Local News

N1m Up For Grabs As Oyo Govt Supports Inaugural Pool Champions League

Published

1 month ago

October 16, 2024

Oyo State Government has thrown its weight behind the maiden edition of Pool Champions League, just as the winner of the tournament will be going home with a one-million-naira cash prize.

While speaking as special guest at a press conference held at the Ibadan Recreation Club, Sabo Area, Ibadan on Tuesday, The Chairman, Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Prince Adebowale Falana declared the state government’s support for the inaugural Pool Champions League scheduled to commence on October 30.

Prince Adebowale said, “There is need to engage our youths in sports, especially in other sports aside football.

“The focus should not only be based on football, as the agency we are doing a lot in helping out youths to discover their talents, we’ve been supporting them with skills acquisition programmes, digital technology innovations, in entertainment and creative industry and we are still ready to do more.

“Our doors are open to various stakeholders for partnership on programs that will open our youths to new ideas and an ideal way of earning money.” Falana said

He urged the youths in the country to come out in great numbers to showcase their talents at the Pool Champions League tournament.

He therefore pledged the agency’s moral and financial support to make the league a memorable one.

The Convener of the maiden Oyo State Pool Champions League, Mr Oluwatosin Odita in his remarks, said the grand prize of one million Naira will be at stake for competitors.

Noting that the five-day tournament would feature players from many parts of the country jostling for the grand prize, stressing that the tournament will hold from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 and feature 32 players.

Oluwatosin promised that the five-day sporting activities will be a hitch-free tournament.

He said “The best 16 players would move from the opening round to the quarterfinals, before advancing to the semi-finals and final.

“There are games each day of the week, from the preliminaries, quarterfinals and semi-finals, while all matches of the tournament will hold at the Black Nile Lounge in Bodija every day.

“Then, the final will be at the Billionaires Section of Ibadan Recreation club,” he said.

Odita said the real essence of the tournament was to have a community of players first and also identify them as pool players.

He said the new talents would be merged with players from Lagos and then the sport’s umbrella body would partner with international bodies to export the players.

“The tournament will create an academy for the younger ones and catch them young to master the technicality of the game.

“Plans are ongoing to enroll the players on a coaching course in the UK governing body for pool annually.

“The certificate can enable the players become coaches anywhere in the world in the future, thereby giving back to the people by training them,” Odita said.

“The tournament’s overall winner will get N1 million and a trophy while the first runners-up will receive N500,000 and the second runners-up N300,000. This will go with the presentation of certificates and consolation prizes to all the participants of the tournament” Oluwatosin said.

Chairman of Ibadan Recreation Club’s Billiards and Snooker Section, Mr Mbim Okutiyang, said the section was giving Nigerians the opportunity to play with standard tables recognised globally in snooker and pool.

Mbim noted that the tournament would serve as an opportunity for people to know what IRC all is about and what it offers.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

‘We’ll Crush Super Eagles To 2026 World Cup Ticket’ – South Africa Coach Vows

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

South African Coach Confident Of Beating Nigeria to 2026 World Cup ticket

South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, is optimistic about his side’s chances of securing the 2026 World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria and other contenders in Group C, as reported by Soccernet.

The Bafana Bafana currently sit second in Group C with seven points, trailing leaders Rwanda only on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles sit in a disappointing fifth place with three points, four behind South Africa, with six games left in the qualifying series.

Broos, whose side topped Group K in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for Morocco 2025, believes South Africa’s recent form gives them the edge.

Reflecting on their progress, he remarked: “It doesn’t mean that we have to now think that we are where we have to be. No. But little by little we are becoming a very good team.”

He continued: “That will give us the confidence that we need for the next thing we have to do, which is qualify for the World Cup.Nigerian football souvenirs

“But I’m confident that we can do it. I think, if SA can qualify for the World Cup it is now because we have quality; we have a good team. We can do it. But we still have to do it.”

South Africa’s Bafana have not lost a match since their semifinal exit against Nigeria at the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON.

In their last World Cup qualifier, they drew 1-1 with Nigeria in Uyo, a game where they nearly claimed all three points.

Broos plans to capitalise on South Africa’s AFCON momentum to navigate the World Cup qualifiers.

The coach expects to collect maximum points in their next matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, believing this will secure their ticket.

For Nigeria, the road ahead is challenging. The Super Eagles must win all their remaining fixtures while relying on other teams in the group to disrupt South Africa’s campaign.

The qualifiers resume in March 2025, with South Africa hosting Lesotho and Nigeria traveling to Rwanda.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Victor Boniface Suffers Injury Setback

Published

3 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

According to SCORENigeria report, Victor Boniface suffered a thigh injury during a final 2025 AFCON qualifier against Rwanda in Uyo.

It was further revealed that the striker could now be sidelined for a couple of weeks on account of this latest injury setback.

‘Boni’ was long heralded as a valuable addition to the Super Eagles after his exploits for history-making German Bundesliga club Leverkusen last season.

However, he suffered a major abductor injury leading up to the delayed 2023 AFCON earlier this year in Cote d’Ivoire.

He subsequently missed the tournament and was sidelined for over three months after undergoing surgery.

The 23-year-old striker has come under heavy fire after he failed to open his goals account despite the opportunities and support he has enjoyed from coach Augustine Eguavoen.

He made his long-awaited Super Eagles debut in September 2023, but has yet to score for the country in 11 appearances.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Oshoala Missing As Ajibade, Nnadozie Make Nominees’ List For CAF Award

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Oshoala Missing As Ajibade, Nnadozie Make Nominees' List For CAF Award

Two Super Falcons stars, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade, have earned nominations for the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

The recognition follows their outstanding performances for both club and country between January and October, stamping their places among Africa’s best talents in the women’s category.

For the first time in years, reigning champion Asisat Oshoala, a multiple-time winner of the prestigious award, has missed out on a nomination.

The former Barcelona Femeni forward, who claimed the title last year, has been a dominant figure in the category since 2022.

Nigeria’s standout goalkeeper, Nnadozie, has been in phenomenal form. She played a crucial role for the Super Falcons during the 2024 Olympic qualifiers and the main tournament, earning her a chance to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive time.Nigerian football memorabilia

Her heroics also extended to her club, Paris FC, where she helped the French side reach the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Ajibade, on the other hand, has been a pivotal figure for Atlético Madrid and the Super Falcons. The forward was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Olympics after a 16-year absence.

At her club, she delivered consistently, winning Player of the Month awards in March and September, which further reveal her impact.Nigerian football memorabilia

The 2024 CAF Awards ceremony will take place on December 16 in Morocco, where Africa’s finest footballers will be celebrated.

Nnadozie and Ajibade will face tough competition from other nominees in the Women’s Player of the Year category, including:

Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi / FC Masar)
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City)
Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa / Monterrey)
Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa / Tigres UANL)
Barbara Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
Racheal Kundananji (Zambia / Bay FC)