Sports

Boxing: Gov Abiodun hails Joshua’s victory over Franklin

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2023

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has hailed the Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, for out-punching Jermaine Franklin, in a bout on Saturday.

This is contained in a statement in Abeokuta on Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin.

Abiodun described the victory of the Ogun state indigene and former international boxing champion as a great comeback and heart-warming.

The governor noted that Joshua, with his latest feat, had made Nigeria and Ogun proud once again.

Abiodun pointed out that Joshua did not allow his past defeat to dampen his spirit, rather, he rose from the setback and proved to the world that the champion in him never died.

While calling on Joshua to use his latest triumph in the ring as a spring for a superb comeback, the governor urged him not to relent, but continue to work hard in order to regain his pride of place in the world of boxing.

He described the heavyweight boxer as a shinning star of the state and great model to the youth, saying his administration would continue to put in place world-class sports facilities to ensure more Joshuas evolved from Ogun.

Abiodun further congratulated him and declared that his administration would continue to support him in his endeavour to dominate the boxing world once again.

The governor, however, expressed optimism that the feats recorded by Joshua at the international level would continue to inspire many upcoming professionals, particularly sportsmen and women, not to be discouraged by temporary defeats and setbacks.

Abiodun charged him to continue to be a worthy ambassador of the country in general and Ogun in particular, to the teeming youths and upcoming boxers who look up to him for inspiration.

Sports

Excitement builds for 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Praise Oguntan

Over 145 golfers are set to participate in the 2024 Emirates Global Hotel Amateur Open Golf Championship in Ilorin from Friday to Saturday.

Dare Akanbi, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), informed reporters on Monday in Ilorin that the field consists of 124 males and 21 females.

Akanbi disclosed that the golfers represent various clubs including Ibom Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club, Abeokuta Golf Club, and Tiger Golf Club, among others.

“The event is an annual championship introduced by the Chairman of Emirate Global Hotel, Hon. Lambe Akanbi, demonstrating his support and passion for golf and his commitment to nurturing the sport,” Akanbi remarked.

“We have finalized arrangements for the 2024 edition, which will feature 124 male and 21 female participants, with an additional 11 on standby due to late registration,” he added.

The championship is scheduled to Tee-off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the official Tee-off slated for 9:00 a.m. The closing ceremony will take place in the evening, during which winners will be announced and rewarded.

Akanbi noted that the championship, which does not have any age bracket, offers prizes and souvenirs for winners, as well as consolation prizes for all participants. The tournament includes different categories, including 1, 2, 3, 4, and Senior Veterans.

Among the notable golfers expected to compete in the championship are Lanre Sagaya, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, and Owolabi Olajide, among others.

Sports

Chelsea thrash West Ham to move above United

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2024

NewsDirect

Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-0 to move above Manchester United into seventh place and keep their hopes of European qualification on Sunday.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is fighting to convince the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly to give him a second season in charge after his troubled debut campaign.

Pochettino admits it is “not his decision” if he stays, but securing a place in Europe could be enough to avoid the sack.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute with his 21st league goal of the season, the forward firing home after West Ham failed to clear.

Conor Gallagher doubled Chelsea’s advantage after 30 minutes with a blistering volley after West Ham’s Kurt Zouma deflected the ball towards the midfielder.

Noni Madueke bagged Chelsea’s third six minutes later as the winger turned in Thiago Silva’s header from close range.

Nicolas Jackson piled on the misery for woeful West Ham in the 48th minute with a tap-in from Madueke’s cross.

Sports

Dominican Republic 2024: Burkinabe Under 17 girls to host Flamingos on neutral ground

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

The Nigeria’s Under 17 female football team,the Flamingos will play their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in the 2024 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground in Bamako, Mali.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement on Friday.

The world body insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou due to the poor state of their home venue.

The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, where they will host the Flamingos on May 11 from 4 pm Mali time, 5pm Nigeria time.

The return leg will come up at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on May 18 from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium.

Her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.

The return leg in Abuja, will have Aline Umutoni from Rwanda as the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.

Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.

The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will leave Abuja on Wednesday for Bamako for the encounter.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 will take place in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov.3.

This will be the first time that the Dominican Republic will host a FIFA tournament.