SPORTS

By Joan Nnenna Iwuchukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho has derived enough positives at the ongoing Prudent Energy Handball League taking place at MKO stadium in Abuja.

In his chat with Precisepost.ng the president stated that organizing the league immediately after lifting the ban on contact sports was a positive one as players have being playing and the younger ones are improving, a lot of upsets showing that the game has improved and well organized.

“People who know me knows that I always have the passion, it’s inbuilt, inborn and I want to change status quo and the usual narrative.

I want to see younger players coming up replacing old players, young players going for international events to garner exposure and experience which am more interested in. That is why I give God the glory on the sponsorship from Prudent Energy.

The passionate President also stated that there are still room for improvement as well as a busy 2021. Division one, under 18 and 21, they are still going to take place as they are talking to states for sponsorships.

“Part of my area of improvement is to go grassroot. We still need to go down to create handball in schools, propagate the game and get children to play.

I want if I am travelling from Lagos State to Kogi State let me see children playing handball on the streets. Which is my dream and mission”. he concluded.

By Joan Nnenna Iwuchukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – The 2020/21 season of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) will kick off on December 9, 2020 as the draws was held on Wednesday in Abuja.

At the draws, the Chairperson of the league, Aisha Falode said the clubs will soon get their palliatives from the world football governing body, FIFA from the Nigeria Football Federation.

Falode said the NFF has sent the names of the benefitting clubs to the Central Bank of Nigeria, adding that when the necessary clarification is done the CBN will send the money directly to the clubs.

She said that as claimed in some quarters she is not with the money as the process for its release to the various clubs was still in process.

On the players’ welfare, she said the clubs must be up to date with payment of their salaries and other entitlements as the NWFL will continue to monitor that this is carried out to the latter.

The chairperson said the reports and memos from the girls were not encouraging as this is not helping their careers hence the clubs’ management should work it out well.

“The clubs must strive hard to look at the payment of their players salaries, allowances and other things, the reports we are getting from the girls are not encouraging hence the clubs should act the talk,” she said.

Falode also revealed that the clubs will get the document for their obligations for the commencement of the league which the 16 clubs must adhere with.

She said this season will be different, competitive and professional in all ramifications as the women League will not relent in its efforts to drive home a good league that will be progressively oriented.

She also hinted that the NWFL will visit all the 16 stadia bill to host the matches for inspection and would not hesitate not to approve any that did not meet the expected standard.

By Joan Nnenna Iwuchukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – Chairman Osun Volleyball Association, Prince Tunde Omisore has renovated the Osogbo volleyball court at the township stadium.

According to Lekan Adediran the coach of Osun state, the state Volleyball chairman mobilized funds for the facelift of the dilapidated structure in the state.

Adediran commended Prince Omisore for delivering one of his promises stated in his manifesto during his swearing-in as chairman of the association.

He said, “The Osogbo volleyball court have a new face and all thanks goes to my Chairman, Prince Tunde Omisore for coming to the rescue of the association. Before now, we train on a dilapidated structure and were mocked by other teams but now, other ball games envy volleyball for the new development.

“When Prince Omisore was given his appointment letter as Chairman of the association, he promised to bring development to the sports and the players are happy to see them become reality”.

Reacting, the Chairman Osun Volleyball Association, Prince Tunde Omisore said he will continue to empower volleyball in the state with equipments and grassroots programs to be at par with other states in the country.

He revealed that the renovation of the court was done without government funding.

The ex international said, “One of my cardinal points is to ensure the players have access to equipments and facilities to train and that is why I had to renovate the dilapidated court”.

“I am pleased to report that Osun State has joined Kaduna State in acquisition of modern volleyball equipments. By year 2021, all zones in osun will have standard equipments and volleyball facilities without government funding”, he said.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended Prince Omisore for his performance in less than one year in office.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Prince Tunde Omisore deemed it necessary to renovate the court in Osogbo so that the players can resume when government lifts the ban on Sports. Omisore is doing well despite not physically on ground; he is indeed a role model in the country”.

Arsenal defender David Luiz accepted responsibility for their 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, but said he still hopes to play for the club again. 

Luiz, who is out of contract at the end of the month, was sent off to cap an error-strewn return to action.

“It’s my fault,” the 33-year-old said. “The team did well, especially with 10 men. The coach is amazing, all the players are amazing, it was my fault.”I want to be here. The coach knows. He wants me to stay.”

 Luiz only joined Arsenal last summer – moving from Chelsea on deadline day for £8m – but he was left on the bench against City amid confusion surrounding his contract status. 

He came on in the 24th minute after Pablo Mari was injured, and was at fault for Raheem Sterling’s opener. He then hauled down Riyad Mahrez to give away a penalty and was sent off.

The suspension will mean he has played his final game for Arsenal unless he extends his deal.”I should have taken a different decision in the last two months but I didn’t,” he told Sky Sports.”All about my contract, if I stay here or not. I have 14 days to be here and that’s it. I should have tried to decide my future as early as possible, but I didn’t.”I don’t want to use that as an alibi or excuse, it’s my fault – that’s it. I love to be here. That’s why I continue to train hard.” 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would not criticise the defender, and said his display would have no bearing on a decision to exercise the option on his contract.”He has spoken in the dressing room,” Arteta said. “David is someone who is very honest.

Source: BBC Sports

By Obi Ajuonuma, Lagos

Ex-international, Taribo West has identified frequent changing of national team handlers by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as one of the main reasons for the recent poor performance of the Super Eagles at international competitions

In the past six years the Super Eagles have been coached by five different coaches, namely late Shaibu Amodu, late Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amokachie, Sunday Oliseh and current coach Gernot Rohr with their best performance coming under coach Keshi at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa where the Eagles emerged as champions.

And recently some Nigerians have clamoured for the appointment of a local coach to takeover from Rohr just before his contract was renewed by the NFF.

Taribo, who spoke in a recent interview, noted that each time a new coach comes on board the chemistry of the team suffers setback.

According to the former Auxerre of France and Inter Milan of Italy defence strong man the longer a coach stays with a team the better for the team progress.

“There was a lot of trouble also when this rotational changing of coaches started happening in the national team. It really affected the national team because every coach that comes might have his own idea and also mindset of the kind of players he wants to pick for the national team,” said the former AC Milan of Italy and Enugu Rangers defence strong man.

Taribo, capped 42 times for the Super Eagles spanning from 1994 -2005 was also a key member of the gold winning U-23 Eagles at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.

Source: The Authority