Jubilation galore as Lawal, Nwosu emerges technical, athletes’ reps for Taekwondo

Veteran tactician Alhaji Sani Lawal a while ago on Saturday defeated his only opponent Osita Egwim to emerge technical representative in the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) after a rescheduled Nigeria Sports Federations Elections (NSFE).

The peaceful but fiercely contested election held inside Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja saw Alhaji Lawal beat Egwim 19-16.

While Lawal is of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna state, Egwim works with the University of Ibadan, Oyo state.

With the latest victory, Lawal is making his second coming to the NTF, a federation he served as the chairman of its technical committee in the past four years.

Similarly, Chinazum Nwosu of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) polled 22 votes to beat her opponent Santos Akhilele of Edo state who got 15.

Jubilation galore as Lawal, Nwosu emerges technical, athletes’ reps for Taekwondo

Nwosu, African Taekwondo champion will now replace Olympic medalist and former NTF technical director Engr. Chika Chukwumerije who willingly decided not to return to the board in a bid to pursue his personal career without any form of distraction.

Speaking after what was adjudged one of the best sports federation elections in recent times, Alhaji Sani said his major focus would be to carry out more coaches’ developmental programmes.

The reelected technical representative said he would liaise with would-be NTF on how best to source funds which was the major challenge that militated against the past boards’ programmes and projections.

He said, “My victory is as a result of hardwork and sincerity. Our programmes in the past board made the Taekwondo community to believe in us. The incoming board will continue in this direction. More trainings will be organised for coaches and the athletes will given a level playing ground.

“We are going to design programmes for different zones of the country to ensure no one is left behind.”

For Nwosu, “It’s a great opportunity to serve on the board of the Federation, after the entire election, we will sit and discuss the way forward with the Nigeria Taekwondo board.”

On how she would represent the interest of the athletes, Nwosu who is also a national team captain said, “personally, I want to have a good communicatniion Channels with the athletes and ensure that competitions are organised in their favour.

“The focus of the incoming board should be to organise adequate Championships and ensure transparent selection criteria.” 

Some of the delegates including Jamil Mohammed from Kano, John Victor of NSCDC and Mohammed Olariwajuwon of Kwara state expressed satisfaction with the entire process of the election.

“What matters is that the people have spoken and I want to commend the organisers for a job well done,” Olariwajuwon added.

U20 WWCQ: Falconets Thrash CAR 7-0 In Douala

Two-time runners-up of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Falconets fired from all cylinders as they hit the U20 girls of Central African Republic 7-0 in their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Africa first round, first leg encounter in Douala on Saturday.

The Falconets made things abundantly clear from the second minute of the match played at one of the stadia designated for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations – Stade Japoma de Douala – when Mercy Idoko finished brilliantly to put Nigeria ahead.

Three minutes later, Idoko made good from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 as the Falconets stepped on the pedal, and in the 34th minute, winger Esther Onyenezide made it 3-0 as superiority told against the Central African Republic girls in the Douala sun.

The Falconets were now unstoppable and a minute before recess, Joy Jerry increased the tally.

U20 WWCQ: Falconets Thrash CAR 7-0 In Douala

The second period followed a similar pattern as Deborah Abiodun (78th minute), Taiwo Lawal (83rd minute) and Yena Adoo (one minute into time added-on) piled more misery on the central Africans, who were actually playing at ‘home’.

The return leg has now been scheduled for Wednesday, 6th October at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Anthony Joshua Loses To Oleksandr Usyk By Unanimous Decision

Congratulations to the new Unified WBO Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision. Scorecards: 117-112, 116-112, 115-113

Anthony Joshua suffered the second loss of his career at the hands of a brilliant Oleksandr Usyk on a thrilling night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Usyk started the stronger, landed a string of excellent body shots and moving around the ring with ease.

Joshua then began to work his way into the fight in the middle rounds, landing some blows that got the crowd going.

But Usyk turned the momentum round and began to land yet more convincing blows to the Brit, whose right eye was badly injured towards the end of the bout.

Anthony Joshua Loses To Oleksandr Usyk By Unanimous Decision

Both fighters gave it their all, and Usyk went on the front foot in a thrilling final round.

All three judges awarded a win to Usyk, and the result did not come as a surprise following a brilliant performance.

The star, who has only had two fights at heavyweight, broke down in tears after the decision was announced.

Joshua has lost his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.

Usyk broke down in tears when the decision was announced