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.
ALSO READ: Nothing Is Impossible, Dangote To Harvard Scholars
“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.
Signals have emerged that the International Association Football Federation (FIFA) would back Nigeria’s plan to reform her football administration, in view of which the entire Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi threw in the towel recently.
Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, offered this insight in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday after meeting with FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials in Switzerland.
READ ALSO: Warri School Gets Support from NCDMB, Techico
He said the government presented its reform proposals to FIFA after the resignation created a leadership vacuum within the NFF.
“After the resignation of the entire board of the NFF and the General Secretary, naturally we have a lacuna, because there was no provision in the rulebook for situations like that, where we have nobody now to run the NFF legally within the rulebook.”
According to Dikko, the government wants to undertake a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s football structures, with the process involving consultations with stakeholders.
He said, “We told them, this is our position as a government. The government wants to undertake a comprehensive reform of the football structures in Nigeria, which is something that even FIFA knew has been on the cards for decades in Nigeria.
“So we discussed comprehensive proposals from the government, which are the issues that we think should be reformed, based on the concerns of the stakeholders, and we all agreed on that.”
Dikko said FIFA had endorsed both the resignation of the NFF board and the proposed reforms, while stressing that the process must follow the applicable rules.
“In short, FIFA endorsed the resignation, endorsed reform, agreed that the reform must happen, but it has to go through the proper process and the rulebooks, and they are ready to accommodate that,” he asserted.
Manchester City’s trophy-laden era has come under renewed scrutiny after the club was reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial-rule charges brought against it.
The reported verdict, disclosed by The Athletic on Friday, September 25, relates to alleged breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018.
SEE MORE: Arsenal Thrash Man City 3-0 in Community Shield Masterclass
The independent hearing lasted more than two years before the outcome emerged.
However, the case is not yet over, as the Premier League has not announced any sanction and Manchester City are expected to appeal the verdict.
The charges include allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information and breached rules relating to payments to players and coaches, as well as financial sustainability requirements.
City have consistently denied the allegations.
The reported verdict could have wider implications for the Premier League because the club has won eight league titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Champions League during the period in which the allegations have been investigated.
Potential sanctions under the league’s rules can include financial penalties and sporting punishments, with points deductions and expulsion among the measures that have been discussed in coverage of the case.
However, no punishment has been confirmed at this stage.
The uncertainty also means questions remain over whether any eventual sanction could affect Manchester City’s past achievements, current squad or future participation in the Premier League.
For now, the reported guilty findings mark a major development in one of English football’s longest-running disciplinary cases, but the final outcome will depend on the sanctioning process and City’s expected appeal.
Chelsea Football Club have confirmed a major ownership change, with Clearlake Capital set to take full control of the club after agreeing to acquire the ownership interests of Todd Boehly and Mark Walter.
Chelsea announced on Wednesday that affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group will acquire Boehly’s ownership interest, as well as Walter’s stake, giving Clearlake full control of the Premier League club.
“Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (‘Clearlake’) will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly.
“Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter’s ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the Club,” the club said.
Mark Walter and Todd Boehly have agreed to sell their stakes in Chelsea to Clearlake Capital in a deal that values the club at about £5 billion.
The development marks a significant change to the ownership structure that has been in place since Chelsea’s takeover in 2022.
Chelsea also confirmed that Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss will remain an important partner and stakeholder in the club.
The announcement comes after weeks of reports that Boehly and Walter were considering selling their stakes to Clearlake.
2027: Peter Obi ‘Unfit’ To Govern Nigeria — Onanuga Declares
‘He Is Licensed To Lie’ — Onanuga Launches Fresh Attack On Peter Obi
Taraba SEMA Boss Faces Fresh Questions Over ₦49.4m Inflows, ₦44m Hospital Payments
2027: APC Chairman Yilwatda Leads Three-Day Strategic Retreat in Borno
Chairman NSC Secures FIFA Committee Backing for Nigeria Football Reforms
Lagos Naming Ceremony Turns Tragic As Police Shoot 11-Year-Old Girl, Elderly Man
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
