Nigeria reverses ban on international basketball competitions – Newstrends
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Nigeria reverses ban on international basketball competitions

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2 years ago

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The Federal Government has reversed its decision to withdraw the national teams from all international basketball competitions.

The reversal was announced on Thursday in a statement by Ismaila Abubakar, permanent secretary of the ministry of youth and sports development.

On May 12, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, announced President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to withdraw Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for the next two years.

The minister said the decision was part of efforts by the government to revamp the sport from the grassroots.

Consequently, FIBA replaced D’Tigress with Mali at the upcoming 2022 Women’s World Cup, which spurred an avalanche of backlashes from both players and fans alike.

But in the latest statement, Abubakar said the reversal was made possible because “some significant developments have occurred” since the ban.

He said the ministry met with FIBA and reaffirmed the “mutual respect for the laws and constitution of Nigeria as a sovereign state, and also FIBA.”

The permanent secretary added that the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) wrote a letter of appeal to the ministry and “apologised to Mr President and the Minister over the embarrassment the developments around basketball and the conduct of some stakeholders has brought upon Nigeria.”

“Following the Presidential approval withdrawing Nigeria from International Basketball competitions for 2 years, a number of significant developments have occurred, the most significant being the following.” the statement read.

“Intervention by concerned stakeholders, former Nigerian international basketball players and well-meaning Nigerians to seek for solutions to the issues that triggered the decision.

“The video conference meeting between the top hierarchy of FIBA and the Minister of Youth and Sports which produced common understanding in certain general areas, concluding with a commitment by both FIBA and Nigeria to explore and collaborate on enhancing relationships, development of basketball and reaffirming mutual respect for the laws and constitution of Nigeria as a sovereign state, and also FIBA.

“A letter of appeal from the NBBF Board signed by Musa Kida and dated June 17th, 2022 addressed to the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare. The (board in the) letter of appeal among other things apologised to Mr. President and the minister over the embarrassment the developments around basketball and the conduct of some stakeholders have brought upon Nigeria. The letter appealed to the Minister to use his good offices to approach President Buhari for the reversal of the 2-year withdrawal of Nigeria from International basketball competitions. The Appeal letter also critically gave some key undertakings: to immediately set in motion the process of statutes review or constitutional amendments from stakeholders as collated by the ministry of youth and sports development; to set up a high-powered team to reconcile all contending parties in the basketball family at home and abroad, and a commitment to work with the ministry in the governance and development of basketball among other things. Above all, the compliance of NBBF to the issues at stake made this possible.

“Flowing from the above and upon a review, the FMYSD approached Mr. President and placed these developments before him. President Muhammadu Buhari, being one that is committed to youth development and desirous of ensuring that they are availed of all opportunities in sports and other endeavours considered the appeal and

“In the overriding spirit of national interest, love for our youth, and in order to avoid sending basketball development into a long period of suspension, when NBBF has now committed to the resolution of the issues which precipitated the withdrawal in the first place, has approved the return of Nigeria to international basketball immediately.

“In securing this approval, of note is the caution that the laws of Nigeria cannot be subjugated to any other law, and every Nigerian entity must respect Nigerian laws and authority governing various sectors. Failure to do this, as with any constitutionally bound sovereign nation will attract sanctions. There was first a country before any organization or federation that bears the Nigerian name, colours, and flag in representing Nigeria.

“Secondly, all those that lead government organizations, and in this case our federations, hold such positions in trust for the Government and people of Nigeria under the direct supervision of the Minister of Youth and Sports. The President has directed the ministry of youth and sports to ensure the speedy implementation of the undertakings by NBBF which formed a major basis of his reversal. The ministry is to report back to Mr. President on progress.”

It is however not clear yet if FIBA will reinstate D’Tigress for the 2022 Women’s World Cup.

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Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul

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8 hours ago

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November 14, 2024

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Mike Tyson and Jake Paul

Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul

Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.

Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.

The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.

That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.

– ‘It shouldn’t be happening’ –

“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.

“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”

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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.

“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.

“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”

Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.

“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”

At an open workout in Texas this week, Tyson declared that a gruelling training camp had left him with the conviction “that I’m tougher than I believed I was.”

