Connect with us

News

Football Referees: AFCON2023 Snub A National Embarrassment – Sports Minister Enoh

Published

on

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has stated that the snubbing of Nigerian match officials for AFCON 2023 duties by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) represents an embarrassment that must be treated with every sense of emergency.

In a meeting held on Friday with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Nigerian Referees Association (NRA), and the board of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), the minister stated that for a nation as big as Nigeria and its rich football history, the development is not befitting and it must not be allowed to lie fallow.

In his remarks, Enoh said “With CAF releasing the names and nationalities of 85 match officials for training towards AFCON 2023, it is embarrassing that we did not have a single Nigerian on the list. As sports minister, I see this development as an emergency that we need to respond to, as quickly as possible. It gets even worse that two years ago, we only had one Nigerian official, who was an assistant referee, and two years prior, we had no centre referee.”

“We keep getting confronted by this embarrassing situation and we have allowed it to reoccur, by doing nothing on the responsibilities within our volition and the responsibilities outside our volition. Therefore, it is important to interrogate this matter, because it is a real blow to the progress of our sports,” he added.

The Minister added that sports means a lot to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as millions of Nigerians. He noted that the President has shown purpose in all areas, including the international image and representation of Nigeria. It was this purpose-driven mindset that led the President to resolve the differences between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Enoh explained.

As the ministry sought a solution to the matter, the minister opened the room for discussions with different stakeholder associations present at the meeting. The Referees’ Association was led by its chairman, Alhaji Sani Zubairu, the board of the NPFL was led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, while the NFF was led by its deputy secretary general, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The meeting attendance included ex-Presidential Special Adviser on Sports, Daniel Amokachi, Chairman of Lobi Stars FC, ex-international, Dominic Iorfa, Chairman of Sokoto State Football Association, Mohammed Nasir Saidu.

Deliberations will continue towards finding a lasting solution to the issue, with actionable points for execution.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Lagos FA Bans Dangerous Weapons At Match Venues, To Strengthen Security At Stadia

Published

on

By

The current management of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has read out the insurgency that led to violence at venues in Lagos State and therefore provides a list of permitted stadium facilities and prohibited items.

According to a document signed by the association’s secretary, Akeem Rabiu-Okikioposu, the LSFA states that any item that could be used as a weapon and/or endanger public safety is now rejected. in state stadiums. These items include cans or bottles, glass vessels, knives and blades, laser pointers, pointed-tip umbrellas, poles thicker than a ‘pencil’ (0.5cm), smoke canisters, weapons and ammunition.

The Lagos FA Association also prohibits the placement in the gaming facilities of any item that may disrupt the conduct of the game or disturb other fans, regardless of whether such item is illegal or carried for a specific purpose.

These items include spray cans, audio-video recorders, balls, beach balls or projectiles, cameras with an external flash or interchangeable lenses (not intended for professional photography), drones, flares, fireworks/missiles/explosives, flares, electrical/optical illusions, Frisbee, laptop/tablet. not permitted on seats, large suitcases, large bags or large back, pets (other than service animals), signs/flags/banners, company signs or inappropriately marked signs or items, selfie poles, tripods/monopods, unauthorized flyers, unlicensed musical instruments such as trumpets, drums and other equipment that may cause disruption or nuisance, but supporters club must be accredited to bring these instruments into stadiums.

The FA noted that Lagosians have always loved match days, hence the LSFA’s determination to provide a security architecture that ensures people’s safety without disrupting them.

“Football events are exciting. They are full of intense emotions and passions. That’s why we attach great importance to making every event as safe as possible because it is special and the fans deserve to be safe.

“We use our experience and knowledge to develop and deliver football security solutions that make every football event enjoyable. Good security doesn’t mean the experience can’t run smoothly, and the most important thing about this big day is enjoying it safely. Based on this, we might highlight stadium-permitted items on each football event day,” the FA said.

However, Lagos FA management assured fans that “the security team has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the necessary planning and organization is in place behind this magnificence.”

“The team is overseen by facilities management over security and administration through to traffic and parking coordination. Our essential services are at the heart of every successful event.

“LSFA is committed to setting the standard for the industry, the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) personnel are well trained, qualified and full of initiative suitable for the project.

Meanwhile, the Lagos FA also listed some items that are not banned but allowed in stadiums. These items include bags that may be subject to security screening, cameras with a lens of 3 inches or less without lighting, tripods, selfie sticks or monopods, flags, food and fruit, plastic bottles, small umbrellas, small cameras and binoculars.

Continue Reading

News

Thomas Partey returns to Arsenal from injury

Published

on

By

Thomas Partey has returned to Arsenal training ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Lens.

Partey had been absent from the Gunners’ line-up since before last month’s international break due to a groin injury he sustained on the eve of the match with Manchester United.

This injury led him to miss the 3-1 win as well as subsequent fixtures against Everton, PSV, Tottenham, Brentford and Bournemouth.

Partey is now back in full training with team-mates as they prepare for their second Champions League group stage match of the campaign. However, it is more likely that Partey returns for Sunday’s crunch showdown with title rivals Manchester City.

As reported by football.london last week, Partey was recovering well from his groin injury and is aiming to be fit for the upcoming clash with City at the Emirates Stadium on October 8. While it is yet to be confirmed if Partey will be included in the Arsenal squad that travels to France, his imminent availability for selection is a significant boost for Mikel Arteta.

In further positive news for Arsenal, Bukayo Saka was also seen participating in Monday morning’s training session at London Colney. There had been concerns about the winger’s fitness after he suffered a knock during the 4-0 victory over Bournemouth at the weekend, which resulted in him being substituted in the second half.

Continue Reading

News

Excellence Reward: Super Falcons’ Halimat Ayinde Bags Award In Sweden

Published

on

By

Super Falcons midfield General Halimat Ayinde has been recognised and rewarded by the Nigerian community in Malmo, Sweden.

Ayinde was celebrated and given an award for her patriotic and selfless service to Nigeria and the community during the last FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.

” I am honoured to receive this meritorious award from the Nigerian community in Malmo, Sweden.
Your support and recognition means the world to me. I will keep working hard to make you proud”, she resounded on her official Facebook page.

The Rosegard FF player was greatly missed by the Super Falcons after serving out a red card suspension together with Rasheedat Ajibade in the third place match against Zambia in the last Women African Cup Of Nations in Morocco. The Super Falcons eventually lost the match by a lone goal.

Continue Reading

Trending