Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013 — 63
LMC lauds League Clubs’ sponsors F
OLLOWING on the heels of the official signing of the naming rights of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with Globacom Limited, the League Management Company (LMC) has expressed appreciation to other corporate bodies that have been supporting the league through sponsorship of clubs. In a statement on Wednesday, the LMC acknowledged the contributions of companies such as Guinness, ULO Consultants, a construction company founded by Chief Uche Okpunor and Isiaku Rabiu’s BUA Group through shirt endorsement deals with NPFL clubs. Guinness Nigeria, through two of its brands, Dubic Beer and Harp Beer
has endorsement deals with Enyimba, 3SC, Lobi Stars, Sunshine Stars, Rangers, Heartland and Dolphins. Enyimba and 3SC are endorsed by Dubic Beer while the other five are endorsed by Harp. BUA Group is the shirt sponsor of Kano Pillars while ULO Consultants sponsors Sunshine Stars. Chairman of the LMC, Nduka Irabor urged other corporate organisations to adopt the League as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project by sponsoring the clubs within their communities of operation. In addition to promoting their commercial interests, he said the companies will be creating opportunities for youths to exploit their talents.
Don't kill our football Continues from BP the League Management Company (LMC). Within the period, the LMC has successfully resolved the title sponsorship log-jam that has dragged for over two seasons. There has not just been a successful resolution of the dispute, Globacom has officially signed and presented cheque for the 2013 season. A growing evidence of renewed corporate confidence in the League is seen in the upswing in club sponsorship through shirt endorsement for no fewer than eight clubs in the league. Leading corporate businesses namely Guinness Nigeria, the BUA Group founded by Isiaku Rabiu and ULO Consultants, an Abuja based construction company owned by Chief Uche Okpunor, have in the last three weeks invested in our clubs. This means that these significant corporate players have recognised that there is an effort to create enduring and viable structures for the administration of the league. In the light of these
developments in the league, it is unacceptable that persons who otherwise should concentrate on running their clubs profitably are acting in disruptive manners capable of eroding the gains setting in on our football. There is an urgent need to call the ‘Club Owners’ to order to save the league from further degeneration as witnessed in the period they held sway. It is obvious that we can not continue with what has been in place in the past as it never yielded growth for the league. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) owes the country a duty to properly regulate the football industry by ensuring that deterrent actions are taking against such disruptive conducts in order not to scare away other prospective investors. The personal interests of a few should not be allowed to jeopardise the future of our youths and the millions of Nigerians who eke out a living through football and allied business by watching. This is the time to speak up on the side of reforms for the league business.
Players, coaches clamour for change in NTTF leadership
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DELTA HORNOURS OJIDOH Veteran sports administrator Chief John Ojidoh was among those honoured with various awards at last Sunday’s State FA Cup final. Ojidoh, 86, is now on wheel chair and could not attend the final in Warri. Here, Delta FA chairman, Amaju Pinnick presents the Evergreen Award to Chief Ojidoh in his home town, Illah in Oshimili Local Government Area.
EW days to the election into sports federations, table tennis players and coaches believe fresh hands must take charge of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for the game to grow. From Portugal, Germany to Italy and in Taraba state, players and coaches have started voicing their minds; saying new face must paddle the canoe of the federation. If the likes of Kunle Jariogbe, Aruna Quadri, Michael Oyebode and Funke Oshonaike have their way, the president’s position in the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) should not and never be occupied by anybody who has no knowledge and nothing to offer to the progress of the game.
Emenike backs Eagles for glory E
MMANUEL Emenike has said Nigeria will shine at next month’s FIFA Confederations Cup as well as 2014 World Cup qualifiers even without him. Emenike has been ruled out of a hectic summer schedule that will see the Eagles play two 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Kenya and Malawi as well as feature in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. The Spartak Moscow striker has not played for Nigeria since he suffered a hamstring injury in the
semi-final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations against Mali. He has now suffered a knee injury which will keep him out for at least six weeks. “I have missed Eagles and I will miss the team the more with this latest injury, but I believe nothing good comes easy, I believe in the team, there are lots of good players who can really do the job and make me and the country proud in Brazil 2013 Confederation Cup and Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers,” Emenike told MTNFootball.com
Emenike (l) celebrates a goal with Sunday Mba
CCC Super Four: BRF Cricket club clears the stakes
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RF Cricket club Ibeju Lekki made it ahat trick of trophies this season by lifting the Super 4 Final against hard-fighting Foundation Cricket Club in a 51 runs victory. The league champion’sdecision to bat first almost back fired when Ademola Onikoyi and Femi Solebo lost early wickets to the superb bowling of Joshua Ogunlola and Godffrey
Bakinwenyen but great fight back from the quartet of Joshua Ayannaike (58 runs), Captain Endurance Ofem(36 runs), James Chukwu(31 runs) and Leke Oyede(55 runs not out) steadied the sinking ship with their insipid batting to post a respectable score of241 runs all out in 49 overs. Despite Joshua Ogunlola taking 6 wickets, 45 runs, 3 maiden in 10 overs his effort was
complemented by Ghana’s Senior National Team Opening Bowler Godffrey Bakinwenyen who had 2 wickets, 39 runs in 8 overs. The task looked achievable for Foundation Cricket Club in the second innings going by the batsmen they parade but Seye Olympio and Leke Oyede both grabbed three wickets each for Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club to end the game on 190 runs all out
in 46.2 overs. Captain Kunle Adegbola led the resistance with 39 and Femi Oduyebo added 23 runs to form a solid partnership before it was broken by the bowling of Leke Oyede to make the hope of lifting their first title in over 9 years daunting but left handed batsman Yemi Adegbola despite hitting 38 and Joshua Ogunlola adding 14 runs.