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Luxurious Hillview Guest Centre, Accra To Host Special Scrabble Side Event At 13th African Games

The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), have picked luxurious Hillview Guest Centrr, one of the top hotels in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to host the Special Scrabble Side Event during the 13th African Games, in March this year.

We gathered that the continental governing body of the game of words carefully selected Hillview Guest Center, Accra, because of it’s serenity, world class facilities and services, coupled with it’s location.

The President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan said that the 80 players and officials will be adequately accommodated in the 120 holiday paradise rooms of Hillview Guest Center, that is about 11 miles from the iconic Kotoka International Airport, Accra.

“You know, to get the very best from any sports man or woman, the environment must be near perfect, the services around them, coupled with good food in a friendly setting is needed and that’s what PANASA is offering the players and officials with our choice of Hillview Guest Center, Accra.” Adegbesan stated.

Over 65 players from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Uganda have registered for the three-day competition which starts on the 15th and ends on the 17th of March.

Among the over 45 Nigerians that have indicated their interest in the Side Event are Nigerians in the diaspora, led by former African Champion, Femi Awowade, who is also a Scrabble Hall of Fame nominee.

Ayotunde Adeyeri and Fidelis Bruce-Olotu are other Nigerians in the diaspora who have throw their hands in, for the titanic, gripping and equally grueling rounds of games.

Two other Scrabble Hall of Fame nominees, Segun Adegbenro of Nigeria and Ghana’s Michael Ofori, a former President of PANASA and also a Hall Fame nominee are battle be ready for the heavyweight wordsmith confrontation.

Meanwhile, the World English Scrabble Players Association, (WESPA), has nominated Lukman Owolabi, an executive committee member to represent them at the African Games and we understand that Owolabi will be competing for honours and bragging rights at the event.

The side event put together by the Pan African Scrabble Association, (PANASA), in conjunction with the Scrabble Association of Ghana, (SCAG), was initially open to fifty participants but it has been expanded to 80 players due to huge entries received so far for the competition.

The President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, further noted that about 2,500 dollars has been set aside as prize money with the winner smiling home with 1,000 dollars and half that amount goes to the second placed player.

Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who is also the chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), stated that the side event is part of the continental governing body of the game of words to add panache as well as drive the growth of the sports.

“As many already know, our sport will feature at the 13th African Games in Ghana some weeks from now. To ensure we give members of our community an opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event, we have decided to host a side event alongside the games of the championship.” Adegbesan noted.

The tech expert who is 15 months old as the boss of PANASA further explained, “Players for the side event will be added to the Accreditation list and will be considered as athletes partaking in the games. Such players will at all times wear their Accreditation badges throughout the games. There is a deadline for submission of your Form B. This deadline is sacrosanct to allow the LOC complete their own documentation.” Adegbesan who knows in the scrabble circuit as Sheikh stressed.

The 13th African Games Scrabble Main Event will see competitive Scrabble played between Male and Female Teams. Each country (except the host who are allowed more) will produce a Team of 3 players each for their Men and Female Team.

Countries that do not have a male and female team are allowed to come with either. PANASA will be providing everything free for players in this category.

The Side Event is also part of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), 30th year anniversary celebration.

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Tijani Babangida To Represent PFAN On National Sports Commission Board

Tijani Babangida To Represent PFAN On National Sports Commission Board

In a communique signed and released by Chairman of PFAN Board of Trustees, Comrade Harrison Jalla, the President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), Comrade Tijani Babangida (MON), has been nominated by the PFAN Board of Trustees (BOT) to represent the association on the National Sports Commission (NSC) Board.

This nomination, according to PFAN, aligns with Section 2 of the National Sports Commission (Establishment) Act 2023.

At a meeting held on Saturday, 23rd November 2024, the PFAN BOT, made two significant decisions:

1. Extension of Leadership Tenure: The BOT unanimously agreed to extend the tenure of the Tijani Babangida led Executive Council.

2. NSC Board Representation: Tijani Babangida was chosen as the PFAN representative on the National Sports Commission Board.

