Kutigi Stadium to host maiden Bala Mohammed/Lavun Govt tourney on Saturday

 

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the maiden Coach Abubakar Bala Mohammed (TA) Niger Tornadoes Pre-season Lavun Local Govt Talent Hunt Football Competition, has released the groupings and fixtures for the tourney.

The tourney named after awarding winning and result-oriented Bala Mohammed, Technical Adviser Nigeria Premier Football League side Niger Tornadoes, will kick off on Saturday at the Late Mahmud Bawa Memorial Stadium Kutigi.

In draws conducted by the LOC of the Pre-season Talent Hunt Football tourney, informed that eight teams will lock horns in the event.

The teams for the tourney, all based in Kutigi have adopted the names of some Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, as have Niger Tornadoes, Enyimba, Rivers United, Shooting Stars, Pillars, Lobi Stars, Rangers, and Wikki Tourists.

Group A, is made up of Niger Tornadoes, Enyimba, Rivers United, and Wikki Tourists, while Shooting Stars, Pillars FC, Lobi Stars, and Rangers FC make up Group B.

According to the fixtures, the opening game of the tournament is a Group A fixture between Niger Tornadoes versus Enyimba by 3:30 pm.

There will be a single fixture on every Matchday, up till Wednesday 25th, May, while the top two teams in the groups will make it to the semi-final.

The LOC, who has made logistic arrangements, have fixed the semi-final matches for Friday 26th and 27th May, while the 3rd place final will be staged 48 hours later.

The date of the final, the LOC states will be communicated to the two finalists, as all are in top gear to ensure a hitch-free tournament in Kitugi.

Tornadoes Get Governor Bello's #1Million Largesse For Win Against Dakkada

 

It was ecstasy in the camp of Niger Tornadoes after the club Chairman Honourable Adamu Aliyu who doubles as the Principal Private Secretary to Nigeria State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, redeemed the One Million naira pledge made by His Excellency to the team for beating Dakkada.

Recall, the Ikon Allah Boys eased past stubborn Dakkada via a David Okoromi strike in a Matchday 9 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.  

After three consecutive draws in their adopted home ground, the needed 3 points spurred Tornadoes on, as they finished the first half of the season 5th on the Group B log with 12 points, and kept their hunt for a Super 6 play-off ticket alive.

Coach Bala Abubakar who shared the news with the media, thanked Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for his kind gesture and commitment towards the club.

"I feel we should show appreciation to our Governor for doing well this time as regards motivation, which has been lacking for a long time.

"For us, this is the tonic needed to galvanise the team going forward as it has been a tough first stanza, as its never easy playing home matches away from home.

"Despite the hurdles, we are still on track to finish the season on a high. Not forgetting our amiable Chairman, Honourable Aliyu, credit to him for his hard work and support towards the team." 

Meanwhile, as weeks turn into days to the season's second-half kick-off, Bala has assured fans and critics to watch out for a better Tornadoes. 

"We have used the election break to drill and reinforced the team with quality legs as we are working tirelessly on the team's weak areas we had identified in the first round.

" I don't want to make any promises but I want to assure everyone that Tornadoes will get it right in the second stanza of the season."

Park Volleyball: Thunders of Nasarawa, Offa VC, Kada Kings, 34 other teams to jostle for honors at 2022 Kontagora Invitational Challenge

 

A total of 37 teams are expected to take part in this year’s edition of Kontagora Invitational Volleyball Challenge slated for the First Quarter of 2022.

According to the sponsor of the Kontagora Invitational Challenge, Major General Taritimiye Gagariga, 21 teams will battle for honours in the male category, while 16 teams will vie for the top prize in the female category.

Maj Gen Gagariga who doubles as the Chairman, Nigeria Park Volleyball stated that the objective of the competition was to complement the vision of the current President NVBF, Engineer Musa Nimrod, to promote unity, empower youths, stregthen grassroots diversity, encourage mentorship and inculcate the spirit of sponsorship in the game of volleyball across the country.

He said, “As part of efforts to activate park volleyball in the country, 6 of the invited teams had indicated interest to participate in the Park Volleyball Exhibition Matches during this year’s Kontagora Invitational Challenge.

“ Within the last 3 months, all NVBF Board Members have in one way or the other promted the game of volleyball with donations and organised competitions across the 36 states. The Kontagora Challenge is just one of the many that would herald other well graded programs of the NVBF for 2022." 

He implored participating teams, match officials, coaches and referees to embrace discipline as well as sportsmanship spirit of perseverance.

In a related development, to ensuring capacity building of Nigerian Volleyball Coaches Association (NVCA), a 2-day Coaching Seminar for all the participating teams will be organised during the competition. The Chairman NVCA, Coach Elishama Elam has assured all participants that the seminar would be beneficial for coaches to develop the game  at grassroots level and that Coach Tony Oghuma had been contacted as the Resource Person for the seminar.

The teams that have indicated interest are Defence Spikers of Abuja, COAS Spikers of Zaria, Navy Sailors of Lagos, NAF Rockets of Kaduna, Super Stars of Kontagora, G-RANK Spikers of Kachia, Bayonet Spikers of Jaji and Rhino of Jos. Other teams are Scorpion Spikers of Abuja, Kaf Ambassadors of Kafanchan, Stinging Bees of Katari, Yelwa of Bauchi, Games Village Volleyball Club Abuja. Life Camp Volleball Club Abuja, Victory Spikers Owerri, Offa Volleyball Club, Nasa Thunders of Nasarawa, Nile University Abuja, Niger Brass Minna, Kada Kings Kaduna and Katsina United Volleyball Club.

