" Years of excellence " Ogunowo celebrates Nigeria Nationwide League One at 10

The Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) held a media briefing at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, to update sponsors, corporate organizations, and football stakeholders on its activities over the past decade. 

The theme of the event was "2013-2022: A Decade of Growth," which celebrated the league's achievements over the past 10 years while highlighting its objectives and plans.

The NLO is Nigeria's third-tier football league and in 2022 (the last year of the decade in question), had 344 clubs spread across the country's six geopolitical zones and the FCT. The league provides young Nigerians with an opportunity to develop their skills and reach their full potential while promoting community, respect, inclusivity, and growth. 

With over 20,000 players, coaches, officials, and over 8,000,000 match-day attendance per season, the NLO represents a significant opportunity for businesses to achieve their objectives.

The NLO's primary objectives are to reposition the league as a key resource base for other local and international leagues, professionalize its operations, and generate interest from corporate organizations. 

To achieve these objectives, the league has adopted a growth strategy anchored on good corporate governance, administration and management reforms, implementation of reforms in its season operations, and activation of strong brand-building initiatives.

According to Olushola Ogunnowo, NLO's Chief Operating Officer, "Our goal is to make NLO the access market for grassroots football in Nigeria and the youth football target market. We aim to produce the highest number of youths participating in the NLO at the grassroots level and continue to strive for and maintain official recognition of the Youth League from FIFA and increased interest from foreign clubs because of our Youth League."

Ms. Nkechi Obi, NLO’s Marketing Consultant over the past decade, emphasized the importance of NLO's success in becoming recognized as the access market for grassroots football in Nigeria. She stated that "NLO Product Consolidation is driven by deliberate brand optimization and value chain development, partnerships, and sustainable community engagement, as well as media activations and content creation." She also stated that full details of NLO’s 2023-2032 Decade of Consolidation will be made public at the Official Unveiling of NLO Partners and Season Activation Plans in May.

From the 2023 Season, NLO will have only Two Divisions instead of three with Divisions II and III merged into the Youth League. 

The new NLO will feature 420 Clubs, kicking off on May 3rd with a Season Opening Game to be played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, and feature Kano Pillars Jnr against Kwankwasiya United FC in what promises to be a cracking game.

The NLO has made significant progress in achieving its objectives over the past decade, with the league becoming the highest exporter of talent to foreign leagues. 

However, the league aims to do more, and with its growth strategy, it intends to professionalize its operations and generate more interest from corporate organizations. 

NLO is committed to its primary objectives and its vision to provide young Nigerians with the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their full potential while promoting community, respect, inclusivity, and growth.

Naija Super 8: How to vote for Smart City FC of Lagos

Smart City Football Club of Lagos is asking fans to vote massively for the club to enable the Lagos Darling Club to participate in the upcoming Naija Super 8 Competition.

According to a release from the club,  one hundred fans of the club would be sponsored to see the club play in the competition in Uyo, and Lagos respectively.

A part of the release read : 

" 100 Fans and supporters stand a chance to participate in the main tournament with interesting packages, including an all-expense paid trip to watch the team play live in Lagos and you throughout the tournament". 

For Smart City FC to be selected as one of the  teams to participate in the  competition you need to vote massively for the club following the procedures 

Visit 

 www.naijasuper8.ng

Select South West 

Select Smart City  Football Club of Lagos 

Register

Verify number (OTP)

Vote Smart City Football Club of Lagos. 

Submit. End of the process.

Voting ends by the 10th of May 2023

The Naija Super 8 tournament is a competition massively backed by DSTV as the matches will be widely televised on the channel.

" Widows and Para Athletes will benefit " Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club rolls end-of-the-year plans

Para Sports athletes and widows will benefit from the Seed of Love Outreach of the Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC). 

The beneficiaries will receive several food items and other materials.

Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi, National President of the vibrant supporters club stated that the "ANFASSC Seed of Love Outreach 2022" will hold on Thursday, December 22 at the club's Secretariat, 96, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere Lagos, starting from noon.

He noted that it's part of their efforts to continue reaching out to society, particularly as the 2022 yuletide season draws nearer.

