NYG Will Help To Discover
Talents _ Mrs. Aritola
Few weeks to the commencement of the median National Youth Games (NYG,) designed for Nigerian Athletes under the age of 17, it has been described as a potential talent developer.
Mrs. Chizotam Aritola, the Ag Director of Sports in Imo State made this assertion on Monday August 5 while interacting with Trumpeta sports chief on the States preparation for the tournament slated for Abuja between September 18 and 22.
The one time National Volleyball team captain was of the opinion that the championship will no doubt provide a good avenue of discovering young talents that can go on to become great stars in future. She noted that Nigeria is richly blessed with talented Athletes who are scattered all over the country waiting to be harnessed adding that with championships like NYG the Nation will not suffer the type of embarrassment it experienced at 2012 London Olympics.
She however commended the initiators and organizers of the competition for coming up with such talent hunting atmosphere which has long been craved for.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Aritola also took time to explain that the State Athletes are preparing adequately and are ready for the championship as they will be participating in about 13 sporting events like the ball games, wrestling, Athletics, Kickboxing and others adding that the various Associations and their coaches are working round the clock to ensure that the State is well represented at the championship.
In a related development, the Acting Director of Sports also revealed that the Imo Sports Council recently spotted some talented young athletes at the just concluded Aboh-Mbaise All Primary and Secondary School Athletics Championship stating that they will consequently be trained and groomed to develop their
Our Sports Administrators Have Failed Us _ Hon. Ugochukwu Nnah
The President of the All-Stars International Club Hon. Ugochukwu Nnah has scored Imo Sports generally low in the past one year especially the Football Association, Heartland fc and the Sports Ministry.
In a brief chart with Trumpeta the Majority Leader of Mbaitoli Council, expressed his disappointment over the continued decline of sports achievements and development in the recent past attributing it to various factors.
Hon. Nna frowned at the death of quality soccer competitions like the Onukogu Cup, Akajiaku Cup, Principals Cup and many others that was known for identifying talents and did produce great players for the State and the nation.
He however called on the FA board headed by Chief Amanze Uchegbulam to bring back those golden days by rekindling such competitions believing that if they have the vision of developing football in the State, opportunities are open for them to approach the Banks and other Co-operate Organizations and individuals like Frank Nneji, Jerry Chukwueke, Hope Uzodinma and many other influential personalities to partner with them in sponsoring the competitions which will help to fish out talents, develop the game and also keep our restive Youths off the streets.
He noted that the continued absence of the Chairman has not helped matters as he relies on reports instead of having first-hand knowledge of events adding that with his position in CAF and having served as a 1st Vice President of NFF under Chief Sani Lulu, it should enhance the possibility of attracting investors and co-operate sponsors to the FA.
Also, he blamed Heartland Chairman Chief Fan Ndubuoke, and the Government on the recent misfortunes our darling team has been experiencing lately which meant that the Naze-Millionaires were unceremoniously eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup games, got eliminated from the Federation cup they dominated for two years and seem not to have any hope of challenging for the league trophy this season.
In a related development, the ex-footballer who played for National Maritime fc in Lagos and is now a Real Estate Manager did not spare the Ministry of Youth and Sports accusing it of not living to expectations.
He recounted the days of the Ezinwa brothers, the achievements of the once feared Grasshoppers Handball team that won National, Continental and International Laurels, asking why the Sports Ministry have failed to sustain the tempo. He advised the both the Ministry and Council to borrow a leaf from their Delta State counterparts who have attracted the chairman of Zenith Bank (a Delta State indigene) who is bankrolling their sports program to the tune of 20 million naira.
Hon. Nna was of the opinion that if we had a credible and sports oriented man at the herm of affairs the system will witness a tremendous change which will entail having functional Chairmen or Presidents heading the various sports associations especially men and women that have seen it all and knows the rudiments of the game.
He however said that members of the All Stars Club are willing to partner with any Sports Agency in the State and beyond to help develop sports in Nigeria adding the his members are made up of ex-internationals who are committed to giving their best.
“ As you know we are building a sports complex that has the capacity of changing the face of sports in the State with quality facilities like Mini-Swimming Pool, Conference Hall, a Gym house that our Athletes and Heartland players can use etc.
“The club is not in any way against anyone but wants an environment where sporting facilities and athletes are well taken care of”, ABJ stated.
Fernabache Confirms Emenike Move
Fenerbahce on Tuesday announced that they have reached an agreement with Spartak Moscow over the transfer of Emmanuel Emenike, subject to a medical.
The Yellow Canaries released a statement on the Istanbul Stock Exchange confirming the move.
“Fenerbahçe have reached an agreement with Spartak Moscow over the transfer of Emmanuel Emenike for €13-million. Emenike has until 12 August 2013 to pass his medical.”
It will be the second time that the Nigeria striker will join Fenerbahce, having signed for them in 2011, only to leave for Spartak before he had played a single game.
Emenike’s return means the Yellow Canaries will have to offload one foreign player to accommodate him as the Turkish Football Federation will only permit 10 foreign players per-club in the 2013-14 season.
Fener currently have 11 non-Turkish players on their books, including Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo.
NPFL RESCHEDULED (7/8/13)
Akwa United 1–0 Warri Wolves
INTERNATIONAL CLUB FRIENDLIES
AIK 1 –1 Man United
Osasuna 2 –1 Zaragoza
Rangers 1 –1 Newcastle
Norwich 1 1 Sociedad
Braga 1 — 0 West Ham
Juventus 1 –1 Inter Milan*
Everton 0 –1 Valencia
8/8/13
Real Madrid — Chelsea
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
6/7/13
Maccabi T. 3 3 Basel*
*Fenerbache 3 –1 Salsburg
Grasshoppers 1 –1 Lyon*
