The distribution of kits, running bibs and transponders for registered participants for the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will begin on Thursday inside the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The Head of Communications and Media for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Kayode Thomas disclosed that those that have registered for the February 10 race are only required to come with their confirmation messages and any form of identification to collect their kits and other provided items.
“Of course, the kits are free, the interested participants are only meant to come with their proof of registration (confirmation messages) and their valid ID cards to pick their kits,” Thomas stated.
He added that those that would be sending others to collect on their behalf must make available duly signed letters of authorization to that effect.
Thomas assured that all hands are on deck to make the 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon an enormous success; even more than the first two editions.
He said: “We have been working round the clock to ensure that we raise the standard again this year and hopefully we would have another successful race.”
The 2018 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is slated for February 10, 2018.
Lagos City Marathon photo credit: Lagos City Marathon
The full marathon, now an IAAF Bronze Labeled race, will start at 6.30am, at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos and finish at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.
The second race, 10km Family Race will start 8.30 at Lekki Roundabout after the Ikoyi-Lekki Bridge and finish at the Eko Atlantic City.
Thomas appealed to all Lagosians to follow communications on road closures and alternative roads on race day as roads on the marathon routes will be closed for about seven hours.
The 2018 National Volleyball league has been scheduled to commence on the 6th of April,2018 with Zonal Qualification in the six zones and Kwara state for the military & paramilitary Clubs.
This formed the nucleus of the technical stakeholders meeting on the proposed national volleyball league held at package B of the National stadium, Abuja on the 25th of January,2018.
In his speech, the president of the federation, Eng Musa Nimrod lauded the stakeholders for their doggedness and willingness to contribute to the success of the league, which he described as unique and long overdue.
Eng Nimrod who attributed the poor performances of the National team to lack of local tournaments said “it became apparent that funding, publicity and professionalism cannot be attained until all the stakeholders come together to start a league.
Presenting the templates to the coaches, referees, clubs and states Association secretaries, the chairman of the technical committee, Martin Melandi highlighted that clubs will converge on location in the six zones while the military & paramilitary clubs will use Kwara state as their venue.
Melandi said two teams shall emerge from each zone to round 16 and 4 best clubs shall emerge from the federal zone to round 16. The remaining clubs that could not make round 16 shall fall into division 3.
He further explained that the 16 clubs that emerge from Zonal & federal levels would be grouped into Sahara & Atlantic conferences, while the 4 clubs that emerge from military & paramilitary will be divided into conferences through secret ballot.
“All clubs that emerge from S/W,S/S,S/E zones plus 2 from federal zone shall form the Atlantic conference while Clubs emerged from N/E,N/W,North Central plus 2 federal zones shall constitute Sahara Conference. 4 best clubs shall emerge from the two conferences each making a total of 8 clubs that will qualify to premier level while the remaining 8 shall form Division 2 and shall play each other for ranking. The 8 top teams from the two conferences shall also play each other for ranking & the best club in the premier wins the league for the season”
The Registration of clubs/Players begins on the 12th of February to 18th of March. The Zonal Qualification takes place on the 6th to 15th of April zonal.
The Nigeria Football Federation and Nigerian Breweries PLC have consummated a remarkable Sponsorship agreement. The official public presentation of the partnership will take place in a fortnight in Lagos on Friday, 9th February 2018.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick told thenff.com that the Federation was “excited and fulfilled” to seal the agreements with Nigerian Breweries PLC, “an organization that has been a torch –bearer of excellence and corporate social responsibility for the several decades it has operated in Nigeria.”
Pinnick promised that the NFF would abide by every letter of the contract.
Chief Executive of Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, Mike Itemuagbor confirmed to thenff.com that the initial contract is for a period of five years, with an option for renewal.
Amaju Pinnick, NFF PRESIDENT
“This is a very good deal for the NFF and the National Teams. Nigerian Breweries PLC is committing a huge sum to this sponsorship agreement, but the more important aspect is the activation of the contract, which the company has an unrivalled pedigree in doing and which it is committed to doing with this contract as well.
