My Dream For Imo All-stars_Eng. Ugochukwu Nnah
When on assumption of office as the President of Imo All-Stars fitness club, Eng. Ugochukwu Nnah enumerated his intentions and dream for the organization, but not many gave him the chance.
In an exclusive chart with Trumpeta Eng. Ugochukwu disclosed that it has been his dream to give back to the society especially in sports development and management.
He noted that the State is littered with arrays of stars from various sports who can in one way or the other contribute their knowledge into the development of sports stating that that was the reason he joined Imo All-Stars.
“When we started our tenure as the new Execos, my mission has always been to use the body to reflect what it truly represents, ‘a body fitness gathering of retired sports men and women’ who are willing to give back to the society.
“We have been able to acquire a piece of land inside the stadium and presently we are building a sports complex that the hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports com. Kenneth Emelu, performed the official laying stone and which when completed will add to the development of sports in the state and the nation at large.
“As you know some of the facilities in the stadium are no longer in good shape, it is our intention that when the building is completed it will have in it a gym house were athletes in the state including Heartland fc can do their fitness exercises.
“Inside the complex will also be a conference hall that can be used for sports seminars and conference were we can discuss sports development as well as hold pre-match meetings for Heartland fc”, the estate management engineer explained.
Furthermore, Ugochukwu stated that the complex will have a refreshment center and a mini-swimming pool where people can relax and cool-off after training.
In a related development the, Ogbaku born business man and sports administrator also took time to explain that sports can be used to attract revenue for the government like it’s done in Europe and some parts of Africa with proper planning and execution.
He however used the opportunity to thank Ambassador Kanu Nwankwo (Papilo), who recently supported the All-Stars sports complex project with the sum of 500,000 naira when he called on them last weekend.
At Last Heartland Overcome Hoodoo, As
Pillars insists replay must be in Kano
Cup kings, Heartland finally brought to an end their more than four-year wait for a first away win in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday.
Heartland stunned 3SC 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
It took the Naze Millionaires around 1,529 days to get their first away win in the Nigeria top flight.
The last time Heartland won on the road in the league was on March 7, 2009 at Enugu Rangers whom they beat 3-1 on that occasion.
Heartland petite winger Jolly Osas, netted just inside three minutes of the kick off.
3SC then huffed and puffed but the Cup holders put the chink in their armor through an insurance goal from Ebere Odiche with just 20 minutes left to play.
Heartland is now among the top three on the log with 19 points and looking good for the title if they can sustain their tempo in their next games starting with the encounter against ABS, at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri this Sunday.
Kano Pillars kept their spot at the summit of the standings with a 3-1 win over Nembe City.
Rabiu Ali, Nasiru Ali and Buhari Musa were among the goals in Kano as the champions moved two points clear at the top.
In the early kickoff of the day, Reuben Ogbonna struck late from a direct free kick to give El-Kanemi Warriors a 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars, who had Henry Osita sent off.
ABS and Sharks fired blanks in Ilorin in spite of the latter being reduced to 10 men when former Nigeria under-20 defender, Adeyinka Adedeji, was sent off by centre referee, Sani Mohammed, for a second bookable offence.
Liberia striker, John Kollie, scored his second goal of the season as Lobi Stars held on for a 1-0 win over Warri Wolves.
Goals in each half at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt from Fred Okwara and Derek Amadi gave Dolphins the full points over Kaduna United.
Bishop Onyeudo is now joint leading scorer with Isah Akor on seven goals apiece after he netted from the spot in Gombe United’s lone goal win over Kwara United.
Enugu Rangers could not hold out for a point in Uyo as they conceded in the 80th minute to Sharafa Usman’s strike for Akwa United, and will hope to overcome the disappointment before taking CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in their CAF confederation cup group qualifying round.
Meanwhile Kano Pillars has declared they will not honor their replay against Heartland in Abuja on May 29 after the club described the decision to have the game played outside Kano as unjust.
The original fixture; a Match day Eight NPFL clash, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on April 24 was abandoned after a fan was shot by security personnel at the stadium in Kano.
