₦airaland Forum

The new Group Managing Director/CEO of UAC of Nigeria Plc, Mr Abdul Bello led the way as encomiums poured in on a night of glitz organised by the company to bid farewell to Mr Larry Ettah, who Bello recently replaced.

Bello described Ettah, who was GMD/CEO for 11 years, as foresighted and commended him for his doggedness at transforming the company, pledging to build on the foundation that already existed in the company.

Bello, who served the UACN Plc in several capacities in his 29 years career and was recently Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, assured that he would be focused on upholding the company’s values which have sustained it in its 139 years of contributions to the Nigerian economy.

He asked for the cooperation of all employees and stakeholders to take the company to greater heights despite the challenging economy.

Receiving the baton later from Ettah, Bello said: “To whom much is given much is also expected. It’s a big task and I’ve received from you today with great passion and I confirm that I will carry on the journey to continue and increase the good pace that you’ve given this organisation; setting us far ahead of others.”

In his own emotional tribute to Ettah and Joseph Dada, who also recently retired as Executive Director, Corporate Services, the Chairman of UACN Plc, Mr. Dan Agbor recalled that the duo shared the same office in the early days of their ascension through the company’s management cadre, declaring that they were clear examples of what the company represents.

Agbor further said: “I was appointed Chairman of the UAC board in November 2015. The profound impression I took home from my relationship with these departing duo was their encyclopaedic knowledge of the company and its various businesses everywhere I turned.

“Larry joined the company as a trainee in 1988 and rose through the ranks, while Dada, who would later become UAC of Nigeria Plc’s first Executive Director, Corporate Services, did not only once share an office at UAC Foods with Larry, they demonstrated a versatility in knowledge and management of the company which is now a worthy legacy to draw inspiration from.”

Agbor continued: “I must say that the company has been blessed by such talented men who every day of their more than three decades stay in the company epitomised UAC true core values in customer focus, respect for the individual, integrity, team spirits, humanitarian openness and communication.”

He said that Ettah and Dada have now joined UAC Group’s Hall of Fame, which parades distinguished Nigerians, including former Head of Interim Government in Nigeria, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Dr. Christopher Abebe, Mr. Bassey Udo Ndiokho, Mr. Ayo Ajayi, all former helmsmen at UACN Plc; as well as Mrs. Moji Onasanya and Mr. Sola Erunle, both past Executive Directors.

“I can only wish them more success in their future endeavours as we work to sustain the professional levels of high standard of integrity and honesty," the UACN Chairman further said.

Responding, Ettah expressed gratitude to colleagues, dignitaries from the corporate, diplomatic and government circles, including the Minister of Budget and National Planning and former Chairman of UACN Plc, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who attended the grand event.

Looking back at his sojourn in UACN Plc, Ettah reminisced that he joined the company “as an imperfect young man, but I am leaving as an imperfect but better older man.”

He explained that all his actions were guided by the principle of leaving the company better than he met it. “In the journey of progress, which we made together, we made choices and changes; some tough, hard, painful but all necessary and in good faith. I give thanks to you for the times I succeeded and my apologies for the times I fell short;” he reflected, while soliciting support to his successor.

Ettah said that the Chairman, Board members and management of UACN Plc showed his family and himself great courtesy by putting together the event. “It is indeed wonderful to see men and women I have worked with in the decades gone by here tonight, some who have mentored me and those of us we mentored; the wonderful colleagues whose support meant so much to me, even those that provided the adult supervision I often needed.”

He admonished his successor to write his name in gold as he stepped into office. “I do personally believe I have written my chapter in stone and my stewardship obligation has been discharged. UAC is an organisation with a rich history and a record of accomplishments. It can still be built to become better, a task I’m sure my successor will give his all.”

The highlight of the event was the traditional change of baton from Ettah to Bello to mark the beginning of a new era for the company.

Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr’s quest of strengthening the team’s defence got a major setback as Nigerian born German defender, Jordan Torunarigha pledged his allegiance to Germany.

The 20-year-old, Hertha Berlin defender who was born in Chemnitz to Nigerian parents, has represented Germany at different youth levels but is uncapped at senior level but yet refused the chance of representing Nigeria in the World Cup.

Rohr who has been scouting around Europe as he wants to bring in new players to compliment his current crops of players ahead of the World Cup told BBC he was disappointed the youngster turned down the invitation.

He said, “I’ve followed his progress, I believe he would have made positive contributions to the team.