Insecurity: Nigeria Pillar of Sports takes 'Engage the Youths with Sports' campaign to Etsu Nupe

 

Nigeria Pillar of sports Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike on Sunday took his National message to curb insecurity  campaign in Nigeria through sports to the palace of his royal highness the Etsu Nupe Alh. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar (CFR) in Bida Niger state. 

Chief Ejidike who was on a courtesy visit to the Etsu Nupe said traditional rulers have a crucial role to play in arresting the rate of security challenges in the country.

 He  called on the Etsu Nupe to partner with the office of the Nigeria Pillar of sports to use sporting activities to engage the youths meaningfully. 

The Nigeria Pillar of sports commended the traditional ruler for his leadership qualities in governing the entire Nupe  kingdom and assured him of maximum cooperation from his office to boost sports development in his domain. 

In his response, the Etsu Nupe who doubles as the Chairman of the Niger state council of traditional rulers commended the Nigeria Pillar of sports for his role in sports development across the country stressing that government alone cannot develop youths and sports without the cooperation of individuals and corporate bodies.

He said the Bida Emirate council would collaborate with the office of the Nigeria Pillar of sports to explore ways of positive engagement of the youths to curb insecurity and illicit behaviors amongst them.

Highlights of the visit included the presentation of souvenirs by the office of the Nigeria Pillar of sports as well as royal blessings,  prayers and traditional gifts from the Etsu Nupe to the visitors.

Giants Football Academy unveils Attai Usman as new Head Coach

The management of Giants Football Academy, Minna has unveiled Coach Attai Johnson Usman as the new Head Coach of the Club on a 2-year deal.

Poised to improve the standard of the Academy, the Chairman of Giants FA, Ibrahim Adegbola Adeshola during the unveiling ceremony noted that the choice of Coach Usman was borne out of the need to keep up with the high standard the club is known for and to also strengthen its resolve towards becoming a positive reference point in the football industry.

Adeshola expressed optimism that the club will definitely take a new leap with the loads of experience the new gaffer is bringing on board.

Usman,a National Institute of Sports (NIS) certified Coach among many other qualifications holds an FCAAN Coaching license C, D and UEFA 'B' license of Bulgeria football Union.

Speaking to the newsmen after his unveiling in Minna on Monday, the former Bendel Insurance player says his target is to take the football Academy to the highest level.

He promised to work round the clock in order to achieve the inception message of the Academy which involves discovering of talents and creating opportunities for them. 

"My target is to bring about a change that has never been seen before while we also build a special Academy that will attract a lot of people" said the tactician.

Attai added that part of his aims for the Academy will also include to develop players that can go in to the National team from the junior cadre to the senior cadre.

Usman brings a lot of experience as a gaffer having handled teams in Kaduna, Osun and Niger States.

His working experience covers being an assistant coach at Niger Tornadoes feeders team, Head Coach at Mao FC Osogbo, Romi United FC and Panonias FA in Kaduna, Mypa FC and Niger United FC in Minna , Niger State.

Born on 31st of December,1968 , Attai who also had a stint with Katsina United, Niger Dock FC of Lagos, Gray College FC, Arewa Textile FC and Customs FC in Kaduna hails from Dekina local government area of Kogi State.

Giants FA, an NLO 3 side based in Minna, Niger State Capital was established on December 4, 2018 and has been producing talented footballers for professional teams in the country.

Among many of its product is Bafan Augustine,the midfielder who was part of the team that promoted Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna back to the NPFL

Fresh gets Niger State Nation-wide League One clubs preseason invites

Chairman of Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh is one of the special guests invited for the final of Preseason Tournament organised for clubs based in Niger State who are participating in the Nigeria Nation-wide League (NLO) One.

Tornadoes set for winning start at Minna against Abia Warriors

Niger Tornadoes will host Abia Warriors in the Matchday 10 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL encounter at their traditional home ground Bako Kontogora Stadium for the first time since gaining promotion to the elite season three seasons ago.

Ketso commends Fresh, Niger State FA on grassroots development

Deputy Governor of Niger State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Mohammed Ketso has commended the laudable programs initiated by the Niger State Football Association under the covers of Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh since he assumed office. 

Grassroots Football: Fresh unveils Deputy Governor's U21 Peace and Unity Cup tournament

Chairman of Niger state football association alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has presented the maiden edition of Niger state deputy governor's under 21 peace and unity cup ( trophy) as he set sights on grassroots development in the power state. 

My CAF reappointment ordained by God -Fresh

The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF through its official website confirmed the reappointment of Vice Chairman Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh for the third consecutive time, As member of caf technical and development committee. 

Fresh commiserates with Kano FA boss over brother's death

Chairman Niger State Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, has sympathized with Chairman Kano State FA, Alhaji Rabiu Shariff Inuwa over the death of his elder brother (Alhaji Sharu Inuwa Ahlan) who passed on Monday.

Pinnick, Dikko, others in Jos for Fresh Cup finals

Chairman of Referees Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, has invited major football stakeholders to Jos, Plateau State capital to grace the final of 'Comrade Ahmed Fresh Football on the Plateau'.

Niger State Governor's Cup ends with pump, pageantry

By Adewale Ajayi

The sleeping town of Mokwa is just about one hour drive away from Kainji, home of the very popular Kainji Dam in Niger state, North central Nigeria.

Celtic FC Storms Abuja for AYF Veterans Shield Tourney

Celtic Football Club is set to arrive the nation’s capital city of Abuja to compete for honor and trophies at this year's Veterans Shield Football Tournament.