U-23 Eagles quest for success at the Olympics next month seemed to have suffered another major setback after it emerged French Lique 1 outfit Olympique Marseille are unwilling to release Taiye Taiwo but OGC Nice have confirmed Onyekachi Apam will be available for Nigeria.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
JAPAN SENDS WARNING SIGNAL TO GROUP B RIVALS
Japan have warned its group B rivals at next month’s Olympics in Beijing that they are not coming for a tea party when hostilities begin for the soccer gold of the quadrennial Games.
Although the Japanese have bucked the prevailing trend by not including a single over-age player in their squad , coach Yasuharu Sorimachi is in confident mood. This despite being denied the services of striker Yoshito Okubo and playmaker Yasuhito Endo, both in contention for the squad’s three available over-age berths, after the gifted duo were called up for senior national team duty.
Yet Sorimachi remains hopeful that his side will have a realistic chance of coming back from their trip across the Sea of Japan with a medal. And the Blue Samurai will have been buoyed by a 2-1 friendly win against Australia in Kobe on Thursday, which also served to dispel lingering doubts over the team’s alleged lack of firepower.
“I’ve chosen the strongest players available, with the aim of winning at the Olympics. It was hard to make this selection as the squad can only contain 18 players,” said Sorimachi, who has an enviable array of talent from which to choose his starting eleven.
One to watch out for on Chinese soil is first-choice keeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Dubbed the “Japanese Chilavert”, after the flamboyant Paraguayan shotstopper, Nishikawa is known for stepping up to fire in free-kicks awarded around the opposition’s box.
Another player likely to impress is Atsuto Uchida, the golden boy of J-League outfit Kashima Antlers, who has already turned out for the senior side. He is likely to be joined in the team by forward Takayuki Morimoto of Italian outfit Catania, whose classy finishing skills have already drawn comparisons with Brazil legend Ronaldo and Juventus’ David Trezeguet. Sorimachi can also call on Keisuke Honda who turns out for Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo, and has the potential to be one of the outstanding midfielders on show in Beijing. Honda’s deadly left-footed free kicks are reminiscent of dead-ball ace Nakamura, while his passing, vision and tactical nous have also been widely praised. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda sets out his ambitions for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament “I hope we’ll score from moves that flow right through the team. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals,” said Honda, one of a number of players who gained great confidence from the Australia match. “I’m looking forward to the future, and I think the team will gel.”
Although the Japanese have bucked the prevailing trend by not including a single over-age player in their squad , coach Yasuharu Sorimachi is in confident mood. This despite being denied the services of striker Yoshito Okubo and playmaker Yasuhito Endo, both in contention for the squad’s three available over-age berths, after the gifted duo were called up for senior national team duty.
Yet Sorimachi remains hopeful that his side will have a realistic chance of coming back from their trip across the Sea of Japan with a medal. And the Blue Samurai will have been buoyed by a 2-1 friendly win against Australia in Kobe on Thursday, which also served to dispel lingering doubts over the team’s alleged lack of firepower.
“I’ve chosen the strongest players available, with the aim of winning at the Olympics. It was hard to make this selection as the squad can only contain 18 players,” said Sorimachi, who has an enviable array of talent from which to choose his starting eleven.
One to watch out for on Chinese soil is first-choice keeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Dubbed the “Japanese Chilavert”, after the flamboyant Paraguayan shotstopper, Nishikawa is known for stepping up to fire in free-kicks awarded around the opposition’s box.
Another player likely to impress is Atsuto Uchida, the golden boy of J-League outfit Kashima Antlers, who has already turned out for the senior side. He is likely to be joined in the team by forward Takayuki Morimoto of Italian outfit Catania, whose classy finishing skills have already drawn comparisons with Brazil legend Ronaldo and Juventus’ David Trezeguet. Sorimachi can also call on Keisuke Honda who turns out for Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo, and has the potential to be one of the outstanding midfielders on show in Beijing. Honda’s deadly left-footed free kicks are reminiscent of dead-ball ace Nakamura, while his passing, vision and tactical nous have also been widely praised. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda sets out his ambitions for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament “I hope we’ll score from moves that flow right through the team. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals,” said Honda, one of a number of players who gained great confidence from the Australia match. “I’m looking forward to the future, and I think the team will gel.”
Monday, July 28, 2008
ONCE AGAIN,BRAZIL RULE THE WORLD
Brazil beat Italy 5-3 in the Marseille 2008 final to claim their third successive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup crown. Bruno and Sidney scored doubles apiece, and Andre was also on target for the Seleção as they provided an enthralling climax to a memorable tournament on Prado beach. Brazil kicked off the game as the favourites, but it was Italy who had the game’s first opening. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Massimiliano Esposito flicked it up and produced an overhead-kick, which dropped to safety off the crossbar. The South Americans swiftly found their inimitable rhythm, and as he has been the case so often this tournament, Benjamin was the heartbeat of their attacking waves. First, he cut inside his marker and fired narrowly wide, before deceiving another opponent with an elastic dribble and volleying on to the roof of the crossbar.
