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Chido Obi-Martin Handed Perfect Chance To Deliver At Manchester United

Chido Obi-Martin handed perfect chance to deliver on Manchester United backing

Danish wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin signed his first professional contract with Manchester United this week.

Signed in October from Arsenal, Obi-Martin has made four appearances for the United Under-18s and scored four goals including a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest.

He’s already impressed in his time at Arsenal and is continuing to impress in United’s academy. With a trip to Stoke in the under-18s Premier League this morning, can Obi-Martin continue his rich vein of form and make himself an option in Ruben Amorim’s plans?

Obi-Martin’s stats speak for themselves when considering the talent he has. In the 21 matches he played for the Arsenal Under-18s, he scored 32 goals and provided three assists.

While Arsenal looked to keep him past the end of his contract, he instead chose to look elsewhere and made his move to Carrington in October.

Today, only eight weeks after signing for United he started his professional contract making him eligible to play for the first team. With United in need of more striking options as Joshua Zirkzee and Ramus Holjund struggle for consistent form, Obi-Martin has the chance to impress tomorrow against Stoke City to put himself in Amorim’s long term thinking

United are currently top of the Under-18s Premier League table with a five-point lead over rivals Manchester City. They have been in imperious form this season as they look to retain their crown.

United have won nine out of nine this season, scoring 43 goals and only conceding four. On the back of a 3-0 win at home to Everton, they will be looking to continue their unbeaten streak with victory tomorrow.

If Obi-Martin can continue his goalscoring talents tomorrow, it will be interesting to see how quickly Amorim looks to move him into first team contention.

With Holjund scoring two last night against Bodo/Glimt, competition for starting in that centre-forward position is fierce. It will only continue to become more fierce as speculation increases about United looking to launch a record-breaking transfer for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swede’s goalscoring talents are just as impressive as Obi-Martin’s on a bigger stage and Amorim has a familiar relationship with him.

However, if the Dane’s incredible goalscoring record at youth level continues to catch the eye, it won’t be long until we see him tested at senior level.

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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.

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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.