TheNewsGuru

Tag: Olympics

  • Olympics: Super Falcons coach submits important request to Sports Minister, NFF

    Olympics: Super Falcons coach submits important request to Sports Minister, NFF

    Following the qualification of the Super Falcons of Nigeria for the Paris 2024 Olympics, coach Randy Waldrum has made some important requests to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Waldrum to have requested the NFF and Senator Enoh to ensure early camping and early preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the Olympic Games.

    Coach Waldrum made the request during the post-match press briefing shortly after the Super Falcons qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

    The Super Falcons booked their ticket to the Olympics after a tense goalless draw against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Pretoria.

    The team had on Friday in the first leg pipped their South African counterparts 1-0, which ultimately secured their qualification for the Olympics in 16 years.

    Speaking thereafter, Waldrum said: “My plea is to the Minister of Sports and to the Federation to help us prepare properly.

    “We need to camp in Europe to prepare for the group we have. We need proper training. We need proper transportation.

    “We need to do things right because these women deserve this opportunity to represent our country in the best possible way as we know.

    “If you look at our group, it’s the group of death. I am already thinking about what we need to do to get ready”.

    TNG reports the Super Falcons will battle Brazil, Spain and Japan in Group C of the Paris 2024 Olympic games female football event.

    Having kept a number of clean sheets, Waldrum noted that the Super Falcons are good defensively but that the team needs to get better in the attack.

    “The team did everything we asked them to do to get the result. We knew South Africa would really come at us. We respect their strength. We respect their team very much.

    “We know what their qualities are but I think this is our 7th or 8th clean sheets in our last 8 or 9 games.

    “So, we did very good defensively and I felt strong about that and with some better work, we will get better on the offensive side.

    “But we need some time to prepare and get our players together

    “I know how much it means to the fans of Nigeria and to the NFF not to have qualified for 16 years. To them, I am very thankful and very happy,” Waldrum said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Sports had praised  the Super Falcons for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games.

    Senator Enoh shortly after the match on Tuesday commended the team for their bold, energetic, and tireless performance over two legs against their arch rivals.

    Enoh expressed immense pride in the Super Falcons’ achievement, highlighting that their performance deserved nothing short of the ticket to Paris.

    “Today, we salute the Super Falcons for their extraordinary display of tenacity and doggedness, breaking barriers and reclaiming Nigeria’s spot on the Olympic stage.

    “Their victory is not just a triumph for Nigerian football, but a testament to the power of dedication and teamwork.

    “As we look forward to Paris 2024, let us rally behind our champions and support them as they strive for greatness,” he said.

    Enoh also thanked the coaching staff, players and all Nigerians, stating it is a win for the country.

    He said all hands must be on deck, as they prepare to represent Nigeria with pride and determination at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    TNG reports the 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

  • Like Super Falcons, Copper Queens qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

    Like Super Falcons, Copper Queens qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

    Just like the Super Falcons of Nigeria, the Copper Queens of Zambia have secured a ticket for the 2024 Olympic Games set to hold in Paris, France late in the year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Barbra Banda scored two goals for the Zambian girls in the second leg qualifiers fixture played at the Prince Heritier Moulay EL Hassan Stadium in Rabat to secure a win over Morocco to book the ticket for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    Morocco had won the first leg played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola in Zambia, beating the Copper Queens 2:1. Zambia qualifies back-to-back on 3:2 aggregate.

    Lushomo Mweemba scored the lone goal for Zambia while Zineb Redouani and Rosella Ayane scored the two goals for Morocco in the first leg.

    The Copper Queens of Zambia will join the Super Falcons of Nigeria to represent the African continent at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    The Super Falcons booked their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics after a tensed goalless draw against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Pretoria on Tuesday.

    The team had last Friday in the first leg pipped their South African counterparts 1-0, which ultimately secured their qualification for the Olympics in 16 years.

    Australian, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and France had qualified for the 2024 Olympics. Other countries that have secured qualification for the Paris Olympics are Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States of America.

