PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2012
PAGE 43
World Hockey League: NHF invites 41 players to camp
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he Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) over the weekend called up 41 players to camp in preparation for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League qualifiers. The players are to jostle for selection to represent the country at the qualifier billed for Accra in Ghana from September 7 through 9, according to a report from its secretariat. It said specifically that 21 male and 20 female players, from which 18 players each would be selected for the male and female national teams have been invited to camp. Fatai Atanda, the Selection Co-ordinator, while announcing the names of invited players said they were expected to report on Sunday, Sept. 2 at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja. The former national player said the players were expected to report to the Camp Co-ordinator, Samuel Fadele, with their travelling documents. He listed the male players to include Kichimen Gomerep, Femi Afonja, Dare Adeleke, Simon Awasa, Tinat Jonathan, Adamu Kolo, Peter Sunday, Clinton Nwagbara and Idris Dakumi. The rest are Oghenevo Omokoro, Philip Ardo, Michael Agbaegbu, Aliyu Jauro, Muiz Bello, Hussaini Bala, Musa Abdullahi, Collins Ifeanyi, Mohammed Inusa, Monday Emmanuel, Emmanuel Ochai and Shaibu Agada. Atanda also named the female players to include
Jessica Pam, Patricia Uzuegbu, Bomeigha Ikirika, Sarah Izang, Ifeimi Tulanga, Juliet Ogbakpah, Owundinjo Adaugo and Ebitimi Sampou. The rest are Justina Onyedum, Susan Bulus, E d i g u e O s h a g h a e , Stella Nnanna, Ajuma Ejegwa, Alfa John, Ruth A n t h o n y , Inatimi Nelson, Mary Anboyi, Yiman Akusu, Osato Odduoh and Dorcas Daniel. F u r t h e r , Fadele said all arrangements had been concluded for a hitch-free programme said. “We have made all arrangements for the camping Bolaji Abdullahi, Sports Minister period and we
don’t envisage any hitch as we have no much time to waste before the teams leave for Ghana,’’ he said. “Actually, there had been some sort of open camping, from where we had selected the players who are now reporting in camp,’’ he said adding that the two teams have been scheduled to depart for Lagos on September5 and Accra on September 6, where they would jostle for qualification tickets to the Round Two Qualifiers. The male team will contend with hosts Ghana, Zimbabwe and Egypt for one of the available two tickets. On their part, the female team will jostle for the lone ticket available in their category with host Ghana and Zimbabwe. The competition leads to qualification to the 2016 Olympic Games and the FIH World Cup. The World League is being used to decide which teams will qualify alongside the continental champions and hosts for future Olympic Games and FIH World Cups. The competition is open to all members of FIH and all teams playing in it will also gain world ranking points. Two teams from the men’s competition will advance to the next rounds of the FIH World League, scheduled for February or May 2013. The qualifier from the women’s competition will advance to round two of the League, expected to hold in Johannesburg, South Africa in February 2013.
Tokyo-based bizman lavishes Falconets with gifts
E Roger Federer
US Open: Federer brushes Verdasco aside, faces Fish
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orld number one Roger Federer eased into the last 16 of the US Open with a straight-sets win over Fernando Verdasco at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 31-year-old Swiss took just over two hours to dispose of the Spaniard 6-3 6-3 6-4. Federer, who won at Wimbledon earlier this year before claiming Olympic silver, hit 30 winners and faced one break point in beating the 25th seed. He will face 23rd seed Mardy Fish in the next round after the American beat 16th seed Gilles Simon 6-1 5-7 7-6 (5) 6-3. Federer was defeated in the semi-finals at the US Open last year when he let a two-set lead slip as well as missing out on two match points against eventual winner Novak Djokovic. Milos Raonic became the first Canadian to reach the fourth round since 1988 with an impressive 6-3 6-0 76 (7-3) victory over former world number four James Blake. The 15th seed produced a masterclass in serving, hitting 28 aces and winning 89% of points on his first serve to set up a meeting with third seed Andy Murray. Sixth seed Tomas Berdych also won but had a tough time against in-form 27th seed Sam Querrey, beating the American in four sets. The Czech recovered from a set and a break down to win 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-3 6-2 and set up a last-16 clash against 11th seed Nicolas Almagro , who defeated Jack Sock. Martin Klizan and 12th seed Marin Clinic will join them in the next round thanks to respective victories over 32nd seed Jeremy Chardy and 17th seed Kei Nishikori. There was British success in the men’s doubles as Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Brian Baker and Rajeev Ram 7-5 6-3 to reach the third round, while Jamie Delgado and Ken Skupski progressed with a 7-6 (7-3) 76 (9-7) win over Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner.
ach member of the U20 Women National Team over the weekend got a Samsung Galaxy Tab and IPAD for their splendid run at the on-going FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan. 21 Players and 10 Officials got the mobile device from Nigeria businessman, Stanley Okafor who is based in Japan at a colourful ceremony which took place at the team’s Hilton Hotel in Tokyo. Hattrick Heroine, Francisca Ordega and defender Ugo Njoku were given an IPAD each. Okafor who has watched all the team’s matches right from the preliminary round, had given the team 800US dollar prior to its match against Italy. “Its my widow’s mite of saying weldone. You have made us proud. This is the
best National Team as far as l am concerned and l am delighted to be identified with you,” he said. The Nigeria businessman who has spent over 22 years in the Asian Capital assured the
team of more goodies if they eventually lift the trophy. “All l just want from you is to do your part by defeating U.S.A on Tuesday and by extension lifting the Cup. God has
Francisca Ordega, received an ipad
given you what it takes to win,” he said. For his generosity which left many speechless, Okafor was presented with a full regalia of the team Adidas kits by Head of Delegation and Nigeria Football Federation, board member, Chief Effiong Johnson. “On behalf of the President of NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, l want to say a big thank you for what you have done. I do not know the words to describe how grateful we are for the show of love. May the good Lord replenish your pocket,” said Johnson. The event coincided with the birthday of keeper, Damilola Akano who turned 19. Nigeria’s Falconets face U.S.A tomorrow at the Tokyo National Stadium in the first semi final clash of the competition.
Mazembe, Al Ahly reach CAF Champions League semi-finals
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P Mazembe beat Al Ahly 2-0 in L u b u m b a s h i yesterday to see both sides qualify to the Champions League semifinals. Mazembe and their Egyptian opponents are level on an unassailable 10 points from five games to see both sides seal their top two semifinal places in Group B with a match in hand. The DR Congo side was in command of the game
that finished scoreless at halftime. Mazembe striker Mbwana Samata saw his 18th minute head come off the woodwork while Rainford Kalaba was unlucky not to find the target after his deflected shot off Wael Goma in stoppage time of the first half before AlAhly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy saved on the rebound. Mazembe took the lead in the 50th minute through
Samata who headed in a cross from Tresor Mputu. The Tanzanian striker turned provider for team mate and striker Deo Kanda 10 minutes later to make it 2-0. Kalaba came close to adding a third in the 76th minute as Mazembe got revenge over Al Ahly for their opening Group B to see both side match on to Octobers semifinals. Al Ahly, who suffered their first Group B loss this
weekend, and Mazembe head into their final matches against Zamalek and Berekum Chelsea respectively in a fortnights time to decide who finishes top of the pool. Debutants Berekum, on six points, are out of the contest after a 1-1 away draw in Cairo with Zamalek earlier on Saturday, a result that handed the bottom placed Egyptians their first points in Group B.