The League Management Committee (LMC) subsequently ordered a replay of the match at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on May 29 but Kano Pillars have now registered their displeasure over the decision.
Head coach of Kano Pillars, Baba Ganaru has now confirmed that the Sai Masugida will appeal against the decision.
“We are going to appeal against that decision. What happened in Kano on that day had nothing to do with Kano Pillars as a football club. It was a problem between the police and the crowd so we don’t really understand the decision to have the match played outside Kano.
“That decision must be rescinded as we will like the game to be replayed in Kano,” Ganaru told supesport.com.
Kano Pillars currently tops the NPFL log with 21 points from 11
Lampard signs contract extension
After a season of uncertainty over the Frank Lampards’ future, the Blues on Thursday confirmed the England midfielder will remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Lampard joined from West Ham United in 2001 for £11million and has scored a club-record 203 goals in his 12 seasons in west London.
After months of speculation over whether he would stay or go, the deal for Lampard to continue at Chelsea for a 13th season was announced the morning after he captained the Blues in Wednesday’s Europa League final win over Benfica in Amsterdam.
Lampard, who will be 35, next month, said, “I’m absolutely delighted. Everybody knows I always maintained the dream was to stay at Chelsea. We’ve been talking for ages and even though it went on for quite a period it was always amicable.
“I want to thank Mr Abramovich for everything he’s done in making the dream a reality. I love this club, the staff, the players and especially the supporters, who have treated me fantastically since the day I arrived. The thought of helping the club to more success in the forthcoming years is all I ever wanted. I couldn’t be happier,” The England international stated.
It caps a stunning week for Lampard, who on Saturday scored twice in the Barclays Premier League win over Aston Villa to surpass Bobby Tambling’s 43-year-old mark as Chelsea’s record goal scorer.
The triumph in Amsterdam saw Lampard, Chelsea’s third-highest appearance maker with more than 600 to his name; claim the one club trophy missing from his collection.
Lampard had won the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League title on three occasions, the FA Cup four times and the League Cup twice prior to the Europa League triumphs.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “Frank has been an important player for Chelsea Football Club for a long time and has played a significant part in the club’s success.
“We have been talking to him since the end of last year and our discussions have been entirely positive throughout. We are delighted we are now announcing an extension to his contract which will keep him at the club until 2014.”
Lampard follows England left-back Ashley Cole in signing a contract extension and his stay will likely heighten speculation that former boss Jose Mourinho is in line for a return to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard blossomed under Mourinho, who is currently head coach of Real Madrid, and has praised the Portuguese as the world’s leading manager in recent weeks.
NPFL GAMES WEEK 13 (19/5/13)
Heartland — ABS fc
Sharks fc — Sunshine
Rangers — 3SC
Nasarawa — Akwa Utd
Enyimba — Bayelsa Utd
Nembe City — Wikki Tourist
Warri Wolves — Kano Pillars
Kaduna Utd — Lobi Stars
Kwara Utd — Dolphins
Gombe Utd — El Kanemi
WEEK 12 RESULTS (15/5/13)
3SC 0 2 Heartland
Kano Pillars 3 1 Nembe City
El Kanemi 1 0 Sunshine
ABS fc 0 0 Sharks fc
Lobi Stars 1 — 0 Wolves
Dolphins 2 0 Kaduna Utd
Gombe Utd 1 0 Kwara Utd
Akwa Utd 1 0 Rangers
PROF. ONWULIRI CHARITY CUP
15/5/13
Oru 0 0 Ezinihitte
19/5/13
Orlu — Aboh
RESCUE MISSION TRADERS CUP RESULTS
15/5/13
Tire Dealers 2 0 Nworie Lane
OkadaUmuowa 0 — 1 Timber Shade Orlu
Emmanuel Const. 4 5 Keke Riders Orlu
FIXTURES 17/5/13
Nekede Mech. — Welders Egbu fc
Tire Dealers — OJI Mech./Funiture Makers
Indegenouse Traders — National Union/New Mkt.
