Sports
NDSF Torch Tour Takes Off From Bayelsa
The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch has begun its tour of the participating nine states in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State after being lit and cheered on by a throng of enthusiatic athletes, sports administrators, government officials and the general public.
The ceremonial festival ritual at the Samson Siasia Stadium where the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was presented the Torch by the State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali who had received from the State Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi.
Ewhrudjakpo in his brief remarks at the ceremony said the state would excel at the festival which holds in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8.
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“Bayelsa state is very ready and will be among the three states to mount the podium at the end of the games”, the state’s second citizen told the moderate crowd.
It was the Director of Sports and Vice Chairman Bayelsa State Committee, Sir Wodi, who lighted the torch at the stadium entrance in company of the committee members, coaches and athletes before moving towards the main bowl where he handed it over to the Hon. Igali.
Receiving the Festival Torch, the Deputy Governor who gave thumbs up to the sponsors for the initiative, emphasized the importance of sports to the socioeconomic development of every society, including spoting raw talents, and engaging them into meaningful ventures.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo who represented the Governor at the brief event, stressed the priorities of the state to include education and sports due to the involvement of youths in both sectors, hence, Bayelsa’s active participation and dominance in almost all sporting events in the country, adding that the Niger Delta Sports Festival will not be an exception.
He said, “I wish to express the sentiments and emotions of Bayelsa State to the Niger Delta Development Commission for bringing out resources to sponsor this competition which is it’s maiden edition.”
“We believe that this sports festival will discover hidden talents across the Niger Delta region. For us as a state, sports is not just a festival but a tool for crime control and also a tool for empowerment of our youths and liberation of minds.”
To the athletes, he said, “Please be at your best, go and come back with victory, and for all that is needed to excel, be rest assured that your government will be there for you”.
Hon. Igali said the festival will give the Niger Delta states a sense of belonging in the realm of sports, and give the state enough grounds to prepare for the National Sports Festival.
On Bayelsa being the first state to light the torch, the Commissioner said, “The Unity Torch started today with Bayelsa, which signifies the importance of the state in the Niger Delta and a good sign that we are noted in sports in the region and Nigeria at large.”
“We have seventeen sports, and we will be participating in all the seventeen sports in Uyo, and we are ready”.
Director of Sports, Sir Wodi, noted the importance of the Niger Delta Sports Festival,saying “it will further expose more talents, and we will use the games for our preparation for the National Sports Festival”.
Also present at the event was the representative of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs Itekesi Walama, who added that preparations were in top gear, as the interventionist agency was ready to receive the nine Niger Delta states, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary coach of Real Madrid, is set to face trial next week over allegations of tax fraud, a Madrid court announced on Friday.
Spanish prosecutors are pushing for a prison sentence of four years and nine months, accusing the 65-year-old of failing to report over €1 million ($1.1 million) in earnings from image rights between 2014 and 2015.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and will last two days. According to a court spokesperson, Ancelotti is required to be present for the hearings.
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Authorities claim that while Ancelotti declared his salary from Real Madrid, he allegedly used a “confusing” and “complex” structure of shell companies to conceal additional earnings from image rights and other sources, despite being registered as a tax resident in Spain at the time.
A Spanish court initially ordered him to stand trial in 2023, but no date was set until now. Last year, Ancelotti dismissed the case as “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.”
Ancelotti, who has won a record five Champions League titles as a coach, first took charge of Real Madrid in 2013 before leaving in 2015.
He later managed Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton before returning to Madrid in 2021.
With a career spanning top clubs across Europe, he has also secured league titles in Spain, Italy, England, Germany, and France.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Egypt as the new host of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal.
CAF made the announcement in a statement on Thursday evening, revealing that the West African nation pulled out just a month before the tournament due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Côte d’Ivoire was initially scheduled to host the age-grade competition from April 26 to May 18, but the hosting rights have now been transferred to Egypt.
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“The Confédération Africaine de Football (‘CAF’) today awarded the Egyptian Football Association (‘EFA’) and Egyptian Government the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025,” part of the statement read.
Egypt, which hosted the previous edition of the tournament, will now take on the responsibility once again. The competition has been slightly rescheduled and will now commence on April 27.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are drawn in Group B alongside the new hosts, Egypt, as well as Morocco and South Africa.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, while the best two third-placed teams will also earn quarter-final slots.
Furthermore, the four semi-finalists of the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Egypt’s appointment as host comes as a swift solution following Côte d’Ivoire’s unexpected withdrawal, ensuring that Africa’s premier youth tournament proceeds as planned.
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has successfully facilitated a partnership between the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and managers of the elite league for live radio commentaries during match-day activities.
GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, made the revelation following the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties in Abuja on Thursday March 27, 2025.
During the signing of the MoU, the NPFL Board chairman Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye described the partnership deal between both parties as a game-changer initiative aimed at further enhancing the popularity of the top-tier League in the country and beyond.
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“The return of regular live radio commentary on FRCN, the largest Radio Network in Africa is a heartwarming initiative because it is a sure channel to bring the magic of the ever-improving NPFL to as many homes, cars and football-loving Nigerians.
“This collaboration which is largely a corporate social responsibility of Radio Nigeria was agreed because of their unbeatable reach and reputation over the years,” he said.
In his response the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama an ardent follower of sports and football in particular, said he was pleased that live commentaries of Nigeria Premier Football League are back on the Network Service during his time at the corporation.
Also present at the occasion was the Executive Director of GTI Group, Nelson Ine, who used the occasion to thank both parties for reaching a decision that aims to add value to the fast-rising elite league.
“Today marks another milestone in GTI’s quest in giving the NPFL a new lease of life. The step taken today has added value to the NPFL project because it has given more Nigerians the opportunity to listen to live commentaries of our elite league by bringing it to the doorsteps of our citizens.
“GTI remains committed to improving our league and adding value to it. We are all delighted today because history has been made and we hope Corporate Nigeria will use this golden opportunity to support the project via sponsorship and utilising it for their brand visibility,” he said.
It was gathered that the deal would be in place till the end of the 2024/2025 NPFL season and would be renewed for continuity.
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March 22, 2025 at 10:20 pm
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