Sports
Tobi Amusan Nominated For World Athlete Of The Year Award
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, has set another record as the first Nigerian to bag a World Athlete of the Year nomination.
She has been nominated for the Women’s World Athlete of the Year award by the World Athletics Council.
Amusan who currently the World record holder and champion in women’s 100m hurdles will contest the prestigious award alogside nine other nominees including American duo Chase Ealey and Sydney McLaughlin, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, Peru’s Kimberly Garcia and Faith Kipyegon of Kenya.
Others are Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine, Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas and Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas.
According to the council, the 10 nominees were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.
A three-way voting process will determine the finalists, with the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family casting their votes by email, while fans will vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms.
The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50 per cent of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes will each count for 25 per cent of the final result.
International
Abiodun Appoints Tunde Onakoya Sports Ambassador
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has appointed Mr. Tunde Onakoya, the National Master of Chess and the current Guinness World Record Holder for the longest Chess Marathon in history, the Sports Ambassador of the State.
Governor Abiodun, who made this known on Thursday when he received Mr. Onakoya in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, also announced the commencement of the State Chess Competition to be held in all parts of the state in honour of Mr. Onakoya.
Abiodun, who was impressed with the achievement of the National Chess Master at the global stage, said this could not have been possible without determination and resilience and hard work.
“I can see why you continue to be inspiration to many young people across the length and breath of this country. You have gone further by establishing a foundation called the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ because you are determined to tell your story and encourage other children and get them out of the slums and give them hope and future.
“Today, we will be officially appointing you as our State Sports Ambassador. Coincidentally, Ogun State will be hosting the National Sports Festival in the next nine months or thereabouts and we are boasting that we are set to host the best National Sports Festival that has never been held in the history of this country and coincidentally, chess is one of the games that will feature in that event.
“I have decided that because of you and in your honour, we will begin an Ogun State Chess Competition across the length and breath of the state. Since you are now officially our Sports Ambassador and our Chess Ambassador, we will leave it to you to design that competition from the local government all the way to the state level.
“But we as your state, we will have a sponsor in the Tunde Onakoya Prize, for the winner of that competition,” the governor explained.
The governor likened the travails of the Chess Master to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives, stating that his achievements in the face of difficulties is a testimony that life does not recognize where one comes from, place of birth or parent’s status in the society.
He commended the longest Chess Marathon holder in the world, for his resolve to succeed without engaging in dubious activities, noting that with the feat, he has joined the league of illustrious sons and daughters who have done Ogun State proud in their chosen endeavours.
Mr. Onakoya had earlier told the governor of his immense gratitude for the support he received from Nigerians in his march to stardom, adding that he felt proud to be a Nigerian.
He also recalled his challenges while growing up, nothing that he saw chess as a way out of poverty and ability to think critically beyond the surface.
Onakoya acknowledged the unpopularity of chess in the country, attributing it to lack of understanding of the value of the game.
He said he has intensify efforts in making the game popular in Lagos, Kenya and other parts of Africa, saying he and his team are trying to bring the game to the grassroots in collaboration with Lufthansa Airlines.
Onakoya said he was determined to break the world record as it was said that no human had played the game beyond 56 hours, but he did it in 60 hours.
He thanked governor Abiodun for the honour done to him and his parents, pledging to work with the government to make the game attractive to the youths.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian and from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, I felt highly honoured and happy in the way Nigerians all over the world supported me immensely to achieve this feats and the honour accorded me by our royal fathers and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, my state Governor,” Onakoya said.
Sports
Super Falcons goalkeeper nominated for award in France
Super Falcons star, Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for the best Goalkeeper of the Season award in the French D1 Akem (women’s top-flight league in France).
Nnadozie has been nominated for the individual accolade for the second consecutive season after establishing herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the French top-flight.
The 22-year-old has once again made a big impression for Paris FC on the domestic scene as well as the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Sports
Dortmund ready for PSG rematch after Epic Win Over Atletico
Borussia Dortmund are relishing a rematch with Paris St Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.
This was after knocking out Atletico Madrid in a thrilling tie on Tuesday to set up a meeting with the French side they played in the group stage.
They will now renew their acquaintance with PSG, who beat Barcelona 6-4 over two legs to book their semi-final berth.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic feels his side, who won the Champions League in 1997, are now better prepared to face the French champions.
This was after the Germans lost away and drew at home in the group stage.
(NAN)
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