PERMANENT SECRETARY, ELDER FRIDAY IKPEOHA POURS ENCOMIUM ON THE OUTGOING COMMISSIONER, HON. EMEKA GEORGE IKWUAGWU.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Elder Ikpeoha Friday in his opening speech at the valedictory gathering held with the Management of the Ministry said that the appointment of Hon. Emeka George Ikwuagwu as the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry brought tremendous achievements in the Youth and Sports Sectors in the State.

He commended Hon. Ikwuagwu for his dynamism, vigour and commitment, stating that members of Staff and Management enjoyed the working relationship with him.

He wished the outgoing Commissioner well in his future engagements and prayed for the favour of reappointment.

Earlier in his remarks, Hon. Ikwuagwu who was among those affected by the dissolution of the Abia State Executive Council by Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu recently expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the Ministry for their co-operation, hardwork and loyalty which enabled the Ministry achieve its programmes and activities for the benefit of Abia Youths and Sports.

He said he has fond memories of the Ministry and would always relish the opportunity of working with the crop of accommodating and dedicated Management and Staff he met at the Ministry.

While thanking Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for giving him the opportunity to serve as Commissioner in the State he listed some major areas the Ministry impacted the State especially youths during his time as the Commissioner despite the Covid 19 pandemic challenges and lockdown as well as the ENDSARS protest distractions.

He emphatically thanked the Abia state commissioner for sports in boxing and Ex Int’l boxer, Mazi Ikechukwu Okoronkwo for being in charge of “Grassroot Talent Hunt Boxing Exercise ” throughout the 17 local Government Area as well as his counterpart in Beach Soccer which is new in that state etc. This development through the efforts of Mazi Ikechukwu Okoronkwo added special feathers on his cap as the commissioner for youths and sports in Abia state.

The out going Commissioner did not fail to emphatically thank the Governor who approved and supported all these laudable projects and achievements within the short period of time.

He concluded by wishing and praying that his Books will be opened as that of Mordecai in the Holy bible.

Barcelona still owe 19 clubs around £112million in transfer fees, according to their annual financial report published on Monday.

Of that amount, the largest sum they owe is £25m (€29m) to Liverpool.

The LaLiga giants still have a big chunk to pay of the initial £142m deal they agreed for midfielder Philippe Coutinho three years ago.

The transfer was the biggest in Barca’s history and having paid over £105m up front to the Premier League champions for the playmaker, they agreed to pay the rest in instalments over the following years.

While Liverpool have received the majority of this, the financial report shows the Reds are still waiting for a large chunk of this.

Barcelona also owe Bordeux £8.8m for winger Malcom, Gremio an additional £7m for Arthur Melo (now at Juventus) and £14m to Ajax for Frenkie de Jong.

The Catalonians requested from Goldman Sachs, Allianz, Barings, Amundi and Prudential a dispensation for failing to financially comply, which points to a non payment of approximately £178m.

The LaLiga side reportedly have a negative working capital of £535m, with a further £89m owed to other lenders.

Napoli coach, Gennaro Gattuso was delighted to see the club’s most expensive signing in history, Victor Osimhen return to action as his side were beaten 3-1 by Verona in a Serie A clash on Sunday.

The Nigeria international came off the bench in the 65th minute as a replacement for Andrea Petagna – his first appearance for club and country in 72 days.

Hirving Lozano’s strike after 8.9 seconds set a new club record for fastest ever goal scored by a Napoli player in the Italian Serie A.

Federico Dimarco scored the equaliser for the home team in the 34th minute, then Antonin Barak made it 2-1 from a difficult angle just past the hour mark before Mattia Zaccagni headed home in the 79th minute.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the match, Gattuso said: “Now you have to be clear with your head, despite the regret.

“We are happy with the return of Osimhen and Mertens, they are not very well but it is normal because they have not played for a long time”.

Osimhen missed sixteen games in total during his spell on the sidelines, consisting of three in the Europa League, eleven in the Serie A, one Coppa Italia and the Super Cup final vs Juventus.