Mike Itemuagbor is a sports marketer of repute and can confirm the difference between donation and sponsorship.
Shortly after his appointment as sports minister last year Bolaji Abdullahi was on his way to Zurich, the FIFA headquarters.
February 2013: Seigha Porbeni called me from Port Harcourt where he was watching the last Secondary School Games and lamented this way:
Before Stephen Keshi was officially announced the new Super Eagles coach, I had the privilege of discussing the problems of the Eagles with him.
I have decided to draw your attention to the issues between Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles coach and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation. I do so for the interest of our football especially the 2014 World Cup campaign.
It could amount to a great disservice to Nigerian football if I do not let Nigerians know this.
There was something unique about the reception Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan held for the Super Eagles while celebrating their 2013 Nations Cup feat.
When I saw pictures of the reception held for the Stallions of Burkina Faso from the airport to the stadium and their visit to the state house where the President hosted them, I tried to compare them with what happened in Abuja.
Can the Eagles withstand the physical attributes of their Burkina Faso counterparts and win the Nations Cup in South Africa on Sunday?
That is my wish.
Can they close the space they usually leave between them, play compact game and break away when they gain possession? That’s my wish.
There are three major qualities midfielders should possess. Coaches look out for these in them.
Aside food, drinks and music that form part of the entertainment here all football matches are shown on large screen television.
Two days after the final of the 100m for women Dr. Emmanuel Udughan, the Governor of Delta State was on line to the Nigerian camp at the London Olympics.
Sports is part of entertainment and this partly explained why he took huge interest in not only what we did on the sports desk but also in Nigerian sports.
Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi surely means well for our sports but he simply doesn’t get it. While lamenting on our failure at the 2012 London Olympics, the minister assured that Nigeria will win five gold medals at the next games in Rio de Janeiro and that the next Sports Festival in Lagos, the Eko 2012 Games will be the springboard for good performance in the next Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
I have to tell this story to President Goodluck Jonathan for he is also the patron of Nigeria Olympic Committee.
I was in Calabar to see the Eagles beat Rwanda 2-0 in a Nations Cup preliminary match. And just like I reminded Samson Siasia during his time that his team had only exhibited only 40 percent of what his dream performance was, I say same of Stephen Keshi’s team today.
It was a short but moving speech, one that made many flash back to the days when local sports commanded so much passion and made Nigerians proud of what they had.
Entertainment
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Sexiest in Nollywood 3 is on, vote your nominees
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Debt Allegation: Omotola’s counsels fined for delay
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Jay Z coming to Nigeria
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What binds my husband and I – Omoni Oboli
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Kunle Afolayan opens up Japan for African films
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Ibinabo relives memories of her prison diary
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I will invest more with Glo money – Lynxxx
Health
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The bee venom as HIV, cancer cure
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Can eating yams really give you twins?
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Newborn deaths: FG urged to finalise passage, approval of NHB
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Meals inspired by ancestors satisfy appetite, combat obesity, diabetes – STUDY
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Doctors react to alleged detention of patients in hospitals
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In Africa, a third of malaria drugs sold are substandard – NIMR
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Insecurity: NMA directs UMTH doctors to down tools
