of Edo State was also in attendance.

This recent postponement was occasioned by the second wave of theCovid-19 pandemic and the paucity of funds. The Edo Government had requested for financial support due to the cost implications it suffered arising from the postponement. The accommodation prepared at the University of Benin was no longer available for the athletes because students have resumed. 

Rising from the meeting  of the National Council  on Sports on Monday, Council resolved  that it was best to shift  the festival  to a later date due to financial challenges   raised by the host state,  accommodation problems  at the University  of Benin due to the resumption  of academic activities  which would affect the camping of athletes. 

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According to the resolution  of the council, the Federal Government,  Edo State and the council on sports  agreed that the Festival will  now hold in April since the earlier February  date was no longer feasible. 

According to the chairman of Council, we have seen the Sports Festival postponed three times,’ as we speak now most of us should have arrived Edo State getting ready for February 14, Sunday to start the Edo 2020 Sports Festival.

“But flowing from our last meeting a few things came up. There was an undertone that the postponements have occasioned some financial difficulties and strains on the host state, and I dare say even on our part as the Ministry the postponements have also occasioned some financial difficulties. 

“On the strength of this similar experience myself, His Excellency the Governor and also Deputy Governor have bounced ideas, the conversation, back and forth.

“Of course, when December came, we know that almost everything stopped but it was agreed that it was important to approach the Federal Government for financial support.

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“I’m glad to report that the Federal Government is favourably disposed to assisting Edo State to host the Festival. In the next few day, we hope to push through the document through the Ministry of Finance to get the financial  support to get the Festival  on track.

“The February 14th date was not cast in stone as we wanted to avoid another postponement. But we must agree that the February  14th date is no longer  feasible.

 “The importance of the Festival cannot be over emphasized.  The idea of not holding the Festival should be thrown out completely. It is an Olympics year, it would help shape the athletes for the Olympics.”

On his part, the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee  and Edo State Deputy Governor,  Comrade Philip Shuaibu said” I agree the Festival  should hold before the Olympics to get our athletes  fit and to secure points they require for the Olympics.

“Every postponement goes with a cost, but we are totally committed  to hosting the festival. We are very expectant of the support of the Federal Government  to make the Festival  a reality”

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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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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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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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