2024 | Page 47 of 75 | Trendbrio.com

CAF CHAN 2024 draw to hold on October 9

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The CAF African Nations Championship 2024 Qualifiers draw has been scheduled on Wednesday, 09 October 2024. The draw will be conducted at 14h00 Cairo time (11h00 GMT). Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the tournament between 01 – 28 February 2025. Ahead of the finals, two rounds of qualifiers will take place on a home and away basis. The first round of qualifiers will be played on the weekend of 25 – 27 October and 01 – 03 November 2024, with the second round confirmed for 20 – 22 December and 27 – 29 December 2024. Since its 2009 inception, the CHAN tournament has been an exceptional platform of showcasing the world-class talent and quality of African football as well as its ever-evoling landscape. Algeria played host to the last edition of the tournament which drew thousands of supporters, millions of global audiences and digital engagement as a result of the rising popularity and quality of the tournament. In line with CAF’s key objective of increasing the commercial strength of its competitions, the CAF CHAN competition has also seen an increased rise in commercial value. This has also been supported by CAF’s 60% increase in the tournament’s prize money that sees the winners walking away with $2 Million. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania’s hosting of the competition also serves as an opportunity for the three nations to fine-tune their preparations for the hosting of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

NFF launches monthly Football Awards

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

As football leagues across the globe resumed fully last month, the Nigeria Football Federation is proud to announce the launch of the much- anticipated NFF Monthly Awards, a celebration of the outstanding performances of Nigerian football players across various Football Leagues including Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL. With the football calendar in full swing, the NFF Monthly Awards aim to honor the brilliance, dedication and passion that Nigerian football players bring to the game, recognizing the top players who have left their mark on the pitch. Award Categories: 1. Player of the Month (Male & Female) 2. Goal of the Month 3. Discovery of the Month Nomination Process The nomination process for the awards is scientific, ensuring a fair and accurate selection of nominees. An independent organization will collect and analyze players’ statistics throughout the month, ensuring that the best performances are highlighted. This unbiased, data-driven approach guarantees that the nominations reflect the top-performing players based on their contribution to their teams. Nominations for the first round of awards will be announced on 3rd October, 2024. From there, voting will be opened to fans and journalists alike, making this a truly inclusive and engaging event for the Nigerian football community. Voting Process Fans and journalists will have the chance to vote for their favorite players via the official NFF voting portal on the website www.thenff.com. The voting period will run for one week following the announcement of the nominations. Fan Votes will account for 40% of the final decision, enabling supporters to have their voices heard and directly influence the outcome of these prestigious awards. The remaining 60% will be determined by journalists and industry professionals, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded selection process. Speaking on the launch of the awards, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said: “The NFF Monthly Awards are a key part of our efforts to further elevate Nigeria football, not only by recognizing outstanding talent but by engaging with fans and the media in a way that brings the football community closer together. We believe that this initiative will encourage excellence on the field and foster a deeper connection between players and their supporters. “The NFF Monthly Awards are a step forward in celebrating the rich and growing talent pool, and we look forward to the excitement that the awards will bring to fans, players and the media.” Key Dates: Nominations Announcement: 3rd October, 2024; Voting: 3rd October – Midnight of 7th October, 2024.

Tinubu off to UK, begins two weeks leave

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Abuja for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave. The Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga stated this in a statement on Wednesday. Onanuga said the President will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms. He adds that President Tinubu will return to the country after the leave expires.

EFCC arrests 21 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Yola

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Operatives of the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 21 (Twenty-One) suspected internet fraudsters in Yola, Adamawa state. They were arrested on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at different locations around Modobo Adamawa University, Yola. Items recovered at the points of arrest include 13 phones, 12 Android phones, one laptop and one tablet phone. The suspects would soon be charged to court.

Rivers Hoopers arrive in Abuja for CDS Basketball Championship

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Rivers Hoopers are in Abuja to participate in the Chief of Defence Staff Independence Basketball Championship. Hoopers have been drawn in Group C alongside Gboko City Chiefs, Gilali, and Bauchi Nets. The 16-team tournament will hold from Wednesday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 6th. Top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals, while the winners of the two semifinals will slug it out in the final on Sunday. The competition will serve as a preseason tournament ahead of the first phase of the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League scheduled for this month in Benin. Rivers Hoopers will play their first game against Gboko City Chiefs on Wednesday.

