Page 69 stories

Page 69 stories

LMC fines Giwa N3m, sanctions two players

By Orkula Shaagee @shagcy

The League Management Company (LMC) yesterday descended heavily on Giwa FC of Jos and two of its players as they were handed various sanctions for their roles in the abandoned week day 38 fixture against hosts, Nasarawa United in Lafia last Sunday.

The Jos-based side had refused to continue with the game on 34th minute, forcing the centre referee to call off the match at the expiration of the first half thereby breaching article 13.26 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Consequently, Amos Gyang and goalkeeper Nojeem Raji had on separate occasions refused to retire to the dressing room after being expelled for initial violent behaviour.

Giwa FC was fined N3, 000, 000, a deduction of three points and forfeiture of three points and three goals to Nasarawa United for the abandoned match.

For assaulting a ball boy, Gyang was charged for breach of article C1 for violent conduct amounting to misconduct, contrary to the principles of sportsmanship and capable of bringing the league to disrepute. On the second charge of breach of article C8, he was charged for refusal to refusal to retire to the dressing room after being sent off the match by the Referee.

He was fined N50, 000 on the first count and suspended for two matches on the second count.

Goalkeeper Raji was banned for six matches for breach of article C1 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League which cited him for failing to show respect for the decision of the Referee, when he punched the Referee in the face amid protests by his teammates. He was thus cited for conduct contrary to the principle of sportsmanship and capable of bringing the League to disrepute.

On the second charge, Raji was cited for breach of article C8 of the Framework and Rules of the league for refusing to leave the field of play after he was issued with a red card and sent off by the referee. He was therefore suspended for two matches.

The club and the players have the options to accept the decisions of the LMC or opt for an appearance before a panel and any of the options must be communicated to the LMC in writing within 48 hours.

Toro congratulates Eagles on Swaziland victory

By David Ngobua @Ngobuadavid

Former Secretary General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Ahmed Sani Toro has congratulated the Super Eagles on their victory over Swaziland in the return leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier yesterday in Port-Harcourt.

Goals from Simon Moses and Efe Ambrose in the second half of the match gave the Super Eagles 2-0 victory over the resilient Swazis.

In a text message to Daily Trust shortly after the match, the former Bauchi State Commissioner of sports said the Eagles improved on their performance in the first leg of the match played in Swaziland.

He said the Oliseh tutored Eagles showed more determination and hunger to earn victory after a disappointing first leg performance.

Toro said with yesterday’s performance, he has no iota of doubt in his mind that the team will qualify for both the 2017 AFCON and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He said “Congratulations to the Super Eagles on their victory against Swaziland today (yesterday) in the return leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

“I believe in the ability, dedication, commitment and capacity of the players under the leadership of Coach Sunday Oliseh to win laurels.”

Toro therefore called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to continue to support and motivate the team to post even better results in future.

“Although they are doing their best, NFF should continue to motivate the team. I believe if given the necessary support, Eagles will not fail to do the country proud,” he said.

Siasia, NFF beg kidnappers to free mum

The Nigeria Football Federation has appealed passionately to kidnappers of the 72-year old mother of U-23 National Team Head Coach, Samson Siasia, to release the old woman.

On learning of the unfortunate incident yesterday morning, NFF President Amaju Pinnick was downcast. “This is quite disturbing. We are just preparing for a crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, and the U-23 boys are already in The Gambia for a pre-Cup of Nations training camp. Why this?

“All we can do is to appeal to the kidnappers to free Samson Siasia’s aged mother. Samson is on a critical national assignment presently and the last he needs is this kind of distraction.”

The 72 -year old Mrs. Ogere Siasia, according to Samson, was abducted in the village of Odoni, Bayelsa State by three men on motorbike. A distressed Siasia said his mother happened to be the only one at home in his village taking care of his father who is visually impaired.

Siasia said: “Right now I am confused, from the story I got, three men on motorbike stormed my parents’ house in my village Odoni in Bayelsa State, shot sporadically into the air before taking my old mother away on a bike.

“What do they expect from me? I don’t have money, I am right now on national duty, and need all the time to concentrate on this very important national task, so I beg them to please release my mother so that I can concentrate on this task of qualifying the U-23 National Team for the men’s football event of the Rio Olympics.”

Dalong pledges better welfare, timely training for athletes

By Olayemi John-Mensah

Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalong yesterday assured that sports men and women will enjoy proper and timely training, as well as planning as part of measures to sustain the gains so far achieved by the nation’s sport sector.

Dalong, who stated this during the handing over and taking over ceremony at the ministry yesterday, also his regime would promote better welfare for the country’s sportsmen and women.

“To sustain the present successes recorded, proper and timely training, proper and timely planning and good welfare package will be imbibed in this tenure.

He however warned that lateness, truancy and absenteeism will no longer be condoned, as violators will be severely sanctioned.

“The era of leaving office early is over. If you are leaving far away you wake up early and prepare for office because the excuse of I miss the bus will no longer be accepted,” he said.

NBBF charges Mark Mentors, Pillars to conquer Africa

For picking the tickets to represent FIBA Africa Zone 3 at the FIBA Africa Club Champions Club in Luanda, Angola, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Tijani Umar has praised all the clubs including Nigeria female league champions Dolphins and runners-up First Bank, as well as men’s champions, Mark Mentors and runners-up Kano Pillars for picking all the tickets at the finals from the zone.

Umar said “I congratulate our teams for continuing what has being a fantastic year for Nigerian basketball, it’s good to have all 4 clubs both men and women represent Nigeria, particularly at this time”.

“I must commend the clubs for their effort and I want to admonish them to represent the country with pride and do their best to emulate the national teams this year”.

Both Kano Pillars and Mark Mentors will be hoping to make history this year by becoming Nigeria’s first continental club champions, while First Bank Basketball club of Lagos have their sights set on ending their 6 year wait for a third continental crown with victories in 2005 and 2009.

Nigeria women’s league champions Dolphins basketball club of Lagos also relishing an improved performance in their 2nd straight appearance on the continent and a shot at a first title.

The Women FIBA Africa Club Champions Cup will jumpball in Luanda from November 27th to December 6th, while the men come to town four days after in the Angola, capital city from December 10th to 19th.