“But we must really respect this young boy’s decision now and wish him well.”

The German will be releasing his 35-man squad provisional list next week and is yet to have a picture of what his World Cup team would look like as he continues to search for players with Nigeria origin abroad.

Torunarigha has been impressive for his German club; Hertha BSC, this season having risen from the academy in the 2016/2017 season and has so far made 14 appearances for the club.

His father was Ojokojo Torunarigha who played for Nigerian professional side Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the late 1980s and in the German second tier with Chemnitzer FC during the mid-1990s.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/hertha-berlin-defender-turns-down-rohrs-world-cup-bait/

Brazilian World Cup winning legend, Romario has advised his compatriot and Manchester City striker, Gabriel Jesus to have plenty of sex on off days and give concentration to the game on match days as an antidote to winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Romario said: “Have enough sex is one piece of advice – as is making the most you can of your days off.

And, of course, you must concentrate on match days and during the games,”

“I believe Jesus is quite aware of his football and what it represents for the Brazilian nation.

“He has to arrive at the World Cup and score a goal. That’s the most important thing.”

“But the first thing I advise him to do is have lots of good sex.”

Romario had explained how sex before games helped him improve on the field of play, and has urged Jesus who many regards as his successor to do so.

Romario, who is now a senator in Brazil’s capital, Rio De Janeiro was a pivotal member of the USA 1994 World Cup winning squad.

He netted five times to hand Brazil their fourth World Cup title when the Samba boys defeated Italy in a Penalty shootout in California, USA. “Jesus must understand that, at the World Cup, the first opportunity you get to score a goal maybe your last” Romario added

Gabriel Jesus will be stepping into the shoes of many great footballers like Ronaldo and Romario who has led Brazil front line to victory at the biggest football competition.

The 21-year-old Manchester City Striker won his first Premier League title with Cityzens, netting 12 goals and providing 4 assists in his first full season at the Etihad.

“It is good that he is playing in Europe because maybe 80 or 90 percent of the best players in the world play there and he will have faced them already. Said Romario.

The former Palmeiras Striker has so far scored nine goals and fifteen appearances for the Brazilian national team since his debut in 2016.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/jesus-needs-to-have-plenty-sex-to-win-world-cup-brazil-legend-romario/

Falconets head Coach, Christopher Danjuma, has invited 35 players in preparation for the forthcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France holding from 5th – 24th August 2018.

The Falconets are two-time runners-up at the competition losing to Germany at the finals in 2010 and 2014 and are now drawn in group D alongside Haiti, China, and Germany for the tournament.

All invited players are expected to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuse, Abuja on Thursday, 10th May 2018.

The invited Falconet players according to NFF list includes:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Mercy Vincent (Confluence Queens); Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Edo Queens); Rita Akariko (Sunshine Queens); Nelly Ekeh (Ibom Angels)
Defenders: Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Blessing Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Oluwakemi Famuditi (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Uchegbu (Heartland Queens); Glory Ogbonna(Ibom Angels); Mary Ologbosere (Rivers Angels); Opeyemi Sunday (Sunshine Queens); Lilian Tule (Bayelsa Queens); Honesty Essien (Pelican Stars); Margaret Etim (Delta Queens); Rebecca Ajiga (Edo Queens)

Midfielders: Taibat Odueke (Edo Queens); Adebisi Saheed (Delta Queens); Christy Ucheibe (Nasarawa Amazons); Folasade Ijamilusi (Spring Soccer); Hannah Yusuf (Rivers Angels); Peace Efih (Edo Queens); Ramat Abdulkarim (Confluence Queens); Mary Saiki (Rivers Angels); Esther Ndubuisi (FC Robo); Esther Onyenezidie (FC Robo)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo); Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Grace Igboamalu(Nasarawa Amazons); Charity Reuben (Ibom Angels); Aishat Bello (Nasarawa Amazons); Kafayat Bashiru (Jokodolu Babes); Gift Monday (FC Robo); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo); Dooshima Tarnum (Nasarawa Amazons)

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/danjuma-invites-35-for-u-20-womens-world-cup/

Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reportedly engaged his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, with a Cartier diamond ring worth £615,000.

The shopkeeper-turned-model fuelled gossips that the pair are engaged after she showed off a sparkling ring in an Instagram video.


The ring is the biggest hint that the pair, who have kept tight-lipped over a future wedding, are set to get hooked.

