On September 7, 2014, tennis lovers all over the world, yet again celebrated Serena Williams, as she clinched her 18th grand slam title and her 6th US open title in New York. Without mincing words Serena is phenomena. Even the commentator testified to this when he said: “she is a standard". This lady who would be 33 in the next couple of weeks is just such a pride to the game of Tennis.
That draws me back home to Nigeria and I ponder over the question of who the best tennis player are? Where do they go to when tournaments like these take place? What does the body in charge of tennis in Nigeria do to improve the lot of game in Nigeria?
Is this just my imagination? Is Nigeria not big enough to produce stars amongst the comity of Nations not just because of our population but for the sheer number of talents that abound in the country?
For example, South Africa which lost its biggest economy badge to Nigeria a couple of months back has Kevin Anderson who is amongst the 20 world top tennis players, that is with a population just about one third of Nigeria's!
So why Nigeria with its enormous talents failed to have its name on the list of the world’s greatest?
I have been in a conversation with an enthusiastic tennis player in the city of Abuja in the past couple of days and it is sad that she confirmed by fears that authorities in Nigeria and most of the continent are talent killers,
For example, the Nigeria Tennis Federation is said to have organized only one tournament this year. Those events held in the month of May after which our tennis players have not had any serious challenge. What do we then expect players to do for the remaining part of the year.
To maintain their fitness and develop their skills, I understand that a lot of players do through strenuous personal efforts without an iota of recognition from Federation.
The player I spoke with, who has played professionally since 1999 spoke about a number of talents whom she has encountered in her career but the refusal of the authorities to take the game seriously has made them all frizzle out.
As a nation, we need start investing in people. Imagine a population of 170 million peoples total missing from major global competitions from Australia, Beijing, France, England and now the US, we missing out to stamp our name in tennis. It is to my mind, a disservice to the resilient and dynamic spirit of Nigerians.
We should start by improving on the existing platforms for tennis, increase the number and frequency of tournaments and get to the grassroots to raise more talents. I think Nigeria is just too blessed for this inertia.
The National Sports Commission and sports bodies in the state must do something serious about developing other sports without necessarily affecting the obvious love that we all have for football.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Once again, The Queen of Queens
The queen of queens Serena Williams is once again crowned the winner of the female singles US open championship of 2014, after she defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-3.
With this, she has in her coffers 18 major trophies and, 6 USopen trophies also with an additional $4million.
She made history once again today by winning her 18th major title on same place she won her first title. And to say she's just some few days shy of her 33rd birthday.
Caroline Wozniacki was also a worthy competitor, hopefully we'll get to see more of her.
Well done Caroline Wozniscki and congratulations Serena Williams..
With this, she has in her coffers 18 major trophies and, 6 USopen trophies also with an additional $4million.
She made history once again today by winning her 18th major title on same place she won her first title. And to say she's just some few days shy of her 33rd birthday.
Caroline Wozniacki was also a worthy competitor, hopefully we'll get to see more of her.
Well done Caroline Wozniscki and congratulations Serena Williams..
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Nishikori stuns Djokovic
Kei Nishikori overcame top seed Novak Djokovic in four sets to reach the final of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Despite having to come through gruelling five-setters in both previous rounds, Nishikori displayed tremendous endurance on a scorching day in New York as both players battled the heat as well as each other.
Djokovic - who was bidding to reach a fifth consecutive final at the event - looked to have asserted himself on the match as he raced through the second set after dropping the first, but the nine-time grand slam champion was ultimately undone by the ferocity and consistency of Nishikori's groundstrokes as the 24-year-old clinched a career victory.
"I don't know what's going on," a delighted Nishikori stated immediately after his win. "I was a little bit tight, especially with my first semi-final in a grand slam. It's just an amazing feeling, beating the number one player and playing much better than the last couple of matches.
"I'm so happy. It was tough conditions but I guess I love to play long matches and I hope I can recover well for the final.
If Nishikori was tired or nervous going into his first semi-final, he did not show it, more than matching Djokovic from the back of the court.
An early break came and went but Nishikori was the one dictating a lot of the points and he placed a forehand return onto the outside of the line to move ahead again at 4-3, this time making the advantage count as he served out for the set.
But he could not stem the Djokovic tide in the second set, the 2011 champion stepping up the aggression and winning five games in a row to level the contest.
