Sports

Support Lafia Golf Club, Nasarawa Govt Urged

Published

4 years ago

October 19, 2021

Editor

The Immediate past Captain of Lafia Golf Club, Paul Kouame, has urged the Nasarawa State government to support the Lafia Golf Club in order to encourage the development of the game in the state.

Kouame, who made the call at the weekend while handing over the mantle of leadership to new officials of the club in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, said the state stands to benefit greatly from sporting activities, hence the need for the government to tap into the enormous opportunities that golf presents, and support the club especially during tournaments.

He said: “I started playing golf here in Lafia in November 2017. I became the vice captain of the club in August, 2018 and I became the captain of the club in August 2019. So, I have stayed for two years as the captain of Lafia Golf Club.

“The challenge here has been that Lafia Golf club was not receiving support from the government. But thank God there have been a wonderful action lately during the ladies open. We noticed a wonderful support from our executive Governor and we did well. It was a national event and everybody was satisfied.

“The only thing we request from the government is a little support.The course in Lafia is the biggest one in the whole of North Central in terms of distance and it’s not easy to maintain it,” he said.

The immediate past Captain said he will continue to support the activities of the club and tasked the new officials to work harder for the growth and development of the club and state at large.

In a goodwill message, Captain of Makurdi Golf club, Engr Michael Vaatia, represented by his Vice, Navy Commander Abu Onum, said the location of the Lafia Golf Course was strategic as it connects with most of the North Central states, urging the state government to leverage on it to attract more golfers to the state.

“There is a mentality that the game of golf is a rich man’s game but first, what is rich about having a good health. When you play golf, you exercise and you spend less in hospitals. So what we want is that people should imbibe the culture of exercise,” he said.

He commended the out gone captain for his numerous contributions to the progress of the club and pledged the support of the Makurdi golf to enable them succeed.

In his acceptance speech, new Captain of the Lafia golf, Augustine Okyuwa said they will work according to the rules of the game and called on members to support them to enable them discharge their duties.

“I have spoken to a lot of people in the state and have told them the importance of exercise. The golf game is a very important game so , people are very much aware of that are ready to come in and exercise and contribute in their own way to the development of the club.

On her part, the newly elected lady captain of the club, Marylinda Ogbole, said her administration would ensure that all lady golfers are supported to go out for tournaments to enable them project the name of the state in limelight.

The new officials elected were Austine Okyuwa captain, Changkat lucky Vice Captain, Solomon Nwokoro secretary, Godwin Ogwuche, Finance secretary and Marylinda Ogbole as treasurer.

Others were Peter Danfuru, Social Secretary, Andrew Yakubu, Bar Secretary ,Edwin Philip Public Relations Officer,
Jennifer Cardy, master.
Mr. Tony Effa, Course Maintaining Officer and Dr. Chidozie Adiukwu, Competition Secretary.

Earlier, a match was played between the Lafia Golf club and Command Army Record Golf Club, Lokoja and the Lafia Golf club defeated her opponent, the winner of the game by 6 -0.

Sports

AC Milan Scrap Victor Boniface Transfer Over Failed Medical Tests

Published

8 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

AC Milan has called off its proposed transfer of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen, claiming the player failed to pass mandatory medical examinations.

The deal, which had been verbally agreed upon with a €5 million loan fee and a €24 million buy option, fell through despite Boniface’s arrival in Milan within the last 48 hours.

The decision was confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, on Sunday.

“AC Milan call Victor Boniface deal off as Nigerian striker did not pass the medical tests,” Romano posted.

“Despite verbal agreement for €5m loan fee and €24m buy clause with player in Milano in the last 48h, deal called off due to medical. Boniface, returning in Germany today.”

According to reports, the 24-year-old Nigerian international had two anterior cruciate ligament operations and recurring groin problems that have affected his availability in recent seasons.

Milan are not the first Serie A club to have reservations about the striker’s fitness, with reports suggesting that Roma rejected a swap proposal involving Boniface and Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk several weeks ago due to similar concerns over the Nigerian’s condition.

Sports

Why I’ll Never Advise My Son To Visit Nigeria – Taribo West

Published

3 days ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

A former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, on Friday, berated the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning the family of late goalkeeper, Peter Rufai.

Speaking at Rufai’s burial in a video posted by News Central on Friday, the ex-Inter Milan star expressed disappointment over what he described as the neglect of Nigerian football heroes after their death.

“It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.

“My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?” he said

The former international recalled similar situations with late football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, stressing that the treatment of ex-players discouraged him from encouraging his children to serve the country through football.

“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.

“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he stated.

Rufai, fondly called “Dodo Mayana,” was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the country’s debut at the FIFA World Cup the same year.

He passed away in July 2025.

Sports

CHAN 2024: Top Scorers Ahead Of Quarter-final Fixtures

Published

4 days ago

August 20, 2025

Editor

Uganda’s Allan Okello and South Africa’s Thabiso Kutumela are currently joint top scorers at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with three goals each as the tournament heads into the quarter-final stage.

The group stage concluded on Tuesday, with Sudan holding Senegal to a 0-0 draw to finish top of Group D, while Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0.

Here are the top scorers going into the CHAN quarter-finals:

Allan Okello (Uganda) – 3 goals
Thabiso Kutumela (South Africa) – 3 goals
Abdelrazig Omer (Sudan) – 2 goals
Kaporal (Angola) – 2 goals
Austin Odhiambo (Kenya) – 2 goals
Clement Mzize (Tanzania) – 2 goals
The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.