Italy’s resistance was, however, broken just before the nine-minute mark. Buru’s teasing pass was missed by Italy defender Michele Leghissa, but not by Bruno, who controlled the ball on his chest and coolly stabbed it past Stefano Spada. The elegant No6 almost added his second moments later, but his volley from distance was denied by a post.
Bruno did double the Brazilian advantage on 14 minutes, swiveling on to a loose ball and thumping it into the top corner. Sidney then made it 3-0, before Junior Negao hit the crossbar with a sumptuous chip towards the end of the period. There was, nevertheless, still time for the goal of the game before the referee’s whistle sounded. Benjamin employed keepy-ups to carry the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and feed Buru, who in turn set up Sidney for a simple header.
Andre made it 5-0 on 28 minutes, although the third period belonged to Italy. Indeed, goals from Paolo Palmacci, Roberto Pasquali and Diego Maradona Jr proved a sizeable consolation against such a dominant force, Brazil, who once again emerged as the kings of the sport.
Italy’s resistance was, however, broken just before the nine-minute mark. Buru’s teasing pass was missed by Italy defender Michele Leghissa, but not by Bruno, who controlled the ball on his chest and coolly stabbed it past Stefano Spada. The elegant No6 almost added his second moments later, but his volley from distance was denied by a post.
Bruno did double the Brazilian advantage on 14 minutes, swiveling on to a loose ball and thumping it into the top corner. Sidney then made it 3-0, before Junior Negao hit the crossbar with a sumptuous chip towards the end of the period. There was, nevertheless, still time for the goal of the game before the referee’s whistle sounded. Benjamin employed keepy-ups to carry the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and feed Buru, who in turn set up Sidney for a simple header.
Andre made it 5-0 on 28 minutes, although the third period belonged to Italy. Indeed, goals from Paolo Palmacci, Roberto Pasquali and Diego Maradona Jr proved a sizeable consolation against such a dominant force, Brazil, who once again emerged as the kings of the sport.
INTER CONDOLE BEREAVED MARTINS
Reigning Serie A champions,Inter Milan have sent a message of condolence to their former Nigerian import, Obafemi Martins over the death of his mother,Alhaja Monsurat who died in the early hours of Thursday in Lagos,South West Nigeria.
In a message on its website,the club,led by its new coach,Jose Mourinho prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Alhaja Monsurat and extend their condolences to Obafemi and the rest of the Martins’ family.‘’F.C. Internazionale and all his supporters extend their deepest condolences to ‘Oba’ and his family’’,read the statement on the club’s website.
Obafemi started his professional carrer in Italy. In 2000, he was involved in the youth setup at AC Reggiana, and moved into Inter’s youth squad the following season in a €750,000 deal. With the youth squad he scored 23 goals that season, helping them win the Italian Under-18 title.
He became a part of the Inter first team in 2002 making his debut against Parma in December of that year. However, he did not fully break into the first team until the following season. It was in 2003 that he fully made his mark with the club in the UEFA Champions League, first scoring a crucial goal against Bayer 04 Leverkusen to secure Inter’s place in the quarter finals of the competition. Obafemi then scored another goal in the semi-final of the competition against Milanese rivals AC Milan, although Inter were eventually defeated on the away goals rule.
Obafemi signed a long-term contract with Inter in 2005 which ran until 2010 and was worth around €2.5 million annually.
Although he had some success with Inter, scoring 28 goals for the club in 88 league games as well as 11 goals in European competitions,he was sold in August 2006 to his present English Premier League club,Newcastle.
In a message on its website,the club,led by its new coach,Jose Mourinho prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Alhaja Monsurat and extend their condolences to Obafemi and the rest of the Martins’ family.‘’F.C. Internazionale and all his supporters extend their deepest condolences to ‘Oba’ and his family’’,read the statement on the club’s website.
Obafemi started his professional carrer in Italy. In 2000, he was involved in the youth setup at AC Reggiana, and moved into Inter’s youth squad the following season in a €750,000 deal. With the youth squad he scored 23 goals that season, helping them win the Italian Under-18 title.
He became a part of the Inter first team in 2002 making his debut against Parma in December of that year. However, he did not fully break into the first team until the following season. It was in 2003 that he fully made his mark with the club in the UEFA Champions League, first scoring a crucial goal against Bayer 04 Leverkusen to secure Inter’s place in the quarter finals of the competition. Obafemi then scored another goal in the semi-final of the competition against Milanese rivals AC Milan, although Inter were eventually defeated on the away goals rule.
Obafemi signed a long-term contract with Inter in 2005 which ran until 2010 and was worth around €2.5 million annually.
