Sports

NYG: Screening Method For Athletes At Asaba Games Faulted

Published

2 years ago

September 23, 2023

…As Team Edo begins contest in tennis, weightlifting

An Official at the 7th Edition of the National Youth Games, currently holding in Asaba, Delta State, Rev. Martins Osagie Asemota, has faulted the method of screening athletes adopted by the National Screening Committee for the 10-day long youth games.

Speaking, with newsmen on Saturday ahead of the commencement of the games proper, Rev. Asemota expressed displeasure with the alleged facial screening of the athletes, saying that it is against earlier agreement of the usage of National Identification Number (NIN).

He said that prior to the commencement of this year’s games, it was agreed that screening of athletes would be done through their NIN, but wondered why facial assessment of the athletes was adopted by officials of the National Youths Sports Commission .

He said: “I was there yesterday (Friday), the screening exercise was not okay because the agreement and the law said we should use National Identification Number (NIN) to screen all the athletes,but, we discovered that the NIN was not used,instead they were screening people facially. This is not right because there are some children who are 12 years old but with older facial look.

“There no way one can rule out partiality in the exercise. I protested against the way the screening was being conducted.

“Most of our people were screened out. Not only from Edo, but athletes from other states were also screened out. This is not good.

‘We even have some children who came from UK and America to compete but were screened out initially because of their body sizes,

‘How can you screen out somebody with UK and America passports where their ages are clearly stated. So, I have to make case for the athletes with their passports and they were later considered to participate in the games.

“I believe they should improve on the screening exercise because if you want to get the real age for the youth games, athletes should be screened with NIN”. He advised

Meanwhile, Edo State contingent will today (this afternoon) begin their quest for the top position in this year’s games with contests in Table Tennis and weightlifting events.

In the table tennis boys singles event, Edo State 12-year old Aleoba Emmanuel is paired against players from Nasarawa and Ondo states in group 3 while in the female category, 12-year old Azeta Eromosele from Edo will square up against Promise Okon John (Akwa Ibom) andTemitayo Adebayo from Ondo state in group 6.

In the weightlifting event, Esther Chijioke will be representing the state in 45KG just as little Abdumalik Haruna will be competing in the 49KG.

Sports

JUST IN: Full Draw For 2026 World Cup Group Stages Confirmed

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

Editor

The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has been conducted.

It took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in charge.

There will be 48 teams at next year’s tournament, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

All the participating countries were grouped into 12 groups of four.

Here is the full draw:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Winner Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner Play-off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner Play-off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

Sports

EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

Published

4 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

“That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

Sports

EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

Published

4 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

“It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

“But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”