Sports
THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL-OWNED SPORTING COMPLEX IN NIGERIA: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
OYO state, one of the foremost States in the Yoruba nation, a South-West region in Nigeria prides itself as the state of many firsts not only in the country but in the continent as a whole.
The state which can boast to have had the first television station in Africa, WNBC-WNBS which was later metamorphosed into Nigeria Television Authority; the frist university in Africa, University of Ibadan and the first stadium in the continent, Liberty Stadium, all situated in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, are few of the several firsts developmental institutions that were, first of all, germinated in the state even when the country was still under the British colonial rule, after which other States in Nigeria and some African countries began emulating the unique projects. These historic feats have earned the state its famous sobriquet the pacesetter.
This time arround, it is the first ever private-owned sporting edifice; this sporting complex with a standard football pitch is being constructed in the ancient city of Akanran in Ona-Ara local government, a suburb of Ibadan, the state capital.
Besides the Standard football pitch which is arround thirty-five percent completion, the indoor and outdoor games arenas such as basket ball, volley ball, handball and lawn tennis courts have all reached eighty percent completion.
According to the site engineer, a local contractor, who does not want his name to be published because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the owner of the sporting complex which is scheduled to be fully completed in September this year stated, when asked if the sporting complex can be completed within the said time frame, that he is cock sure that his crew will achieve hundred percent completion by September, adding that, that is the reason why they have been working round the clock, including Sundays, to ensure that the dead line is met.
Our correspondence learned that the objective behind the citing of the sporting edifice in the sprawling town of Akanran by the owner, a business man, a silent philantropist and who himself is a trained-engineer is to first and foremost, develop and exposé Akanran town to the outside world.
In his words, “the owner being an indigene of this local goverment, Ona-Ara, is not happy about the state of infrastructural facilities in the town and local government as a whole.
He does not like the primitive state which the town has been sentenced to by the past governments, hence, he had taken it upon himself to open up the town, and in extension, the local government, to the outside world by building standard sporting complex within the local government.
“He is not unaware of the the bad state of the road the motorists pass through when entering Akanran, the council’s headquarters, but he believes that various developmental projects being citéd in the town by him will spur the state government to rehabilitate or better still, reconstruct the road which in its present state is a motorists’ nightmares”, he concluded.
According to the investigation conducted by our correspondent, the owner and his advisors had drawn up several activities that will not only make the sporting complex engaged but also self sustaining upon full completion; and on top of these activities are grass root football competitions.
The site engineer stated further, “the owner being a passionate philantropist, believes that having a grass root sporting competitions organised within the sporting complex will not only make the edifice engaged but will also serve as talents discovery avenue which will give quality life and hope to the children of the downtrodden of the society whose talents have not been properly harnessed for the development of the country by the various sporting bodies.
“It is also believed that the football pitch in the complex might be used as a training pitch by the Shooting Stars football club because we learned that Shooting Stars football club go as far as Ijebu-ode in Ogun state to have their training sessions done.
Apart from this, just as it will be useful for the less priviledged of the society, it will also be useful to the rich. One of the objectives is to use the sporting complex as an avenue through which the rich 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 accomodation for those who want to use the complex for various kinds of recreation or the other.
The newly weds, instead of travelling out outside the country for their honey moon, thereby spending their hard-earned money which can be used for better things, will find a perfect place within the environment for neccessary bonding, because, apart from the facilies that will be enjoyed in the guest rooms, they will also have access to the complex sporting facilities.
And Just tell me what is more perfect than to have a newly married couple playing alone together in this nearly perfect, none polluted environment, he asked rhetorically.
“All these and more are some of the plans the management has pencil down as sources of revenue which will make the sporting complex to be engaged sporting wise and economically self sustaining.
Our correspondent, however learned that, the long term vision of the owner is to turn the town into a mega city. Because according to our source, apart from a big mordernised farm which the owner runs besides yet-to-be-completed sporting arena, he has also earmarked a special portion, just a stone throw besides the stadium for an international market.
By Hazeez Ayansola.
Sports
German Coach, Labbadia Named New Head Coach of Super Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Sports
Finidi George Appointed as Technical Manager for Rivers United
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Sports
US Fund Oaktree ‘Takes Over Ownership’ Of Inter Milan
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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