The Real Madrid forward appears to have spared no expense, with estimates suggesting he coughed out a whopping £615,000 on the Cartier ring.

Cartier had advertised an engagement ring and recently uploaded a picture of it on Instagram.

Rodriguez, who has 4.6million followers on the social media site, commented with a string of heart emojis.


The new ring comes just months after she gave birth to the couple’s first child Alana Martina.

Rodriguez showed off the new rock right inside the ex-Manchester United ace’s luxury motor.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/cristiano-ronaldo-hooks-lover-with-n307m-engagement-ring/

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho made a shocking revelation in the late Sir Bobby Robson’s documentary where he chose the “Brazilian Ronaldo” as his greatest footballer rather than the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is yet having another stellar season at the Santiago Bernabeu, having helped Madrid reach their third consecutive Champions League final and shattering numerous European goals record.

In Mourinho’s effort at eulogizing the late Barcelona’ manager, the Portuguese had revealed “Ronaldo Nazario, the best Ronaldo EVER!”

“I never saw the same, I never saw the same,”

“He understood the Brazilian kid personality and at the same time, he gave him the freedom to allow him allowed him to play on the pitch.

“I remember Bobby every day. A person only dies when the last person who loves him dies.” Mourinho said.

Barcelona under the late Bobby Robson signed Delima Ronaldo from PSV Eindoven in 1996, when Jose Mourinho’s served as an assistant coach at Camp Nou.

The Portuguese manager’s three years spell (2010-2013) at Real Madrid saw him managing his fellow countryman where he won just a La Liga and Copa Del Rey title.

“Delima” Ronaldo won 3 Ballon d’Or award in his two-decade-long footballing career, winning two FIFA World Cup titles with the Brazilian national team.

Brazilian Ronaldo one year spell at Barcelona in the 1996/1997 season saw him score a massive 47 goals in 49 appearances before moving to Internazionale.

The three times world footballer of the year later returned to the Spanish capital in 2002 where he helped Real Madrid win two La Liga titles in his five years stay at the Bernabeu.

Football commentators around the world have regarded Mou’s statement as a jibe to the Portuguese Captain whose relationship with him has further deteriorated since he left Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo has surpassed almost all Delima’s football record but has not been able to win the FIFA World Cup like the Brazilian striker who had two triumphs with Selecao team.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/mourinho-my-all-time-greatest-is-ronaldo-not-cristiano/

Arsene Wenger’s last game at the Emirates Stadium against Burnley is reported to be selling for £1,800 as he will end his long romance with the club at the end of this season.

Since the Frenchman announced plans to step down as the club manager, it has been more of emotions at the club with the players and fans showing their last respect to the man who has done much for the club, but his last game against Burnley is said to be even more emotional.

Wenger was given a surprised standing ovation at Old Trafford in his last outing at the Theatre of Dream, as he came out of the tunnel, he was dragged to the sideline by his bitter rival, Jose Mourinho as Sir Alex Ferguson emerged to present him with a gift before his former player Alexis Sanchez gave him a long hug.

Arsenal’s game against Burnley who are fighting to play in the Europa League next season is categorized as a Category C fixture and is the lowest of the three tiers in Arsenal’s official Premier League ticketing structure – with prices ranging from £26 to £38.50.

An online ticket site said expensive tickets are being advertised in the lower tier of the East and West Stands at the Emirates Stadium, which would have been sold to supporters for just £28.50. The ticketing website also claimed prices for the match are increasing.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match in charge of Manchester United also changed hands for eye-watering sums. A seat for United’s game against Swansea at Old Trafford in 2013, was reportedly advertised for nearly £3,000.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/wenger-final-game-tickets-go-off-the-roof/

United States President, Donald Trump has again called for support from around the world to back a joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Morocco have submitted its bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the bid has the backing of several countries from the Gulf region, in Africa and some parts of Europe and this has threatened the chances of a joint bid from the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The US president had threatened Morocco and its supporting countries in a tweet on his official Twitter handle last week.

Trump who appeared to have reaffirmed his stance made this known at the White House on Monday during a press conference with President Muhammadu Buhari, also declared that the USA will be watching Nigeria and other countries “very closely”.

Trump in a statement at the White House during the press conference with Buhari said, “I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world, (know that) that we also will be supporting you and that they will likewise support us in our bid, along with Canada and Mexico, for the 2026 World Cup,”

“We will be watching very closely, and any help they can give us in that bid, we would appreciate.”

