Flying Officers Cup 2021: Organisers On Schedule To Deliver Outstanding Tournament

With less than three weeks to the beginning of the 2021 edition of the Flying Officers Cup, Organisers of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Competition in Africa have promised a thrilling Championship. 

Already, top teams in Nigeria and neighbouring African countries have started preparation for the competition, which is billed to hold from the 10th to the 24th of October 2021 at the Area 10 Sports Complex, FCT, Abuja, with 16 teams contesting for the trophy, currently held by Bayelsa Queens.

Preparation for the tournament has reached a pivotal stage and General Coordinator of the Championship, Barrister Victoria Nlemigbo said everyone involved has been working relentlessly to deliver the biggest and best Pre-season Championship.

"We no doubt have an overwhelming desire to deliver the biggest and best women football Pre-season Championship and through our determination, plans and decisiveness, we will be able to achieve this vision. 

"We understand it takes a lot and we are working relentlessly and will take the most extraordinary measures with the support of all involved to stage a fabulous tournament. 

"The facilities, logistics and other important things needed are almost  100% ready. The re-grassing and upgrading of the Area 10 Sports Complex and also made arrangement and partnership with relevant bodies to ensure we have a smooth competition. 

"The fans, media and other stakeholders can look forward to the beautiful game of soccer here in Abuja from the 10th to the 24th of October." She concluded.

The 2021 Edition of the Flying Officers Cup, will see sixteen teams battle for honours in Abuja from the 10th to the 24th of October 2021.

European Sportswear Giant Throws Weight Behind Flying Officers Cup

One of Europe's biggest Sports Equipment brands, Masita on Monday in far-away Holland gave its backing to the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, the Flying Officers Cup. 

The Dutch Sportswear brand stamped their endorsement on the Women's Pre-season Championship when the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) President, Barrister Paul Edeh was received at their head office in Maastricht, Holland on Monday.

Masita was founded in 1933 by the Mass family from Sittard and focus mainly on the trade and processing of sportswear, kitting clubs like Fortuna Sittard, Guinea National Team, Kiyovu Sports Rwanda, Mees Palace Football Academy Jos, Namungo Tanzania, KVM Tanzania, Wakriya Guinea and the many more. 

While receiving Barrister Paul Edeh, the Chief Executive Officer of the top European Sportswear, Kurt Molin was full of praises for Edeh, who he said has invested massively into the growth of women's football in Nigeria and Africa. The top executive further went on to say that a partnership deal between Masita and Ratels Sports Development Foundation is on the verge of getting sealed. 

"We are thrilled to enter into a relationship with Ratels Sports Development Foundation and Naija Ratels, a promising and ambitious Club and we hope that this strategic partnership allows us to work closely with the club as they enter into this next phase. 

"We have read a lot about what Ratels Sports Development Foundation are doing with women football in Nigeria and are proud to receive the President of the Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh to our head office here in Holland.

"We are highly satisfied with all these achievements and are ready to partner with the foundation on their numerous programmes including the upcoming Flying Officers Cup.  

"Masita look forward to a great partnership and is also confident that we can always get the best from this agreement. 

"We are proud to be a kit sponsor of the club in the forthcoming Women's League season in Nigeria."

Also in the meeting in Holland was Former Super Eagles and South Korea Men National team Head Coach, Bonfrere Joe, who described Barrister Paul Edeh as a man who should be emulated by many in the Football Cycle in Nigeria and Africa. 

Bonfrere Joe who was pioneer Technical Adviser of the Super Falcons, leading them to their first-ever FIFA Women World Cup in China (1991), inspiring players like Ann Chiejine, Uche Eucharia, Marvis Ogun, Chioma Ajunwa and many more to greatness later on in their career expressed his happiness with the project of Ratels Sports Development Foundation.

"It is a huge achievement from my brother, Barrister Paul Edeh. We need more of this to develop women's football in Africa and am impressed with what we have been able to see from the last two editions. 

