Connect with us

Sports

Oyo: Ona-Ara holds maiden sporting festival to equip youths

Published

on

THE Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government in Oyo State, Hon. Aderemi Ogundele has inaugurated a maiden edition of sporting festival tagged: ‘Ona-Ara sports festival’ to equip youths in the area. 

The sporting festival which is a partnership with management of Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Centre was on Monday, officially addressed journalists at the unveiling of the tournament slated for March 17, 2018 at the Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Centre, Akanran.

The council boss while addressing newsmen noted that the Public, Private Partnership between the local council and management of the sporting complex is to model the initiative after the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration.

He said: “may I crave your indulgence once more to state that the partnership between the public and private sectors being witnessed in this arrangement is a product of specific and unambiguous directive of His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to the local government council to partner with the private sector be it individuals or corporate for purpose of participatory governance that is capable of eventually yielding benefits for the people.

” The mission of the sporting festival is to provide an avenue where youths are engaged in international standard sport programmes where attention is redirected from anti social activities to sports thereby promoting peace and unity in the society. It is also to make our youths more responsible and awaken to their roles as future leaders”.

ALSO READ  LG crisis: AGF not properly briefed, his action selective—Oyo AG

The council boss also averred that the sporting festival will promote socio-economic activities of Ona-Ara people as “we expect a high inflow of people to the local council area”.

According to him, there are eight games slated for the sporting festival which include: football, basketball, volleyball,  table tennis, lawn tennis, handball, ayo olopon and athletics.

Speaking further, Ogundele also charged both private and public schools in the state to give priority to sports, adding that education has gone beyond mere academics as more people get their means of likelihood through sports and sports related jobs.

He, however called on public spirited, especially the sons and daughters of Ona- Ara Local Government to emulate the ingenuity creativity and philanthropic gesture of Engr. Sanusi, the owner of the sporting complex to bring development to the council.

Also speaking at the media parley, the Coordinator, Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Centre, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyi informed that the sports festival which will run from March 6th, 2018- March 23rd, 2018 was launched with the purpose of creating an event that will encourage communal unity as well as youth development.

The erstwhile Special Assistant  to the Oyo State Governor on Broadcast, Olaniyi stressed that the concept was to use the multi-sports festival to discover and develop talents and also to bring the best from the community to limelight.

ALSO READ  Workers allegedly kill farm owner in Kwara

“One of the objectives is to use the sporting complex as an avenue through which people can recreate and as a means of “escape route” from the hustle and bustle of the state capital, ibadan. Akanran being a suburb and agrarian town has a serene and non-polluted environment, hence, the guest rooms being constructed simultaneously with the sporting facilities.

“The guest rooms will serve as the accommodation for those who want to use the complex for various kinds of recreation or the other”, he said.

Advertisement
Comments

Sports

Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

Published

on

By

Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

ALSO READ  LG crisis: AGF not properly briefed, his action selective—Oyo AG

Continue Reading

Sports

Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

Published

on

By

 

Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

ALSO READ  Oyo APC group blames spate of insecurity on Makinde

His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

Continue Reading

Sports

“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

Published

on

By

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

ALSO READ  We will remain bullish in our approach to developing Oyo - Makinde

In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

ALSO READ  Alonso brace boosts Chelsea, Huddersfield win again

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Tweets by ‎@megaiconmagg

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Trending