Although he had some success with Inter, scoring 28 goals for the club in 88 league games as well as 11 goals in European competitions,he was sold in August 2006 to his present English Premier League club,Newcastle.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
SIASIA UNVEILS OLYMPIC U-23 SQUAD
Nigerian dream Team IV handler, Samson Siasia is all set to unveil his final squad list for the Beijing Olympics, later on Wednesday.
The former Nigeria international has however told Complete Sports he won’t make public his team list until he assertains the availability of a handful of players who are yet to arrive at the U-23 team’s camp in South Korea.Asked about the outlook of his final squad list for the Olympics, Siasia replied: “I can’t be completely certain about the list at the moment because some of the players I am banking on have yet to arrive.
“They are important players and until I am sure they will be coming I can’t take a decision.”Osaze Odemwingie is obviously one of the handful of players apparently giving Siasia second thoughts regarding the final squad list for the Beijing Games but Siasia has described the former Lille of France player as the ideal professional following the Russian - based forward’s resolve to join up with the rest of the Nigerian Olympic soccer team at their Korean base.
The Lokomotiv Moscow player recently expressed his readiness to head off to the Dream Team IV’s camp as soon as possible notwithstanding his Russian clubside’s tight fixture schedule.
The Russian Premier League is approaching the midway point and the Railwaymen will get to play two games within a space of four days beginning with Wednesday’s top of the bill encounter against UEFA Cup holders Zenit St. Petersburg.
Odemwingie is expected to lead Lokomotiv’s forward line in Wednesday’s fixture but he has expressed his determination to jettison the subsequent game and team up with the Nigerian U-23 side in the Far East, even though the decision is likely to incur the wrath of his employers.
It is however an entirely different scenario with the likes of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and electrifying forward Ikechukwu Uche whose clubside’s have separately expressed their unwillingness to release their prized assets for, arguably, the greatest sporting event in history.
Siasia will however welcome Odemwingie to Korea with open arms and has lavished encomiums on the 27-year-old for his high level commitment and dedication to the national team’s aspirations.
“Osaze is the only player among the invited over-age players that I am sure will be available [for the Olympics]. He is the only one I have spoken to and he hopes he can join us after his game on Wednesday,” began Siasia on the line from Korea.
“He has always been a top professional, the ideal professional, if you ask me. He is cool-headed and a natural leader. He is also very strong and I love his commitment and dedication to the team.
“He is the only one that is at the moment fighting his club to ensure his release for the Olympics.
“Vincent’s club [Hapoel Tel-Aviv] are proving quite difficult and Uche has long told me it would be difficult for him to secure his release from his club [Getafe].
“He (Uche) would love to go to the Olympics but his club seems to be saying no way,” added Siasia, who isn’t outrightly pleased with the deal reached between the representatives of Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi and his German clubside, Hoffenheim.
The Bundesliga newcomers, following their discussions with Ogbuke, as well as his FIFA licensed agent John Shittu, agreed to release the youngster for the Beijing Games thus making an about-turn from their earlier decision to hang on to their star forward for the whole duration of the Olympics.
Hoffe, as the “Village” club are known to their teeming fans, will however not release Obasi until August 1, six days before the U-23 team’s opening fixture against Holland in Tianjin and Siasia hopes the situation can be redressed.
“I know I am powerless to do anything about it but I have told them I want him 14 days to the Games. I just don’t buy the idea of him coming on August 1,” continued Siasia.
“If he comes on August 1, it will take him a minimum of three to four days to adapt to the weather and the time zone.
“If he leaves on August 1 he will probably get here the next day.
“I just don’t understand why the coach (Ralf Rangnick) is proving stubborn. He’s just been inconsiderate,” added Siasia.
The former Nigeria international has however told Complete Sports he won’t make public his team list until he assertains the availability of a handful of players who are yet to arrive at the U-23 team’s camp in South Korea.Asked about the outlook of his final squad list for the Olympics, Siasia replied: “I can’t be completely certain about the list at the moment because some of the players I am banking on have yet to arrive.
“They are important players and until I am sure they will be coming I can’t take a decision.”Osaze Odemwingie is obviously one of the handful of players apparently giving Siasia second thoughts regarding the final squad list for the Beijing Games but Siasia has described the former Lille of France player as the ideal professional following the Russian - based forward’s resolve to join up with the rest of the Nigerian Olympic soccer team at their Korean base.
The Lokomotiv Moscow player recently expressed his readiness to head off to the Dream Team IV’s camp as soon as possible notwithstanding his Russian clubside’s tight fixture schedule.
The Russian Premier League is approaching the midway point and the Railwaymen will get to play two games within a space of four days beginning with Wednesday’s top of the bill encounter against UEFA Cup holders Zenit St. Petersburg.
