Sports
Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, Govt’s Commitment To Youths’ Development – Edo First Lady
Published
2 years agoon
By
EditorWife of the Edo State governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has said the staging of Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) showed the government’s commitment to all-round development of youths in the state.
Mrs Obaseki, the chairperson of the organising committee of the event, stated this on Thursday in Benin at a parley with sports journalists ahead of the opening ceremony of the second edition of the women competition.
According to her, the organiser is determined to increase the number of the participating teams edition by edition.
READ ALSO: Obaseki Prioritising Women’s Economic Empowerment – Edo First Lady
“We had 12 participating teams last year and increased the teams to 13 this year. We will continue to grow and improve, ensuring that we make the games a much bigger competition.
“One of the very outcomes that we have had from this competition was that our first outing was adjudged by international stakeholders as world-class.
“The world football body, FIFA, had, at an event earlier this year in Qatar recognised our first edition as a model event with an award, received by our Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu. This was acknowledging our commitment to youth development through football, especially women.
“That’s a huge achievement, considering that it is our first outing and we will sustain efforts to support our youths and help them realize their fullest potentials,” she said.
Speaking on the theme of the competition, “Say No to Drugs,” the Edo first lady noted, “It’s beyond just playing football. We are using the opportunity of the games as a platform to proffer solutions to societal problems.
“Last year, we focused on tackling human trafficking and illegal migration, but this year, we will concentrate on reducing the incidence of drug abuse.
“Drug abuse is a huge problem in the country. In fact, it is bigger than imagined. It has become endemic and is fast becoming a pandemic.
“Drug abuse is destroying and ruining lives of many, from children in primary schools to married women; this year’s edition will provide a fine platform to create more awareness to reduce the incidence of drug abuse.
“We will have a seminar on September 15, 2022 in this regard,” said Obaseki.
She noted that the state had set a pace with the unveiling of customised and branded soccer balls that would be used for the matches.
READ ALSO: Edo First Lady Talks Tough On Sexual, Gender-based Violence
“Today, we are going to unveil branded and customized soccer balls that will be used throughout the tournament, which is the first in the country. Also, Edo is the only state where female players are paid the same remuneration as the men.
“So, when we say we are leading football in Nigeria, you can see that it isn’t an empty boast.
“It is the truth and reality, because it is in our blood. We are doing it in football now, and taking the reforms to all other areas of human endeavours,” she asserted.
The soccer tourney would holds between Sept. 7 and 17.
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Sports
Super Eagles Stars, Calvin Bassey And Alex Iwobi Caught On Camera Shopping Together In London
Published
2 days agoon
May 1, 2024By
EditorSuper Eagles stars, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were spotted shopping together at a store in London.
The Nigerian internationals play for Fulham FC in the Premier League.
Sports
10 Facts About New Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George
Published
4 days agoon
April 29, 2024By
EditorThe Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced the appointment of former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
The announcement came in a statement, with the NFF Board approving the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward.
The new Super Eagles boss’s immediate task will be to guide the team to victory in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, within the next five weeks.
However, takes a look at 10 things about Finidi George as compiled by The PUNCH.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Finidi George Appointed New Super Eagles Head Coach
1. Finidi George was born on April 15, 1971, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
2. He played as a right winger and was known for his pace, accurate crosses, efficient dribbling, and free-kick abilities. He played for three clubs in Nigeria including Calabar Rovers and Sharks of Port Harcourt.
3. George had a successful club career with Ajax, winning 8 major titles including the 1995 Champions League.
4. He also played for Real Betis in Spain, nearly joining Real Madrid before that move fell through.
5. George spent one season with Mallorca and then joined Ipswich Town in the Premier League for £3.1 million in 2002.
READ ALSO: Finidi, Odigie, Two Others For NPFL Manager Of The Month Award
6. He made his international debut for Nigeria in 1991 and earned 62 caps, appearing at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
7. George won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria and helped them reach the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup.
8. At the 1994 World Cup, he scored against Greece and celebrated with a famous ‘urinating dog’ celebration.
9. He has 11 brothers, two of whom (Igeniwari and Celestine) were also professional footballers.
10. In September 2021, George was appointed head coach of Nigerian club Enyimba F.C. and won the Nigeria Premier League with them in June 2023.
Sports
JUST IN: Finidi George Appointed New Super Eagles Head Coach
Published
5 days agoon
April 29, 2024By
EditorThe Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
The announcement came in a statement on Monday, with the NFF Board approving the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward.
Finidi George, who spent 20 months as an assistant to the outgoing José Santos Peseiro, had been serving as the interim coach after the Portuguese tactician’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
READ ALSO: Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist
During his interim tenure, George oversaw two friendly matches in Morocco last month, where the team ended an 18-year winless streak against Ghana with a 2-1 victory before suffering a 0-2 loss to Mali.
“George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals,” the NFF statement read.
Reflecting on his illustrious playing career, the statement highlighted George’s achievements, which include “gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.”
One of George’s most memorable moments came when he “assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994,” the statement noted.
The new Super Eagles boss’s immediate task will be to guide the team to victory in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, within the next five weeks.
The NFF statement emphasised that “the matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.”
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