Nishikori was then forced to dig deep to hold serve in the third game of the third set, but his endeavour was rewarded as he combined a backhand pass with forehand winner to break the Djokovic serve in the eighth game.
That left him serving for the set but, having been so cool, Nishikori wobbled, double-faulting on break point.
Djokovic roared as he held to make it 5-5 but the world number one was strangely passive and paid for it in a lacklustre tie-break, consecutive forehand errors seeing Nishikori move ahead in sets once again.
Clearly fatiguing, when Djokovic handed over his serve meekly at the start of the third set, the alarm bells really started ringing and, although he had three chances to break straight back, Nishikori saved them all.
Djokovic certainly appeared to be struggling more with the heat and he never really looked like clawing his way back as he has done from similar situations on so many occasions before.
Nishikori kept attacking and, with Djokovic serving at 3-5, brought up two match points. The top seed saved the first but went long on the second, allowing a delighted and slightly stunned Nishikori to celebrate the biggest win of his life.
Skynews.com
Monday, September 1, 2014
Transfers on the last day...
The summer transfer window closed at 23:00 BST.
Biggest signing this window by British club: Angel Di Maria - Real Madrid to Manchester United for £59.7m.Busiest clubs this summer: Blackpool, Shrewsbury and Crawley Town have signed 17 players.
Busiest Premier League club this summer: West Brom have signed 11 players.
02 SEPTEMBER (all times BST)
01:31 - Radamel Falcao [Monaco - Man Utd] Loan01:30 - Tom Lawrence [Man Utd - Leicester] Undisclosed
01:30 - Nick Powell [Man Utd - Leicester] Loan
01:10 - Michael Keane [Man Utd - Burnley] Loan
00:58 - Danny Welbeck [Man Utd - Arsenal] £16m
00:50 - Hatem Ben Arfa [Newcastle - Hull] Loan
01 SEPTEMBER (all times BST)
23:50 - Sadio Mane [Red Bull Salzburg - Southampton] £10m23:33 - Glenn Murray [Crystal Palace - Reading] Loan
23:31 - Frank Nouble [Ipswich - Coventry] Loan
23:30 - Kevin Doyle [Wolves - Crystal Palace] Loan
23:28 - Toby Alderweireld [Atletico Madrid - Southampton] Loan
23:26 - Krisztian Adorjan (external) [Liverpool - Novara Calcio] Undisclosed
23:19 - Louis Thompson [Norwich - Swindon] Loan
23:19 - Louis Thompson [Swindon - Norwich] Undisclosed
23:17 - Seb Hines [Middlesbrough - Coventry] Loan
23:11 - Jos Hooiveld [Southampton - Norwich] Loan
23:09 - Niko Kranjcar [Dynamo Kiev - QPR] Loan
23:08 - Peter Brezovan [Portsmouth - Tranmere] Free
23:05 - Alvaro Negredo [Manchester City - Valencia] Loan
23:01 - Luciano Becchio [Norwich - Rotherham] Loan
23:00 - Ryan Tunnicliffe [Fulham - Blackburn] Loan
22:58 - Dominic Poleon [Leeds - Oldham] Undisclosed
22:55 - Jack Stephens [Southampton - Swindon] Loan
22:50 - Matt Smith [Leeds - Fulham] Undisclosed
22:49 - Morgan Amalfitano [Marseille - West Ham] Undisclosed
22:46 - Emyr Huws [Manchester City - Wigan] Undisclosed
22:46 - Jason Steele [Middlesbrough - Blackburn] Loan
22:45 - Michael Tidser [Rotherham - Oldham] Loan
22:44 - Jamal Blackman [Chelsea - Middlesbrough] Loan
22:31 - Oussama Assaidi [Liverpool - Stoke] Loan
22:31 - Jonson Clarke-Harris [Oldham - Rotherham] Undisclosed
22:30 - Gaston Ramirez [Southampton - Hull] Loan
22:26 - Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa [Newcastle - Roma] Loan
22:15 - Mark Hudson [Cardiff - Huddersfield] Undisclosed