"I would like to inform you that what you are doing is unprecedented and that's the reason I am giving my full support to this competition and am sure it would go a long way to help get women's football to its right position in Africa and the world as a whole.

"I'm very hopeful and optimistic that this partnership with Masita is one of many partnerships that would be sealed by your foundation." 

He also hinted that he will be in Nigeria in the coming weeks for the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Olympic Gold Medal won by  Nigeria. 

Also reacting, Mr Emmanuel Adukwu, the CEO of Mees Palace Football Academy, Jos who brokered the deal heaped praises on the Sports Brand that has continued to support teams in Africa. 

"The Masita brand offers the biggest opportunity to the growing sports market in Nigeria and Africa at large

producing the highest quality sports equipment at the most affordable prices known for durability as well. I am happy that more teams are deciding to come on board the Masita partnership especially the Ratels Sports Development Foundation". Adukwu noted.  

He further listed technical assistance to the Various teams kitted by Masita through their coaches exchange program as a variable benefit no Nigerian sports club can Afford to Ignore.

Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) Boss, Barrister Paul Edeh thanked the Chief Executive Officer of Masita Sportswear for giving them the chance to seal a partnership with them, He also hailed former Super Eagles Coach Bonfrere Joe for lending his hand of support to the Flying Officers Cup, promising him that his Foundation will do all that is possible to continue pushing for a better future for the girl-child. 

"Today's announcement with Masita represents a landmark day for Ratels Sports Development Foundation and Naija Ratels Football Club's commercial strategy as we continue to attract new global brands to our projects. 

"My visit to Europe is to seal partnership deals and develop the various programmes of the Ratels Sports Development Foundation, as we get prepared and ready to host the best and the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship next month. 

"We are glad about this kind of support and partnership gotten from 'Masita' which is well known worldwide as one of the top sports clothing company. We will also work and ensure that we get positives from this agreement. 

I also want to thank Mr Emmanuel Adukwu, who is Nigeria representative of the brand 'Masita' and also the veteran Football Coach, Bonfrere Joe, who is a man that I have always admired even before he led Nigeria to their first-ever Gold medal at the Football event in the Olympics. He is technically sound and has always been a winner. 

Ratels Sports Development Foundation is the brainchild of Legal Luminary, Barrister Paul Edeh and has been given various supports to the girl-child through Sports and Education. 

Edo Chess Association Frowns At Selection of Austin Apemiye as Representative

As the sports federation election draws nigh, controversies have begun to show their ugly faces across the country as an aspiration for the top position of sports federation in the country garners more heat. A bit of this showed itself in Edo State Chess Association as the representative on the federation level, earlier endorsed by the association, Akhiwu Eugene deprived the right to be the State's representative as against the earlier endorsement. 

According to a reliable source, the Association had earlier endorsed the aspiration of Akhiwu Eugene to vie for the post of the President of the federation, and that endorsement was sent to the relevant authorities (Chairman Sports Commission, the Director of Sports etc) were duly copied; but that was ruled out by an ambiguous ruling which started from nomination forms signing.

The investigation confirmed that the nomination form of Akhiwu Eugene on the ploy to have him ruled out was signed but had no official stamp on it as against Austin Apemiye's form which carried both. The Plan to impose Apemiye Austin was successfully concluded at the government house moments before the final endorsement of all prospective representatives of the State at the Government house. 

However further reliable sources confirmed that Austin Apemiye is not resident in Edo State as he is based outside of Nigeria. He is not a member of the Edo State Chess Association board and has neither made any reasonable contribution to the development of Chess in the state.

The source also confirmed that this development did not go down well with the chairman of the Edo State Chess Association, Mr EHIOZUWA Isaac, who frowned at the manner at which the whole process unfolds.

36 Lion ready to feast on Dynamo FC

The team kick started their training tour of Benin Republic with a 1-1 draw against AS Cotonou on Wednesday morning.

The boys had a recovery session before jetting off to Abomey for their next assignment. 