The ANFASSC Supremo said it's a gesture that has been enshrined in the yearly program of the Supporters' club.

Meanwhile, ANFASSC's end-of-the-year party will come up on December 27, 2022, at the Club's Secretariat in Lagos.

NFF President Gusau, two ministers lead other dignitaries to Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Cup as grand final holds on Wednesday

 

The Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Kedem Tallen, Former House of Representatives member and Delta North Senatorial candidate in next year's elections, Prince Ned Nwoko, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick are among top dignitaries expected at the grand finale of the Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Tournament on Wednesday.

The tournament which is in memory of former Super Falcons talented midfielder Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine commenced in Asaba, Delta state capital last Thursday and will end this Wednesday with a grand closing at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

The winner of the maiden edition of the Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Tournament will go home with 500,000 nairas while second and third place will get 300,000 and 200,000 nairas respectively.

Meanwhile, Nollywood Screen goddess Ngozi Ezeonu, USA-based Richard Opanuga, and Media house GIS Sports TV have donated trophies for the Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Tournament.

Ezeonu, while speaking to the media, said she donated the trophy because she is a massive supporter of the girl child and will always do anything to support the girl child. 

The veteran also called on the Federal government to immortalize the late Ifeanyi Chiejine because she did well while playing for Nigeria.

"If Ifeanyi Chiejine can get immortalized at the national level, it will be good. Late Stephen Keshi was immortalized here in Asaba, and Sam Okwaraji was also immortalized. Why don't they do it for a girl child? If the Federal government can immortalize Ifeanyi Chiejine, it will be good and show that they're not discriminating."

Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Tournament convener, Judith Chime, has revealed the prize money for the tournament. While speaking to the media, Chime said that the maiden edition winner would go home with 500,000 nairas, while the second and third-place teams would receive 300,000 and 200,000 naira, respectively.

Popularly known as Kamala, Judith Chime said that she feels fulfilled giving honor to the late Ifeanyi Chiejine with the memorial tournament and ensuring her name isn't forgotten.

"I feel happy and fulfilled honoring my dear sister, friend, and sports daughter. Ifeanyi isn't someone that should be forgotten so soon. Whatever I have put in this tournament, Ifeanyi deserves it. The Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Tournament has come to stay. It will be a yearly tournament. I hope to see corporate bodies in subsequent editions supporting this project."

The grand finale of the Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Tournament will take place in Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba on Wednesday, 21st December.

Nigerian junior curlers clinch Africa's first 2024 Youth Winter Olympics ticket despite zero support from Sponsors, NOC or Sports Ministry

"The beautiful thing about the whole success is that we actualised the dream using the locals, the home-based athletes and children from the grassroots"  

"Not minding that there was no support from anybody; Government, NOC or sponsors, we achieved this" 

Team Nigeria has emerged as the first African team to qualify for the curling event of the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics. 

President of the Nigeria Curling Federation, Daniel Damola, confirmed Nigeria's qualification for both the Mixed and Mixed Doubles events. 

According to him, Nigeria's qualification for the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics was secured after the country became the sole participating team from Africa at the World Junior B Curling championship held in Finland.

He said the qualification ticket and the official notification will be sent to the Nigeria Olympic Committee in March 2023.

 "Well done, Team Nigeria youth curlers for making history again by becoming the first African Nation to qualify for the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics. We are proud of you all and the boys’ team as well. Still we rise,” the delighted boss declared as he shared the cheering news.

 Fresh from the eye-opening outing in Lohja, Finland where they played on ice for the very first time, alongside the very best teams in the world,  the newly groomed Nigerian Junior curlers have been tipped to ruffle feathers on ice in the years ahead.

"The beautiful thing about the whole success is that we actualised the dream using the locals, the home-based athletes and children from the grassroots. " Mr Daniel said.

"This is a life-changing thing for all of them and basically for the country as well. For us to pull out this historic achievement using only home-based youth athletes, the first of its kind in the entire African region. I’m glad and happy. I’m happy with the staff and management, from the cleaner to the presidency. It is a team success and I thank God for everything,” he added.