  • Olympics jinx: What Sports Minister said after Super Falcons performance against South Africa

    Olympics jinx: What Sports Minister said after Super Falcons performance against South Africa

    Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh has hailed the performance of the Super Falcons against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa as historic.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons beat Bayana Bayana of South Africa 1-0 on aggregate to seal qualification for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years.

    The nine-time African champions defeated their South African rivals 1-0 in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Friday before settling for a goalless draw in the return leg on Tuesday.

    The game  played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria saw both sides attempt very few scoring chances, but it was Nigeria’s defence and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who kept the hosts at bay.

    Efforts by captain Thembi Kgatlana to open scoring for the hosts in the second half proved abortive as Nigeria’s wall stood tall to defend their lead on the day.

    Reacting, the Minister of Sports wrote via X (formerly Twitter): “The Jinx is broken

    “The Super Falcons of Nigeria have emerged victorious against Banyana Banyana of South Africa with an aggregate score of 1-0 in the final leg of the Olympic qualifying match held in Pretoria.

    “The Falcons kept a clean sheet and secured a historic victory after a sixteen-year drought. With this win, they have earned a spot in the Paris Olympics 2024.

    “Congratulations to the Super Falcons on their incredible achievement”.

    The result means Nigeria secure  the continent’s spot for the Olympics.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria is in Group C alongside World Cup champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in the Games billed for July 26 to Aug.11 in France.

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons break 16-year jinx to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

    BREAKING: Super Falcons break 16-year jinx to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Paris, France later in the year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons played a draw with the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the second leg fixture of the Olympics qualifiers on Tuesday.

    The game played at the Loftus Versfeld stadium, Pretoria in South Africa ended 0:0 in favour of the Super Falcons, having pipped the Banyana Banyana by 1 goal in Abuja, Nigeria last week.

    The second leg fixture saw both sides attempt very few scoring chances, but it was Nigeria’s defence and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who kept the hosts at bay.

    Efforts by captain Thembi Kgatlana to open scoring for the hosts in the second half proved abortive as Nigeria’s wall stood tall to defend their lead on the day.

    TNG reports Falcons beat Bayana Bayana of South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged encounter to seal qualification  for the first time in 16 years.

    The result means Nigeria secured the continent’s spot for the Olympics.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria is in Group C alongside World Cup champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in the Games billed for July 26 to Aug.11 in France.

  • Olympics: Putin open to Ukraine ceasefire

    Olympics: Putin open to Ukraine ceasefire

    Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is open to a ceasefire during the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

    French President, Emmanuel Macron confirmed it to Ukrainians that Paris would ask Moscow to agree to a truce for the duration of the Games, set for July 26 to Aug. 11, local media reported.

    In a news conference following Putin’s projected re-election on Sunday evening, Putin said he had so far, not heard of such a proposal by Macron.

    “In any case, we would always proceed from Russia’s interests and the situation on the battlefield,” the Kremlin leader said.

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in July and August as neutral athletes under strict conditions.

    The IOC initially banned Russia and its ally,  Belarus from international sports events after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

    Putin said such restrictions would distort the meaning of the Olympic movement.

    The war started during the United Nations-backed Olympic Truce period, a few days after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and ahead of Paralympics in the Chinese capital.

    Moscow had repeatedly said it remained open to negotiations to end the war under certain conditions, including being able to retain the large areas occupied in Ukraine.

  • It is time for Nigeria to beat record set at Atlanta ‘96 – Sports Minister

    It is time for Nigeria to beat record set at Atlanta ‘96 – Sports Minister

    The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has urged Federations   on podium finish in the upcoming African Games, Olympics and Paralympics.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Enoh to have said it was time for Nigeria to beat the record set at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic game.

    Recall Nigeria conquered the world by beating Argentina to win the Olympic Gold in football at Sanford Stadium, Atlanta in 1996.

    Speaking during a meeting with sports federation presidents at the  Moshood Abiola Stadium on Thursday in Abuja, the Sports Minister stressed it was necessary for the Federations to push for podium finishes in all the competitions.

