Sport

 Kabba/Bunu LG: Showcasing Class in Sporting Activities
Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State is on the verge of making history interms of sporting activities and development.
For instance, among the 21 local government areas of the state, Kabba/Bunu is among those councils that have made positive impacts in this sector.
The Local Governments is no doubt one of the councils which have contributed immensely to the growth, development and enhancement of sporting activities within and outside the state.
In sports context, the Local Government has performed creditably that they deserve a pat on the back for their remarkable achievement over the years especially in recent times.
Worthy of mentioning among the latest of its glorious feats is the council’s recent participation at the 9th Edition of the Association of All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Unity Cup held at Abuja.
Kabba/Bunu LGA which represented Kogi State at the Nation Unity Cup had emerged the over all winners out of the over five hundred local government (teams) of the federation that participated in this year’s game, thereby making Kogi State very proud.
By the victory, the team (Kabba/Bunu male football), secured a place to represent Nigeria at the forth-coming presidents Cup International Boys Youth Football Tournament at the Cocoa Expo Sports Centre in Florida, United states of America .
The tournament is slated between17th to 30th December, 2008.
The resounding success of the LGA which must be attributed to the unflinching support of the Chairman of the council, Hon. Nathaniel Taiwo is commendable.
His committed interest in sports development can also be measured by the over 40 million Naira voted for the re-construction of the Kabba stadium an effort which is rare among his other counterparts who cannot take such steps.
Speaking with The Graphicsports in Lokoja recently on the issue, the sport secretary of the council, Mr. Francis Adesina who has been up and to put everything in place for the Florida’s game attributed their victory at the ALGON Unity Cup to the leadership quality of the Chairman who since assumption of office, had contributed to rapid growth of sport in the council.
Hon. Taiwo, according to the council’s sport secretary, sees sports as a veritable tool for peace, unity, recreation, youth empowerment as well as an avenue to generate enough revenue that would boost the socio-economic status of the council.
On assumption of office, he said the Chairman had ensured all athletes/players and their officials are placed on a salary allowance and he is bent on making sure that the council becomes a Mecca of sports in Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
The Chairman’s passion for sports and youth development he added is one thing that really endeared him to many that come across him as he believes that talents discovered and trained to stardom would later pay back to the community.
“Before Hon. Taiwo assumed office, sports was in its lowest ebb in the council, but today, Kabba/Bunu is remarkable in all its sports activities, allowances are been paid, football kits and as well as new buses were purchases for the council’s team and have promised to train and sponsor athletes/footballers to any level” Mr. Adesina said.
It is worthy of note that the council football team is among the 21 teams that are currently participating in the on-going Kogi State 2008 Governorship Cup where they defeated Ibaji 5-2 at the opening match played at Lokoja township stadium, Lokoja. The Council in 1991, won the maiden edition and also repeated the same feat in 2001.
It would also be recalled that 1995, the council single handily hosted the national under 18 Boys & Girls Volley Ball championship with 26 states in participation and won the female category of the National event.
Like they are representing the country in soccer competition in Florida today, the council in 1996 represented Nigeria at a volley Ball championship both in Kenya and Tailand.

Kogi U-15 Handballers to Represent Nigeria in Dubai
For its outstanding performances in state and national sporting activities in recent years, Kogi State under-15 male Handball team has been selected by the National headquarters of Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) to represent the country at the world youth Handball championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The world championship which is a gathering of world champs which is scheduled for 2009, is expected to attract teams from across the globe.
Sources close to the state NSSF disclosed that the state is expected to sponsor a contingent of about twenty people made up of 14 players, government officials and coaches.
Graphicsports also gathered from the state Headquarters of N.S.S.F that plans are already in top gear to raise funds, as well as select and train the players for the international championship.
Kogi State has been a formidable force in the area of Youth Handball and has won various national and international laurels.

30 Kogi Schools Participate in 2008/9 Shell Cup
Not less than 30 Kogi Schools are participating in the ongoing 2008/2009 Shell cup competition for secondary school in the state which kicked off in centres across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, weekend.
This year’s event has been scheduled to hold between November 19, 2008 and December 2, 2008 and as at the time of filling this report, eight secondary schools from the three zones have qualified for the quarter finals.
Teams from Idah, Okene, Okehi, Lokoja Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu and Yagba-West are expected to lock horns for sports in the semi and eventually the finals which would be held at the Government Secondary School field Itobe on December 2, 2008.
The winner of this year’s tournament would represent the state at the zonal championship and eventually the finals if they are able to scale the hurdle.
The best secondary school team in Nigeria would go on to meet their counterpart from Ghana in a championship that has produced great footballers for the nations youth teams.

Sports Analyst Bags H.M.B Appointment
A sports analyst and commentator, Mr. Monday Itachi Oseni has been appointed a permanent member of the Kogi State Hospital Management Board (HMB).
Until his recent appointment, Mr. Monday popularly referred to as “Hitman” by friends, is a Senior News Producer with the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kogi F.M).
The radio sports Journalist who is also the Secretary General of Radio Television and Theatre Art Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Kogi State chapter was born in 1968 at Olowa in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, started his close contacts with sports when he took up a job with the Leopard F.C of Ankpa between 1989 to 1990 and later moved to Dekina Dragon F.C as a Welfare Officer between 1992 to 1995.
In 1996, he got admitted to the University of Jos where he obtained the National Diploma (ND) in mass communication.
After graduation, Oseni was appointed as a Media officer of the BCC Lion F.C of Gboko and it was during this time, the team for the first time won the challenge cup in 1999.
In 2000, he came back home and was employed by the Kogi State Government with the Radio Kogi F.M, Lokoja where he has contributed immensely to the growth and development of sports through his Saturday sports programme on the Radio.
The sports Analyst has also had the privilege of covering five different National Sports Festival and also was one of the accredited journalist that covered the 25th MTN African cup of Nation in Ghana.
Speaking with the Graphicsports recently, Monday who expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris for finding him worthy to serve under his cabinet, promised to use his vast experience as a journalist with the co-operation of other members to transform the state Hospital Board to greater heights.

Sports Philanthropist Bags Ochalla Ejeh I Title
A Sports philanthropist and the Chairman, Ogugu District Union Lokoja Branch, Chief Peter Oguche is to be Turbanned as Ochalla Ejeh 1 of Okpo weekend.
The occasion which is expected to be the first of its kind for Youth activist like Peter Oguche is drawing youths all over the country to the Headquarter of Olamaboro LGA, Okpo.
Referee Oguche who has contributed immensely to the state and the local government interms of community development and youth empowerment, deserve the honour as the Elders say “if you wash your hand well you eat with Elders”.
Expected to make the occasion thick are the Lokoja youth, Ogugu, Okpo and Emenga Ukpale youths who promise to support and make the occasion a resounding success.
Mr. Oguche who used the opportunity to thanks His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Idris for his support for youth developments in the state stated that the Governor has been supportive of youth programmes.
He also commended Ejeh Okpo Alhaji Adamu Abuh for his fatherly role in honouring him worthy of the exalted title.