64th Independence: SWAN felicitates Nigerians, urges robust sports development

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has felicitated with Nigerians as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday October 1, 2024. SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, enthused that Nigeria from independence in 1960 has witnessed ups and downs in all spheres of its national life. However, the number sports journalist noted that with over two hundred million people, Nigeria as the most populous nation in Africa can deploy its vast resources using sports as major economic driving force. He said, “First of all, I want to congratulate Nigerians, particularly the sporting media on this auspicious day in the nation’s history. It’s supposed to be a proud moment considering the years that have come by. At 64, a man is fully matured after witnessing several developmental stages in life. “For any country desirous of fundamental and genuine development in time, human capital development interest should be the major focus and sports being a big entrepreneurial/business drive globally has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians. “Again, the population of people in Nigeria has continued to grow geometrically with little plan to engage mostly young people. Nigeria’s abundant human talents and mineral resources can be channelled to tackle unemployment and give hope to many through sports like it obtains in other parts of the world. “All that is now needed is the political will amidst implementation of practical policy geared towards harnessing teeming human assets in the over 40 different sporting areas. The truth remains that only sports have the vast opportunities to absorb and keep millions of youth busy, then give their lives meaningful living.” While expressing optimism that the future could be better than the past and present, the SWAN President also tasked government at all levels to channel efforts towards addressing various societal menaces including insecurity through sports. “Sports development is not just a Federal Government affair, political, business leaders and philanthropists have crucial roles to play. Nigeria recently participated at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games and returned home empty handed. Such disastrous outing shows that as a country, we have a long way to go. “It’s time to make our population count among the comity of Nations and grassroots sports development is key in this regard,” he said. The President of SWAN also congratulated the current leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for reaching two years since its emergence. President Benjamin hailed NFF’s visionary leadership which has witnessed a turn around of the various leagues’ administration and called for sustainable approach and focus in the development of all aspects of Nigeria’s football drive, though Super Eagles have witnessed unexpected hiccups in their 2026 World Cup qualifying series, efforts should now be channelled towards ensuring they win remaining qualifier matches to brighten their chances of qualification at last.”

NAFDAC seizes illegal products worth N37m in Abuja

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

NAFDAC has intensified its efforts to rid the market of counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetics products in Abuja. Acting on intelligence reports, NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate conducted coordinated raids across supermarkets and open markets including Wuse and Garki markets. Several unregistered and counterfeit cosmetics were seized with a total street value of ₦37 million. NAFDAC is committed to investigating the sources of these illegal products and will take strict regulatory action against those involved. All confiscated items will be destroyed in line with the Agency’s laws and regulations, ensuring public safety.

British boxing board suspends Anthony Joshua

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Anthony Joshua’s suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control until October 19 is due to his knockout defeat against Daniel Dubois. The former heavyweight champion is placed on a standard practice suspension of between 28 and 45 days, as any boxer is once they suffered such a loss. In Joshua’s case, the BBBofC opted for the 28-day minimum suspension. BBBofC rule 5.8 section C states, “Any contest [wheresoever it takes place] being stopped by the Referee [other than by reason of disqualification], or the retirement of a Boxer, or by a Boxer being counted out in a contest; then the license of such Boxer shall be automatically suspended for a period of 28 or 45 clear days or more at the discretion of the Board’s Senior Medical Officer present at the tournament. “At the completion of the period of suspension, no Boxer shall return to the ring until he has been certified fit to box by a doctor who may be appointed by the Board or at their discretion by an Area Council. “Written certificates of fitness to box again must be received at the Registered offices of the Company at least 24 hours prior to the Boxer’s next contest.” Joshua will be free to return to action as soon as possible. However, AJ is not expected to fight again until at least spring 2025. Joshua could battle Tyson Fury or opt for a rematch with Dubois on Pay Per View, and his team could be changed following a bad defeat. The 2012 Olympic champion was dropped four times by Dubois and taken out in five painful rounds in the fourth loss of his career and the second via stoppage. Andy Ruiz Jr. did similarly to Dubois in 2019, as Joshua tumbled down the heavyweight rankings and found himself out of the top five for the first time since 2016.