Odemwingie is expected to lead Lokomotiv’s forward line in Wednesday’s fixture but he has expressed his determination to jettison the subsequent game and team up with the Nigerian U-23 side in the Far East, even though the decision is likely to incur the wrath of his employers.
It is however an entirely different scenario with the likes of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and electrifying forward Ikechukwu Uche whose clubside’s have separately expressed their unwillingness to release their prized assets for, arguably, the greatest sporting event in history.
Siasia will however welcome Odemwingie to Korea with open arms and has lavished encomiums on the 27-year-old for his high level commitment and dedication to the national team’s aspirations.
“Osaze is the only player among the invited over-age players that I am sure will be available [for the Olympics]. He is the only one I have spoken to and he hopes he can join us after his game on Wednesday,” began Siasia on the line from Korea.
“He has always been a top professional, the ideal professional, if you ask me. He is cool-headed and a natural leader. He is also very strong and I love his commitment and dedication to the team.
“He is the only one that is at the moment fighting his club to ensure his release for the Olympics.
“Vincent’s club [Hapoel Tel-Aviv] are proving quite difficult and Uche has long told me it would be difficult for him to secure his release from his club [Getafe].
“He (Uche) would love to go to the Olympics but his club seems to be saying no way,” added Siasia, who isn’t outrightly pleased with the deal reached between the representatives of Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi and his German clubside, Hoffenheim.
The Bundesliga newcomers, following their discussions with Ogbuke, as well as his FIFA licensed agent John Shittu, agreed to release the youngster for the Beijing Games thus making an about-turn from their earlier decision to hang on to their star forward for the whole duration of the Olympics.
Hoffe, as the “Village” club are known to their teeming fans, will however not release Obasi until August 1, six days before the U-23 team’s opening fixture against Holland in Tianjin and Siasia hopes the situation can be redressed.
“I know I am powerless to do anything about it but I have told them I want him 14 days to the Games. I just don’t buy the idea of him coming on August 1,” continued Siasia.
“If he comes on August 1, it will take him a minimum of three to four days to adapt to the weather and the time zone.
“If he leaves on August 1 he will probably get here the next day.
“I just don’t understand why the coach (Ralf Rangnick) is proving stubborn. He’s just been inconsiderate,” added Siasia.
Monday, July 21, 2008
MAKELELE LEAVES CHELSEA FOR PSG
Veteran french holding mid-mielder,Claude Makelele has decided to call it quit with Chelsea.
The 35-year-old, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge, will be unveiled by PSG at a news conference today.
"I wanted this so much that Chelsea gave me the chance to finish my career in my own country," said Makelele.
Makelele joined Chelsea from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2003, costing the Stamford Bridge outfit £16.8m.
Makelele, whose partner and son live in Paris, added: "It's a very important challenge, I hope to enjoy it, and there's also my family.
The 35-year-old, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge, will be unveiled by PSG at a news conference today.
"I wanted this so much that Chelsea gave me the chance to finish my career in my own country," said Makelele.
Makelele joined Chelsea from Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2003, costing the Stamford Bridge outfit £16.8m.
Makelele, whose partner and son live in Paris, added: "It's a very important challenge, I hope to enjoy it, and there's also my family.
IOC DISGRACE NIGERIA
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have described as baseless Nigeria’s protest and demands following the non-qualification of the men’s 4 x 400m and the women’s 4 x 100m teams for the relay events of next month’s 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Nigeria had fired a strongly worded protest to the IOC on the purported advice of the president of the International Association of Athetics Federation,laying the blame for the 4 x 400m and 4 x 400m relay teams inability to meet the cut-off point for the Games on the refusal of European countries to grant entry visas to the two teams for some of the relay qualifying meetings, especially the 24th Vardinoylannia meeting in Rethymo, Greece on July 14.
The Greek embassy denied the Damola Osayomi-led quartet visas because of the violation of its visa requirements.
In its reply, the IOC said Nigeria was asking for the impossible because all arrangements for the Games have been concluded in terms of accommodation, training venues and other logistics.
The IOC also reminded Nigeria that the IAAF set the qualification period over two years ago for countries to compete for the 16 places allotted to each relay events.
Complete Sports check on the IAAF website confirmed IOC’s argument. In rule 3-1 under rule 3 titled Qualification system, athletes must reach the qualification standards as set by the IAAF for each event from January 1, 2007 until 23 July 2008 for individual events and from January 1, 2007 until 16 July, 2008 for relay events in order to be eligible to participate in the athletic events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Rule 3.4 on relay teams explained how the IAAF will arrive at the final 16 thus: There shall be a maximum of 16 qualified teams in each relay event, based on the aggregate of the two fastest times achieved by national teams at IAAF recognised international events in the qualification period of 1 January, 2007 to 16 July, 2008.The IOC, in rejecting Nigeria’s appeal wondered why the country did not take advantage of the long qualification period instead of trying to come in through the back door.