USA, last hosted the World Cup in 1994.

Voting to award the 2026 World Cup will hold on June 13 in Moscow at FIFA’s annual congress.

Meanwhile, FIFA has also agreed to publish the choice of each voting member for transparency.



Read More: http://hotsportstv.com/2026-world-cup-trump-warns-nigeria-others-we-are-watching-very-closely/

CC: Lalasticlala

The English Football Association has confirmed it has received an offer worth £800m from Fulham owner, Shahid Khan to buy the Wembley Stadium.

A report on Thursday said top gear discussion for the takeover of the Stadium which cost a stunning £757m to rebuild following the old Wembley’s demolition in 2000.was made at a board meeting on Thursday.

It is understood the approach includes £500m for the stadium and £300m for the FA to keep the Club Wembley debenture and hospitality business.

The Pakistani-American Khan who according to Forbes is worth an estimated $7.2billion also owns National Football League side Jacksonville Jaguars

The takeover will not prevent the English FA from hosting its major matches of FA Cup finals as well as being the home ground for the England national team.

The FA offices will still remain at the Wembley site and continuously serve as the administrative headquarters of the game in England.

FA Chief executive Martin Glenn believes the extra funds will revolutionise the lowest levels of the game in a way that would otherwise be impossible.

An FA spokesman said: “We can confirm the FA Board has received an offer for Wembley from Shahid Khan.”

The sales of the Stadium according to the FA will not have any negative impact on the 2020 European Championship as the Wembley was already scheduled to host seven games including both semi-finals and the final.

Read More: http://hotsportstv.com/english-fa-confirm-proposed-sale-of-wembley-stadium/

Deontay Wilder has offered Anthony Joshua a 50-50 split with a guarantee of $50m for a unification bout and has asked the WBO, WBA and IBF titles holder to respond to the offer latest on Thursday midnight.

Joshua, trainer Rob McCracken and promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that they received emails sent directly from the Bronze Bomber’s personal address, with his promoter Shelly Finkel subsequently confirming an offer had been made.

Wilder promoter, Finkel confirmed that the deal is a take it or leave it as the money and deal are already intact as they wait for Joshua’s camp to accept the offer they are presenting before them.

Wilder also made an offer on Instagram and Joshua immediately responded saying he would accept if it was £50m.

He said, “We want Joshua to fight Deontay in his next fight and we offered him $50m,”

“If he accepts it, it will be there. Al Haymon and I have not delivered what we’ve offered.

“We were offered $12.5m (£8.8m) to fight him but we have offered four times that. If [Joshua] says he is not going to take $50m, it means he doesn’t really want to fight him next.

“It was $50m against 50 percent. He said, ‘get me $50m against 50 percent and I’ll take it the next day, I swear’.”

If the deal is accepted by Joshua’s camp, it will give Wilder’s team control over the show and the venue and Finkel admitted that should Joshua agree, the fight will definitely not going to take place in America but somewhere else.

Eddie Hearn who is in New York for a Matchroom Boxing USA card in Brooklyn revealed that the date mentioned is “between September and December” this year.

The Matchroom promoter suggested that the offer was a “great PR stunt” but with the two promoters due to meet on Friday, he is now taking it seriously.

He said, “We got an email from Deontay Wilder’s personal email address offering us a 50-50 split with a guarantee of $50m,”

“He said that in an interview Anthony said, ‘give us £50m and we will sign tomorrow’. They have asked us to give them written acceptance of the deal by tomorrow.

Read Full Story: http://hotsportstv.com/wilder-tempts-joshua-with-mouth-watering-offer/

CC: lalasticlala

budusky05:
Must you always display ur IQ level everywhere. Do u have to shut him up?

Arsenal players were involved in a little face-off on Wednesday during their training ahead of the first leg semi-final game against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.


Arsenal is aiming to ensure they give their departing manager, Arsene Wenger a silverware before he finally leaves the club. The team were said to be training on Wednesday morning when Hector Bellerin and Alexander Lacazette squared off in the presence of the French man.

Both players were said to have been involved in an aerial challenge and tempers were heated up as the challenge ended up not going the right way for both players who were immediately separated by others.

The Gunners are expected to give their all to qualify for the final and win the Europa League to be eligible for next season’s Champions League, having missed out of a top-four place this season.