The team arrived Abomey at 11am from the city of Cotonou on Thursday.

Secretary General and Vice President of Dynamo FC gave the Lions a superb reception and treated them like Kings with Pounded Yam done naturally with Mortar and Pestle while they watched amusingly. 

The Lions had a feel of the Stade Municipal de Bohicon where their second match of the tour will be played on Friday. Kickoff is 4pm.

It would be recalled that 36 Lion have produced the likes of Junior Ajayi, Imoh Ezekiel, Sadiq Atanda, Yira Sor, Sodiq Popoola, Yusuf Lawal, Samson Akinyoola amongst others.

"The facilities here are top class, the grass is so beautiful" - Ellis Thumbs Up MJ Arena

South Africa head coach, Desiree Ellis is confident that her team are ready to fire on all cylinders at the Aisha Buhari Cup after having a feel of the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf laid by Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd. 

Banyana Banyana are one of the participating teams at the prestigious competition currently hold in the commercial City of Lagos.

 

The charismatic Ellis tinker her team the Black Queens of Ghana (Friday) in what would be their first game of the competition. 

The ex Spurs Ladies gaffer who spoke ahead of the cracker was full of praise for organizers of the #AishaBuhariCup for providing top class facilities.

The 58-year-old tactician stated that the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf is something she has fallen in love with, while declaring that her wards would relish playing on the Hybrid Synthetic Pitch.

"The facilities here are top class, the grass is so beautiful. This is unarguably the best pitch I have played on in here in Nigeria…so I am very excited about this. We have enjoyed ourselves since arriving Lagos and we hope to have a good tournament," the former Athlone Celtic, Wynberg St Johns, Joyces United, St. Albans City and Spurs Ladies star mused.

It would be recalled that Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd which laid the Mobolaji Stadium turf constructed the Enyimba Stadium in Aba where Enyimba has in the last couple of years been playing their continental games.

The Chief Executive Officer of the well regarded firm, Ebi Egbe has always made it clear that the vision of his company is to eradicate bad football pitches in Nigeria and Africa as well as change the face of stadium facilities in the continent.

Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd. also put in place the facilities at Mohammodu Dikko Stadium and Samson Siasia Stadium. 

Content culled from Vanguard, aside from the headline.

Aisha Buhari Tourney: Bar. Edeh Proud Of 'Fabulous' Falcons, Hails Organisers.

President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh on Wednesday praised the organisers of the Aisha Buhari Tournament for doing a great job he simply described as 'extraordinary'. 

The 'six' nation tournament kicked off on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, with the Super Falcons getting a 2-0 victory over the 'Les Aiglonnes' of Mali at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos.

The philanthropist and brain behind the biggest Women's Football Pre season Tournament in Africa (Flying Officers Cup) also gave kudos to the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu; and the members of the Organising Committee headed by First Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, for a job, well-executed.

The United Nations SDG Peace Ambassador also went further to congratulate African Champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria for its well-deserved victory over Malians senior women National team and wished the team well ahead of their final game against Bayana Bayana of South Africa next Tuesday.

2021 NWFL Premiership topscorer Monday Gift smashed home two late goals at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena to seal victory for the host and an excited Edeh highlighted that Monday's brace has shown how strong the NWFL Premiership has become under Aisha Falode. 

"No doubt, I am excited over her brace and the fact that the Super Falcons earned a comfortable victory. The NWFL Premiership is one of the best in the world and that's why the league keeps producing great players. 

"The Organisation of the tournament is one of the best I have seen so far, and kudos must go to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and the Local Organizing Committee, under the leadership of Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

"I was optimistic that we were going to have a perfect organisation before theme and am glad the LOC has surpassed people's expectations. 

The opening ceremony of the maiden Aishasuhari Tournament was attended by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino; CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe; and other football big wigs.

Six nations participate in the inaugural edition; Mali, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and Cameroon alongside host, Nigeria.