Sports at random investigations reveal that the Nigerian relay teams hardly participate in one-day meetings and thus denied themselves the opportunity of taking advantage of the athletes when reach peak form.
Between January last year and July 16 this year, the relay teams only competed in three major events viz the All Africa Games in Algiers last year and the World Championships in Athletics in Osaka also last year.
The teams also participated in the 16th African Athletics Championships hletics Federations (IAAF) Lamine Diack
HOLLAND PROMISES TO CAGE NIGERIA U-23
Nigeria’s group phase opponent in the upcoming Olympic Games, the Netherlands are keen on securing a win over the Dream Team IV and are leaving no stone unturned in order to achieve their set goal.
Both sides will clash head-on in one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the tournament on August 7 in what could eventually make or mar both side’s subsequent involvement in the Olympics.
The Dutch understand the importance of securing a win over Samson Siasia’s Dream Team IV side and have lined up two high profile friendlies against the U-23 side of Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroun, all in an effort to get to understand the mentality of the Nigerian side.
The Dutch side will first come up against the Camerounians on July 30 before taking on the Ivorians three days later.
And team captain Roy Makaay is confident the games against the Africans will put them in good stead for their encounter in Tianjin against Nigeria.
The Dutch are taking part in the football event of the Olympic Games for the first time in 56 years and Makaay said:
“We want to be prepared and we have but one target out here in Hong Kong which is to prepare for the Olympic Games.
“It is the first time we will be taking part in a long time and we want to achieve a good placing at the end of it all.“We are in a difficult group, no doubt, and our first opponents are a quality side. So it is good that we will play against Ivory Coast and Cameroun, so we can get used to the African style of play.
“These will be two good tests for us and hopefully we can pick some points from these matches and then go out there on August 7 and get a result,” added the former Bayern Munich striker.
Both sides will clash head-on in one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the tournament on August 7 in what could eventually make or mar both side’s subsequent involvement in the Olympics.
The Dutch understand the importance of securing a win over Samson Siasia’s Dream Team IV side and have lined up two high profile friendlies against the U-23 side of Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroun, all in an effort to get to understand the mentality of the Nigerian side.
The Dutch side will first come up against the Camerounians on July 30 before taking on the Ivorians three days later.
And team captain Roy Makaay is confident the games against the Africans will put them in good stead for their encounter in Tianjin against Nigeria.
The Dutch are taking part in the football event of the Olympic Games for the first time in 56 years and Makaay said:
“We want to be prepared and we have but one target out here in Hong Kong which is to prepare for the Olympic Games.
“It is the first time we will be taking part in a long time and we want to achieve a good placing at the end of it all.“We are in a difficult group, no doubt, and our first opponents are a quality side. So it is good that we will play against Ivory Coast and Cameroun, so we can get used to the African style of play.
“These will be two good tests for us and hopefully we can pick some points from these matches and then go out there on August 7 and get a result,” added the former Bayern Munich striker.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
EMEDOLU MADE METU A CHAMPION
New Fastest Man In Nigeria, little known Obinna Metu chose the biggest stage in Nigerian athletics ,the annual Athletic Federation of Nigeria/ExxonMobil track and field championship to announce his arrival as the new kid on the 100m block .The Anambra state-born sprinter came into the championships as one of the pretenders to the title held by reigning African record holder in the event at 9.85,Olusoji Fasuba.
Nobody,except those who follow the sport religiously remembered him as a bronze medal winner in the 200m event at the last All Africa Games held in Algiers last year.He was also a member of the gold-winning 4x100m relay team at the Games.He ran the second leg in the same team that dropped the baton at the African Championships last May in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.
But the new fastest man in Nigeria courtesy his surprise win at the just concluded 19th edition of the championships owes his new status to one of his victims in Wednesday evening’s race on the track of the imposing Abuja National Stadium,2002 International Associations of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Cup in Athletics 100m winner,Uchenna Emedolu.
Metu believes Emedolu’s impact on his rise as a school boy to becoming the champions of Nigeria is unquantifiable.
He sees the Agulu,Anambra state-born sprinter as his role model and somebody he wanted to be like.
‘’Emedolu made me a champion. I was always hoping to become like him when I decided to take the sport as my number one career”,began the athlete who was first into football and actually played for a local youth club called Juventus in Enugu.
Metu didn’t have the privileged of having to pick a role model from so many choices because Emedolu was the only one he saw around him while growing up in Enugu.
‘’He-Emedolu-was the closest person to me then and I was thrilled by how humble he was as well as how he was reverred by the people in Enugu whenever he was around.I was jealous of his achievement and his name was projected all over the world.I saw the benefits of being a champion,a hero and it fired me up to become one.I told myself I have to be like him,be as famous as he still is ..be well known all over the world.”,he recounted.