“When I agreed to this fight and started training, I thought ‘What was I thinking of?’ But I’ve finished the process. The fight is the party. All the hard work is done.”

At a final press conference in Texas on Wednesday, a stony-faced Tyson pointedly declined to engage in the pre-fight hype.

“I’m just ready to fight,” he said. “I’m looking forward to fighting.”

– Injury fears –

A global audience of several million watching on Netflix, and tens of thousands inside the AT&T Stadium, will be watching on Friday to see whether Tyson’s hard work pays off.

His opponent Paul — who was born six months before Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their infamous 1997 rematch — rose to prominence as a Youtuber, before turning his attention to boxing.

Since his first fight against a fellow Youtuber in 2018, Paul’s opponents have included a basketball player, mixed martial arts fighters and other professional boxers. In 11 fights he has won 10 (seven by knockout) and lost one.

“I feel really good, sharp, powerful and explosive. It’s going to be a short night for Mike,” Paul said at Tuesday’s open workout, where he appeared wearing a bizarre head-dress in the form of a rooster.

It goes without saying that a prime, 1980s-era Tyson would almost certainly have dealt with Paul within a few minutes.

Does he retain enough residue of the talent and destructive power that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986, at the age of 20 years and four months? Bob Arum, the legendary 92-year-old boxing promoter who has seen it all, is unequivocal.

“The answer is no,” Arum told Secondsout.com last month. “A 58-year-old guy, no matter how good they were, no matter how athletic they were, are not gonna be able to fight.

“You can’t throw punches like you’re supposed to, you can’t do a lot of things. I hope Mike doesn’t get hurt, but I really give him relatively no chance.”

Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul

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Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested

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1 day ago

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November 13, 2024

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South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan

Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan was arrested on Wednesday amid allegations that he misused the organization’s funds for personal purposes, as reported by local media.

Jordaan, renowned for his pivotal role in securing South Africa as the host for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sought to block his arrest on Tuesday by filing an urgent application.

However, the Johannesburg High Court is scheduled to hear his case only on Thursday, leaving him vulnerable to arrest.

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The arrest stems from a raid by police on the SAFA offices in March, after which police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the allegations are that “between 2014 and 2018, the president of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board.”

Jordaan, 73, and his reported co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, are due to appear in court later on Wednesday.

Neither Jordaan nor SAFA responded to a request for comment from Reuters, but in his affidavit to court seeking to block his arrest, he denies any wrongdoing.

Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested

(Reuters)

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Newcastle make Osimhen transfer target

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2 days ago

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November 12, 2024

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Victor Osimhen

Newcastle make Osimhen transfer target

Newcastle United have joined the race sign Victor Osimhen as the English club seeks to bolstering its attack with the prolific Nigerian star next year.

The club’s owners, Public Investment Fund is reportedly ready to activate the Nigerian’s £113m release clause.

Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder reports that the Magpies are among several clubs jostling for the service of the 25-year-old striker, who is currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray from Napoli.

The former Lille striker has been in an tremendous form since joining Galatasaray in September, netting eight goals in nine appearances across all competitions, including six strikes in six Turkish Super Lig.

His latest contribution came in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Samsunspor, where he scored twice to maintain Galatasaray’s unbeaten run and extend their lead at the Turkish Super Lig summit to six points.

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Napoli Sporting Director Giovanni Manna has set a minimum price for any potential suitor.

“There are many clubs interested in Victor Osimhen. Galatasaray cannot take Osimhen if it does not pay a net fee of €75m,” Manna stated.

Newcastle’s interest comes after an inactive summer transfer window, with manager Eddie Howe keen to strengthen his attacking options. Fans are already agog by the prospect of pairing Osimhen with current striker Alexander Isak, though profit and sustainability regulations at St James’ Park could hamper any potential deal.

Chelsea and several Saudi Pro League clubs maintain their interest in the striker following failed moves last summer, setting up what could be an intense battle for his signature in 2025.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce Vice President Acun Ilıcalı have shown little interest in pursuing Osimhen, citing the club’s existing forward options.

“There is Dzeko, there is En Nesyri, and there is also Cenk. Who will play?” Ilıcalı questioned during a recent television appearance.

 

Newcastle make Osimhen transfer target

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