Sports

Tobi Amusan: Ogun SWAN set to decorate Gov. Abiodun as grand patron

Published

2 years ago

August 12, 2022

NewsDirect

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Sports Writers in Ogun State will on August 30, 2022 decorate Governor Dapo Abiodun as their Grand Patron.

According to statement made available by the Secretary of SWAN in the state, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, the decision of the association to decorate Gov Abiodun was contained in a letter signed by the its Chairman, Hakeem Akintunde and addressed to the Governor.

The SWAN Chairman said the Governor’s decoration is in line with the Article 18, Section f (ii) of SWAN Statues.

Akintunde added that, the decoration of Gov. Abiodun as SWAN Grand Patron is in appreciation of bringing Ogun State to the world stage again through his unquantifiable support to World athletics champion, Oluwatobiloba Amusan.

He emphasized that, Amusan’s exploits in Oregon, United States of America (USA) and the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom would not have been possible without the Governor’s tenacity and financial investment in the Odogbolu-born athlete.

He added that, the inauguration of Governor Abiodun as Grand Patron is specifically designed to herald two years in office of the current executives and also to present to the Governor the association’s blueprint on sports development to guide him on his manifesto for second term in office in the area of sports.

“I write on behalf of the Executive and entire members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun State chapter to congratulate you on the triumph of your adopted athlete from Ogun State, Tobi Ayomide Amusan who was recently crowned as the new World Champion in the women hundreds meters hurdles and first Nigerian Athlete to win a gold medal at world championships.

“Amusan’s exploits in Oregon, United States of America (USA) would not have been possible without your tenacity and financial investment in the Odogbolu-born athlete.

“As a critical stakeholder in Ogun State sports development, Ogun SWAN wishes to appoint and decorate Your Excellency as GRAND PATRON of the association as an appreciation of bringing Ogun State to the world stage again through your unquantifiable support to Oluwatobiloba Amusan. Your Excellency, you made us all proud in the state sports fraternity.

“The proposed appointment and decoration of Your Excellency as OGUN SWAN GRAND PATRON is in line with the Article 18, Section f (ii) of SWAN Statues.

“The inauguration of His Excellency as Grand Patron is specifically designed to herald two years in office of the current executives and also to present to His Excellency OGUN SWAN’s blueprint of sports development in Ogun State to guide your Excellency’s manifesto second term in office in the area of sports.”

Sports

Transfer: Napoli consider Moffi as replacement for Osimhen

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

NewsDirect

Napoli are considering a move for Terem Moffi as a potential replacement for Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen looks set to leave the former Serie A champions in the summer. The Partenopei could bring in Moffi as a replacement for the former Lille striker.

Moffi has enjoyed a prolific campaign for Ligue 1 club, OGC Nice. The 23-year-old has already scored 11 goals for Nice this season.

The Nigerian is under contract at the club until 2027.

His compatriot Victor Boniface and Bologna star, Joshua Zirkzee, have also been linked with Napoli.

Sports

Gusau backs Falcons to shine at Olympics

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

NewsDirect

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, is optimistic the Super Falcons will derive inspiration from their impressive performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when they compete at the women’s football event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Nigeria are pitted against Spain, Brazil, and Japan in a tough Group C of the tournament, which begins July 25, a day before the opening ceremony of the Games, and will run until August 10, when the Games come to an end.

The Falcons booked their spot at the Games for the first time since 2008 by defeating rivals South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.

The team’s coach, Randy Waldrum, has labelled their group the “group of death,” but Gusau believes the 11-time African champions can replicate their 2023 Women’s World Cup form, where they bowed out on penalties against England in the round of 16, having held Olympic champions Canada and Northern Ireland, and beating co-hosts Australia.

“We’ll try to improve on our World Cup performance, where we crashed out without losing a single game during regulation time. The girls have shown resilience and determination to qualify for the Olympics against all odds, and I trust them to carry that same spirit to the Games in Paris,” Gusau said.

Gusau is also setting his sights on the podium in Paris.

“After a performance at the World Cup in Australia or New Zealand, I know none of the teams in our group will take us for granted. We want to qualify from the group stage and target the semi-finals, which puts us in the medal range. I believe the team will do well in Paris and return to the country with medals on their necks. Missing three previous Olympic qualifications will motivate the girls to make their mark in Paris,” he added.