Nigeria University Games Association approves Boxing for 2022 NUGA Games

Students will now engage in Boxing in the University Games to discover boxing talents 

The Nigeria University Games Association, ( NUGA ) has approved Boxing as one of the games that will feature at the 2022 Nigeria University Games Sportspedal Media reports.  

The decision was part of the resolution of the NUGA council meeting held ahead of the upcoming games billed for the University of Lagos beginning from March 15 to March 22 2022. 

However, the event will only hold as a demonstration sport, but it will be considered as a medal-winning event for subsequent editions. 

Sportspedal Media reliably gathered that NUGA will be working with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C for logistics support as the platform will be a good ground to hunt for new boxing talent.   

Furthermore, the council also upgraded Karate from none scoring event to a medal-winning event while women football, walking will also no longer be demonstration sports. 

NUGA was established in 1966 to organise the University games among Nigeria University students to foster unity and to serve as an avenue to discover burden sports talents.

National Development Plan: Sports development to gulp 80 billion naira in the next 4 years - 2021-2025

For the first time in the history of Nigeria National Development Plan, Sports is now included as a business with the plan to inject 80 billion into sports development and youth development gets 60 billion naira over 4 years- 2021-2025.  

 

Recall that in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, Sports was excluded and ended up with zero budget.  

The approval to reclassify Sports as a business was given by President Muhammadu Buhari last year. ( 2020). 

The presentation of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development to the Federal Executive Council was instrumental in bringing sports into the business category in the budgeting process.

Thus, it can be said that the reclassification of Sports as business and no more mere recreation paved the way for sports in the National Development Plan, hence the 80 billion earmarked for sports. 

The second boost for this new budget is the efforts by the Ministry to deliver a National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP).

The Minister had championed the need to build a business model around Nigeria’s Sports Development with the mantra of Sports as a business.

Working with critical stakeholders, a final draft of the policy is under review by the Ministry of Justice.

Very interestingly, the NDP 2021-2025 harped on the legal and regulatory framework needed to drive Sports as a business, hence, the Sports industry and the budget were approved.

The NDP also gave Youth development a boost of 60 billion earmarked for youth development focusing on building a robust MSME growth, Entrepreneurship and overall  Human capital development now classified as under social development.

Under the NDP, Youth and Sports together have secured 140 billion- a record no doubt.

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is now on the National Steering Committee of the NDP 2021-2025. 

UFC GOAT: Between Isreal Adesanya and the next career move for Kamaru Usman

Will Kamaru Usman break the brotherly code by fighting Isreal Adesanya to take his career to the next level? 

Kamaru Usman has seen it all at the Welterweight division. He defeated number one contender Jorge Masvidal at UFC 268 to continue his reign in the category. 

The Nigerian Nightmare has also defeated four out of the top seven rated fighters in that category.  

He has broken all the records at the division just after two years he defeated Tyron Woodley to win the gold belt.  

With 15 successive victories, the longest in the history of the welterweight division and five title defences which tied him with St Georges Pierre as the longest consecutive defences in the 165kg category. 

Perhaps Kamaru has nothing to prove and can be regarded as the greatest of all time, GOAT in the welterweight division but there is a need not to rest on his oars. 

Having 'conquered' his territory the consensus is for him to move his career to the next level and before retiring from the octagon. 

The next level includes moving to the next weight category and winning a world title to become a winner in more than a division and probably doing a crossover fight against Canelo Alvarez. 

The two options will surely make not only sporting and financial sense but also cement his UFC legacy.  

The latter may be for greater fame, and payday but the former is a step up necessary for his career and records. 

But there is a snag, his friend and compatriot, Isreal Adesanya rules the next weight category. 

He is not willing nor ready to fight Adesanya unless for a 100 million dollar purse, a proposal which may never see the light of day. 

Keen followers of the game believe Kamaru has what it takes to defeat Isreal if only he is ready to break the brotherly code and move to the middleweight category and validate his greatest of all-time legacy in the game. 

For two former two titles holders, Henry Cejudo believes the only way Kamaru can be compared favourably with St Georges Pierre, the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion is for Kamaru to win titles at least in two weight categories. 

He admonished Kamaru to put friendship aside and go for it for him to be truly considered as the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. 

