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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
MONDAYSPORTS
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com
Ekweremadu Salutes Paralympic Contingent, Says Ability is in Mind As first batch of paralympians arrive Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday described the Nigerian contingent to the Rio Paralympics in Brazil as true heroes, whom he said gave their best to their fatherland. He said with 12 medals, including two gold medals, and some world record-breaking performance, the team had not only put up its best performance ever by any Nigerian contingent to the paralympics, but had also shown that ability was in the mind. Ekweremadu, in his congratulatory message to Team Nigeria signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, called on other Nigerian athletes and national teams to emulate the exceptional spirit exhibited by the Paralympians. He said: “I salute Team Nigeria for their patriotism and the sheer willpower exhibited. This will no doubt lift the spirit of the nation at this difficulty time. It is my hope that their compatriots who will fly the Nigerian flag at future competitions will imbibe their determination, for they have shown that ability is in the mind.It is also my hope that we learn the lesson as a nation to give everyone and every constituent part the opportunity to contribute to national development.” While calling on both the federal government and Nigerians to accord the team a heroic reception and accordingly reward them, Ekweremadu reiterated the need for drastic and urgent steps to reposition the nation’s sports sector. He also emphasised the need to revive school sporting competitions with a view to grooming future champions. In a related development the
MEDAL TABLE COUNTRIES China
G S B 107 81 51
Great Britain
64 39 44
Ukraine
41 37 39
United States
40 44 31
(17)Nigeria
8
2 2
first batch of athletes to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio returned to the country yesterday. They were received by senior staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, members of the Supporters club, the sporting press, well wishers and family members. At a brief reception held at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, the Acting Permanent Secretary and Director Enterprises Mr. Luka Jonathan Mangset thanked the athletes for representing and making Nigeria proud at the Paralympics. Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, the acting Permanent Secretary promised that a bigger reception will be held for the team when all other members of Team Nigeria to the games return. “On behalf of Mr President, Vice President and the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, the Permanent Secretary and all good people of Nigeria, I welcome you back to Nigeria. We are celebrating you now because you have done this country proud. History was made with your glorious and victorious outing to the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
EPL RESULTS
Watford 3-1 Man Utd Palace 4-1 Stoke S’hampton 1-0 Swansea Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
Lagos Organises Capacity Training in Basketball As part of efforts to teach the basics of coaching cum techniques of the game, the Lagos State Basketball Association (LSBA) is organising a four-day workshop from October 25 to 28 for coaches in schools and academies. The training is staged in collaboration with Dynaspro with the aim of training the existing developmental Coaches as well as identifies new ones by evaluating their capability to handle children at their sensitive and formative ages. For the chairman of LSBA, Babs Ogunade, Dynaspro would be partnering, while the association would provide technical and managerial support for the partnership. “The LSBBA is saddled with the responsibility of developing the game in Lagos across gender lines. The clinics and trainings we have had speaks for itself,
we are however not averse to partnerships and collaboration in improving capacity. We welcome inputs and partnerships from any well-meaning group, and in this case Dynaspro to partner and inject capacity building across all lines in the quest to teach and improve the game of basketball in Lagos State,” Ogunade said. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dynaspro, Oluseyi Oyebode, among the objectives are; to ensure those saddle/to be saddled with the responsibility of impacting fundamental skills/ knowledge are trained, tested and certified. He added that there would be appraisal for trainers in both theory and practical, while certificates and license would be issued to those that are successful based on the results.