22:15 - Sandro [Tottenham - QPR] £6m
22:11 - Stefan Scepovic [Sporting Gijon - Celtic] £2.3m
22:06 - Danny Gabbidon [Unattached - Cardiff] Free
22:03 - Micah Richards [Manchester City - Fiorentina] Loan
21:47 - Luke James [Hartlepool - Peterborough] Undisclosed
21:41 - Rakish Bingham [Wigan - Mansfield] Free
21:36 - Souleymane Doukara [Catania - Leeds] Undisclosed
21:33 - James McArthur [Wigan Athletic - Crystal Palace] £7m
21:30 - Ryan Cresswell [Fleetwood - Northampton] Undisclosed
21:14 - Ryo Miyaichi [Arsenal - FC Twente] Loan
21:14 - Ignasi Miquel [Arsenal - Norwich] Undisclosed
21:02 - Alex Kacaniklic [Fulham - Copenhagen] Loan
21:02 - Ryan Bird [Portsmouth - Cambridge] Free
20:52 - Sam Clucas [Mansfield - Chesterfield] Undisclosed
20:43 - William Kvist [Stuttgart - Wigan] Free
20:35 - Zeki Fryers [Tottenham - Crystal Palace] Undisclosed
20:20 - Betinho [Sporting Lisbon - Brentford] Loan
20:00 - Kris Scott [Swansea - Leicester] Free
19:46 - Daley Blind [Ajax - Man Utd] £13.8m
19:29 - Bruno Ecuele Manga [Lorient - Cardiff] Fee in excess of £5m
19:27 - Saphir Taider [Inter Milan - Sassuolo] Loan
19:15 - Ricardo Alvarez [Inter Milan - Sunderland] Loan
18:51 - Mohamed Diame [West Ham - Hull] Undisclosed
18:36 - Andy Procter [Bury - Accrington] Free
18:30 - Sebastian Coates [Liverpool - Sunderland] Loan
18:30 - Jack O'Connell [Blackburn - Rochdale] Loan
17:45 - Andrew Surman [Norwich - Bournemouth] Undisclosed
17:37 - Brian Montenegro [Nacional - Leeds] Loan
17:34 - Lewis Holtby [Tottenham - Hamburg] Loan
17:30 - George Donnelly [Rochdale - Tranmere] Undisclosed
17:26 - Benjamin Stambouli [Montpellier - Tottenham] Undisclosed
17:08 - Royston Drenthe [Reading - Sheff Wed] Loan
17:00 - Ryan Watson [Leicester - Northampton] Loan
17:00 - Jose Canas [Swansea - Espanyol] Free
16:22 - Achille Campion [Norrby IF - Port Vale] Loan
15:58 - Abel Hernandez [Palermo - Hull City] £10m
15:46 - Nathaniel Chalobah [Chelsea - Burnley] Loan
15:01 - Alex Nicholls [Northampton - Exeter] Loan
15:00 - Jonathan Obika [Tottenham - Swindon] Undisclosed
14:54 - Alex Bray [Swansea - Plymouth] Loan
14:45 - Andy Delort [FC Tours - Wigan] Undisclosed
14:21 - Holmbert Fridjonsson [Celtic - Brondy] Loan
14:16 - Adam Forshaw [Brentford - Wigan] Undisclosed
14:16 - Vitalijs Maksimenko [Brighton - VVV-Venlo] Loan
14:08 - Jelle Vossen [Genk - Middlesbrough] Loan
13:58 - Jordan Cranston [Nuneaton - Notts County] Free
13:56 - Michael Gardyne [Dundee United - Ross County] Loan
13:52 - Dylan McGeouch [Celtic - Hibernian] Loan
13:38 - Nathan Eccleston [Coventry - Partick Thistle] Free
13:20 - Javier Hernandez [Man Utd - Real Madrid] Loan
13:08 - Jack Price [Wolves - Yeovil] Loan
13:00 - Stuart Beavon [Preston - Burton] Undisclosed
12:58 - Marco van Ginkel [Chelsea - AC Milan] Loan
12:37 - Modu Barrow [Ostersunds - Swansea] Undisclosed
11:55 - Tom Koblenz [Hoffenheim - Derby] Free
11:30 - Shane Duffy [Everton - Blackburn Rovers] Undisclosed
11:24 - George Boyd [Hull - Burnley] £3m
10:59 - Yanic Wildschut [Heerenveen - Middlesbrough] Undisclosed
10:13 - Karim El Ahmadi [Aston Villa - Feyenoord] Undisclosed.
Source: bbc.com/sport
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
THE NFF ELECTS A NEW PRESIDENT
Christopher Giwa has been elected the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following a tumultuous voting last night at the Chida International Hotel, Abuja.
