36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 Sighs, hisses as Edo 2020 sports festival ends S<strong>to</strong>ries By Ben The stage is set for the final show of the 20th National Sports Festival tagged ‘Edo 202O’ at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, <strong>to</strong>day in Benin City. Though participating athletes and officials are relieved the events came <strong>to</strong> an end, they cannot forget the tragic and comic drama that dogged Edo 2020. “There’s been <strong>to</strong>o much controversy, the urge <strong>to</strong> win at all cost was just <strong>to</strong>o brazen,” sighed former Delta State sports commissioner and Athletics federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba. Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, is expected <strong>to</strong> declare the games closed after a variety of entertainment and speeches by host governor Godwin Obaseki, deputy governor Philip Shaibu who is LOC chairman and Sports Minister Sunday Dare. ‘Edo 2020’ was scheduled for March 2020, but it suffered several postponements due <strong>to</strong> covid-19 precautions. But when the games finally came on stream on April 2 with almost all the states With only a few hours left for the National Sports Festival <strong>to</strong> close, the hosts Edo State are yet receive the N500m grant promised by the federal government. Edo 2020 local organizing committee headed by the Deputy governor, Philip Shaibu had threatened <strong>to</strong> shut down the games midway, because resources <strong>to</strong> run the NSF dried of federation participating, intrigues of many sorts came <strong>to</strong> play. The hosts threatened <strong>to</strong> shut down the Festival, because the sports ministry failed <strong>to</strong> carry them along with regards <strong>to</strong> funds promised by the Federal government <strong>to</strong> assist Edo. There was also bitter contest for medals <strong>to</strong> the extent an Edo Edo still waiting for N500m grant Enyimba of Aba captain, Austin Oladapo remains confident that his side will qualify for the semi-final of the 2020-2021 CAF Confederation C<strong>up</strong>. Enyimba’s hope of reaching the last four of the competition is hanging on a thread following 3-0 defeat <strong>to</strong> ES Setif of Algeria at the May 8 Stadium on Sunday. Although the defeat was not <strong>up</strong>. But after a long meeting between the Sports Ministry and Edo officials, it was resolved that the games continue with a firm promise the FG funds will be released. But as at yesterday, there was nothing forthcoming. “The funds will eventually be released, but for now they are tied down by procedures,” said an aide <strong>to</strong> the sports minister. We’ve <strong>to</strong> get result in Libya —Enyimba captain enough <strong>to</strong> take Aba Elephants away from the second position on the log, they are condemned <strong>to</strong> pick a point in the next game against Ahli Benghazi in Libya <strong>to</strong> remain in the position. Speaking <strong>to</strong> brila.net, Oladapo who was short of word after the collapse in Algeria said they have <strong>to</strong> pick themselves <strong>up</strong> quickly and keep believing. The inspirational captain insisted that their ambition was <strong>to</strong> make it Oladapo out of the gro<strong>up</strong> and he was confident they would achieve their target. “What happened in Algeria was just football, we gave our best, but it wasn’t enough <strong>to</strong> earn us the point we wanted,” he said. “We are frustrated, but we have <strong>to</strong> keep believing in ourselves because the qualification is still in our hands, so we have <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> Libya and do the needful” “It’s a difficult place <strong>to</strong> go and get a win, but everything is possible with the right motivation and mindset” he concluded. Troussier applies for Bafana job French coach Philippe Troussier has put his hands <strong>up</strong> for the vacant Bafana Bafana job. The representatives of the Frenchman have opened talks with the South African Football Association. Bafana have been without a coach since unceremoniously parting ways with Molefi Ntseki at the end of March, following the country’s failure <strong>to</strong> qualify for the Africa C<strong>up</strong> of Nations. Since then, several names have been thrown in<strong>to</strong> the hat <strong>to</strong> take over the national team hot seat, among them Pitso Mosimane, Benni McCarthy, and Carlos Queiroz who was identified as SAFA’s first-choice candidate. kickboxing coach attacked his Delta State colleague because a Delta athlete had won the gold. The Delta coach almost lost his left eye due <strong>to</strong> the impact of the vicious blow he received unexpectedly. The Edo coach has been handed a five-year ban by the NSF Main Organizing Committee. As the excitement of the National Sports festival Edo 2020 gets <strong>to</strong> a crescendo, Minister of Youth and sports Development Chief Sunday Dare has reiterated the need for higher standards and Outrage as AFN cancels marathon event Athletes for the National Sports Festival marathon event were left seething yesterday, with the information that they would no longer run. The marathon was scheduled for <strong>to</strong>day the closing day, but it was gathered that the event will not Club owners of the Nigeria Women Football League have agreed <strong>to</strong> take part in the S<strong>up</strong>er 6 Tournament proposed by the NWFL Board <strong>to</strong> end the season and select Nigeria’s representatives at the <strong>up</strong>coming maiden edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco next month. At a virtual meeting of the club owners held on Tuesday, 13th April, and presided over by the President of NFF and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, and which was Edo2020: Sportsmanship must always prevail – Dare the importance of winning in the spirit of sportsmanship. In his words, “We have seen a lot of talents on display in the last 10 days in various events, including Wrestling which is one of our best medal hope at the