Apart from the massive encouragement he received from his parents,especially his mother who he said used to pray for him,he is convinced Emedolu’s offer of help when he needed it changed his life and his focus.It made him to dream big..dreams of becoming a world beater,a champion just like his idol who later turned to his mentor.
‘’The whole story of Emedolu from being my idol to my mentor changed one day when I surprised him in Enugu during some kind of trials we organized .I ran so well in the trials that I swept him off his feet.He couldn’t believe what he saw and kept asking whether I was the same boy he met some weeks back who was running with his school uniform on.
‘’My coach then told him I was the one and he became immediately interested in me.He called me aside and asked what were my needs.I told him I needed spike shoes,tennis shoes and running vests.He gave me some Fila kits he must have received from the AFN as a national athlete.
couldn’t believe what was happening to me.I thought I was dreaming..me,coming face to face and actually talking to a world champion..somebody I had always looked up to..it was just too much for me to take.To completely sweep me off my feet,I was surprised by his humility and the fact that he could come down to my level.
‘’He gave me some tips on how to run as well as words of encouragement..he brought out the confidence that I had always felt right from my primary school days that I can do it.From there I was determined to succeed like him.I took what he told me with all the seriousness it required and made sure I put all of them into practice”.
Obinna is the last born in a family of eight-three boys and five girls.He hailed from Idemili North local government area of Anambra state where he first had his primary education before relocating to Enugu where he continued with his primary education before moving up to Community Secondary School,Iva Valley in Enugu.
Apart from his interest in football,he was also a high jumper and was drafted to compete in the event in 2000 by the Enugu state sports council at the first Dan Ngerem U-18 Athletics Championships in Owerri and he won the silver without any meaningful form of practice.
He continued to participate in sports and unlike most kids who had their parents screaming down their neck about the futility of becoming an athlete instead of concentrating on academic education,Obinna’s parents gave him all the support he needed.
‘’Although my father is late,my mother and my brothers have always been there for me (two of them actually followed him to Abuja to witness him become Nigerian champion in the 100m).I could remember some occasions when my brothers will pick up my chores so that I could go to training.
‘’I wish all parents and all households are like that.Parents should always let their children be what they want to be.What they need to do is to encourage them,correct them when they go wrong and praise them when they do the right thing”.
He also appeals to state sports commissioners to emulate the immediate past sports commissioner in Delta state,Solomon Ogba who he said offered him employment when Enugu state was playing politics with his future.
‘’I am sure Ogba will not realize the implication of what he did to me and so many athletes he offered employment during his tenure.He showed he has a good heart.True the money he was spending was not his own but other sports commissioners in other states faced the same situation”,he said and also profusely thank the Civil Defence Corps and Ekiti state government for coming to the rescue of athletes who could be roaming the streets of Nigerian cities today in search of jobs and thereby fail to fulfil their potentials.
Obinna believes all the people he mentioned must take the credit for his transformation from a then naïve school boy in Enugu to the champion he is today.
On the race, he said he knew he was going to win the title and that people should not say he was just lucky to have carried the day.
‘’In as much as I want to agree it was my day,I still must let people know that I actually expected it-the victory over two-time champion,Fasuba.I really trained hard for the championships.I knew it was not going to be easy but I am glad nonetheless to have won what I will call the toughest Mobil championships I have ever seen.”
Metu also refused to accept that he benefited immensely from the fact that the pressure was not on him but on Fasuba who was defending his title and Adetoyi Durotoye who beat Fasuba penultimate Monday at the Abuja Grand Prix.
‘’I don’t think anybody is unbeatable.Durotoye proved it at the Grand Prix and I have proved it today”,he said and believes the pressure of running in the biggest stage ever in world athletics,the Beijing Olympics will not get to him and knock him.
‘’I don’t easily get stage fright.I believe I have what it takes to beat anybody.The fact that the likes of Usain Bolt,Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay are running so well does not translate to the gold in Beijing.We have seen cases of athletes who do so well in pre-Games events only to crumble when the chips are down”,he revealed and cited the example of Powell who was the name on everyone’s lips prior to the IAAF World Championships final in Osaka last year only to struggle to get the bronze.
The easy going,unassuming athlete is not however scared of losing.Instead he sees losing as a form of training because he sees it as a means of correcting his mistakes.
Right he does not want to predict what the outcome of the final in Beijing will look like,instead,he wants to enjoy his victory first before making any plans for the Olympics.
Nobody,except those who follow the sport religiously remembered him as a bronze medal winner in the 200m event at the last All Africa Games held in Algiers last year.He was also a member of the gold-winning 4x100m relay team at the Games.He ran the second leg in the same team that dropped the baton at the African Championships last May in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.
But the new fastest man in Nigeria courtesy his surprise win at the just concluded 19th edition of the championships owes his new status to one of his victims in Wednesday evening’s race on the track of the imposing Abuja National Stadium,2002 International Associations of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Cup in Athletics 100m winner,Uchenna Emedolu.