Akhiwu Eugene Rolls Out 10 Weapons To Develop Edo Chess Association

 

In a season when reputable individuals who can come to the fore and put to place their skills, experience and exposure to play in raising the bar of Chess in Edo State becomes a scarce commodity, Akhiwu Eugene is the solution to the situation and the sustenance to any set policy, program or agenda for the Chess Association in Edo State. 

Beyond being a man of wider exposure and understanding the game of Ches, both as a player, coach and Administrator, Akhiwu Eugene is the kind of soul everyone who prays for progressiveness in Edo Chess will want to associate with.

Here are TEN reasons Eugene should be considered as the best option to lead Edo State Chess Association to the Promise land

Ehidiamhen Eugene AKHIWU is an International Chess Arbiter, an International Chess Organiser, a National/Developmental Chess Instructor, and has a Diploma in the Administration of a Chess Federation all of which were awarded by FIDE, the World Chess Federation. 

He is also the Technical Director of the Edo State Chess Association (ESCA).

As a Chess Administrator, Ehidiamhen has been more recently involved with taking the Chess in Schools Program of the World Chess Federation FIDE to the nook and crannies of Edo State through his organization; the Chess Knights; a registered entity with Corporate Affairs Commission. He has also been collaborating with the Life and Chess Club run by Princess Omonyemwen Adeyinka-Afolabi in inculcating the inherent advantages of learning and playing chess in the people of Edo State especially our children and adolescents. 

In 2013, Collaborating with Life and Chess Club, the Benin Chess Tournament Also Known as Oba's Cup was successfully organized which was the first FIDE rated chess tournament in Edo State and it is in its 5th Edition this year 2021. It is also important to note that the Chess Sequence which started in 2010 with the support of Ehidiamhen has been organized 22 times and the 23rd edition will be organized in September 2021. 

The Ehidiamhem Children's Day Classics also saw its maiden edition on the 27th of May, 2021. Testaments of these events can be found online.

His training, experience, qualifications and certifications cut across all the areas of chess play and administration.

The University of Lagos (Sociology) graduate is *Intelligent, Resourceful, and Capable, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, with a creative approach to engaging people.* He's an individual who is personally driven to succeed, he demonstrates the ability to lead and attain new levels of success in a highly competitive environment.

From 1983 till date, Mr Eugene has held as many roles as any Chess legend would have across the world. From being an Arbiter at the _B & H International Chess Grand Prix, Lagos- 1983_

_IBB Chess masters International Grand Prix Abuja- 1983_

_World Chess Olympiad, Calvia, Spain- 2004_

_World Chess Olympiad, Istanbul, Turkey- 2012_

A Deputy Chief Arbiter in competition across the continent from the zonal championship, African Junior Championship, All African games to Individual games between the late 90s, early 2000 and 2010.

What more Edo will benefit from, should Eugene be supported to lead them?

Give priority to the development of the Chess masses, mainly youth, putting foremost the socio-educational virtues of the game.

Modify the rules and organisation of tournaments according to our priority of mass development

Make the management of the Nigerian Chess Federation exemplary, based on real democracy and transparency.

Increase the living standard of all Chess professionals, just to mention but a few what a man of deep understanding of the sport can offer if allowed to steer the paddle of Edo Chess canoe.

A man without a goal will only get to a position with nothing to offer; Eugene however is not a farmer who goes to farm without a hoe. Here are highlights of his goals as an administrator

*Establishing closer links amongst local Chess players to form regular Chess Clubs and increase tournament participation within State Chess Associations.*

*Develop closer links between these Chess players and the Nigeria Chess Community.*

*Provide Equipment and Technical Assistance to increase the level of regular Chess activity.*

*Foster a greater sense of Community Spirit amongst Chess players of all ages.*

*Identify talented Chess players and Organisers, and develop their skills for the future.*

Though there have been some wall talks about an alien to the game who want to make his way through the back doors, but without mincing words, a man like Akhiwu Eugene is all Edo State Chess Association need to become a world powerhouse in a Chess game.