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FG Rewards Team Nigeria Medallists, Coaches With $25,000 In Birmingham

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2 years ago

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The Federal Government has rewarded Team Nigeria Athletes who won medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and their coaches with $25,000 cash.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare while making the presentation to the Athletes and Coaches at Hilton Garden, Birmingham yesterday, stated that the reward was one of the proactive measures put in place by the Ministry and President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration in particular, to boost their morale.

Represented by the Director, Federations, Elites and Athletes Department of the Ministry (FEAD) and Chef De Mission, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye, Dare said that the athletes and coaches were being rewarded for bringing glory to their fatherland.

He assured of government’s continued commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria. This in addition he said, was one of the reasons for the establishment of Parasports Department in the Ministry to further provide an opportinity for people with disabilities to also strive and excel in the field of sports.

The Minister expressed optimism that with the calibre of Athletes, Coaches, Officials and Technical crew Nigeria is having in Birmingham and their level of commitment and patriotism, the country is no doubt set to record more podium performances at the games.

He urged them to remain focused, determined and more committed so as to ensure that Nigeria remains among the topmost countries in the committee of sports.

Speaking earlier, the 59kg Women’s Weightlifting Gold medalist, Folashade Lawal, on behalf of the medalists and coaches expressed their appreciation over government’s proactiveness, assuring that the reward will spur the athletes into winning more medals for the country.

She attributed the successes recorded so far to the glory of God, team work, discipline, hard work as well as government support to sports development in the country.

At the ceremony, the gold medal winners, Adijat Adenike

Olarinoye and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, received $5,000 each, silver medalist, Taiwo Laidi got $3,000; bronze medallists Edidiong Joseph Umaofia and Islamiyat Yusuf got $2,000 while their coaches were also given $3,000 respectively.

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Adeyemi defeats Adekanla to clinch West Africa boxing title

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4 days ago

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May 2, 2024 12:25 pm

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Segun Adeyemi has been crowned the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light welterweight champion.

Adeyemi, popularly known as War, defeated compatriot Adeyemi Adekanla via majority decision to claim the regional belt on Wednesday at GOtv Boxing Night 31 held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The victory was Adeyemi’s 11th win in 12 professional fights with just one draw. His opponent was also undefeated before the bout, with 12 wins in 13 professional fights.

In other bouts, the 16-year-old Raheem “Badoo” Animashaun secured a fourth-round technical knockout win over Samuel Moses in their national light welterweight challenge fight.

Badoo’s performance in the fight earned him the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer of the night with N1 million cash prize.

The teenager is the son of Jamiu “Rotor” Animashaun, a former professional boxer who fought in the first two editions of GOtv Boxing Night.

Also, on the night, Adewale “Playboy” Oladeji sealed a unanimous decision win over Afikun “Ijebu” Gbenga in their super welterweight encounter.

Emmanuel “Ability” Abimbola secured a split decision win over Azeez “Latest” Ayobami in a national lightweight challenge fight, while Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan defeated Batholomew “Aboy” Abuchi via technical knockout in their national super featherweight challenge duel.

However, the national flyweight challenge bout between Sikiru “Isho” Ogunyaju and the current national flyweight champion, Sifon “Best” Iwatt, ended in a tie.

Also, the national light welterweight challenge fight between Hammed “Eshe” Ganiyu and Yusuf “Hungry Lion” was declared a no-contest after the latter sustained an injury in the second round from a headbutt by his opponent.

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19 years later, NFF still owes me salary as Eagles coach, says Christian Chukwu

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5 days ago

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May 1, 2024 9:29 am

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Christian Chukwu, former Super Eagles captain, says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) still owes him salary from his time as the country’s male senior national team head coach.

Chukwu, nicknamed “The Chairman”, was head coach of the Eagles between 2002 and 2005.

He led the team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.

The manager was relieved of the job in June 2005 during the qualification campaign for the World Cup in Germany.

In a chat with The Athletic Nigeria on Monday, Chukwu said 19 years after his stint with the Eagles, NFF is yet to pay him some of his salary from the period.

The Chairman added that he is not the only indigenous coach owed by the federation, adding that some of the victims are dead now.

“They owe Nigerian coaches. They don’t owe foreign coaches. It is a problem. You take on an indigenous coach who takes a cheap salary, and you owe him,” Chukwu said.

“Is it proper? Are you encouraging him to do his job? I am still being owed up to today. They are still owing me till tomorrow. My files are there with the NFF. There is nothing I can do [to get them to pay me]. The file is there. Go to their office, and you will see how much they owe me. Not only me, other indeginuos coaches are being owed too. Some are late.”

In 2019, Chukwu suffered prostate cancer, which affected his leg. The family had to open a GoFundMe appeal to solicit funds for the Nigeria football legend’s medical treatment.

Femi Otedola, the billionaire businessman, eventually paid $50,000 for Chukwu’s treatment overseas.

Chukwu captained Nigeria to its first AFCON success in 1980. He also led the Enugu Rangers FC team that won the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977.

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Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper of the season award in France

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6 days ago

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April 30, 2024 10:43 am

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Chiamaka Nnadozie, Super Falcons of Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, has been voted the season’s best goalkeeper in the French Division 1 Feminine League.

The 23-year-old was announced the award winner on Monday night. She received the individual accolade following a stellar season in which she garnered a reputation as a penalty expert, saving seven spot-kicks in the league and Champions League, the highest in Europe this season.

Her penalty-saving heroics saw her lead Paris FC to shoot-out wins over giants Arsenal and Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League. She also guided the Paris-based club to the semi-final stage of the competition where they were knocked out by rivals Lyon.

Speaking at the event, the 2023 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year winner said she is “very happy” to have won the award.

On his part, Pierre Ferracci, president of the club, praised the Nigerian goalkeeper.

“It’s very pleasing, because she deserves it and she achieved an exceptional Champions League and not only on penalties. She is adorable. It is deserved. We know that she will be courted this summer but we will try to keep her,” Ferracci added.

Paris FC are third in the League with 42 points, eight points behind Paris, their local rivals, and a further 11 points away from Lyon, the league leaders.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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