Metu believes Emedolu’s impact on his rise as a school boy to becoming the champions of Nigeria is unquantifiable.
He sees the Agulu,Anambra state-born sprinter as his role model and somebody he wanted to be like.
‘’Emedolu made me a champion. I was always hoping to become like him when I decided to take the sport as my number one career”,began the athlete who was first into football and actually played for a local youth club called Juventus in Enugu.
Metu didn’t have the privileged of having to pick a role model from so many choices because Emedolu was the only one he saw around him while growing up in Enugu.
‘’He-Emedolu-was the closest person to me then and I was thrilled by how humble he was as well as how he was reverred by the people in Enugu whenever he was around.I was jealous of his achievement and his name was projected all over the world.I saw the benefits of being a champion,a hero and it fired me up to become one.I told myself I have to be like him,be as famous as he still is ..be well known all over the world.”,he recounted.
Apart from the massive encouragement he received from his parents,especially his mother who he said used to pray for him,he is convinced Emedolu’s offer of help when he needed it changed his life and his focus.It made him to dream big..dreams of becoming a world beater,a champion just like his idol who later turned to his mentor.
‘’The whole story of Emedolu from being my idol to my mentor changed one day when I surprised him in Enugu during some kind of trials we organized .I ran so well in the trials that I swept him off his feet.He couldn’t believe what he saw and kept asking whether I was the same boy he met some weeks back who was running with his school uniform on.
‘’My coach then told him I was the one and he became immediately interested in me.He called me aside and asked what were my needs.I told him I needed spike shoes,tennis shoes and running vests.He gave me some Fila kits he must have received from the AFN as a national athlete.
couldn’t believe what was happening to me.I thought I was dreaming..me,coming face to face and actually talking to a world champion..somebody I had always looked up to..it was just too much for me to take.To completely sweep me off my feet,I was surprised by his humility and the fact that he could come down to my level.
‘’He gave me some tips on how to run as well as words of encouragement..he brought out the confidence that I had always felt right from my primary school days that I can do it.From there I was determined to succeed like him.I took what he told me with all the seriousness it required and made sure I put all of them into practice”.
Obinna is the last born in a family of eight-three boys and five girls.He hailed from Idemili North local government area of Anambra state where he first had his primary education before relocating to Enugu where he continued with his primary education before moving up to Community Secondary School,Iva Valley in Enugu.
Apart from his interest in football,he was also a high jumper and was drafted to compete in the event in 2000 by the Enugu state sports council at the first Dan Ngerem U-18 Athletics Championships in Owerri and he won the silver without any meaningful form of practice.
He continued to participate in sports and unlike most kids who had their parents screaming down their neck about the futility of becoming an athlete instead of concentrating on academic education,Obinna’s parents gave him all the support he needed.
‘’Although my father is late,my mother and my brothers have always been there for me (two of them actually followed him to Abuja to witness him become Nigerian champion in the 100m).I could remember some occasions when my brothers will pick up my chores so that I could go to training.
‘’I wish all parents and all households are like that.Parents should always let their children be what they want to be.What they need to do is to encourage them,correct them when they go wrong and praise them when they do the right thing”.
He also appeals to state sports commissioners to emulate the immediate past sports commissioner in Delta state,Solomon Ogba who he said offered him employment when Enugu state was playing politics with his future.
‘’I am sure Ogba will not realize the implication of what he did to me and so many athletes he offered employment during his tenure.He showed he has a good heart.True the money he was spending was not his own but other sports commissioners in other states faced the same situation”,he said and also profusely thank the Civil Defence Corps and Ekiti state government for coming to the rescue of athletes who could be roaming the streets of Nigerian cities today in search of jobs and thereby fail to fulfil their potentials.
Obinna believes all the people he mentioned must take the credit for his transformation from a then naïve school boy in Enugu to the champion he is today.
On the race, he said he knew he was going to win the title and that people should not say he was just lucky to have carried the day.
‘’In as much as I want to agree it was my day,I still must let people know that I actually expected it-the victory over two-time champion,Fasuba.I really trained hard for the championships.I knew it was not going to be easy but I am glad nonetheless to have won what I will call the toughest Mobil championships I have ever seen.”
Metu also refused to accept that he benefited immensely from the fact that the pressure was not on him but on Fasuba who was defending his title and Adetoyi Durotoye who beat Fasuba penultimate Monday at the Abuja Grand Prix.
‘’I don’t think anybody is unbeatable.Durotoye proved it at the Grand Prix and I have proved it today”,he said and believes the pressure of running in the biggest stage ever in world athletics,the Beijing Olympics will not get to him and knock him.
‘’I don’t easily get stage fright.I believe I have what it takes to beat anybody.The fact that the likes of Usain Bolt,Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay are running so well does not translate to the gold in Beijing.We have seen cases of athletes who do so well in pre-Games events only to crumble when the chips are down”,he revealed and cited the example of Powell who was the name on everyone’s lips prior to the IAAF World Championships final in Osaka last year only to struggle to get the bronze.
