Sports

IBB Golf Club Seeks NCAC’s Support for Independence Day Golf Tourney

Published

3 years ago

September 8, 2021

Eric

The IBB International Golf and Country Club have solicited the support of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) to make the 61st Independence day Golf Tournament a success.

A delegation from the Club which comprised members of the tournament planning committee was at the office of the Director General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe OON in Abuja on a courtesy visit.

In his address, the head of the delegation Mike Ikoja stated that their visit as members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament was firstly to show gratitude to Otunba Runsewe for his selfless contributions to the development of golf as evidenced in the IBB Golf and Country Club and to seek the support of NCAC for the 61st Independence Golf Tournament scheduled for 24th of September to the 1at of October 2021 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Ikoja revealed that the IBB International Golf and Country Club is the most prestigious Golf Club in the country with a diverse membership of over 5000 drawn from government agencies, captains of industries, senior Diplomats and high net worth individuals.

Ikoja who is the Vice Captain of the Club maintained that over the years, the club has provided a platform for nigerians and foreigners, particularly those in the public and private sector the opportunity to recreate and network, while leveraging on the huge national and international brand values to enhance their businesses aans goodwill.

“The Independent Golf Tournament is the biggest event in the Club’s calendar in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary and the highlight of the event will be an international match between IBB Golf Club and golf clubs from some African Countries” he added.

The Vice Captain however solicited the full support of NCAC in making this year’s tournament meet the expectations of the golfing family.

In his response, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe OON thanked the delegation for the honor in recognizing his little contributions to the development of the game of golf.

Otunba Runsewe said that golf as a unifying game always provide a veritable platform for people from all spheres of the society to share ideas. The Director General revealed that he was working on some cultural brands which he hopes to showcase during the tournament.
” Golf and Culture are closely knitted and NCAC hopes to use the platform provides by the tournament to showcase some of them” Otunba reiterated.

Otunba Runsewe who doubles as the President, World Crafts Council, African Region pledged to dedicate the next edition of the Magazine on Golf published by him to the tournament which will be distributed free.

The Director General therefore promised that the NCAC Cultural Troupe will feature prominently throughout the tournament to entertain guests. The Council will also showcase it’s collections in culturally embellished stand during the tournament while the Executive members of the Club as well as members of the planning committee will be provided with cultural golf attires.

Sports

Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Eric

Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Sports

Botched Game: CAF Punishes Libya, Awards Three Points, Three Goals to Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

October 26, 2024

Eric

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded three points, and three goals to Nigeria for the missed Libya game.

The development comes after the CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, said a thorough probe was ongoing following the recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

Motsepe had maintained that the continental body would not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship and unfair treatment in African football.

However, in the latest development on Saturday, a statement signed by CAF’s Chairperson of CAF Disciplinary Board, Ousmane Kane said the decision to award Nigeria the points was taken after findings by the disciplinary committee it set up to look into the matter, found Libya guilty of the inhumane treatment meted out to the Nigerian senior men’s football team.

The 5-man disciplinary committee consist of; Mr. Ousmane Kane (Senegal) Chairperson, Ms. Njeri Onyango (Kenya) Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Felix Golbassia (Tchad) Member, Mr. Patrick Shale (Lesotho) Member, and Mr. Norman Arendse (South Africa) Member.

CAF said the disciplinary board decided that; “The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African, Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, and that the match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).”

Following the conclusion of the board’s findings, CAF also ordered the Libya Football Federation to pay a fine of USD 50,000 within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The players and officials were stranded for hours at a Libyan airport and denied access to food and the internet as they prepared to honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with the Mediterranean Knights.

It took diplomatic efforts and social media callouts for the team to be cleared to finally leave Libya.

With the CAF decision, Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

The Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points. Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14th November (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.

Sports

LFF Denies Foul Play Against Super Eagles, Blames Logistic Challenges for Delay

Published

1 month ago

October 14, 2024

Eric

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has addressed the circumstances behind the extended delay at Al Abraq International Airport, where the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held hostage for over 15 hours, and attributed the situation to routine air traffic and logistical challenges rather than deliberate foul play.

In a statement on Monday via X, the LFF sought to clarify the events, emphasising that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intended as a hostile act.

“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said.

Meanwhile, in the most recent development, Super Eagles players and officials have been reportedly set to depart from Libya.

This was disclosed by a sports enthusiast, identified as Pooja Media, via his X handle on Monday, according to The Punch report.

He wrote, “Super Eagles players and all officials are boarding to fly out of Libya to Nigeria. Thank God.”

Confirming this, a player, Bruno Onyemaechi, wrote, “Me and Libya, I don wash my hands commot. Nothing concerns me and una again. Thank God I’m going back.”

The team, held at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours, has resolved not to play the match, citing safety concerns.

Nigeria Football Federation director of communications, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the team would fly back home.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” Olajire stated.