“Pamodzi is happy to be the sponsorship agency to this worthy alliance. Nigerian Football is on the upswing and Nigerian Breweries PLC remains a formidable establishment always looking to improve on the satisfaction it gives its customers while remaining committed to lofty corporate social responsibility initiatives.”
Founded in November 1946, Nigerian Breweries PLC is the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria, serving both Nigerian and West African markets.
General appraisal of the game
I really thank God for the result, and I thank the players for the way we came out in the game. Also, I’m very very happy about myself, although toward the dying minutes of the game, I was so disappointed about the red card.
But if you watched the game, you’d know that, at a time, it became so frustrating to me because, [off] the ball, the (Rivers) defenders were kicking and hitting me. I know that was their game plan, but it was quite unfortunate that I got the (second yellow) card.
On playing as a lone striker
In the Nigerian league, you have an away plan and you have a home plan. So, for away games, we had that as a game-plan that I’ll be played alone (upfront), trying to keep the ball while the support comes from behind.
It isn’t that I really enjoy it, because it’s more stressful to hold the ball alone and it takes time for others to support you. But in a home game, we wouldn’t play like that.
I think that’s the plan of the Technical Director, so that’s the reason we played like that.
Eyes on the ball.
On missing the Abia derby and the team coping in his absence.
I’ll tell you the truth: it’s bad. As you can see, some of our players are not available – they went for CHAN – while some are injured. It’s not like I wanted to get the red card, it was just a part of the game. I feel bad. You know, in a local derby, you have to give all. Assuming I could be there, at least… What will be, will be; but I prefer being there to make something happen.
I think the team has what it takes to get all three points against Abia Warriors. The team has it all; without any particular player, the team will move. No body will say, “Without me, (Enyimba) can’t play”. Without the captain (Mfon Udoh), we have been playing—we’ve won, drawn and lost.
So without anybody, the team will play. I know they might feel the absence of that particular person for the moment, but if the team comes together and plays the way the Technical Director tells them to play, I believe they will win against Abia Warriors.
Former Nigeria U-23 national team and Yeni Malatyaspor defender, Seth Sincere has reiterated his desire to take Turkish football by storm
The versatile defender who recently signed a three year deal with the team and with an option of additional year, has been mostly played as a substitute by the team’s coach.
According to him, he remain unperturbed by the situation at the club. Stating that he is confident in his abilities to grab the headlines with credible performances whenever he gets the opportunity.
” The coach and the management are aware of my abilities. And I have shown glimpses of what I can do whenever I was called upon, ” Sincere said.
Launching competitions, implementing a vast educational component and undertaking field work on a worldwide scale: 2018 is certainly a year of action for Parkour, some 11 months on from its arrival within the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
“2018 is the year in which we must cement the work that has been done since our rapprochement with the FIG. Milestones will be set through the implementation of educational programmes, links between the world of Parkour and the Gymnastics family will be strengthened and the World Cups will be officially launched,” said Charles Perrière, Vice President of the FIG Parkour Commission.
A Promising partnership with IPF
The FIG has always been open to collaboration with any international organisation interested in developing Parkour. Thus, a meeting was held on 23 January with representatives of the IPF (International Parkour Federation), one of the major players in the promotion of Parkour, at the FIG headquarters. In the wake of very positive discussions, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed laying the foundations for a promising collaboration on the development of Parkour.
FIG President Morinari Watanabe, Charles Perrière, Vice-President of the FIG Parkour Commission, and IPF President Victor Bevine.
Establishment of a regulatory framework
The FIG had to update certain regulations and put new ones in place in order to provide a legal framework for the development of Parkour within the Federation. The FIG therefore published in December 2017:
FIG Statutes updated to include Parkour
FIG Technical Regulations including Parkour in the “General Rules” section
and a dedicated “Special Regulations for Parkour” section
Parkour World Cup Rules
Parkour Code of Points
These rules are effective from 1 January 2018.