Source: http://hotsportstv.com/internal-squabbles-rock-arsenal-ahead-of-atletico-madrid-clash/

Arsenal FC’s outgoing manager, Arsene Wenger has admitted he was sacked by the club’s according to reports hotsportstv.com.

Wenger who leads the team against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, in an explosive Europa league semi-final match, had last week Friday announced that he would be stepping down from his job of 22 years as manager of the London club.

Following which Arsenal released a statement saying the decision was mutual between the club and Wenger.

But Wenger on Wednesday made new revelations concerning the sudden announcement of his exit when he was asked why he was leaving with a year left on his contract and the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid looming.

“The timing was not my decision. The rest I have spoken about it already.” He told SunSports
Earlier, Arsenal legend Ian Wright after Wenger’s announcement had said the Frenchman was forced out of the club with 12 months left of his contract.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/wenger-admits-arsenal-sacked/

Arsenal Football Club has identified young Nigerian defender, Ohis Felix Uduokhai as its top transfer target as they plan for life after manager, Arsene Wenger.

The 19 –year old prodigy with a Nigerian father and German mother is seen by the Gunners as the perfect fit in a defence that has often proved to be unreliable as the Gunners shipped in goals aplenty during the current season.

The player whose profile has risen dramatically since leaving the former club, 1860, Munich to join VFB Wolfsburg where another Nigerian, Victor Osimhen also plies his trade in 2017, has caught the attention of the three-time Premier League champions.

In a bid to consolidate on their successes during the Wenger era, the club has made it clear they would be spending big to strengthen their defence as they welcome a new manager to the club.

Uduokhai has already featured for the German U-20 team and is likely to be the first of a new generation of players to join the north-London club, post-Wenger.

Read More: http://hotsportstv.com/arsenal-make-unknown-nigerian-defender-top-transfer-target/

UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin has confirmed that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could be used in the Champions League and Europa Cup in the 2019/2020 season following pressure from the Italian side.

The UEFA chief who has been against the use of the Hawk-Eye technology finally gave the nod of the possibility of using it for UEFA clubs competitions.

He said “Honestly, I think we’ll have it in the Champions League and the Europa League by 2019/20,”

Ceferin, who also spoke about the penalty awarded against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final game with Real Madrid, was upbeat that VAR could have done nothing to rescue Juventus from the penalty awarded by Michael Oliver.

He said, “VAR wouldn’t have changed anything, what would have changed in Real Madrid-Juventus”

“There are people who have seen the penalty 20 times and still half are saying yes and half are saying no.

“In the Manchester City-Liverpool match it could have been useful, but then other problems would arise.”

He also backed Oliver’s brave decision to send Buffon out of the game stressing that what the veteran goalkeeper said was not right as he tried to intimidate the referee.

“From the point of view of somebody who played, I understand the frustration. He’s obviously disappointed about being eliminated in the 93rd minute”, he added.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/uefa-finally-accepts-var/

Nigerian player, Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo of Crotone delayed Juventus’ Serie A title celebration as he struck a late equalizer to open wide the title race for Napoli and Juventus Wednesday night at the Estadio Ezio Scida.

Crotone who are battling with relegation got a lifeline with the pivotal points as they continue their fight to stay in the Italian top flight for next season.

Juve versatile defender, Alex Sandro, broke the deadlock with just 16 minutes into the game as the Old Ladies were having possessions and felt relaxed as the first half ended with the lone goal.

The second half resumed with Crotone struggling to get their bearing against a more experienced Juventus as they had gone into the game hoping for a miracle to happen for them to pick a point.

The game was gradually crawling into the end when Simeon Nwankwo lashed on from a loose ball with a spectacular ‘Ronaldo’ like overhead kick from inside the box to level scores.

With the game ended 1-1, Napoli who defeated Udinese 4-2, now reduced the points to four as the title race is now wide open again with five games to end the season.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/unknown-nigerian-striker-delay-juventus-title-race/

Nigeria”s multiple gold-winning para- powerlifting star, Paul Kehinde says he would be fulfilled if can he meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in an official reception when he returns from the ongoing 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast where he is with the Nigerian contingent, competing for honours.

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Kehinde feels he has done enough to attract Presidential attention having done a lot to put Nigeria on the world sporting map with incredible record-breaking feats in his chosen profession.

The Nigerian is easily the sport’s most recognisable face as he holds records from the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the Rio 2016 Olympics, the World Para- Powerlifting Championship’s in Mexico and the Fazza World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai early this year.