Kehinde Paul celebrating his Men’s 72kg powerlifting gold feat in RIo
NPFL: Celebrations at the Cathedral as Rangers Reclaim Top Spot Bobby Clement netted twice in each half of the Match Day 36 fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to return the Coal City club to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log after rivals, Rivers United went down to a Christopher Waziri goal in Bauchi against Wikki Tourists. As though there has been a premonition of what the Flying Antelopes will turn the season into, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was renamed the Cathedral at the start of the season and ‘worshipers’ have been trooping in like never seen since the shine went off the Rangers all white outfit. But Coach Imama Ampakabo and his young squad seem to have the right kind of
vim to return the sheen. Sunshine Stars started the match in Enugu perhaps with an intent to curtail their hosts and they did just that for most of the first half until the last quarter when lanky Bobby Clement made his physical attributes count. Rangers thus climbed to 57 points, one point ahead of former leaders, Rivers United. The ball bubbled inside the Akure Gunners box on the 37th minute and Clement pounced to score, picking his spot to put the Flying Antelopes ahead. Sunshine Stars looked like they switched plans from their defensive intent to offensive when they mounted pressure for the equalizer and on the 41st minute, Orji Kalu
handled the ball inside the box for a penalty. Dele Olorundare stepped forward but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Nana Bonsu. Eight minutes after, Clement’s physique came in handy when he rose highest to head home a Chuka Egbuchulam cross. The rains poured down but Rangers held on for a win that may indeed be the turning point in their quest to break a 32-year title drought. In Bauchi, Coach Stanley Eguma saw his match plan to take a point out of Bauchi succeed until the last 10 minutes. Festus Umana lifted the ball high across the Rivers United goal area and it was knocked down by Abubakar Lawal for Waziri to finish and gift all three points to the
Bauchi Tourists that now moved two places up to the third position on 54 points. FC IfeanyiUbah saw their unbeaten run stopped by a brace from Yaya Soumaila in Makurdi where Lobi Stars snatched all three points after Ismaila Gata pulled the Anambra Warriors level on 52nd minute from the penalty spot. Soumaila had put Lobi ahead, finishing off a Kingsley Eduwo assist on the 32nd minute and with the fans growing restive after Gata’s equalizer, the attacker popped up to restore the lead 18 minutes from regulation time. Lobi overtook Sunshine Stars to the fifth place with 52 points behind FC IfeanyiUbah that stepped down from 3rd place on 53 points.
17th NNPC/Chevron Tennis Clinic Ends in Grand Style After three weeks of training, the 2016 NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Clinic came to an exciting end last Saturday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan with all the budding stars feeling fulfilled and set to hit the stardom in few years to come. In an elaborate ceremony attended by tennis players, coaches, fans and top officials of the joint venture partner and sponsor, Chevron Nigeria Limited, the 100 players, who participated in the programme, gave the fans a great display of skills they gained during the programme before they
were rewarded with quality gift items by the sponsor. Addressing the players after the event, the General Manager, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Deji Haastrup said the oil firm was impressed with the players performance and attitude during the clinic, coordinated by a former Chairman of the Nigeria Cricket Association, Chris Enahoro. While acknowledging the support of the various organisations and individual, who have jointly contributed to the success of the tennis programme, Mr. Haastrup
commended Enahoro for talent discovery project which he hopes in the next few years will transform into star players in the next few years. From day-one, the high high turn-out of players to the clinic, was a sort of excitement to the the Chevron official who are encouraged with the programmed and promised to continue with the project. Mr. Haastrup however challenged the participants to improve on the foundation that has been laid for them at the NNPC/ Chevron Tennis Clinic.
“In the course of the three weeks that the clinic has lasted, the selected kids have been tutored in various aspects of the game by carefully selected expert trainers, some of whom have played the game at professional level. “I can therefore say that the participants have been exposed to the necessary basics of tennis, upon which they can build on. I like to congratulate the participants, who have been privileged to be part of this year’s edition. I believe that they will continue to improve on the foundation that has been laid at this clinic”, added Haastrup.
Danjuma Wins LGAN Championship, Berths Uganda Open Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Rachael Danjuma from Jaji Golf Club, will headline the Uganda Ladies Open Championship next month following her victory at the Ladies Golfers Association of Nigeria (LGAN) Northern Zonal Championship held in Abuja over the weekend. Danjuma shot 169 gross (78, 81) over 36 holes to beat Amina Wilfred by five strokes over the sun-baked GEJ Golf Club,
Nigerian Air Force Base, Abuja. The victory earned both ladies return flight tickets as Nigeria’s representatives to Kampala, where the Uganda Ladies Open will hold. Maryam Abdulsalam from Kaduna Golf Club returned 180 for third position while Blessing Obaje from Otukpo wound up with 183 to place fourth. About 88 lady golfers from the northern zone, featured and were joined by their teeming colleagues from the eastern zone
as playing guests. Zillah Dabbason from Kaduna Golf Club took honours in the nett category with 138, while Stella Musa from IBB Club, Abuja carded 141 nett to edge M. Dzaan from Makurdi Golf Club, on count back, for second position. Adaugo Martins ensured a podium finish for the host club, on the back of her 71 which fetched her the Best Net victory in the 29-36 handicap flight category. Tina Udoh won the Veteran category with 178
nett over 36 holes. The Inter-Club Matchplay Championship title went to Jaji Golf Club, Kaduna with a team score of 138 nett, while Otukpo Golf Club came second wth 149 nett. The Chairman Board of Trustees, IBB International Golf and Country Club, Gen Ibrahim Haruna, performed the ceremonial tee off, while Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, was one of the gentlemen golfers that played as guests on the second day of the tournament.