First World Cup series in 2018
After two test events in Montpellier (FRA) on 28 May and in Chengdu (CHN) on 4 and 5 November 2017 the FIG is preparing to launch a series of three-stage World Cups in April 2018. They will be held in Hiroshima (JPN), Montpellier (FRA) and Chengdu (CHN) as part of the FISE Action Sports Festivals, as was the case for both test events.
“For us, competition is not a goal in its own right but a multi-faceted showcase that helps raise Parkour’s profile and allows us to reach new audiences through the introductory initiatives and workshops, which take place on the fringes of all our events,” said Perrière. “In recent years a number of different Parkour-inspired competitions have flourished and therefore, we prefer to satisfy the needs of those who love competitive Parkour by offering them a format which respects the fundaments of our sport.”
And he notes that, “The success of the two events that we organised in Montpellier and Chengdu surprised even ourselves. We have seen real enthusiasm from the public which is very, very encouraging for the future.”
The first two World Cup series in 2018 and 2019 set the stage for the first World Championships in 2020, which will then be held biennially on even years.
The ultimate goal is to integrate Parkour within the Olympic programme by 2024 at the earliest. “The Olympic Games is the most beautiful sporting showcase we could have. It would be great for us to achieve this recognition, and where better than in Paris, where Parkour was born and bred,” said Perrière.
Education Programmes
At the same time, the Parkour Commission is working on developing a training curriculum for practitioners, supervisors and judges. Basic courses will be offered from spring 2018, in different languages, in each continent. Once they have acquired the basic knowledge, judges and supervisors will be able to undertake further training, which will be rolled out starting in the second half of 2018.
This education component is one of the Parkour Commission’s leading projects, aiming to develop a strong network of certified educators worldwide to guarantee healthy and gradual practice of the sport.
In this area, Parkour can certainly count on the FIG’s experience. Since 2002, thousands of coaches from regions that do not currently have a great tradition in Gymnastics have taken part in the Academies programme, gaining an understanding of the levels of progression that are necessary in order to protect the physical and psychological development of young athletes.
Training before the World Cup competition in Chengdu (CHN)
From a global to a national level
The rapprochement that the FIG and the Founders of Parkour have achieved on a global level should now serve as an incentive for the same to take place on a national level. To this end, the Parkour Commission will soon present a range of possible collaboration models to encourage national Gymnastics federations and Parkour associations to work together to find winning strategies.
These collaborations may take various forms, as is already the case for Gymnastics sports. In some countries, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics and Aerobic Gymnastics are each governed by different national federations. Conversely, in other countries, all these sports are managed by one single national federation. Some have already successfully incorporated a Parkour section in recent years, and this may indeed serve as an example to others.
The management of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon and President of Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria, Evangelist Solomon Ogba, have described the death of Deji Tinubu, late Special Adviser to Governor Akinwumi Ambode on Commerce and Industry, as shocking and devastating.
Tinubu, who passed away last Thursday after slumping during a football novelty match in Epe, Lagos state was, until his appointment as SA Commerce and Industry a few days ago, the Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Sports and Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission, he was also the inaugural Chairman of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
In a statement signed by Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Head, Communications and Media Olukayode Thomas, Evang. Ogba said he is still in shock,
“I can’t believe it, this is too hard to take but God knows everything. He has gone to rest, we that he left behind must continue his good deeds and take life easy like Deji, he was a gentleman.’’
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Project Consultant, Bukola Olopade also described the late Tinubu as an exemplary leader with a sound mind.
“Deji was a good and committed patriot who brought his passion to his job. He led by example and often made sacrifices to get the job done.” Olopade noted.
Yussuf Alli, General Manager for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon extolled the qualities of Tinubu who played a pivotal role in the successes recorded so far in the annual event.
Alli recalled how Tinubu worked tirelessly to ensure that Lagos made its mark on the world marathon map and he prayed for the repose of his soul.
“It is quite saddening for us at the marathon office to lose Deji just like that, he was a calm and fine leader who is often driven by goals no matter how difficult they seem. His leadership skills stood him out and endeared him to many, we can only take solace in the legacies he has left behind; including this marathon” Ali said over the weekend.
Already, the burial arrangement has been released starting with a candlelight procession on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
There will be a Service of Songs at the Redeem Christian Church of God, RCCG City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos – Monday, 29th January 2018 at 5.00pm
There will be a Lying-in-State at the RCCG, City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos – Tuesday, 30th January 2018 at 9.30am
Funeral Service will also take place at the RCCG, City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos – Tuesday, 30th January 2018 at 10.00am
Interment follows immediately after at Vaults & Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Tinubu is survived by an aged mother, Bintu Tinubu, wife, Yemisi and two children.
Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun are edging closer to becoming the first Africans to play in the semifinal stage of the lucrative European Table Tennis Union (ETTU)-organised Champions League after Portugal’s Sporting Club defeated French champion – Stella Sport La Romagne 3:1 in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie.
With Aruna Quadri playing a crucial role in the victory, Sporting as the first Portuguese team to feature and make it to the quarterfinal of the Champions League is one match away from making history in Europe.
With Bode Abiodun sitting out the encounter, it was Aruna Quadri that sealed the win for the Portuguese team in the epic encounter played at the weekend in Lisbon, Portugal.
Inspired by the presence of their fans coupled with the inspiration from Captain Joao Monteiro, Sporting played their hearts out to daze the star-studded French champion.
Aruna Quadri
Relying on the trio of Monteiro, Aruna Quadri and Diogo Carvalho that ensured their qualification to the last eight, the French team has in their fold two Chinese stars – Shihao Wei and CHEN Tian Yuan as well as Frenchman Brice OLIVIER.
As a key player for Sporting, Aruna Quadri started the encounter against southpaw Shihao Wei. But a narrow loss to the Chinese gave the visitors a 1-0 lead after Aruna Quadri lost 3-1 to Wei in the first match.
Captain Monteiro restored parity with a convincing 3-1 (11:7, 11:8, 8:11, 11:8) win over CHEN Tian Yuan.
Buoyed by Monteiro’s win, Diogo Carvalho played with his heart as the venue was thrown into frenzy with another 3-1 (11:4, 11:8, 6:11, 11:9) win over Brice OLLIVIER to give Sporting, a 2-1 lead.
The hope of the Lisbon was now on Aruna Quadri in the fourth match and motivated by the victories of his comrades, the Nigerian made nonsense of Chen Tian Yuan with a 3-0 (14:12, 11:9, 11:7) rout of the Chinese to the admiration of the home fans.
The second leg of the quarterfinal tie holds in France on February 9, in the home of Stella Sport La Romagne.
An elated Aruna Quadri described the victory as a result of team work. “I think the support we have been given ourselves in every match has been our advantage particularly the pep talk from Captain Monteiro has been very inspiring. When I lost the first match, I was really down but when Monteiro and Diogo won their matches, I was really motivated that I can also do what they had done.
“Before the fourth match, our captain told me that I can do it and these words were always in my mind during the match. My opponent – Chen Tian Yuan defeated me 3-0 when I was playing in the French league last season and this was what gave them the confidence that he can repeat same feat again. But the support from my team coupled with the fans backing was the tonic I needed to silent the Chinese,” Quadri said.
It’s the second award for the 42-year-old Japanese shooter, who already claimed it once in 2010. For the American six-time Olympic medalist, instead, it’s the first Shooter of the Year trophy.
Munich (GER), 26 January 2018 – Kimberly Rhode of the United States of America and Matsuda Tomoyuki of Japan have been named the 2017 female and male Shooter of the Year, definitely sealing the 2017 season of shooting sport.