In a chat with hotsportstv.com Thursday from the Gold Coast, Australia, Thursday, Kehinde said he was in order to make the request to see the Nigerian number, one man, as he sees him as a partner in progress “I’d like to meet with President Buhari when I come back from competing at the Commonwealth Games.

As a matter of fact, I’d like a situation where I and my colleagues will be hosted by the President for the hard work and sacrifice we have made, and are still making to ensure we enhance the image of our country”, Kehinde told hotsportstv.com in a long distance call from Australia.

” I think for our effort and commitment, we deserve to be recognized I think the government would be doing much to encourage us if we are feted and rewarded with the good things of life like it’s often done with the able-bodied athletes”, he added.

Kehinde has already won the silver in the 65kg lightweight category, with a sensational lift of 219.9 kg, a few notches short of his previous record-breaking attempts in Rio de Janeiro, Mexico and Dubai, UAE.

Source:http://hotsportstv.com/para-powerlifting-world-record-holder-wants-audience-buhari/

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved five places in the Coca-Cola FIFA rankings for the month of April to become the 47th best football playing nation in the world. The country also earned a corresponding lift to the sixth place in the African rankings that was released on Thursday by FIFA.

The Super Eagles ranked 52nd in last month’s FIFA rankings, displaced Bolivia from the 47th position after an impressive outing in March following the 1-0 victory over 6th placed Poland and the 2-0 loss to Serbia in their international friendly games.

Nigeria also displaced Cameroon at sixth place in Africa, trailing Tunisia, Senegal, Congo DR, Morocco and Egypt who occupy the first five places in the latest FIFA rankings.

No doubt, the133 games played across the globe in March, was bound to drastically impact on this month’s world rankings.

Germany still remains at the top despite a draw and defeat in March while Belgium climbed onto the third place following their 4-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia.

Tunisia who is now 14th placed reached their first ever best ranking for the month of April.

There were also best-ever positions for the newest FIFA Member Associations, with Kosovo’s pair of friendly victories over Madagascar and Burkina Faso seeing them leap 24 places to 152nd, while Gibraltar’s 1-0 win over Latvia saw them jump ten spots to 196th.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/super-eagles-climb-five-places-now-47th-fifa-rankings/

Nigerian Table Tennis captain, Segun Toriola has bowed out of the men’s singles event at the quarter-final stage of the ongoing Commonwealth Games, following a knee injury at the Oxenford Studios on Thursday morning in Gold Coast, Australia.

Toriola who seemed to be in pain with each movement gave up at 7-11, 5-9 against India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.

Toriola had taken charge of the gap created by Aruna Quadri’s absence in the team event.

The team had earlier won Silver behind India

Quadri, who is the highest-ranked player in the Gold Coast, had to sit out the team event due to ill health.

Quadri is now the only Nigerian player left in the men’s singles event and he advanced to the quarter-finals after coming from 5 points down to force a 12-10 win in the 5th game to close out the match 4-1 (11-5, 8-11,11-3,11-3,12-10) on Thursday morning.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/injury-knocks-toriola-mens-tennis-singles/

Real Madrid defender, Sergio Ramos could risk missing the first leg of their semi-final when the draws will be made on Friday following his antics on Wednesday night in their 1-3 loss to Juventus.

The Real Madrid captain who was serving a suspension was pictured standing by the pitch- side in the final few minutes as they advanced to the semi-final following a Ronaldo’s late controversial penalty goal that sends the Los Blancos through on a 4-3 aggregate.

The Spaniard presence is against UEFA regulations and he could face suspension for one more game for it if the Europe football governing body is to play by the rules.

Recall that former Real Madrid player, Xavi Alonso was given a one-match ban for a similar incident in 2014 when he ran down the touchline to celebrate Gareth Bale’s goal during the Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid.

Ramos celebrated with his team-mates at full time; just moments after Ronaldo converted his penalty after Lucas Vazquez was brought down in the box.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/ramos-indiscretion-may-cost-semi-final-action/

The Nigerian contingent at the Commonwealth Games has threatened to embark on a strike following the unavailability of their training kit and lack of payment of their entitlements as promised by the Sports Ministry.

The teams were reported to be involved in a bitter row with the sports ministry concerning training grants and kits before the events kicked off.

They were forced to protest after discovering that there were no signs they would be paid their entitlements as promised by the ministry.