The Nigeria Curling Federation president, while noting that the recent successes have been from personal sacrifices since there has been zero sponsorship from government quarters, stated that more can be achieved if the Federation gets the needed support.

 "Not minding that there was no support from anybody; Government, NOC or sponsors, we achieved this. That means if we had sponsors, you can only imagine what we would have achieved. Like I always say, still we rise at the Nigerian curling”.

 The 2024 Youth Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place in the Gangwon Province, South Korea from January 19 to February 1.

Photo Caption: The Nigerian Junior Curlers Team Boys & Girls

NPFL: Ilechukwu calls on IMC to consider "Grassroots players slots " in NPFL teams

Ilechukwu canvasses IMC for Grassroot players slot In NPFL teams 

"NPFL teams should be a mix of both experience and young. It worries me to see most of the old players in the domestic league every season, while the talented grassroots players engage in free-age tournaments when they can easily break into the starting 11 of the top teams" 

Plateau United head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has appealed to the leadership of the Interim Management Committee(IMC) of Nigeria's domestic league to make it mandatory for NPFL clubs to give more slots to grassroots players, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The former Heartland and MFM FC of Lagos coach made the passionate appeal after FC Jassy defeated Austin Amateur Academy to emerge champions of the maiden Fidelis Ilechukwu Football Tourney held in Jos, Plateau State.

"With the new season kicking off soon, it's very important that the IMC makes it compulsory for clubs in the Nigerian Professional Football League to have a good number of young players in their squad, as NPFL clubs’ penchant for old players makes it difficult for our football to catch up with the developing new trends in the game.

"NPFL teams should be a mix of both experience and young. It worries me to see most of the old players in the domestic league every season, while the talented grassroots players engage in free-age tournaments when they can easily break into the starting 11 of the top teams. 

"I know the former NPFL leadership had in place a youth players clause of five (5). Clubs were permitted in Article A.2.1.2 to register up to five such players aged 16-18 and issue them jersey numbers 36-40 in addition to the regular 35 players allowed for a season. The players can also be withdrawn at any stage in the season and replaced by another player of their category.

"Giving more of these talented players the chance in the NPFL will go a long way to better our football, as the NPFL is the bedrock of our national cadet teams.

"As coaches in the NPFL, we must give these next generation of stars the platform to showcase their skills. For me, it's not just having five of them in teams but having the will to start them or give them match time.  

"Once clubs begin to give these young players a chance to break into the system, they will be able to supplement their squads with unlimited additional players under the age of 21 years old, which will be good for the NPFL.

"It's only when these young players get exposed early to the rudiments of the game on the big football stage, that they can easily pass football trials in Europe.

"I want to crave the IMC leadership to see it as necessary as there should be a kind of reward mechanism where clubs get rewarded for giving young players match times. Such benefits will see clubs have a new orientation towards players in the grassroots."

"She was a great person" Ndidi Chiejine shares sweet memories of late Super Falcons star, Ifeanyi Chiejine

Ndidi Chiejine has described her sister, Ifeanyi Chiejine as a great person.

The youngest player to hear featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup died in 2019 after a brief illness. 

In celebrating her, a competition coined “Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Cup” was named after her.

 

Ndidi described her late sister as a great leader with a wonderful personality.

“Ifeanyi Chiejine was a great leader who knows how to move people forward and does great things. Her impact on my life is much that I can’t explain it. She was a very great person with a great personality. For her to be recognized by her friends is a beautiful thing,” Ndidi said.

Imo Strikers, Delta Babes, and Moje Queens are through to the semi-final of the Maiden Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Cup which is scheduled to take place on Monday, December 19, 2022, and Ndidi offered her fine reviews of the event.

“Having this kind of tournament for my late sister is a great idea. It’s something spectacular to discover more talents like my sister. I appreciate Judith Chime because she has done well in coming up with this for my sister,” she continued.

“Watching the girls play, I can see the likes of Delta Babes with some great players like my sister. I am sure the girl child support is something that should be looked into in helping them achieve their goals.”