Local News

South-West Zone Calls For Reform Of Nigerian Archery

Stakeholders from the South-West Archery Zone have called for reforms within the Nigeria Archery Federation.
Its Chairman, S.A.K Shobayo, and secretary, Akintimehin Tundebabs, alongside other members on Saturday 17th February 2024 convened at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and addressed critical concerns regarding the forthcoming Zen Archery Lagos National Open Championship and pertinently the forthcoming Federation Congress that will usher in a new Executive board to steward the affairs of Nigeria Archery Federation for the next four years
The communiqué released following the meeting outlined a series of grievances and demanded urgent action to address the state of archery in Nigeria.
The South-West Archery Zone highlighted several key issues, expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs within the Nigeria Archery Federation. The major issue among their concerns was the need for transparency and accountability in the upcoming Federation Congress, scheduled for March 8 in Lagos.
The communique is as follows:
1. The regime of these outgoing executives of the Nigeria Archery Federation ends on the 10th day of March 2024.
2. The Congress is scheduled to be held in Lagos on 8th March as unanimously agreed upon at the January 19th meeting of the board.
3. Based on the earlier assertion; the South -West Archery Zone has scheduled a National Open Archery Championship in Lagos sponsored by the Zen Archery Club and Co-sponsored by the Lagos State Archery Association where millions of Naira has been spent to ensure the success of the event.
The South-West Archery Zone also noted that the last election was held in Abuja, meanwhile, the election that produced the present President was held inside the N.O.C building, conducted and supervised by N.O.C with Ministry staff in Lagos.
5. The South-West Archery Zone is also passing a vote of no confidence and request for the hosting of the election in Lagos; as holding it in Abuja will definitely impede the success of the Lagos National Open Championship and continued development of Archery in Nigeria.
6. The President and the Executive Board members have failed to actualize article 13 of the Federation constitution which states that the ‘body shall appoint an external body like Nigeria Olympic Committee or government agency in charge of sport or a mix of the two bodies conduct the election in accordance with the Federation’s constitution’.
7. Various shortcomings in the leadership of the Federation have been identified:
a. The President’s absence from all programmes outside Abuja since assuming office.
b. Lack of support or acknowledgement for athletes representing the Federation internationally.
c. Non-participation in national sporting events such as the National Sports Festival and National Youth Games.
d. Inadequate efforts towards promoting and advancing the sport.
e. Limited engagement with stakeholders and state associations.
f. Hindrance of participation in the last National Sports Festival in Asaba.
8. The Federation’s suspension and looming ban (Nigeria will not be allowed to compete internationally if our situation remains the same by April 1, 2024) by the international body is attributed to the outgoing President and Executives’ ineffective performance.
9. Concerns are raised regarding the residence of zonal representatives, primarily based in Abuja, impeding their active involvement in the development of archery in their respective zones.
10. The President unilaterally prepared and sent a bill of N 2,675,000:00 to the Lagos State Archery Association as part of the condition to host the congress. We were reliably informed that the outrageous bill was never discussed by the Federation board at any given time.
11. The outgoing board’s negligence has restrained the implementation of the international body’s plans for Nigerian Archers, resulting in a lack of seminars, World Archery training, workshops, symposiums, and demonstrations at national events.
12. We are saying, that in the interest of development and unity of archery, the game we all love passionately, the election is best done in Lagos as initially scheduled.
13. This communiqué serves as a pivotal to address critical issues militating against the sport’s growth and equally highlights the imperative for effective leadership and development within the Nigeria Archery Federation.

Local News

6th JOF Kids Cup Kicks Off In Lagos

The much awaited 6th edition of the annual Under-13 JOF Kids Soccer competition kicked off on Sunday, 16th February 2025 at the Union Bank Sports Club playground on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos with 64 neighborhood football clubs and academies taking part in the tournament.

This is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of the sponsor company, JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous manufacturing and supply chain services organisation, which took special interest in the development of talents of the Nigerian youths. The U-13 JOF Kids Cup this year promises to be more glamorous, judging from the display of the kids during the kick-off match between Shaker Boys from Oshodi and Omonia Babes of Oto Awori.

Though Shakers Boys won the grudge tie by a lone goal, it was obvious that Omonia Babes put up a display on the pitch to send a message to opponents in the course of the first round of the competition that they are not pushovers.

Chairman Organising Committee of the tournament, Samuel Omolola disclosed that the first round will be keenly contested across three centres, Union Bank playground in Surulere, Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute-Metta and Lekki playground in Eti-Osa, adding that matches are scheduled to be played on weekends to give the children opportunity of concentrating on their studies during the week. Omolola commended the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited, for the support since the first edition. He assured everyone that Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association will continue to organize a tournament of high football standards that will motivate the kid footballers.

Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, the Director, Strategic Support Services, who represented the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited played the ceremonial kick-off. Adetunji advised the footballers to enjoy themselves on the pitch while displaying their God-given talents.

Other registered participating teams in the 6th edition of the tournament are, Small Tiger of Epe, Rufy Academy of Badagry, Puma Boys of Ojo, Latoyam Boys of Aguda, United Boys of Ogijo, Alaro Babes of Apapa, Yinka Babes of Badagry, Barca of Mainland, Adeomo Boys of Okoko, Junior Arsenal of Alimosho, Kola Babes of Ipaja, Miracle FC of Ijesha, Young Stars of Lagos Island, Warrior FC of Agege, Bariga United of Bariga, HB Utility of Ilupeju, Oron Academy of Oyingbo, Edet Academy of Aguda, Oloto Babes of Otto, ADC Academy of Ogba, Ajegunle Boys of Ajegunle, Idimu Bombers of Idimu, Tom boys of Orile, Oworo United of Oworo, Tobi Boys of Ojodu, Rock FC of Ojodu, Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu, Royal FC of Iwaya, Stricker Academy of Oko-Oba, Dollar Boys of Ifako, Landa Boys of Okoko, Demilade Boys of Ayobo, MRS Academy of Imota, Global FC of Mushin, Fagbems Boys of Ikeja, Alaba United of Alaba, Oluyole FC of Ayobo, Ikosi babes of Ketu, St. Michael of Alimosho, B. Unit of Surulere, Amazon Boys of Ikoyi, Abey Boys of Ajah, Afun Academy of Maryland, Kamin Boys of Oyingbo, Zamadek of Lagos Island, Chelsea Boys of Ketu, Ajiran Boys of Ajiran, Okota Academy of Okota, Ola’s Babes of Somolu, Greater Tomorrow of Lagos Island, Strong Dove of Orile, Adamu Academy of Idi-Araba, Glory FC of Ikotun, Mafe Ace of Ijegun, Botife Ace of Abule-Egba, Solution Boys of Apapa, Dopemu United of Dopemu, United Star of Mafoluku, Musiner FC of Mushin, Ultimate Stars of Apapa, Young Boys of Ojo, Abu Babes of Igando and Aket Babes of Iddo.

Local News

Nigerian Player Drags Super Eagles Coach Chelle To His Club

FK Rabotnichki star defender, Sodiq Anthony Rasheed is making the right headline in Southeastern Europe, distinguishing himself as the best productive player in the Macedonian top Football League.

The experienced 24-year-old has consistently maintained top form that ranked him as the best player in the league. His versatility on the pitch is what many Macedonian pundits have described as genius.

His club, Rabotnichki are currently in the 1st position with the same 37 points with the 2nd and 3rd positions. Thanks to the efficiency of Rasheed who has scored two vital goals so far and made himself a solid rock at the defence line of the team.

Speaking on his explosive form, he said: “I am enjoying every bit of my career in the league, my major focus is to remain consistent and help my team to win the title this season. I have been encouraged to do more and I am not going to let my current performance affect my main focus.”.

Rasheed exceptional and superlative performance is sending a message to the newly hired Super Eagles coach to take a stop at the Macedonia league as he is currently moving around to shop for new players.

“I am not going to be too desperate, I almost had a chance under the former foreign coach, and maybe this time around I can be invited to the national team to prove my experience can count at the defence line. My target for 2025 is to win the Macedonia league and take big advantage of Super Eagles camp and I hope this comes to pass.”

Rasheed has become the rave of the moment in the Macedonian top league following the superlative display that saw him nominated for several Macedonian 1. MFL Team of the Week player.

Local News

Play For Super Eagles – Chelle In Contact With 29 Year Old Newcastle United Forward

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is not leaving any stone unturned in his bid to ensure that the senior national team of Nigeria progress to the 2026 World Cup.Nigerian football apparel, as reported by OwnGoalNigeria.

The coach made a tour last week to see players of the team ahead of the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively. He is expected to submit his provisional list of players for the world cup qualifiers to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later this week.

He is also planning ahead of both games, and we can exclusively reveal that he has made contact with Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy who is eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Chelle had a chat with the 29 year old to gauge his interest in switching to Nigeria due to his Nigerian descent. Details of how the discussion went wasn’t made available to us as at the time of this report.

Murphy who has represented England at various level is of Irish descent through his mother and he is of Nigerian origin through his father. He is yet to be capped by any of the above nation at senior level.