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WEDNESDAY, DECEMber 14, 2016 • T H I S D AY
wednesDAYSPORTS
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com
AW C O N 2 0 1 6 FA L LO U T
Super Falcons Plan Protest to FEC over Unpaid Allowances Duro Ikhazuagbe After days of going back and forth over their unpaid allowances, 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations winners, the Super Falcons, have concluded plans to embark on a peaceful protest to the seat of power in the Federal Capital City of Abuja today. THISDAY checks revealed yesterday that the Falcons who won their 8th AWCON title in Cameroon penultimate weekend are planning to take their case to the Presidency as a way of pressing further to get their entitlements. Despite reports that they were paid N100,000 per player by cash-strapped Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last Friday, the girls and their officials are believed to be heading to the seat of power with their case on how to get their allowances said to be over $16,000 each. “We cannot continue to die in silence. If the NFF is claiming not to have the money to pay us, then it is better we take our case to the President at the Presidential Villa to register our displeasure and how to get our benefits,” observed one of the players who did not want her name in print last night. The aggrieved players who are holding on to the trophy of the 10th edition of the African Women tournament have refused to vacate the team’s Agura Hotel in Abuja until their benefits are
fully settled. “Nobody can throw us out of this place (Agura Hotel) until all our allowances are fully paid. We are not going anywhere,” insisted another influential member of the team. Another source in Abuja hinted last night that the 2016 AWCON champions are ready to carry placards and proceed on a peaceful protest to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled to take place today. An Abuja based female sports journalist, Aderonke Bello, said in a statement last night she was going to lead the protest to the Presidency for the girls to get their deserve benefits. “The players deserve to be paid their dues because they have served the nation diligently. This is unfortunately a regular occurrence to female football in Nigeria. We treat our victorious girls with disdain and total disrespect at all times. It is disgraceful really. “It is inconceivable that the NFF/Federal government are unwilling to pay the players their dues after winning the trophy. This has to stop and the girls must be paid their dues.” “We are going to protest the unfair treatment meted out to these champions who have won the tournament eight times, making them the most successful football team in Nigeria, and we hope the Federal Government will listen to their plea,” concludes the female footballers rights advocate.
Edo FA Honour for THISDAY Sports Editor, Others The Group Sports Editor of THISDAY, Duro Ikhazuagbe, is among sports personalities listed to be honoured by the Edo Football Association at a ceremony scheduled for the Excalibur Hotel, Benin City, on December 16. The annual football awards initiated on assumption of office by the Frank Ilaboya-led Edo FA last year are meant to honour outstanding football personalities from the state and beyond. Speaking about the honour, Ikhazuagbe said he was thrilled to be so recognized by his home state FA. “I feel very honoured by the award coming from the Edo FA. I have received several awards in the course of my sports journalism career but this is the first from my home state FA. I treasure this award,” observed the THISDAY group sports editor. Also to be honoured in the Media Persons of the Year category are outstanding journalists like Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV), Ben Ogbemudia (The Nation) and Benin-based broadcaster Eghosa Agbonlahor. Veteran journalists Sam John and Akido Shittu scooped the Outstanding Media Personalities of Our Time awards while late ex-Eagles coaches Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shaibu alongside first
Edo FIFA-badge referee Friday Omoruyi and Austin Allens would be given post-humous awards. Nigerian football legend, Bright Omokaro, who is also listed for honour by the Edo FA also expressed his joy at being recognised years after quitting the stage. “It’s a great thing to be honoured by my state FA. It’s an award that I will always cherish because I’m akin to a prophet honoured at home by his people,” the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalist said. The former hard-as-nails Super Eagles defender Omokaro alongside exteammates Humphrey Edobor, Samson Ozogula, Sunday Eboigbe, Francis Moniedafe, Friday Elahor and Monday Eguavoen were shortlisted for the Outstanding Footballers of Our Time award. Coaches Lawrence Akpokona, Dan Igiebor and Solomon Ogbeide are Outstanding Coaches of Our Time, while the 1985 U-17 World Cup winning Golden Eaglets were given the Evergreen Award. Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie scooped the Football Ambassador of Edo State 2016 award. The Award Committee headed by Percy Okojie submitted nominees last Friday.
