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Director General Gafaar Praises Performances Of Lagos Athletes

As the competition enters its fifth day on Wednesday, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, commended the performances of the players of the Lagos team during the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.

Gafaar said the results released on Tuesday after the day’s proceedings showed that all athletes were good ambassadors for the state, adding that more medals would be won as the tournament progressed.

“I am satisfied with the results of my players so far. They make us proud. I think they are responding very well to what we have thrown at them through good training,” he said.

The DG highlighted the contribution of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose assistance helped make the trip to the Games successful and possible,

According to him, the generosity of the Governor has shown that he is driving us to this point, and I am happy that the children are reciprocating with their achievements and showing our dear governor that he is not supporting them for nothing.

“As a responsible father, he was very supportive in everything we did,” he said.

Gafaar highlighted the rule-abiding policy in Lagos that enabled most members of the Lagos squad to overcome screening hurdles before the start of the tournament on Saturday.

“Lagos shows class in everything we do. That’s why we call ourselves a “Center of Excellence”. We will maintain our profile. We know that most athletes are getting older and there should be a program to replace older athletes. This is why we are so committed to dedicating more resources to this development program.

“Everyone knows that in Lagos State we do not cut corners on costs. Our development program policy is realistic, and we must ensure that the rules of the game are followed scrupulously and to the letter.

Gafaar also revealed the mutual working relationship between the Sports Commission and various clubs in Lagos and commended the clubs for supporting the Commission to ensure a successful performance at the 7th National Youth Games.

“I must commend Ikoyi Club, Lagos Country Club in Ikeja and other private clubs in Lagos who believe in our grassroots programs. They supported our public-private partnership to promote sports development in the state.

“We create a strong synergy with our stakeholders, especially parents. I would like to congratulate all the parents of these children for believing in us and sending their children to take part in the Youth Games. I’m glad some of them are here. They have come from Lagos to see for themselves, and I think they are happy to see their children making the entire state proud. I must say that I really appreciate all the parents for their support,” said Gafaar.

Team Lagos are second on the official medal table as at Tuesday night with 12 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze behind Delta who are leading with 21 gold, 14 silver and 9 bronze, while Team Bayelsa are in the third position with 9 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze medals.

The action continues across sports at various centres on Wednesday.

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Newstap/SWAN Five Star Sports Award Excites Ebi Egbe

Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Ltd, Ebi Egbe says he’s highly honoured to be nominated as one of the receipients of the forthcoming maiden Newstap SWAN Five Star Sports Award

He stated this when he received his letter of nomination from the Editor of Newstap Communications and South West Secretary General of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

According to him, the recognition is an indication that Nigerians value what his company is doing noting that they’ll never compromise standards but will be moving with technological innovations.

“It’s always nice to be recognized. At Monimichelle Limited, we’ve been doing our best to make sure we bring in the best for sporting infrastructure not just in Nigeria, but the entire African continent. So I’m excited to be receiving this award from Newstap Communications and SWAN

” I also want to say that what this award shows is that the world is following our good track record. And this have really propelled us to continue doing what we’re doing. So I want to appreciate the organisers of this award for finding me worthy to be honoured.
He also assured Nigerians that his company will continue to provide the best services which is in tune with the latest technology.

“At Monimichelle, we don’t like to sit at the back seat. Even though we are an African company servicing African market, we’re following technology as it’s revolving in the world because technology changes everyday in the sports industry and we always make sure we give our clients the best of services and will continue to do so”, he concluded.

CEO of Monimichelle Group Ebi Egbe (middle) flanked by Editor of Newstap, Ifeanyi Eduzor (right) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN official Charles Ogundiya when Egbe received his letter as one of the recipients of the Newstap/ SWAN Five-Star award billed for March 7 in Lagos.

Other reciepients of the Five Star Sports Award includes, the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, GTI Assets Management and Trust Limited, a company that has turned around the nation’s premier league, the NPFL, President of Remo Stars, Kunle Soname and Chairman of Benue State Football Association who is also the only founder of two women clubs in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Benue Queens, Barrister Paul Edeh.

The event comes up on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the Bamboo Hall of the prestigious Eko Club, off Bode Thomas Street Surulere, Lagos.

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Karim Benzema Hints Return To Real Madrid

Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has hinted at a desire to return to the club once he has brought down the curtain on an illustrious playing career.

Benzema is second on Madrid’s list of all-time goal-scorers, ahead of icons Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano, having netted 354 times across 14 years. He is also fifth on the club’s all-time appearance list, playing 648 games between 2009 and 2023.

Madrid have welcomed former players back in a variety of off-field roles in the past, with 1980s stars Jorge Valdano and Emilio Butragueno among those to have had prominent executive positions. Raul has been in charge of Real Madrid Castilla since 2019, with Alvaro Arbeloa currently a youth coach. Santiago Solari had spells in charge of various sides up to first-team level, with Zinedine Zidane famously serving as an adviser before two spells as head coach.

Benzema admitted in a Mega interview that he doesn’t know if coaching is the path he wants to take, only that he wants to be “close” to president Florentino Perez.

“The other day, I was with Florentino in Madrid. When he signed me [in 2009], I told my father that as long as he was at Real Madrid, I would be there,” the Frenchman explained.

“He was the first person I called when I decided I was leaving. He didn’t quite understand…I told him that the youngsters, Vinicius and Rodrygo, were ready. When I retire, I want to be close to football. Coach? I don’t know, it seems more complicated than being a player. I want to be close to Florentino.”

Benzema, now 37, is currently in his second season with Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad.

“I feel good here,” he said. “My life is like in Madrid. I get up, train at home in the gym and in the afternoon I train with the team. In the evening, I sometimes go out to dinner or to the beach. Here you can’t walk down the street either, people are crazy about football.”

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Fulham Condemn Manchester United Fans Racist Abuse on Calvin Bassey

Fulham have condemned the “abhorrent” racist and homophobic online abuse directed at Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey following Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win at Manchester United.

Nigeria defender Bassey, who scored the opening goal at Old Trafford, shared some examples of the unsavoury abuse he had received on social media.

“We strongly condemn this abhorrent behaviour, which has no place in football or society,” Fulham said in a statement.

“Such actions are entirely unacceptable, and we stand in full support of Calvin Bassey, who will continue to receive our full backing.

“We will do everything in our power to work with the relevant authorities in identifying the perpetrators of these vile messages and taking the strongest form of action against them.”

Bassey’s online abuse follows recent cases involving Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, England defender Kyle Walker, Newcastle United’s Joe Willock and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Samuel Okafor, chief executive of anti-discrimination body Kick It Out (KIO), said the level of abuse in English football had “reached crisis point”.

Bassey’s goal was cancelled out in the second half by Bruno Fernandes, with the game staying level at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and extra time.

Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee missed for United in the shootout to send the Cottagers into the quarter-finals, where they will host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.

BBC