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Sport

Commonwealth Games: Dalung says Team Nigeria athletes to embark on pre-event tour of Australia soon

NAN-S-21
Tour
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Feb. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday said Team Nigeria’s athletes for the 2018 Commonwealth Games would soon leave for the pre-event tour aspect of their preparation.

Dalung told newsmen in Abuja that that some national sports federations had completed the first phase of camping of athletes and were set to move to Australia for the training tour.

“The Commonwealth Games is the focus for now. Some federations have completed the first phase of camping here locally.

“Other federations are still in the phase of holding competition for the selection of their final set of athletes for the second round of camping, which is the pre-event camping coming up in Australia,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ministry had planned a three-phase camping programme for the federations.

Most of the federations had started their first phase of camping in December.

Dalung said the tour would offer athletes the opportunity to get acclimatised with the weather and to also get used to the facilities they would be using for the competition.

He said the ministry’s budget for the Games had been approved and funds released since late 2017.

“We have got very good support from government as our budget for the Games was released late last year. So, we are on course.

“We also have very interesting developments happening ahead of the Games, as we now have two Nigerian gymnasts in diaspora who have now agreed to compete for Nigeria.

“We will be going to the Commonwealth Games with something strange. We are having Africans born abroad coming to identify with their country and this is a positive development,’’ the minister said.

NAN reports that the XXI Commonwealth Games is scheduled to hold in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4 to April 15, with Nigeria participating in nine sports.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Dalung says he’s still waiting for report of NFF’s committee on FIFA sanction

NAN-S-23
Committee
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Feb. 13, 2018 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports, says he is still waiting to act as may be necessary over Nigeria being sanctioned in November by world football governing body FIFA.

Dalung, while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said he was still waiting for the reaction of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the sanction before deciding on what to do.

“I am awaiting the report of the NFF committee on the matter before taking the next step,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIFA had sanctioned Nigeria for fielding an ineligible player in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Algeria on Nov. 10.

FIFA had gone on to award the match’s three points and three goals to Algeria, after a suspended Shehu Abdullahi was fielded in the match which ended 1-1.

The world football governing body also fined Nigeria 6,000 Swiss francs for the offence.

Speaking on the Super Eagles’ preparations for the 2018 World Cup, Dalung said all arrangements were in top gear.

“Friendly matches have been lined up for the Super Eagles ahead of the World Cup.

“Preparations are in top gear, and we have reviewed our welfare packages and we plan to make prompt payments to ensure that players are motivated.

“The welfare of players is very key, because it will not only motivate them, but build in them confidence and trust.

“Also, the National Technical Director should be given the complete free hand in the choice of players and the management of the team. Everybody should limit himself to his responsibility.

“This means nobody should interfere so that we can hold him, at the end of the day, accountable. But when you have interference, we will not be able to hold him accountable,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria will face Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in Group D of the first round of competition at the World Cup.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Dalung urges UN to create Commission for youth development

NAN-S-24
Commission
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Feb. 9, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Friday in Abuja urged the United Nations to create a Commission which would address issues related to youth development.

Dalung said this when he received the UN Secretary General’s Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake, in his office.

“The absence of this has led to our not having a meaningful development in the youth, because there is no platform for the young people to operate.

“The Nigeria youths are facing poverty, not only material poverty but also poverty of the mind. Unemployment and lack of inclusion in governance.

“Once the UN runs an inclusive policy of having a specific budget for the youths, it will go a long way in addressing some of these problems,’’ the minister said.

He said the UN should ask all member-states to dedicate a specific percentage of their annual budget for youth development.

Dalung noted that the world had over time been gambling with its future, which happens to be the youths.

Earlier, Wickramanayake had said she was in Nigeria to work to expand the UN’s youth engagement and advocacy efforts such as sustainable development, human rights, peace and security, and humanitarian action.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wickramanayake has worked extensively on youth development.

She has also played a key role in transforming the youth development sector in her home country of Sri Lanka.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Basketball: No faction in NBBF, Sports Minister says

NAN-S-14
Basketball
By Debo Oshundun
Lagos, Jan. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, on Thursday in Lagos said there was no fraction in the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Dalung told newsmen that he did not play any role in the emergency of Musa Kida as the President of NBBF.

“I did not play any role in the election into the board of NBBF.