    Enoh said the meeting was aimed at fostering  collaboration, synchronising plans, and strategising collective actions among the various sports federations.

    “We will be participating in the African Games, Olympics and Paralympics.

    “Some Federations have qualified and some will still have to qualify and go to the  Olympics to beat that record of Atlanta.

    “Federations must work hard to finish on the  podium in all their events,” Enoh said.

    TNG reports Nigeria will participate in 12 sports  in the Olympics and 23 sports in the Africa Games.

    Nigeria will be participating in 23 sports and three demonstration sports in Ghana from March 8 to March 24.

    Minister pledges to tackle funding challenge in sports

    Meanwhile, the Sports Minister pledged to tackle funding challenges in sports in the country.

    Enoh made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a technical meeting with federations ahead of the 13th African Games in Ghana from March 8 to March 24.

    The Minister said funding has always been a challenge in the development of sports in the country, and that relying wholly on government for funds was no longer tenable.

    “The challenge of funds in sports has been in existence for so long and every day we keep talking about it.

    “I am determined to solve that challenge even if we have to go ahead and amend existing laws to see what provisions these laws can make to fund our sports.

    “Depending solely on the yearly appropriation from the government can never be a solution, meaning there must be a way out of it.

    “Also coming from a background where I chaired and worked in a finance committee at the Senate and House of  Representatives, I have a determination and commitment to see how we can end and tackle this challenge.

    “If by the end of this year, I am still going to go back, depending on the government for 100 per cent  funding for the Ministry, then it means that there is more that is required to be done,” he said.

  • Nigeria’s Olympic hero, Jerry Okorodudu dies at 64

    Nigeria’s Olympic hero, Jerry Okorodudu dies at 64

    Former Nigerian boxer and Olympian, Jeremiah ‘Jerry’ Okorodudu, has given up the ghost.

    He was aged 64.

    The boxer died at a private  hospital in Lawandon, Lagos on Wednesday night after battling with foot ulcer that left him bedridden for weeks.

    When contacted, Adenike,  Okorodudu’s wife   confirmed the news of the boxer’s death to press men.

    However, Adenike said the hospital was not willing to release her husband’s corpse until the outstanding N600,000 medical bill is paid.

    “He is dead now but we still need to pay N600,000 to get his body out of the hospital,” Adenike said.

    They were reports last week that the Olympian was feeling better following several transfers from different hospitals, mainly due to lack of funds, before he was brought to the Lawanson hospital.

    Secretary-General, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and the President, West Africa Boxing Union, Remi Aboderin, also confirmed that the Olympian had passed away.

    “It is true about his death. I just confirmed it after you called me and I reached out to some colleagues,” Aboderin said.

    “It is unfortunate that he died this way, and I am actually lost for words. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

    The Vice President, Nigeria Boxing Federation, Azania Omo-Agege, told pressmen that he sent his wife some money on Tuesday for the hospital bills of the former boxer.

    “I just sent them money yesterday (Tuesday). I sent them N100,000 and we were planning for the amputation (of his leg) on Friday, this is very sad,” he said.

    Okorodudu, a bronze medalist at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, was controversially edged out at the quarterfinals of the 1984 Olympic Games by Virgil Hills of the United States.

    He was a gold medallist at the Oluyole 1979 National Sports Festival in Ibadan.

    His medical predicament began in 2020 with a boil affliction that affected his mobility. He then had a successful surgery at Dans Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    But his health condition relapsed after he was diagnosed with foot ulcer and suffered a stroke.
  • Finish line in view as Lagos City Marathon starts off

    Finish line in view as Lagos City Marathon starts off

    The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, held annually in Lagos State has kicked off as runners already set their eyes on the finish line.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the first category of the Access Bank-Lagos City Marathon covers 42 km and commenced from National Stadium Underbridge on Funsho Williams Avenue and would go through Barracks Ojuelegba.