They had also been furious about not being given their training kits as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria provided none after allegedly receiving money from the ministry to buy them.

The Nigerian-based athletes had supported the foreign-based athletes who insisted on being paid their training grants before representing the country but also demanded theirs to be paid and with the same value.

Sports minister Solomon Dalung statement by his media aide, Nneka Anibeze had saved Nigeria from a great embarrassment and prevented the athletes from protesting, promising the athletes that government would not discriminate against any athletes in the payment of training grants after visiting them at the Games Village.

“I am here to make clarifications on certain developments that will portray us in a bad light, disturb our unity of purpose and has a possibility of distracting our attention from success,” the minister was quoted as saying in the statement.

“The issue of training grants is an exclusive reserve of the Federal Government presently handled by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and it is a decision that will always be taken in our national interest.

“A statement suggesting discrimination is not at all in our interest. Grants are paid based on categorisation and not based on the principle of where you are resident or where you train.”

“The minister told the athletes that he would buy the kits for them. Heads will roll in the AFN and ministry after the Games.” a source said.



Source: http://hotsportstv.com/team-nigeria-protest-poor-welfare-commonwealth-games/

Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a FIFA ruling barring Spanish player, El Haddadi from switching national allegiances.

The 22-year-old played as a substitute for Spain in a European Championship qualifier in September 2014 but also qualifies to play for Atlas Lions as his parents are Moroccan.

Under current FIFA regulations, El Haddadi’s appearance for Spain in an international match hinders him from switching allegiance again.

Football’s world governing body had rejected an initial application from El Haddadi who is currently on loan at Spanish club Alaves from Barcelona – and the FRMF on 13 March.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been urged to make a decision by mid-May “in order for the player’s sporting nationality to be decided prior to the commencement of the 2018 World Cup” and will select a panel of three arbitrators to hear the case.

Following the hearing, the panel will deliberate and issue a decision in the form of an arbitral award.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/morocco-fa-appeal-cas-player-switch/

Commonwealth is not only interested in the free spirit of peace and unity at the Gold Coast 2018 Games in Queensland Australia, they are also interested in the sexual adventure and safety of all countries with their provision of 225,000 condoms for the event.

In recent times, Sports organizations have come to recognize the sexual and emotional tension surrounding sports competitions, and have decided to make provision for sexual safety.

With just over 6000 athletes competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia, every athlete will be eligible for 3 condoms daily for the 11-day competition. Quite randy!

Although this number is nowhere close to the over 2 million condoms that were used at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it can be a big precursor to many organizers who intend to bring thousands of adults together for a sporting event.

2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games in South Korea broke a winter Olympics condom record by handing out over 110,000 condoms in the competition, this year’s Gold Coast games could yet break another Commonwealth condom records

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/commonwealth-games-proves-sex-sports-gives-200000-condoms-athletes/

Homeboiy:
He will still collect aka azu when u pay him high

Eleven years old, Anna Hursey will be looking forward to making history at the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Gold Coast, Australia.

The Welsh youngster aiming to hit her ambitious goal of finishing on the podium in Australia will be the youngest athlete to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games.

The Wales-born teenager whose extraordinary talent started at age five is thought to be the youngest athlete to ever compete at the quadrennial event.

Anna trains up to thirty hours-per-week alongside her primary school education. The sacrifices made by her parents have made a massive impact on her career, she was crowned Welsh under 11’s champion at age six and Wales’ youngest-ever ‘senior’ international in any sport.

“Sometimes the older girls’ get really annoyed when they lose to me and kick the barriers and stuff,” said Hursey.

According to Welsh coach, Stephen Jenkins “She’s taking it in her stride really,”

“She is actually really mature for her age. It’s just inside her – she’s mentally strong.”

Hursey’s team-mates, including Welsh number one Charlotte Carey, have taken her under their wing to help protect her from the glare of publicity.

“They don’t want to baby her,” insisted Jenkins. “It’s more that she’s a team-mate, and that’s important for Anna as well – she doesn’t want to be the baby.

Hursey is ranked No 18 in the world at under-15 level and No 11 in Europe; she is the youngest athlete ever to represent Wales in senior competition in any sport.

She is also targeting a spot to represent Team GB for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she will be just 14.