“I’m sure if it’s the African pride, I kind of get that, but I don’t get that,” Cejudo said on “The Triple C & Schmo Show.” “Actually, as a matter of fact, I don’t get that because, to me, it’s all about legacy. Somebody else shortly is going to be able to go through the same run that Kamaru Usman did. 

"But the difference is that, can you win a second belt? And can you defend that second belt? And that’s what I want from ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ I want him to go up. I want him to fight Izzy (Adesanya), and I just believe he has a perfect style to beat somebody like Izzy because he has wrestling.” said the former champion in two weight categories. 

“You’ve already lapped the division, Kamaru Usman,” Cejudo said. “You’ve already beat Colby twice. You’ve already beat Masvidal a couple of times, too. The winner of Masvidal and Edwards, I mean, you’re gonna beat Edwards again. There’s only one take in my side, and that’s saying go up and fight your African brother because this is about legacy.” said Cejudo

Does Kamaru need a second title to validate his GOATship in the welterweight category, even, at the expense of Israel Adesanya? Time will tell.

CAFWCL: Rivers Angels in stormy waters as Mamelodi Sundown close in on a semi-final berth

It's been stormy so far for Nigeria's Champion, Rivers Angels at the ongoing CAF Women Champions League in Cairo after the team suffered a 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, (9 November 2021) evening.   

Rivers Angels will blame their loss on dodgy officiating as two penalty shouts were denied by the referee early on in the match.   

The team ran out of luck in the 17th minute through a controversial goal by Zanele Portia Nhlapho, which proved to be the game’s lone goal that decided the match.

The centre referee judged the whole part of the ball to have crossed the goal line when the striker's shot rocked the post and bounced on the line but was palmed out by the Rivers Angel goalkeeper, Adjei Charlotte.   

The controversial goal put Sundowns on top of group B with six points.

The South African champion needs just to avoid defeat in their match to qualify for the semi-finals.

The second loss in three days condemned the Nigeria team to the bottom of group B after the conclusion of matchday two with zero points, and zero goals, with a minus-four goals deficit.

The Angels of the rivers will have to swim swiftly against the tides in the stormy waters and win their last game against Vihiga Queens of Kenya with as many as four goals. 

Furthermore, Mamelodi Sundowns need to do them a favour by defeating AS FAR of Morrocco on Friday by 4 pm (13 November 2021), before they could qualify from the group to join Mamelodi Sundowns in the semis.  

A look at the standings after matchday two, AS FAR, Vihiga are tied on 3 points, but Vihiga leads on the superior head to head and they need to defeat Rivers Angels to be guaranteed a place in the semi-final. 

This is the precarious situation Rivers Angles find themselves in, of which they need monumental transformation to stay afloat after matchday three on Friday.

Nigerian club shortlists 21 coaches for vacant technical positions ( Full List)

Mighty Jets International football club of Jos has shortlisted 21 coaches for possible appointments into various technical positions ahead of the 2021/2022 season, sports pedal Media reports. 

According to the club statement released on Tuesday, (9 November 2021), the lucky candidates were drawn by the technical committee of the club. 

The interview for the best picks will be conducted on Wednesday, (10 November 2021) by 2 pm at the club office, Mighty Jets Office, behind Plateau Hospital on the way to Green Valley Suites. 

The statement which was signed by the club's director of communication, Mbum Ferdinand reads in parts: 

" The following shortlisted coaches have been invited for an interview:

Tony Ogharanduku

Stephen Lokrit

Danjuma Sabo

Peter Langai

Isyaka Haliru 

Aminu Musa

Shehu Laka

Najib Mabo

Japhet Buwah

Glory Aghomoh

Garba Musa Bombers 

Mike Goodwin 

Charles Kopdi

Nura Nakargo

Ado Garba 

Umar Ahmed Tanko 

Uche Okafor 

Davou Pam  

All candidates are to come with the originals and photocopies of their credentials". 

Mighty Jets International Football Club will play in the Nigeria National League, NNL, and the FA Cup popularly referred to as the Aiteo Cup.

All the intrigues as Super Eagles number one goalie moves to the English Premier League

Sparta Rotterdam confirmed on their official website on Monday (November 8, 2021) evening that Nigeria number one goalie, Maduka Okoye has agreed on a move to the English Premier League at the end of the 2021/2022 season. 

The 21-year-old shot-stopper who was contracted to Sparta Rotterdam till 2025 will not serve out the contract at the Kasteel. 