Giwa got 27 of the 29 votes to defeat the immediate past NFF first vice president, Chief Mike Umeh, who got just two votes.
Ebonyi State FA chairman, Obinna Ogba, was elected unopposed with 28 votes, while Effiong Johnson retained his position as chairman of FA chairmen in the executive committee of the NFF, with 28 votes.
In other positions, one of the arrow-heads of the anti-Maigari group, Shehu Adamu, lost his re-election bid in his North-west zone, with Suleiman Mu’azu and Sharif Inuwa emerging. In the zone, Sani Muhammed Fema from Yobe and the chairman of the Gombe State Sports Commission, Farouk Yarma, were elected, respectively, to represent the zone on the board. Enyimba FC chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, retained his seat as the chairman of the South-east.
In the South-west zone, Deji Tinubu retained his seat. He was joined by Otunba Sunday as the zonal representative.
Kogi State FA chairman, Yahaya Adama, claimed the slot of North-central zone on the executive committee of the federation. He scored 26 votes to defeat Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, who got only three votes for the position. Felix Obuah was also elected a member of the new executive committee of the federation.
While announcing the results, the chairman of the electoral committee, Amoni Biambo, said all the delegates “voted of their will, without any undue pressure from anybody or quarter, saying all the process leading to the election meets the status of the NFF, as well as international standards.
Speaking after the election, the new president, Christopher Giwa, said that the election which produced the new executive members will mark the beginning of a new era and put an end to the recurrence crisis in Nigerian football.
“Our first assignment is to see how we can put the house together. We are just privileged; not that we are better than others. I see this as a call from God and, by the grace of God, Nigerians will be happy with us and we will not disappoint them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the elective congress was not without hitches, as some state FA chairmen loyal to Aminu Maigari opted out of the congress, following the arrest of the former president of the NFF and two other persons – NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu and former Chairman of the Technical Committee Christopher Green – by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Addressing the congress before the election, sports minister and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Tammy Danagogo, said he had met with the groups led by Aminu Maigari and Mike Umeh on Sunday in the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim and resolved that a non-elective congress takes place in Abuja to empower the electoral committee and give opportunity to other persons who were being disenfranchised.
According to Danagogo, Maigari, whose tenure expired on Monday, also agreed not to contest the election. While charging the congress to ensure that they put to an end to the lingering crisis, he assured all that he is ready to work with whoever emerges the new NFF president. He insisted that he has no candidate for the election but regretted the attitude of individuals who hold the nation’s football to ransom for selfish interests.
leadership.ng
Giwa got 27 of the 29 votes to defeat the immediate past NFF first vice president, Chief Mike Umeh, who got just two votes.
Ebonyi State FA chairman, Obinna Ogba, was elected unopposed with 28 votes, while Effiong Johnson retained his position as chairman of FA chairmen in the executive committee of the NFF, with 28 votes.
In other positions, one of the arrow-heads of the anti-Maigari group, Shehu Adamu, lost his re-election bid in his North-west zone, with Suleiman Mu’azu and Sharif Inuwa emerging. In the zone, Sani Muhammed Fema from Yobe and the chairman of the Gombe State Sports Commission, Farouk Yarma, were elected, respectively, to represent the zone on the board. Enyimba FC chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, retained his seat as the chairman of the South-east.
In the South-west zone, Deji Tinubu retained his seat. He was joined by Otunba Sunday as the zonal representative.
Kogi State FA chairman, Yahaya Adama, claimed the slot of North-central zone on the executive committee of the federation. He scored 26 votes to defeat Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, who got only three votes for the position. Felix Obuah was also elected a member of the new executive committee of the federation.
While announcing the results, the chairman of the electoral committee, Amoni Biambo, said all the delegates “voted of their will, without any undue pressure from anybody or quarter, saying all the process leading to the election meets the status of the NFF, as well as international standards.
Speaking after the election, the new president, Christopher Giwa, said that the election which produced the new executive members will mark the beginning of a new era and put an end to the recurrence crisis in Nigerian football.