The table tennis game will be contested at the Oxenford Studios besides Movie World


Source: http://hotsportstv.com/eleven-year-old-makes-commonwealth-games-history/

FIFA has appointed former Golden Eaglets doctor, Dr Ayodeji Olarinoye, as a Doping Control Officer (DCO).

Ayodeji, who is a professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine and British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine, is now Nigeria’s first FIFA doping control officer.

He joins the network of FIFA medical officers charged with the responsibility of ensuring safe and healthy participation in football after attending several FIFA anti-doping training and has since been involved with doping controls around the world.

Olarinoye is the son of Steve Olarinoye, former Head of International Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the 1990s’. Known for his drive and industry, it would be recalled that Olarinoye was honoured in 2015 by the Nigeria Medical Association for his dedication to duty and special interest in the field of sports medicine.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/olarinoye-lands-fifa-medical-job/

Team Nigeria has landed at the Brisbane Airport International terminal, Brisbane Australia, in the early hours of Tuesday morning ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games to hold in the Gold Coast, one of Australia’s’ biggest cities, from April 4th-15th, 2018.

Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung and Hon Yakubu Gowon led the Nigerian contingent which travelled by Emirates Airline left the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos respectively at about 6:05 pm Monday.

Athletes were welcomed with a ceremony at the Games Village and were entertained by cultural dances and live music.

Over ninety athletes are representing Nigeria while forty-five officials which include team doctors, coaches, directors and the Minister of Youths and Sports.

Team Nigeria will be participating in ten different sporting activities namely: Athletics, Basketball, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Boxing, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Para table tennis, Para-Athletics, Para Powerlifting.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/team-nigeria-storm-gold-coast-2018/

Somebody says he should come and fight Agbero in Nigeria

cc: Lalasticlala

Former British high jumper Mike Edwards has been denied the opportunity to present Nigeria at the 2018 Commonwealth games.

The 27 years old represented Britain at the European Junior Championships in 2009, accused the IAAF of cowardice with the rules of athletics’ governing body set to bar him from representing Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games.

Edward arrived Gold Coast as part of the Nigerian team but is ineligible to compete.

The Manchester-born who has a Nigerian mother and citizenship has never represented Nigeria before protested against ineligibility with a homemade sign in the Athletes Village at Gold Coast.

“It was nine years ago – it is a worse sentence than a drug cheat gets,” he told BBC Sport.

“I am walking around the village with my Nigerian kit and unsure if I can even walk in the stadium and represent.

“It is nearly a decade since I last competed in an international championship, I feel I am being robbed of that opportunity right in front of my eyes.

“I am willing to protest every day in the village. I will do it until I receive a call from [IAAF president] Seb Coe. If he can’t do that he is a coward.

“As a fellow athlete, he can’t hide behind his desk – that is heartless.”

Athletes in the past have had the opportunity to transferred nationalities.

The likes of Ramil Guliyev competed at the same European Junior Championships as Edwards in 2009 winning gold for Azerbaijan but took the world 200m title in London last year under the Turkish flag.

However, the process for switching nations was stopped in February 2017 with the IAAF citing concerns over the exploitation of young African athletes and has not resumed.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/high-jumper-mike-edward-barred-from-representing-nigeria/

Newly crowned heavyweight unification champion Anthony Joshua said he wants to fight WBC champion, Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury but will choose Wembley over America to fight any of his opponents.

Wilder has been calling for a shot even before Joshua stepped to strip Parker off his WBO belt in the unification bout.

Joshua, after the fight, told Sky Sports “IBO, WBO, WBA, IBF. I’m not into the hype, let’s get the business done. Let’s see what the future holds, I’m down for whatever, whenever.

When asked about his performance he said, “I’m not going to make any analysis of my performance, that’s for my coach to do.

“My strategy was to stick behind the jab – it’s one of the most important weapons – a good jab will take you around the world. I was switched on, focused and went 12 rounds. It was light work. [Whether it’s] ten rounds, two rounds or 12 rounds.

“This was about boxing finesse – I stuck to my word. I know what it takes to be a champion. Joshua Parker said he wanted a war, but it was all about boxing finesse. The main thing we cannot forget is that I am the unified heavyweight champion of the world.

“I’m not interested in coming to America. All these years, we’ve gone to the States, people have spent a lot of money following British boxers over there. [But] we can do it in London, Cardiff. We are staying right here.

“I want Wilder. Or Fury. Get him [Wilder] in the ring and I’ll knock him spark out.”

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/i-want-wilder-or-fury-joshua/