The easy going,unassuming athlete is not however scared of losing.Instead he sees losing as a form of training because he sees it as a means of correcting his mistakes.
Right he does not want to predict what the outcome of the final in Beijing will look like,instead,he wants to enjoy his victory first before making any plans for the Olympics.
Monday, July 7, 2008
EVERTON OFFERS YOBO SUPPORT
Everton fc of England has said that it would lend a helping hand in order to get the brother of their ever reliable defender released, club’s PRO Reveals Players, Management Concern For Eagles Star
FOOTBALLTeam-mates of Everton footballer Joseph Yobo are hoping for the safe return of his kidnapped brother, a club spokesman has revealed.
Gunmen in Nigeria abducted Norum Yobo as he made his way home from a nightclub in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
FOOTBALLTeam-mates of Everton footballer Joseph Yobo are hoping for the safe return of his kidnapped brother, a club spokesman has revealed.
Gunmen in Nigeria abducted Norum Yobo as he made his way home from a nightclub in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
ASTON VILLA PUNISH BARRY
Gareth Barry has been disciplined and ordered not to report for pre-season training as Liverpool increased their offer for the Aston Villa captain.
Barry, 27, has been punished for giving an unauthorised interview to a Sunday newspaper in which he criticised Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
Villa report for pre-season on Thursday as the transfer row took another twist.
Liverpool's new bid is around £15m
Villa have turned down a succession of offers from Liverpool, and O'Neill has denied he had received a "take it or leave it" final bid on Wednesday, insisting: "The situation remains the same."
O'Neill has said Barry will be granted his wish to join Liverpool - but only when his asking price is met.
Barry, 27, has been punished for giving an unauthorised interview to a Sunday newspaper in which he criticised Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
Villa report for pre-season on Thursday as the transfer row took another twist.
Liverpool's new bid is around £15m
Villa have turned down a succession of offers from Liverpool, and O'Neill has denied he had received a "take it or leave it" final bid on Wednesday, insisting: "The situation remains the same."
O'Neill has said Barry will be granted his wish to join Liverpool - but only when his asking price is met.
JAMAICA AND USA ON THE OLYMPIC TRACK
Jamaica is the 138th most populous nation in the world. At 2.65 million souls, the Caribbean island nestles between Kuwait and Mongolia in the population ladder.
It is in similar territory when it comes to national wealth.
The United States, on the other hand, is the world's richest and third most populous country.
As neighbours go, these two live at very different ends of a very long street.
But there is one place where these two meet as equals - the running track.
It is in similar territory when it comes to national wealth.
The United States, on the other hand, is the world's richest and third most populous country.
As neighbours go, these two live at very different ends of a very long street.
But there is one place where these two meet as equals - the running track.
ARSENAL TO COMMENCE PRE-SEASON TRAINING
Arsenal fc of England will begins pre-season training in earnest.
Arsene Wenger's squad kick off with a trip to Underhill to face Barnet. Then it's off to their training camp - with games lined up in Hungary, Austria and Germany. Back in England, Arsenal welcome the cream of Europe to Emirates Stadium for the second Emirates Cup. It doesn't end there. Wenger and his squad face Huddersfield and then head to Holland the following week for another prestigious pre-season affair - the Amsterdam Tournament. Finally an Arsenal XI faces Boreham Wood in mid-August
Arsene Wenger's squad kick off with a trip to Underhill to face Barnet. Then it's off to their training camp - with games lined up in Hungary, Austria and Germany. Back in England, Arsenal welcome the cream of Europe to Emirates Stadium for the second Emirates Cup. It doesn't end there. Wenger and his squad face Huddersfield and then head to Holland the following week for another prestigious pre-season affair - the Amsterdam Tournament. Finally an Arsenal XI faces Boreham Wood in mid-August
OKOCHA BOWS OUT WITH BIG BANGS
Foremost Nigerian football has finally retired from the game that brought him so much fame and wealth with a testimonial match that was played in Warri,Delta.The match is between Nigerian nation team and the world x1.
The SuperEagles however beat the world x1 by 2-1.Adebayor, Essien, Drogba Shun Game.
Erstwhile Super Eagles skipper, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha brought his illustrious soccer career to a glorious end by scoring in his farewell game.
The testimonial encounter which came up at the Warri Township Stadium between a Nigerian selection and a ‘rest
The SuperEagles however beat the world x1 by 2-1.Adebayor, Essien, Drogba Shun Game.
Erstwhile Super Eagles skipper, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha brought his illustrious soccer career to a glorious end by scoring in his farewell game.
The testimonial encounter which came up at the Warri Township Stadium between a Nigerian selection and a ‘rest
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