News

‘I Partied Four Nights A Week As Everton Player Before Turning To Cocaine’

Former Everton winger Andy van der Meyde has opened up on his catastrophic four years at the club.
Andy van der Meyde has admitted that he ‘ruined’ his career at Everton.

The former winger has candidly opened up about his catastrophic four years at Goodison Park which he confessed was self-inflicted. Van der Meyde joined the Toffees from Inter Milan in August 2005. He’d previously been one of the most brightest young prospects in Europe having come through Ajax’s famed academy and winning two Dutch titled.

But after not fulfilling his potential at Inter, Van der Meyde hit a downward spiral following his £2 million move to Everton. He made a total of just 24 appearances. He was sent off in a Merseyside derby against Liverpool, endured injury and fitness issues and partied consistently, which led to being hit with club fines.After his release at the end of the 2008-09 season, he turned to taking cocaine while still living in Liverpool. Following one drug-fuelled binge, Van der Meyde called his agent to make plans for him to leave the city.

His career would never recover as he went on to represent PSV Eindhoven before retiring from professional football at age 31. And reflecting on his playing days, the 17-cap Holland international believes he could have gone down in the history books had he not strayed from his duties. Via FC Inter News, Van der Meyde said: “I ruined everything. My football career was almost over when I went to England, it all ended because I did a lot of stupid things, I was young and with a lot of money, and I had a double life. I cheated on my ex-wife, she didn’t deserve all this, she was a good woman. I gave up my children for someone else. I will never forgive myself for this. Only my fault, I can’t blame anyone else for this.

“I lived in Liverpool, and we went out on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We drank a lot, and the satisfaction was never enough. When alcohol wasn’t enough for me anymore, I started with drugs, cocaine. I wasn’t myself anymore.

“There were problems with the coach, my private life was complicated. The little princess spent the first three years of her life in hospital. It was all a mix of problems. That’s why everything started to go wrong.

“Then I understood. After two nights in which I was full of cocaine. I called my agent, and I told him I had to go: ‘I want to get out of Liverpool otherwise I’ll end up killing myself’. My wife, she saved me. If I had had her with me when I was a footballer, I would have been one of the best wingers ever.”

News

Southwest Zonal Eliminations: Lagos Records Big Wins In Handball, Hockey, Football, Basketball

Lagos handball teams delivered impressive wins against Oyo State on day one of the South-West Zonal Eliminations of the National Sports Festival, holding in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The men’s team eased to a commanding 40-14 victory before the women’s team secured 23-15 victory at the handball court of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Akanran.

In Basketball, Lagos women’s team defeated Ondo 47-39 after a show of resilience, commitment and determination in their first match. Their second match is against Oyo State on Wednesday (today).

Lagos hockey team also recorded wins in their games. The women’s team thrashed Oyo 3-0, while the men’s team lone goal was enough to secure three points against Ekiti.

In beach volleyball, Lagos proved the level of their performance and conveniently dispatched Oyo 2-0. In football, Lagos female team defeated Oyo 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Bada Mistura in a game played inside the main bowl of the Liberty Stadium. The male team were later forced to a 1-1 draw against Ekiti

Speaking on the first day of the South-West Zonal Elimination Ball Games, the Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu noted that the athletes have demonstrated exceptional capacity and dominance over their opponents.

“So, I think it’s a good one for Lagos state.It is the first day of the zonal elimination qualifiers. With what we have experienced today in terms of the outcomes from the different Games. We are very optimistic and positive that at the end of the day we’re going to come victorious overall.”

Fatodu added that the performance of the state athletes in their different games has been thrilling and exciting, especially with the presence of personnel of the Lagos State Sports Commission, serving as a morale booster and source of encouragement to keep soaring high.

“With what is playing out, it’s going to yield a positive results. From what we have gathered today, they are particularly appreciative and they have confide that our presence means so much to them in terms of their mental positivity, approach towards the Games and in terms of their attitude on the field of play. It is expected that it will yield positive results for us”, Fatodu submitted.

The Director General further reiterated that, “We are not in any way in doubt that our athletes will show very, very well. Because of the fact that all the necessary things that they need to do well have been provided by Mr.Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. We need to thank Mr. Governor for his commitment and always supporting sports in terms of logistics, welfare, transportation, feeding, and security. Everything is top-notch”.

Team Lagos will continue to bank on the records of dominance at the South-West as the qualifiers inch towards its conclusion, with the chance to secure slots for all ball games at the 22nd National Sports Festival – the ‘Gateway Games’ billed for Abeokuta, Ogun State in May.

News

Elo Akose, NDSF logo designer celebrates his emergence

Elo Akose, the winner of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) logo design competition, has expressed delight to see his work gaining national traction through extensive media campaign as preparations for the festival heightens.

Akose, who received a reward of N250,000 prize money, commended the organisers of the contest for providing a platform for youths to showcase their artistic talents in design.

Akose’s entry emerged the best from over 300 others that were submitted to a panel of judges set up by the project consultants, Dunamis Icon, weeks ago. The design has since been officially put to use.

“I counted myself lucky to have had my entry selected from the over 300 submitted by other contestants and would like to thank the organisers of the Niger Delta Sports Festival for the opportunity given to all of us, the contestants to be part of this project,” Akose told NDSF Media.

Akose works with Smax Digital Prints and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education (Economics) from the Delta State University.

The NDSF, the first intervention of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as part of its 25th anniversary, will hold in Akwa Ibom State from April 1 to 9. Over 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in 17 sports.