Both athletes won three World Cup medals along the season, then closing the year by clinching the crystal globe at the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi (IND). Rhode (38) — who took women’s Skeet Gold in New Delhi and Acapulco (MEX), also winning Silver in Larnaka (CYP) — hit 56 targets in the final event of the season, securing her second consecutive ISSF seasonal title and also equalling the Skeet Women World Record.
42-year-old Matsuda Tomoyuki also took the spotlight in the Indian capital city, climbing on the highest step of the podium at the ISSF World Cup Stage 1 and also pocketing the first ISSF World Cup Final title of his career a few months later, setting a new World Record on both occasions: first scoring 240.1 points, then nailing 241.8.
Along with the men’s 10m Air Pistol Gold won at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Matsuda took Silver twice during the 2017 ISSF World Cup Series: in Munich (GER) and Gabala (AZE), both times in the 10m Air Pistol Men event.
Here’s the top-10 athletes of the male ranking:
1. Matsuda Tomoyuki (JPN)
2. Istvan Peni (HUN)
3. Pavlo Korostylov (UKR)
4. Antonio Bailon (ESP)
5. Gabriele Rossetti (ITA)
6. Jitu Rai (IND)
7. Alberto Fernandez (ESP)
8. Sergey Kamenskiy (RUS)
9. Oleh Omelchuk (UKR)
10. Torben Grimmel (DEN)
And the top-10 shooters of the female ranking:
1. Kimberly Rhode (USA)
2. Yuemei Lin (CHN)
3. Jessica Rossi (ITA)
4. Shi Mengyao (CHN)
5. Jolyn Beer (GER)
6. Zhang Jingjing (CHN)
7. Dania Jo Vizzi (USA)
8. Ray Bassil (LBN)
9. Andrea Arsovic (SRB)
10. Katharina Monika Jacob (USA), Penny Smith (AUS)
Matsuda Tomoyuki and Kimberly Rhode 2017 Winners Shooter of the Year Awards
“It feels amazing! It’s been actually an incredible year for me, I worked so hard leading up to it, and it’s great to see it all come together. This is just an incredible honour, I’m super excited!” said Rhode.
“My goal now is to keep competing at the same level as I did in 2017…” she concluded. “At the end of the day, making the points and getting the quota are the main goals this year.”
“I feel honored,” commented the Japanese athlete. “To win this prize is an honour, and I will keep the memory of it as one of the most valuable moments in my career as a shooter and in my life.”
“The top event this year will be the ISSF World Championship in Changwon,” Matusda added. “I trained a lot for it, and to win there is my main goal this season.”
The award was assigned by the International Shooting Sport Federation according to the vote of the ISSF Coaches Advisory Committee, the ISSF Athletes Committee and a selected panel of media representatives.
Matsuda and Rhode — who respectively follow Italy’s Niccolò Campriani and Greece’s Anna Korakaki in the list of winners — will be honored with the trophy during the 2018 ISSF Season, kicking-off in a few weeks in Guadalajara (MEX), where the first stage of the 2018 ISSF World Cup Series will take place from March 1st to March 12th.
A brace each from Gift Monday, Rasheedat Ajibade and Anam Imo earned Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets a 6-0 win over South Africa’s Basetsana on Saturday and a place at the 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The visitors famously launched into war songs on arrival in Nigeria during the week, pledging to cancel the two –goal deficit inflicted on them in Polokwane in the first leg. But Gift Monday opened the floodgates as early as the 5th minute and the Basetsana never found a way into the game.
Rasheedat Ajibade and Anam Imo got the goals in the first leg in Polokwane, and it was typical Ajibade who doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 21st minute before Imo made it 3-0 only five minute later.
Ajibade made it four in the 32nd minute, and Monday got her brace seven minutes later as Basetsana crumbled to a 0-5 situation before half time.
Imo got her own brace in the 73rd minute to wrap up the evening, two minutes after Monday was expelled for a second bookable offence after a foul on a South African opponent.
Victory ensured Nigeria maintained her record of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, since it was launched as an U19 competition in Canada 16 years ago.
The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will hold in France 7th – 26th August 2018.
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