Olympics. I have seen a lot of athletes with Dare FORMER Premier League referee Howard Webb has married his long-term girlfriend Bibiana Steinhaus. The 49-year-old split with his exwife Kay back in 2016, but found love again in German ref Bibiana. After years of dating, Webb and Steinhaus tied the knot in secret during last month’s international break. For now, however, the co<strong>up</strong>le maintain a long-distance relationship - with Webb living in New York, while Steinhaus still works as a VAR official in Germany. Having wed Webb, Steinhaus recently <strong>to</strong>ld Bild: “Yes, it’s true. “We got married during the last international break and are very happy. Unfortunately, due <strong>to</strong> the Corona regulation, Howard and I could only take this important step as a pair. Not even witnesses were allowed. “Of course there was no honeymoon either.” She also revealed that, come her great future in wrestling and I am excited with what I have seen in all the centers I have visited since I arrived Benin” The Minister charged the Athletes <strong>to</strong> remain disciplined and focused. “I have seen some athletes win, I have seen others lose , but the spirit of sportsmanship remains. The future is very bright for our young athletes, hence they should remain focused” The Minister has made a daily routine of moving from venues <strong>to</strong> venues <strong>to</strong> encourage the athletes. hold and no explanation has been given <strong>to</strong> the athletes. “It’s so annoying. Some of us deliberately did not run in the Access Bank Lagos Marathon just because of the Edo 2020,” said one of the affected athletes. Efforts <strong>to</strong> reach the AFN president and secretary general proved abortive. But it was gathered that the AFN and sports ministry said there are no funds <strong>to</strong> cover the event. But Edo 2020 LOC said that they have the logistics <strong>to</strong> run the race. NWFL, club owners agree <strong>to</strong> S<strong>up</strong>er 6 <strong>to</strong>urnament next match, viewers would be seeing a different name on screen: “As of now, Ms. Steinhaus-Webb is sitting in the Video-Assist-Center in Cologne.” Marathon athlets FC Midtjylland direc<strong>to</strong>r Claus Steinlein is expecting Racing Genk <strong>to</strong> sell their <strong>to</strong>p scorer Paul Onuachu in the summer transfer window. Most European clubs have been dealt a huge financial blow in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and with that in mind Steinlein explained that the big clubs have <strong>to</strong> make new signings that could create a domino effect in the transfer market. The current Danish champions are believed <strong>to</strong> be in the market for new midfielders when the window opens, with Frank Onyeka, Evander and Jens-Lys Cajuste attracting interest from other clubs. “If Paul Onuachu is sold for 250- 300 million (€34m - €40m), then also graced by the NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi and General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the club owners said they would defer <strong>to</strong> the NFF chieftains and attend the <strong>to</strong>urnament. Also present was Amina Sani Zangon Daura, NFF’s Head of Women Football. “I want you all <strong>to</strong> know that this is about our dear country Nigeria. It is not about a club, or even the NWFL or whatever issues might be on the front burner. It is about Nigeria which is bigger than all of us. I plead that you attend the competition because it is the right thing <strong>to</strong> do. Given the position of Nigeria in women’s football in the African continent, we must put our best foot forward with regards <strong>to</strong> this competition. We must send the very best and that must be determined by current form. “I have noted all the issues you have raised and I promise that I will sit down with the Board and Management of the Nigeria Women Football League and find a way <strong>to</strong> cogitate on the issues and pragmatically resolve them.” Chairman of the NWFL Board, Aisha Falode said it was important <strong>to</strong> stage the S<strong>up</strong>er 6 in order for Nigeria <strong>to</strong> present her very best at the maiden edition of the competition. Webb marries fellow ref Bibiana in secret Webb refereed in the Premier League between 2003 and 2014, rising <strong>up</strong> the ranks <strong>to</strong> become one of the most revered officials in the game. Genk <strong>to</strong> sell Onuachu for €40m Aisha Genk will have <strong>to</strong> buy a new player, and then they might buy one for 50 (€6.7m). So that is whether those dominoes will be launched. Team Nasarawa clinches 4th gold medal at Edo Sports Festival. Mamman Tularam scoops the gold medal in the men’s 130kg Wrestling events, bringing the <strong>to</strong>tal number of medals so far won by Team Nasarawa <strong>to</strong> nineteen(19) - Four Gold, Three Silver and Twelve Bronze medals, after Day Eleven of the Festival.
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021—37
- Page 1 and 2: 34 Kidnapping and closure of school
- Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 5 and 6: vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguar
- Page 7 and 8: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 9 and 10: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 11 and 12: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 13 and 14: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 15 and 16: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 17 and 18: Diluting Oloyede’s JAMB with NIMC
- Page 19 and 20: C M Y Despite exiting recession, ec
- Page 21 and 22: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 23 and 24: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 25 and 26: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 27 and 28: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 29 and 30: OKWO I formerly known and addressed
- Page 31 and 32: Kudos, knocks greet EbubeAgu, a sec
- Page 33 and 34: VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021
- Page 35: Continues from Page 5 by law to giv
- Page 39 and 40: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021