Participants of UBEC northwest sports competitions threatens withdrawal

From Ado Salisu, Dutse

Players and officials of the on- going UBEC Northwest sports competition have threatening to withdraw from the tournament due to the poor organisation.

Our reporter finding revealed that the players and officials have expressed their dismay especially lack of power supply at Dutse NYSC camp, dilapidated unmark pitches among others.

It was also leant that the local organizing committee members were not fully canvassed regarding hosting the competitions like this.

''Since we arrived NYSC camp, there was no power supply in the hotels, most of our phone were down, we cannot communicate to parents at home and there is serious mosquitoes in our rooms which if care is not taken the players and officials would affect with malaria,'' they explained .

''Even on match officials, how can a single referee will officiate a match without his assistants and unmark pitches which according to them, this can cause harm.''

''All what are saying is that the. UBEC under the leadership of Aisha Garba has good intentions to develop sports at grassroots levels, but she need to involve professional stakeholders n order to actualize the set objectives,'' they demanded.

When contacted, the northwest zonal coordinator, Malam Aminu Mai Fada confirmed that there was no power supply in the NYSC camp and he has already complained to the members of the Local organizing committee for their consideration and prompt action.

Malam Aminu Mai Fada said that since this is maiden edition of the competitions, the sponsors, UBEC will do the needful in order to prevent further occurrence in future championships.

Meanwhile, the eventual winners and runners up in the northwest zone are automatically qualified to represent their zone in the final stage of competitions scheduled to hold later in the year in Abuja.

NSSF lines up sports competitions for secondary schools nationwide

The Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF) has lined up sporting activities for secondary schools aimed at developing and improving the skills of students across the country.

The NSSF's President Olabisi Joseph said from next week February 10, invited secondary schools from 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja would converge in Lagos for Swimming and chess championships while Milo stakeholders Forum meeting and administrative seminar will follow up.

She dropped this hints while briefing newsmen in Lagos ahead of the tournaments.

Olabisi Joseph explained that the federation has been working round the clock with other sponsors aimed complementing Government efforts in the promotion and develop various sporting events in the country.

"We are excited to collaborate with Lago's state Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) in organizing the national board games. This competition is a platform for pupils to showcase their talents and develop essential life skills,'' she explained.

''The championship is taking place at the National Stadium swimming pool, Surulere, Lago's from February 13rd and 14th2025 and students would complete in under-18 and 15 boys and girls categories for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly 50 metre, 200 metre and 200 metre respectively.

While the chess competition is among the students of Under-9, 12, 15 and 18 categories at Universal Basic Education Board Hall, Maryland, Lagos from February 10th and 11th.

The president hinted that the administrative seminar will be conducted on February 12 at the NSSF secretariat, national stadium, Surulere while Milo secondary schools basketball stakeholders Forum meeting will hold on February 13rd, 2025 at the same venue.

Olabisi Joseph however, expressed gratitude to the entire executive members, the state sports coordinators and other stakeholders, federal and state governments for their unflinching support and cooperation to the NSSF, assuring that the leadership of the federation will continue to do it's best towards the overall development of various sporting events countrywide.

BUK set host inter departmental competitions Saturday

Arrangements are in top gear towards the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of inter departmental sports competitions scheduled to hold at FIFA Standard Pitch of Bayero university Kano (BUK) old site on Saturday 16th, November, 2024.

The university's Director of sports, Professor Rabiu Muhammad alias Chanhu dropped this hints while shedding more light on the championships.

Prof. Rabiu Muhammad explained that the university authority under the leadership of Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas has done enough in this regard.

He added that the sports directory is doing everything possible to ensure a colourful and hitch-free competitions.

The director revealed that the aims and objective of organizing such competitions within the university is to enable the coaches to recruit hidden talented and skillful athletes for future national and international engagements.

''Buk has potential athletes whom they need encouragement and support to excel at various sporting events within and outside the state,'' he explained.

Prof Rabiu Muhammad who was the former captain of Raccah Rovers Football Club and later Kano Pillars in the early '90 charged the participants to give the directory all maximum support and cooperation with a view actualize the set target.

He assured that the directory will do it's best to ensure free and fair officiating through the championships.

He said the university's vice chancellor, Prof Sagir Adamu Abbas alongside his management team and other staff were expected to attend the opening ceremony at the old site of the university.