Messi and Afghanistan boy (right) in Doha, Qatar… yesterday
Messi MakesYoung Afghan Boy’s Dream Come True in Qatar When Murtaza Ahmady stepped off the plane at Hamad International Airport following his journey from Afghanistan, the six-year-old boy asked his father Mohammed a single question: ‘Where is the house of Messi?’ The football-crazy youngster had made the special journey to Qatar to meet his FC Barcelona hero. Images of him wearing a plastic bag of Argentinian national colours with Messi written on the back had gone viral on social media earlier this year. Subsequently, the ‘Albiceleste’ (white and sky blue) superstar had sent young Murtaza a signed jersey and football, and promised to meet him in person when the
chance arose. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) was inspired by the story of the small boy and his dream, and decided to try and find him to give him the chance of meeting his hero. On December 13, that day arrived. Murtaza finally got the chance to hold his hero’s hand and got a giant hug from Messi on the morning of the ‘Match of Champions’ game between Barcelona and Al Ahli. As the Barcelona players walked past him on the way to a meeting room at the team hotel, Murtaza spotted Messi and reached out a hand, which the Argentina
superstar held with a big smile. A few moments later, Murtaza received a large embrace from his hero, who held him in his arms as the Barcelona team gathered behind him. Speaking with sc.qa, Murtaza said after his meeting with Messi: “I’m very happy to have met my hero. It is a dream for me. I can’t wait to see Messi at the game, it will be the first time for me in the stadium.” Yesterday evening, Murtaza was selected as one of the player escorts to walk out onto the pitch with his idol, providing another memory of a lifetime for him on his trip to Doha. An SC spokesperson said: “It
was inspirational to meet Murtaza, and see him fulfill his dream. We were all kids once and had dreams, and in Qatar many of us still have them. “Murtaza’s dream was to meet his hero. We are in a fortunate position here that we were able to bring them together. It’s about a kid and his dream. That’s it. That pretty much sums up the power of football. “We were struck by his story from the beginning, and are delighted that we made the meeting happen. The story is symbolic of our belief that football can change lives for the better, and inspire youngsters from across our region and beyond.”
NSCDC, Ogun, Dominate Korea Ambassador Taekwondo Tourney The Nigeria Security and Civic Defence Corps and Ogun State were the dominant athletes at the just concluded 7th Ambassador’s Taekwondo tournament rounded up in Lagos last Saturday. NSCDC emerged top with four gold medals ahead of Team Ogun that came second with three gold, one silver and one bronze. The third position went to Team Kebbi that clinched two gold and three bronze medals. Ogun State fighter, Richard Oyenusi, won the overall best male athlete award while his team mate Halimat Animasaun also of team Ogun emerged as the best female athlete of the entire championship. Nelson Oluigbo of Ogun state was adjudged as the best referee of the tournament while the best coach of the tournament award went to coach Samson Ajayi also of team Ogun. Over 300 taekwondoists drawn from 22 states and 25 clubsides from across the country and three international teams from west Africa featured at the three-day exercise at Molade-Okoya Thomas
Multipurpose Hall inside Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. At the grand finale, Korean Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr Noh Kyu Duk said that the 7th Korean Ambassador’ Cup Taekwondo, marked the 30th anniversary of establishing Taekwondo in Nigeria to support the growth of the sport. He promised that Asian country will continue to support and encourage the development of the game in
Nigeria. “That informs the decision of the Korean Government to send an expert in the art of taekwondo, Grandmaster Kim Jim Beorn to Nigeria to continue to train both the athletes and coaches”. Adding that, taekwondo is already being taught in some Nigerian, schools as extracurricular activity. “We have also noticed that Taekwondo as an Olympic event, is one of the most popular sports being practiced
in Nigeria with over 250,000 youths involved in it hence our continous promotion for the growth and development of the game. “Hopefully, with our commitment coupled with the efforts of the sports ministry, Nigeria will not only qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Taekwondo event, but will go to Japan and win medals,” Mr Noh Kyu-Duk, concluded.
R-L: Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Norden Thurston, Ex-international, Victor Ikpeba and Senior Brand Manager, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Segun Ogunleye at the just concluded COPA Lagos on Sunday