    The marathon will continue on the main carriageway, Dorman Long Bridge at Fadeyi on Ikorodu Road, Obanikoro, Anthony to Gbagada, Third Mainland Bridge, Osborne Road, Alfred Rewane (Old Kingsway) Road, and Falomo Roundabout.

    The trail will continue to Bourdillon Road ,Cable Bridge (Ikoyi – Lekki Link Bridge), Admiralty Way, Lekki First Roundabout, Lekki Tollgate, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street, terminating at Eko Atlantic City.

    The second category of the race covers 10 km, and starts from Durosimi Etti, Lekki Phase 1 and will connect Lekki First Roundabout, Lekki Toll-Gate,  Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street terminating at Eko Atlantic City (Finish Point).

    TNG reports top winners of the 2023 Gold-Label Lagos City Marathon will book qualifications tickets for the marathon event of the next edition of the Olympic games in Paris 2024, France.

  • Sports University; The Eagles of parity in competitive Global Sports debuts – By Nkem Osu

    By Nkem Osu

    At the ideation and conception stages of the Sports University of Nigeria, Idumuje-Ugboko, the Proprietor, Prince (Dr) Ned Nwoko exuded implicit aplomb, that the fruition of the project will provide a watershed in the sporting fortunes of some developing countries in order to beget competitive parity in global sports.

    He particularly identified Nigeria as an epicenter for deploying the institution’s innovative approaches; embedded in the modus-operandi of the trail-blazing Sports University, as against the hitherto unproductive methods, from which Nigeria could boast only three good medals, from more than a dozen Olympics appearances.

    This remarkable educational institution’s uniqueness, revolves around the Proprietor and Chancellor, Prince (Hon) Ned Nwoko’s mission statement, which among others anchors on” providing education in sports services: science; medicine; management; engineering; physical education; humanities and social science, as well as to develop top-level athletes through high performance training.

    Also, it will be collaborating with relevant authorities globally for exchange programmes to produce Olympic gold medalists, at international sports championships and world record breakers in many areas of sports”.

    Beside churning out quality athletes, astute sports managers and administrators, the Nigerian, African and global sports fellowship stands to harvest plethora benefits.

    The Sports University boasts a preponderance of standard global sporting facilities, including but not limited to a three-floor academic building, top-scale art library, medical centers, Olympic-size swimming pool, and standard pitches for football, hockey, and baseball.

    Also, the varsity showcases a five-star hotel, administrative blocks, lecture halls, canteen, and junior staff quarters among numerous state of the art facilities.

    And establishing an Olympic Training Centre at the facility will indubitably enhance the standard of competitiveness in the comity of the global sporting fraternity.

    Additionally, athletes who are alumni, will no longer wallow in abject poverty, as skills acquired there from, will place them in good stead in their post-competition era, as against the prevailing status of retired athletes’ complaints of neglect from their hitherto benefactors.

  • Russia plans to bid for 2036 Olympics

    Russia plans to bid for 2036 Olympics

    Russia has reiterated its intention to bid for the 2036 Olympics and is set to find the most suitable city for the Games.

    “We must bid for 2036, the whole country must appoint a worthy candidate,” deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said on Tuesday in Moscow.

    Russia’s Olympic Committee and the sports ministry are to select the most suitable city – with St Petersburg and Kazan mentioned earlier in the year among potential candidates.

    Russia hosted the Olympics 1980 in Moscow and the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

    Russian athletes are currently not allowed to host major events or compete as a nation with their symbols at major events including the upcoming Beijing Winter Games.

    This is owing to sanctions in connection with doping practices.

    The next summer Games are 2024 in Paris, 2028 in Los Angeles and 2032 in Brisbane.

    Others mulling a 2036 bid include Germany with their capital Berlin.

    This is in an attempt to show that the country has changed 100 years after the 1936 Games held during Adolf Hitler’s Nazi era.

    Chernyshenko said that as far as he knows the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was yet to start the bid process.

    In the past, cities were elected seven years in advance but the whole bid process has now changed.