“Our first assignment is to see how we can put the house together. We are just privileged; not that we are better than others. I see this as a call from God and, by the grace of God, Nigerians will be happy with us and we will not disappoint them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the elective congress was not without hitches, as some state FA chairmen loyal to Aminu Maigari opted out of the congress, following the arrest of the former president of the NFF and two other persons – NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu and former Chairman of the Technical Committee Christopher Green – by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Addressing the congress before the election, sports minister and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Tammy Danagogo, said he had met with the groups led by Aminu Maigari and Mike Umeh on Sunday in the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim and resolved that a non-elective congress takes place in Abuja to empower the electoral committee and give opportunity to other persons who were being disenfranchised.
According to Danagogo, Maigari, whose tenure expired on Monday, also agreed not to contest the election. While charging the congress to ensure that they put to an end to the lingering crisis, he assured all that he is ready to work with whoever emerges the new NFF president. He insisted that he has no candidate for the election but regretted the attitude of individuals who hold the nation’s football to ransom for selfish interests.
leadership.ng
Monday, August 25, 2014
The Last of the Grand Slams
The last Grand Slam for the year is here and that is the US Open. This is going to be a two weeks of beautiful tennis from both male and female players.
This year, the defending champion,Rafael Nadal is out due to injuries thus making Novak Djokovic the top seed for the men. While, the defending champion for the women and world No.1, Serena Williams is looking forward to claiming her 18th grand slam title.
Rodgers Federer is also looking forward to claiming this title. How far can he go? So far so good, he has had quite an impressive 2014 as compared to the previous year.
The previous grand slams of this year(Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon) were quite interesting, as a new winner emerged in the person of Stanislas Wawrinka(Aussie Open) and a second grand slam title for Petra Kvitova(Wimbledon)
Will there be a new winner? Will there be an upset in amongst the seeded players?
Let the Championship begin!!!!
This year, the defending champion,Rafael Nadal is out due to injuries thus making Novak Djokovic the top seed for the men. While, the defending champion for the women and world No.1, Serena Williams is looking forward to claiming her 18th grand slam title.
Rodgers Federer is also looking forward to claiming this title. How far can he go? So far so good, he has had quite an impressive 2014 as compared to the previous year.
The previous grand slams of this year(Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon) were quite interesting, as a new winner emerged in the person of Stanislas Wawrinka(Aussie Open) and a second grand slam title for Petra Kvitova(Wimbledon)
Will there be a new winner? Will there be an upset in amongst the seeded players?
Let the Championship begin!!!!
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Welcome To A New Season.
The World Cup came with all its razzmatazz which saw Die Mannshaft (Germany) crowned the winners followed by Argentina and coming in third place, the Oranje Men(The Netherlands).
With the World Cup come and gone, the football transfer market was set open as the new season of football in major leagues of the world was to commence.
The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Herrera, Ideye Brown, Alexis Sanchez to name but a few have all moved to the English Premier League. While new players have also moved to La liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, ligue1 et al.
The Barclays Premier League has since commenced since the 16th of August, so far the top clubs have passed their test with the exception of Manchester United with a defeat at home to Swansea City. This worsened United's misery despite the change of managerial reins in the person of Louis Van Gaal.
So far, with just one game played in the BPL, its no doubt that this season holds so much for English football lovers.
With Athletico Madrid clinging the Spanish Super cup last night, whew!!! What do you think is going to happen in the La liga? The rest is best left to be imagined.
While in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich has began the defense of her title by winning Wolfsburg. How far can they go? Well, time will do the telling.
At this junction, I say congratulations to newly promoted teams in the leagues and as the new season begins, may the best team win. You all are welcome to a new season. Cheers!!!!!
With the World Cup come and gone, the football transfer market was set open as the new season of football in major leagues of the world was to commence.
The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Herrera, Ideye Brown, Alexis Sanchez to name but a few have all moved to the English Premier League. While new players have also moved to La liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, ligue1 et al.
The Barclays Premier League has since commenced since the 16th of August, so far the top clubs have passed their test with the exception of Manchester United with a defeat at home to Swansea City. This worsened United's misery despite the change of managerial reins in the person of Louis Van Gaal.
So far, with just one game played in the BPL, its no doubt that this season holds so much for English football lovers.
With Athletico Madrid clinging the Spanish Super cup last night, whew!!! What do you think is going to happen in the La liga? The rest is best left to be imagined.
While in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich has began the defense of her title by winning Wolfsburg. How far can they go? Well, time will do the telling.
At this junction, I say congratulations to newly promoted teams in the leagues and as the new season begins, may the best team win. You all are welcome to a new season. Cheers!!!!!
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