These decisions are, however, subject to ratification by the PFAN Congress.

The BOT also advised the PFAN Executive Council, to reach out to aggrieved members and unify the players’ union under one umbrella, in line with the standard practice in other countries.

It also deliberated about the ongoing efforts and legal challenges. The PFAN BOT emphasized that the next critical phase involves securing representation on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board, Congress, and Sub-Committees. These slots, are currently subject to the ongoing case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, which seeks equal and proportional representation.

The BOT also assured stakeholders that representation on the NFF Board, would strictly be based on merit.

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Int’l Friendly: Gusau, Sanusi, Falode To Cheer Super Falcons Against Les Bleues

Int'l Friendly: Gusau, Sanusi, Falode To Cheer Super Falcons Against Les Bleues

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, as well as Chairman of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, Ms Aisha Falode and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi will be in the stands to cheer the Super Falcons in Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France in Angers.

The match comes up inside the 18,000 -capacity Stade Raymond Kopa – home ground of Ligue 1 side Angers SCO, and which was opened in 1912 and renovated seven years ago.

Madugu and his charges are set to have the official training session at the match venue on Friday evening, with the Coach robbed of a defender following injury to Turkey-based dependable centre-back Oluwatosin Demehin.

Both teams last clashed nearly five-and-half years ago, when the Super Falcons needed a result to progress to the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. Hosts France edged the tie by the odd goal, after Wendie Renard’s twice-taken penalty kick with 11 minutes left on the clock. The defeat notwithstanding, the Super Falcons made the Round of 16 as results in another pool weighed in their favour, while France finished top of their group with the maximum nine points from three matches.

On Saturday night, Madugu will have to decide which of England-based Rofiat Imuran and home-girl Sikiratu Isah will pair veteran Osinachi Ohale at the heart of the defence, with Michelle Alozie and returning Ashley Plumptre expected to man the wing-back positions. Madugu may also decide to use another home-girl, Shukurat Oladipo in her accustomed centre-back position.

Portugal-based Christy Ucheibe, England-based Toni Payne and France-based Jennifer Echegini (who scored Nigeria’s only goal at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer) are available in the middle, alongside home-based professionals Adoo Yina and Josephine Mathias.

At the fore, with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade also not in Angers as a result of injury, much will be expected of the Spain-based duo of Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide, with home -girl Mercy Omokwo, as well as Egypt-based Blessing Nkor and France-based Ifeoma Onumonu, also available.

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FULL LIST: Lookman, Troost-Ekong Join Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Vinicius On 2024 FIFA Best Player Nominees Roster

FULL LIST: Lookman, Troost-Ekong Join Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Vinicius On 2024 FIFA Best Player Nominees Roster

Super Eagles duo Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong have earned spots on the prestigious nominees list for the 2024 FIFA Best Player Awards.

The announcement, made early Friday, features only five African players among the elite, with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga joining the Nigerian stars in the spotlight.Sports equipment

Banda and Chawinga have been nominated for the Best FIFA Women’s Player award.

Lookman, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, is shortlisted in the Best Attacker category alongside football giants Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, and Barcelona’s rising sensation Lamine Yamal.

Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong and Hakimi are competing in the Best Defender category against notable names like Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.

This recognition comes as Lookman, Troost-Ekong, and Hakimi also made headlines earlier in the year with nominations for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award. While Troost-Ekong did not progress to the final shortlist, Lookman remains a favourite in African and global football circles.Watch live soccer online

The revamped voting process for FIFA’s awards now gives fans equal weight alongside national team captains, coaches, and media representatives.

Notably, this year marks the introduction of the FIFA Marta Award, celebrating the best goal in women’s football globally, alongside the redefined FIFA Puskás Award, which honours the best goal in men’s football.

Fans can cast their votes on FIFA.com until 10 December 2024, with winners set to be announced in early 2025.

FULL LIST – FIFA THE BEST AWARDS
The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees
Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit

The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees
Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees
Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club

Soccernet.ng

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