“All I did was to provide the enabling environment to ensure that elections into the board takes place, just like the other sports federation.

“Tijani Umar was just trying to cast aspersions on my person to cover up for his lack of maturity.

“Umar did not have any evidence of his participation in the election of NBBF organised by the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

“What he did in Kano was just a mere gathering of few people to cause confusion.

“For him and his cohorts to place the blame of his failure to continue to lead NBBF on me and the NOC is unfair and unacceptable to me.

“Umar should be more matured. He has been a leader of the federation for eight years.

“He should not allow his personal interest to override the development of the game he cherished and worked for its growth over a decade,’’ Dalung said.

The minister said that the claim of government interference by Umar was a laughable one.

“He keeps saying it is government’s intervention when it suits him.

“It was the same government interference and instruments that he used to shut out some stakeholders during the AGM that he is claiming fashioned out the constitution used to conduct his election in Kano.

“He did not act as a politician. If he had purchased the form to contest the election organised by NOC, he would have had a ground to contest the outcome of the election, if he was not satisfied.

“ I would have ordered for fresh elections to settle the misunderstanding if Umar was part of the process. But he held his own election organised by him. So, how do you claim faction in this situation?

“The money of the federation is with him since he left office as the president of NBBF. We know what to do to collect the money if there is government interference.

“But, we want the whole issue to be resolved amicably for the love of the game and development of sports in Nigeria.

“FIBA said its officials are coming in February on a fact-finding mission and to find a way of resolving the crisis. On our part, we are waiting for that,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIBA-Africa first gave the NOC Nov. 30 to find an amicable resolution to the leadership crisis in NBBF.

“But upon the expiration of the deadline without any resolution, the basketball apex ruling body further handed another extension in a letter dated Dec. 12,’’ the Sports Minister said.

FIBA, at a meeting of its central board, decided the new extension date for resolution of the crisis in NBBF in the interest of the game in Nigeria.

In view of that, FIBA-Africa Secretary-General, Alphonse Bile, will be on the fact-finding visit to Nigeria on Feb. 28.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olagoke Olatoye)

Sport

Dalung congratulates Obi on re-election as AIPS Africa president

NAN-S-9
Re-election
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Dec. 21, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has congratulated Mitchell Obi on his re-election unopposed as the President of AIPS Africa.

Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Dalung’s Special Assistant on Media, said in a statement that Dalung described the development as “a demonstration of the leadership role of Nigeria as a big brother on the African continent’’.

She said Dalung urged more Nigerians to get into leadership positions in international sports politics, saying this would augur well not only for Nigeria’s sports but other sectors.

“The Federal Government will continue to appreciate and support Nigerians aspiring for key political positions at international levels to influence decisions affecting the country’s sports and other sectors,” he was quoted as saying.

Ikem-Anibeze added that the Minister urged members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to continue to support Obi to succeed.

As the African President of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Obi is an exemplary Nigerian who deserves all support.

“I advise that all parties set aside their differences and come together for the unity of the association.

“I hope that the election will pave way for more Nigerians to benefit from the numerous career opportunities as a result of AIPS’ partnership with international sports associations,’’ the minister had said.(NAN)

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Dalung says Nigeria prepared to make a statement at Russia 2018 World Cup

NAN-S-1
Super Eagles
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Dec. 3, 2017 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports, says Nigeria is prepared to make a statement at Russia 2018, adding that Friday’s draw was a decent one.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria on Friday in Moscow drew Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D of the competition’s first round phase.

It was the fifth time Nigeria were being drawn alongside Argentina in Super Eagles’ six appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Minister, who spoke with newsmen on Saturday on the sidelines of the 2017 Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championships in Abuja, said the draw was alright for Nigeria.

“In spite of the fact that Nigeria are underdogs, compared to the other teams in our group and based on their rankings in the world, the draw was good.

“But again, you have to look at how Nigeria prepared for the qualification competition. It is clear that Nigeria is determined to make a statement.

“Therefore, I am confident that Nigeria will surprise the world. We will be able to go as far as setting an African record, that is if we do not even make it to the final,” he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria will take on Croatia on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Iceland on June 22 in Volgograd and Argentina on June 26 in St. Petersburg.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 14 and last till July 15.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Dalung promises drug-free sports in Nigeria, as ministry plans seminar for federation officials

NAN-S-1
Doping
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 30, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has promised to deliver a sports sector that is free of doping.

