Samson Siasia, and other ex-national team players have indicated their readiness to honour late Rashidi Yekini in a memorial game slated to hold at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State today.
The late footballer’s lawyer, Barrister Jibril Mohammed Olanrenwaju, in a brief chat, disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation donated two sets of jerseys and balls to the Rashidi Yekini Foundation for the novelty game.
According to Olanrewaju, the football match is just one of the activities to mark the anniversary of the passing away of the footballer.
There will also be a book launch on the late footballer.
“They (NFF) promised us in a meeting that apart from gracing the book launch slated for the Jogor Centre on Thursday, they will do everything possible to make the ceremonial football match a memorable one,” Olanrewaju said.
He further disclosed that the NFF Secretary General, Barrister Musa Amadu, will lead the delegation of the NFF.
Meanwhile, Samson Siasia, Thompson Oliha, Friday Ekpo, Mutiu Adepoju, Dimeji Lawal, Duke Udi, Ike Shorunmu Garba Lawal, Toyin Ayinla and host of others will be in action against the All Stars of Lagos.
Yekini’s former club, Vitoria Setubal, in an e-mail signed by Marcos Santos, promised to storm the venue with their officials and ex-players.
The mail partly reads: “First of all, we would like to congratulate you for this remarkable initiative in honour of an outstanding athlete and an extraordinary man. As you know Rashidi Yekini is a Vitória FC icon and his career will be remembered all over the time.
“One example of this is that Rashidi Yekini was voted for the “Centenary Team” of Vitória Futebol Clube in our centenary commemorations that take place in 2010.
“In this way, Vitória FC would like to know how we can cooperate in this initiative to provide a well deserved tribute to this exceptional athlete and Man.”
The football icon, Rashidi Yekini, died on May 4, 2012.
Heartland Tackles Bussdor In Fed/gov.’s Cup Final
A change of guard which took place on Tuesday April 30 has seen new faces taking over the leadership of various Sports Federations at the six geo-political zones of the country.
At Enugu were the South/East Zonal election took place, Imo State candidates that contested for positions were successful in six Federations.
A glance at the list of winners after the election which lasted for about three hours showed that Dr. Gloria Chukwukere was elected into the Athletics Federation board; Mr. Obinna Ufomadu got elected into the Badminton board and Chimdi Ejiogu was also elected into the Weight Lifting board.
Others are Mr. Emmanuel Metu who clinched a slot into the Karate board and Osita Nwachukwu that was elected into the Basketball board.
The data also showed that Abia and Anambra came close to Imo as they both got 5 slots each into various Federations, while Enugu and Ebonyi got 3 and 2 respectively.
Mr. Ufomadu’s election into the Badminton Federation board looks significant and at the same time an indication that the man who is the Permanent Secretary at the Imo State Ministry of Youth and Sport has paid his dues and will be expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear having worked as the Clark of the State house of Assembly where he served meritoriously well.
More so, the six elected board members of these federations are expected to give the development of their sports a huge priority to the advantage of Imo athletes.
It would be recalled that Imo placed 11th in the overall medal’s table at the last National Sports Festival in Lagos, tagged “EKO ’12”.
It is however left to see how the State will benefit from the presence of those elected especially in the preparation of athletes for the next Sports Festival in Calaber next year.
IMO STATE FED/GOV.’S CUP FINAL
Heartland — Bussdor Utd @ Dan Anyiam
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 3,4,5/5/13
RD Libolo — Rangers (0 0)
St. George — Zamalek (1 1)
TP Mazembe — O. Pirates (1 3)
AL Ahly — CAB (0 0)
Stade Malien — Coton Sport (0 0)
San Pedro — FUS Rabat (1 1)
Etent Setif — AC Leopards (0 0)
Esparence — JSM Bajaj (0 0)
EPL GAMES WEEK 36 4/5/13
Norwich — Aston Villa
Tottenham — Southampton
West Brom — Wigan
Fulham — Reading
Swansea — Man City
QPR — Arsenal
5/5/13
Liverrpool — Everton
Man Utd — Chelsea
6/5/13
Sunderland — Stoke City
