Sports
Tinubu’s Football Intervention Project Sees IMG Consult Stakeholders
In a clear step forward in the promise to revitalise Nigerian football, the President Bola Tinubu’s Football Intervention Project has officially kicked off.
The project began with IMG, the project’s strategic partner, meeting with top executives of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) at their Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the IMG team and Afro Sport, the Nigeria strategic partner, will also during the week meet with top executives of key stakeholders.
The key stakeholders include the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and corporate bodies that have shown interest in the project.
ALSO READ: AFCONQ: Nwabali Out Of Super Eagles’ Rwanda Game After Losing Father
Biztellers reports that the NTA Headquarters will house the Production Hub so it’s important for the visitors to meet with management to discuss prospects and challenges.
During the week, the IMG executives and Afro Sport executives will also meet with private football club owners from Ikorodu City and Remo Stars, and government-owned football club representatives from Kwara United and Lobi Stars.
Apart from these corporate entities, the IMG and Afro Sport fact-finding mission will also meet with individuals and corporate entities who have shown interest in the President Tinubu Football Intervention Project.
Recall that President Tinubu vowed after Super Eagles lost to host Cote D’Ivoire in the final of the AFCON 2023 that his government will do everything possible to ensure that our sports, starting with football, will be among the best in the world while hosting the team at the Aso Rock Villa.
The President matched words with action soon after the above pronouncement with brainstorming sessions with experts in football in Nigeria, experts at CAF, FIFA and other stakeholders in the beautiful game of football.
The majority of the experts agreed that the best medicine for the moribund football industry is IMG.
Apart from the company’s phenomenal achievement with the Indian Cricket League which they turned into a multi-billion-dollar business and the English Premier League (EPL) which they have made the most successful football brand in the world, they pointed at the magic IMG did with the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire.
The CAF had engaged the IMG before the championship to be the exclusive rights holder for international media rights.
At the end of the one-month football fiesta, 2023 AFCON was adjudged the most successful edition of the tournament in terms of media coverage, commercial revenues and television audiences.
The IMG made AFCON more visible than ever before. The tournament achieved 1.1 billion viewers worldwide – double the figure achieved by the previous edition in Cameroon.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) the MLS, the NWSL, the Dutch Eredivisie, the NBA, British Cycling Events, and the Saudi Pro League Saudi Arabian Football Federation are some of the events the IMG work with as partners.
Rwanda delivered a stunning performance on Monday, defeating Nigeria 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Despite the impressive victory, Rwanda failed to secure a spot in the tournament, as Benin Republic claimed the group’s second qualification ticket.
READ MORE: Labour Party’s Ondo Candidate Blames Obi, NLC For Defeat
Nigeria, already assured of their place in next year’s AFCON, fielded a rotated squad, but Rwanda seized the opportunity with a spirited display.
More to follow………….
American world famous heavyweight boxer, Mike Tyson (58) considers his recent loss to youthful YouTube fighter, Jake Paul (27) in an 8-round fight, a ‘win-win’.
On his part, Paul felt honoured to have gotten a chance to mount the rope with Tyson.
Iron Mike as he is called by his fans across the world, took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, to declare his joy at overcoming the odds, including age and health challenges before lasting the distance in the fight.
The once, youngest heavyweight champion in the world earned $20 million for his efforts on the night.
Tyson wrote, “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time.
“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.
“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you 🙏”
His challenger, Paul responded with love and respect to Tyson’s statement.
“Love you Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all,” Paul stated.
The Super Eagles have confirmed the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from Monday’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Rwanda following the death of his father, Chief Godspower Onyekam Abali.
Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor announced the decision, stating that Nwabali has been excused to mourn his father but will still attend the match to support his teammates.
“He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his teammates on,” Achor said.
READ MORE: Mike Tyson Loses Comeback Fight To YouTuber Jake Paul
Biztellers reports that the 27-year-old goalkeeper announced the passing of Chief Abali, popularly known as Chief Onyeogazrim I of Okwuzi, on Friday.
Chief Abali, a former chief surveyor, died at the age of 67.
In Nwabali’s absence, Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen will choose between Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Ethiopia-based Amas Obasogie for the starting role in goal.
The Super Eagles, who have already secured qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament, will face Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Concerned Citizens Rally Support For Journalist’s Brain Surgery
Wike Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage For FCT
NYFPA Condemns Omokri’s Remarks on Pastor Becky Enenche, Demands Apology
Tinubu Restructures Media Team, Announces Three-Person Spokesperson Model
EFCC Fires Two Staff For Corruption, Vows Prosecution
Tinubu’s Football Intervention Project Sees IMG Consult Stakeholders
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