Tolu Makinde, the Director of Press in the ministry, said in a statement that the ministry would hold a seminar for Presidents and Secretaries of Sports Federations in Nigeria.

“This will be in collaboration with the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC),’’ he quoted the Minister as saying in the statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Dalung was quoted as saying the seminar was an integral part of the ministry’s efforts to evolve a sustainable and pragmatic anti-doping regime capable of achieving drug-free sports for Nigeria.

He said also that the seminar would raise the federations’ level of awareness and prepare them for meeting the challenges of anti-doping roles and responsibilities.

The minister said the seminar was to promote clean sports in Nigeria and ensure a sports sector that was free from drug scandals.

The statement showed that Dalung would be the Special Guest of Honour and he was expected to declare open the seminar tagged “Anti-Doping Seminar for Presidents and Secretaries of Sports Federations.”

“The event which is billed to hold in Abuja from Dec. 5 to Dec. 6 is aimed at equipping Federation Presidents and Secretaries with relevant information and  anti-doping regulations, especially compliance with relevant articles of the world regulatory body.

“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prescribed primary goals and guidelines, and information and education programmes for drug-free sports.

“The seminar is the first anti-doping information-education and specialised orientation activity to be organised for Presidents and Secretaries of Federations.

“It has the objective of inculcating strong anti-doping culture in the participants.

“It will also promote the virtue of fair play with a view to positively help in influencing attitudes and behaviours of athletes,’’ the statement read.

It added that the seminar would cover areas like History of Doping, Health Consequences of Doping, Athletes Whereabouts and Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

Other areas are: Anti-Doping Roles and Responsibilities, Doping Control Process and Testing, Anti-Doping Rules Violations and Results Management and Sources and Control Mechanisms on Illicit Drugs.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Dalung urges national federations to commence preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

NAN-S-2
Olympics
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 26, 2017 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, has urged national sports federations to commence preparations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in order to achieve success.

Dalung who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2017 National Karate Open Championship in Abuja said sports federations hoping to win laurels at the 2020 Olympics must commence preparations early.

Represented by Tayo Oreweme, the Director of the Sports Ministry’s Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), the minister noted that the Tokyo Games would be karate’s first Olympic outing.

“This will be the first time karate will feature at the Games, hence the need to commence preparations and be part of that history,’’ he said.

Dalung said it was important that preparation should commence immediately in view of the need for the Karate Federation of Nigeria to have its athletes qualify for the Games.

“I hope that the federation’s technical team has been able to identify high-profile athletes from this championship who will be nurtured to stardom to win medals at the Olympics.

“To qualify for the Olympics, all hands must be on deck.

“I want to encourage the federation to spread its tentacles, to get to the corporate and private organisations, as well as the World Karate Federation, for financial and technical support which will ensure successful outings at the qualifying competitions,” he said.

Dalung also called on the national federations to concentrate more on constant organisation of zonal and national competitions for all age categories.

“This is what will help you to identify and nurture potential athletes to represent Nigeria at international competitions,’’ the minister said.

Earlier, President of the federation, Silas Agara, had said karate was becoming a global sport capable of building bridges of love, friendship and cooperation among nations.

“It is for this reason that its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has come to us as a positive development.

“It is my hope and expectation that all stakeholders, athletes, coaches, referees, administrators and sponsors will strive to make our collective dream come true in our determination to place our country on the map of world recognition.

“I urge all participants in the national championship to commit themselves to the sport with all sense of patriotism, having in mind that the essence of participating in competitions is not only the euphoria of winning.

“Have it in mind that there is more fulfillment in the coming together to enhance national integration,’’ he said.

Agara restated the federation’s resolve to open up opportunities for all athletes, regardless of gender, class or age, in order to enable sportsmen and women realise their aspirations.

He promised to ensure equal development and promotion of karate in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT through sustained courses, seminars, competitions and provision of access to facilities.

Agara said no stone would be left unturned as the federation sets out to identify athletes who possess the needed potential for the 2020 Olympics.

NAN reports that FCT and Lagos won gold in the kata female and male team events respectively.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

FG pledges increased investment in youths

NAN-H-82
Youths
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 16, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government will increase its investment in youths to ensure sustainable national development, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, said on Thursday in Abuja.