Sparta Rotterdam Technical Director, Henk Van Stee confirmed that Maduka Okoye development as a goalkeeper has been very great hence they are willing to allow him to join a top competition that is good for his career.  

“We took over Maduka Okoye transfer-free from Fortuna Dusseldorf in the summer of 2020 and signed until 2025, but both parties knew that an early departure would be very real.” 

“Sparta would prefer to let Maduka go alone to top competition. If Premier League clubs show interest, it will be very difficult for the club, player and agent to postpone a transfer. 

"Then it is important for us to get the best possible conditions for Sparta and we believe that we have succeeded,” Henk told the club official website. 

The intrigues

The club knew they may lose Okoye to the bigger leagues at the end of the season, so they quickly get the Watford deal over the line under the best possible condition for the club, the player and Watford FC.

Part of the conditions for a transfer, in particular, was Maduka Okoye would finish the season at Castle, helping the club to retain their Eredivisie status. 

This will afford him to have more game time before the Africa Cup Of Nations and gain more international exposure, which will help him be in good shape for the number one shirt competition next season at Watford FC before proceeding to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

“Agreement has been reached with Watford and that is important for our selection and sporting objective to remain in the Eredivisie. This is also important for Maduka because then he can gain even more experience at the highest level in the Netherlands and will be the first keeper of Nigeria to go to the Africa Cup in January," said Van Stee. 

The arrangement Okoye himself describe as  'perfect' both at the sporting level and for financial reasons though the parties involved agreed that the financial details of the deal won't be pronounced for now.

" Of course I am very proud that I can play in the Premier League, but also that I can play at Het Kasteel for our fans until the end of the season. Of you,rse, I wanted this, but I also want to close it well with Sparta and that is why this is the best choice.” Okoye the club website. 

Henk concluded on the non-disclosure of the transfer fees.  “The only thing I can say about it is that it is an amount that cannot be refused for Sparta for an outgoing transfer. In any case, Maduka must finish the season on a rental basis at Sparta.”

CAFWCL: All eyes on coach Okon as Rivers Angels face tricky Mamelodi Sundowns

Rivers Angels coach, Edwin Okon has given assurances that all is well in the camp of the team now but he must away to galvanise to get the needed result on the pitch on Tuesday evening to overcome the setback the team suffered in their first match at the ongoing CAF Women Champions League, CAFWCL. 

Rivers Angels must negotiate a victory but they face a tricky tie against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Women Champions League on Tuesday by 7 pm in Cairo otherwise the Nigerian champion will be kicked out of the competition.  

Nigeria women football was dealt a big blow when Rivers Angels failed to lift a glove against AS FAR of Morrocco in the game played on Saturday as Sanna Mssoudy three goals make a joke of Rivers Angels' favourite tag. 

But they have a chance to bounce back and change the narrative as they confront Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in their second match on Tuesday. 

The recent rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa in women football will be rekindled and it makes the tie a very trickish one for the Nigerian side. 

Rivers Angels are rooted at the bottom after matchday one AS FAR tops the group with three points followed by Mamelodi Sundowns both sides only separated on goal difference while Vihiga is third. 

The Nigerian champions need to win their next two games to stand a chance of qualifying from the group starting with a win against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, ( 8 November 2021)  but how the Nigeria Champion lost the first game didn't offer significant hope. 

The coach, Edwin Okon singled out the late arrival of the team to the venue of the competition in Cairo after the loss as an excuse for the no-contest witnessed on Saturday but no excuse will be tenable if the team fails to win against Mamelodi Sundowns.  

Okon promised a better performance when he said  "For now all is well with the team, we've rested enough & also had our first official training yesterday" said Okon.  

The coach knows the players are low in confidence and that he must do all to lift their spirits and be ready mentally for the job at land.

"My job is to pick up their spirit, let them know that the game is over and recover for the next matches,” Okon said after the match.

"We will try to correct the lapses we had in our first game and ensure we give our fans back home a better performance tomorrow." The chief scout of the Super Falcons told the media ahead of the game against the South African Champion. 

All eyes will be on coach Edwin Okon to make all these changes and restore Nigeria's pride in Africa women football. 

A victory against Mamelodi Sundowns will not only keep the Angels in the competition it will also be sweet revenge to the humiliation suffered by Super Falcons in the hands of the Bayana Bayana at the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos.