Desportspastor Blog

As anticipation builds for the Sports Journalists Forum's upcoming annual End of the Year Party on Saturday 23 December 2023, at the Sinatra Place and Lounge, a generous cash prize of 500,000 naira has been splashed on ten SJF’s outstanding members for their exceptional contributions and achievements in sports journalism for the year under review. Kingsley Oyero, Faith Oluchi, U17 Women National team Media officer; Fisayo Dairo, Chief Football Writer, ACLSports; China Acheru, Programmes Manager - Wazobia FM; Samuel Ahmadu, Publisher, Savid News and Jessica Amadi, former Media Officer of Rivers Angels Women Football Club emerged winners in various categories and smiled home with a cash prize of 50,000 naira. Other winners were Mozez Praiz, Presenter, SuperSport; Babafemi Raji, Super Eagles Media Officer; Enitan Obadina, Opera News; and Oni Afolabi, former Spokesperson of the Nigeria Basketball Federation. After the eagerly awaited and highly competitive SJF voting ceremo

Ahead of the West Africa Youth Summit, our Chairman, Amb. Emmanuel Agida (@emmaagida) led our team on a courtesy visit to the Honorable Minister of State for Water Resources & Sanitation, H.E Bello M. Goronyo, Esq  The delegation was received and welcomed at the Federal Ministry of State for Water Resources and Sanitation by the Honorable Minister and members of his staff. The purpose for the meeting was to discuss a collaboration between our organisation and the Honorable Minister on Sustainable and Youth Development geared towards the Extraordinary Summit of West Africa Youth on Sustainable Development known for short as the West Africa Youth Summit.   The Minister, who received the youth delegation, assured them of his continued support towards youth development. The major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the official invitation to the Honorable Minister as a keynote speaker at the West Africa Youth Summit. #WaySummit2023 #Waysummit #Waysu

The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike JP has congratulated the winner of the first gold medal at the ongoing National Youths Games (NYG) Delta 2023, Ogodo Goodness, who just won the first Gold medal for Delta State in the Weightlifting Snatch 45kg event. The former president of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) made the congratulatory statement in Ilorin while interacting with a group of newsmen who visited his office on Saturday.  Ogodo, who represents Delta State, lifted 44kg to win the first gold medal at the ongoing NYG in Asaba. The renowned Sports philanthropist commended the sense of discipline, dedication, and championship spirit being inculcated into those (athletes) whom he described as Tomorrow's Champions Today  According to him, Nigeria has a very bright future in these crops of young talents that the youth competition always throws up.  The Anambra State-born business mogul therefore, commends the vision of those who conceived the id

Organisers of the Sheroes Cup have revealed that the 2023 Sheroes Cup is scheduled to kick-off October 7, 2023 in Abuja. Already, 12 clubs have confirmed their participation and are expected to take part when the top flight level of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) gets underway, which also serves as pre-season tournament The participating clubs include Adamawa Queens FC, Bayelsa Queens FC, Confluence Queens FC, Dannaz Ladies FC, Delta Queens FC, Edo Queens FC, Ekiti Queens FC, Naija Ratels FC, Nasarawa Amazons FC, Rivers Angels FC, Royal Queens FC and Sunshine Queens FC. President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barr. Paul Edeh, while disclosing this in a press statement on Tuesday, said this year's football event would be remarkably dedicated to highlight and celebrate the achievements of Nigeria women who are making the country proud globally.  Tagged; 'Beyond Rhetoric To Action', the RSDF boss said the soccer tournament which is at its

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has congratulated Nigerian long jumper, Ese Brume for her silver medal achievement in the long jump event at the Diamond league, in Eugene, Oregon. Brume came close to winning her first Diamond League title after leaping 6.85m, just as Ivana Vuketa, who won gold. The Minister lauded the Nigerian for finishing strong, despite missing out of first place by very small margins. "Ese Brume has continued to make us proud time and again. From the Olympics, to the Commonwealth Games, to Diamond Leagues, Ese has consistently ranked amongst the top athletes in her sports, globally." "While it is disappointing that she narrowly missed out on the Diamond League title, I want to state that the country remains proud of her achievements. I am sure that she will bounce back and take her rightful place. I urge her and other athletes likewise to stay focused on the bigger picture as we draw closer to the 202

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh will commence engagements with all sports federations in the country on Tuesday, as he continues to holistically assess the state of affairs of all federations. The efforts are part of a series of strategies the minister is employing to reposition sports in the country. He stated that part of the process will involve the withdrawal of all sports cases in court, to give room for settlements that favours national interest and that serves the interests of athletes. Enoh said that “I have an open and neutral mind on the issue of sports cases that are in court. My meeting with all sports federations in the country will give me an opportunity to assess the federations one by one and see where there are disputes and also where there is normalcy.”  “As a measure of goodwill and good faith, I will require that all disputes that are in court be withdrawn, so we can have a chance to resolve them as a ministry, he said. The ministe

  The office of the Ecowas youth, Ambassador West Africa (Ecowas  Youth Council), Conseil Des Jeunes D’Afrique De L’iquest, Cape Verde have appointed Hon. Emmanuel Joseph( Elchijo DeSportapastor), as confirmed under the board of the West African (ECOWAS) Youth Council as an Ecowas Youth Ambassador's Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development making him the first Student to be appointed as a Special Assistant in Institute D’Elite University  and in Cotonou, Benin Republic to be appointed in history. The appointment is connected with the identified laudable antecedents of dedication, hard work, and diligence that Hon. Emmanuel Joseph has proven in service to Humanity and the commendable works as an advocate and relentless crusader of promoting, leadership characteristics, entrepreneurship for African Youths and Sports Development. Dated 23rd March 2023, the appointment letter presents this news as it’s accompanied with all the necessary documents attached to the diplomatic mis

Grassroots football stakeholders have commended the organisers of the Supremacy Football Cup, which ended today at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.  The keenly contested football scouting tournament tagged ‘No Offside’, featured 10 teams that included 36 Lion FC, Broad City FC, Spartan FC, Dino SC, SGFC, CATS, MS Success, TCCG, Lekki Jr and ASQ. In the final match, 36 Lion FC defeated Spartan FC, 4-3 on penalties, after both sides ended the regulations time 1-1. Earlier in the third place game Broad City defeated Dino SC, 2-1. Speaking at the end of the tournament which had local and foreign scouts waxing lyrical about the displays of the talented lads during the tournament, owner of Abuja based non-league side Royal United FC, Alhaji Kadiri Musa, praised the organisers for putting up a near-perfect tournament. He went ahead to admonish well placed individuals and corporate bodies to support and encourage the development of grassroots football in Nigeria.  Chief Dipreiye

36 Lion have emerged champions of Lagos Supremacy Cup Scouting Tournament after they defeated Spartan FC 4-3 on penalties. Olawumi Lateef fired Lion ahead just before the break. Ayo Adele drew Spartan level from the spot just after resumption of the second half. The game dragged on till the final minutes with nothing to separate the two sides, it went into penalties which provided us with lots of drama. Spartan lost their second kick, 36 Lion couldn't capitalize as they also missed their third and fourth to present Spartan with an opportunity to win. The latter lost their fourth and final kick to hand 36 Lion the trophy as they won 4-3 to emerge as winners. Meanwhile, Broad City edge Dino SC 2-1 to claim third position in the tournament thanks to two first half goals from Abayomi Joshua and Solomon Agbalaka, while Sunday Godwin scored the consolation for Dino SC late in the game. The Lagos Supremacy Scouting Tournament was organized by 36 Lion in conjunction with Diamon

Six games took place at Mobolaji Johnson Arena with the likes of Spartan, Broad City, MS Success, TCCG, ASQ, CATS, Dino SC, Lekki Junior Strikers and 36 Lion in action. TCCG and ASQ shared the spoils in a pulsating game. Sanusi Hamed cancelled out Ikechukwu Emmanuel's curtain raiser. Shehu Agboola settled the game between CATS and MS Success, with the latter winning 1-0. Spartan pipped Broad City 1-0, Falolu Wasiu was the goalscorer. In a top of the table clash between 36 Lion and Dino SC, the former proved stronger with a 1-0 victory following Olawumi Lateef's goal. Lekki Junior Strikers finally got their campaign running thanks to a 2-0 win over TCCG, Uche Sunday and Kazeem Idowu grabbing the goals. Meanwhile, Spartan and ASQ settled for a goalless draw in the final match of the day. Lagos Supremacy Cup Scouting Tournament: Day Two Results TCCG 1-1 ASQ Sanusi Hamed ⚽ Ikechukwu Emmanuel ⚽ MS Success 1-0 CATS Shehu Agboola ⚽ Spartan 1-0 Broad City Falol

  President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau announced on Saturday that visible total commitment implying patriotic fervour will now be a key factor, apart from competence and current form, for any football player who wishes to wear the nation’s green-white-green jersey at any level.   Gusau’s words, spoken to players of the Super Eagles on Saturday morning, was a direct reference to Friday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Guinea Bissau at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, which pushed the Eagles down to second place in their qualification group.   Mama Balde’s 29th minute goal was the only strike in the encounter, condemning the Eagles to defeat in front of fervent home fans. The Eagles created a dozen chances in the second half but failed to get the ball into the Wild Dogs’ net.   “Let us be very clear about one thing: no player will ever be encouraged against his wish to wear Nigeria’s colours at any time. If an invitation

The No Offside competition started on Saturday in Onikan with Dino FC humbling SGFC Athletics 3-1. Timilehin Oluwaseun bagged a brace for Dino SC in the game, while Blessing Essien also registered his name on the scoresheet. Sunday Eken was on target for SGFC. A solitary strike by Agbeze John was all 36 Lion needed to roar past MS Success 1-0.  TCCG pipped Broad City 1-0, with Habeeb Fijabi hitting target. It was a keenly contested game. Wounded SGFC Athletics were back in action again as they faced CATS FC. The encounter turned out to be a thriller which ended 2-2. Emmanuel Joseph raced the Ilorin based side in front before two quick goals from Buchi Nnamdi and Amida Abdulrazaq put CATS on the ascendency. Samuel Bamgboye rescued a point for SGFC Athletics. Spartan did enough to defeat Lekki Junior Strikers 1-0. Adenle Ayo popped up with the much needed winner. Broad City got themselves back in contention with a 1-0 victory over ASQ. Allionida Quadri scored the

The Lagos Supremacy Cup Scouting Tournament will take place from March 25th to 28th at Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Dino SC, SGFC, Broad City, TCCG, 36 Lion, CATS, ASQ, Lekki Junior Strikers, Spartan and MS Success will participate at the tournament. In Group A are Broad City, TCCG, Lekki Junior Strikers, Spartan and ASQ. Dino SC, SGFC, 36 Lion, MS Success and CATS are in Group B. Diamond Sports has thrown its weight behind the competition as it fits into the vision of growing domestic sport. "Diamond Sports is supporting organizers with the logistics that they require to pull off the competition because we believe in creating opportunities for young people to show their talent and be discovered," said Diamond Sports CEO Cem Sagar. "I see the need to invest in young Nigerian people and create an environment where they can thrive and excel like their counterparts in developed countries.'' Organizers have continued to reach out to cor

36 Lion football club of Lagos, have joined thousands of well wishers, that have sent in their congratulatory messages to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after his re-election as the executive Governor of Lagos state.  Founder of the club, Hajji Liameed Gafar, in his congratulatory message, described Sanwo-Olu as a builder who spent his first term in office, erecting new structures, upgrading and improving old ones and creating institutions for a better Lagos. He says he is particularly happy, that Lagos state under the present administration, has attained more excellence and will become even better, before the expiration of Sanwo-Olu's second term in office as executive governor.  36 Lion football Club is a full fledged football academy formed since year 2000. It is a corporate organization registered to educate, develop and promote young footballers in Nigeria/Africa, with the center of excellence, Lagos State, serving as it's base. Since year 2000 till date, 36 Lio

The tournament organized by 36 Lion in conjunction with  Diamond Sports will be held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena from March 25th to 28th. According to event facilitator, Hajj Liameed Olawale Gafar, the tournament will be graced by a team of experienced scouts from Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark and Spain. A statement released on Friday, Hajj Gafar said the tournament will be an intense 4-day of football matches. The statement further said that the Scouting program is for 10 teams. Registration is free. 36 Lion, Spartans, ASQ FC, Lekki Junior Strikers and SGFC have confirmed their participation at the competition. Others are TCCG, Dino FC, CAT FC, Broad City and MS Success.

Portuguese Primeira Liga outfit, Futebol Clube de Arouca have announced the signing of Yusuf "Obagoal" Lawal from Azerbaijan side Neftchi Baku. Despite currently sitting sixth in the table with 26 points and seem on the right path to playing in Europe next season, Arouca have reinforced with the multi dimensional player. Hoping to continue the strong performances, Arouca have acquired the services of Obagoal for an undisclosed fee. Lawal is a youth product of 36 Lion FC and gained the nickname Obagoal because of the similarity of his play to former Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins.  Obagoal, 24, is a graduate of the 36 Lion youth sector, representing the team at U10, U13, U15, U17 and U19 levels, before leaving in August of 2017 to join KSC Lokeren. He moved to Neftchi from KSC Lokeren on 16th July 2020. In Azerbaijan, the winger won the Premier League title on one occasion.