Dalung said this at the 2017 African Youths Day celebration, which has the theme “Africa’s Youths for the Demographic Dividends: Be the Future Today’’.

He said government was committed to entrusting young people with high-level governance responsibilities.

The Youths and Sports Minister said the country’s successful and sustainable development lies in an effective involvement of the youths in every sphere of national development.

“Consequent upon this, we will not relent in our efforts to get the three tiers of government, development partners and other stakeholders in youth development to increase investment in youths.

“We will involve them and ensure their participation in the process of conception, implementation and monitoring of activities, projects and programmes targeted at their development in line with global best practices,’’ he said.

Dalung also reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the African Youth Charter, pointing out that Nigeria was the first to incorporate the African Youth Charter into its National Youth Policy.

“The 2017 theme underscores the fact that investment in youths will determine the development trajectory of the African continent in the next 50 years and position it towards realising the `Africa We Want’.

The minister noted that the responsibility of youth development has shifted from government-based activities to a multi-stakeholder engagement.

Earlier, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Adesola Olusade, had said 2017’s theme was an attempt to mirror Africa’s position, among the comity of continents.

“This is with the active involvement of youths as the world prepares to actualise Sustainable Development Goals come 2063.’’

He said the special focus on demographic dividends in this year’s celebration was anchored on the fact that “the development and empowerment of young people are catalyst to accelerating growth and development’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African Youth Day is celebrated on Nov. 1 of every year.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Republic of Benin seeks partnership with Nigeria to develop youth, sports sector

NAN-S-22
Partnership
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2017 (NAN) The Republic of Benin on Thursday in Abuja expressed its willingness to have a strong partnership with Nigeria in the area of youth and sports development.

Ambassador Paulette Yekpe, the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, said this was now necessary because the country was now laying a lot of emphasis on developing the youth and sports sector.

Yekpe, during a courtesy call on Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said Republic of Benin has discovered that the youth and sports sub-sectors were inseparable.

She said the objective of her visit was to discuss with the Nigerian Minister ways to strengthen the relationship between both countries, especially in the area of youth and sports development.

“Our government is putting a lot of emphasis in the development of youth and sports, because it is difficult to disassociate one from the other.

“We know the future of a nation lies with the youths and my main goal here is to do everything possible to strengthen the relationship between your ministry and that of Republic of Benin.

“We see Nigeria as our big brother and we will like to get closer to you, so as to learn the secrets of your success in the area of youth and sports development in the country.

“I have been in Nigeria for seven months now and I must tell you that apart from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Youths and Sports is the first I have visited.

“That should speak volumes of the importance my country attaches to your ministry,” the ambassador said.

Dalung, in his response, said he was overwhelmed by the ambassador’s visit, adding that the issue of youth and sports development was of utmost importance to the future of any nation.

“I am highly overwhelmed by Her Excellency’s visit and this is because as Africans we believe in the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity.

“While other classical philosophies depend solely on wealth and other economic relationships to determine the extent to which they relate with others, in Africa the greatest heritage we have is brotherhood.

“We believe strongly in our relationship with our brothers and neighbours, and of course the Republic of Benin is one of the countries Nigeria has related with for a very long period of time.

“I think it’s not a misplaced priority for your country to be eager to invest in youth and sports development, because there is no society that will make meaningful progress if it does not consider investing more in this area,’’ he said.

The minister also said the level of development of today’s youths determines the quality of leaders of tomorrow.

“So, if we want a better future we must give more attention to the younger generation.

“Sadly, the challenging economic realities have made it impossible for most African countries to target youth and sports development effectively,’’ he pointed out.

Dalung however expressed Nigeria’s desire to consolidate relationship with Benin in the area of youth and sports development, saying it would go a long way in tackling cross-border crimes.

“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment and to also assure you that we will be ready to partner with you in the area of youth and sports development.

“Even though there is an existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Benin, but we will with time also revisit this agreement and look at areas which require updating.

“I believe this will go a long way in strengthening the national security of both countries and also limit migration as well as control cross-border crimes being perpetrated by our youths.

“It will also help to create social stability, because it will strengthen and encourage young people in both countries to relate freely and above all strengthen their spirit of patriotism,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Republic of Benin are Nigeria’s west African neighbours.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)