The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) have highlighted the power of sports to promote peace and positive change in the world.

The Ministry and the NIIA collaborated to organize the first ever conference on Sports Diplomacy as the driver of Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda for Africa. The colloquium held at the NIIA Headquarters, at Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Eghosa Osaghae both used the occasion of the conference to elaborate on the need to use sports to enhance social well being and build bridges among nations and peoples.

Osaghae said in his welcome remarks that sports has become a tool for the unification of people with diverse backgrounds and cultures, stating that the time to make it a central part of international diplomacy is now.
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The NIIA Director-General also described sports men and women as ambassadors of peace whose influences transcend the tracks, fields, courts and arena of their sporting exploits.

In his own remarks, the Minister Sunday Dare said the power of sports and its intricate relationship with politics dates back to Greco Roman times, revealing that the Olympics Games were a positive fall out of this interplay.

Dare also spoke about the power of sports branding for nations, giving examples of India(known for cricket), Kenya(known for its middle and long distance racing), Jamaica(for sprints)and Brazil(football).

He said sports can stimulate economic activities and improve the cause of humanity, emphasizing the need to transit sports to business models that will deliver all round value and ensure sustainable and incremental growth.

The Minister further stated that sports as a business is critical to its deployment as a tool for cohesion, development and elevation of the black race.

“One of the first steps I took as Minister was to seek President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval to reclassify sports as business. Thankfully, Mr President gave his approval in Council in 2020.

“With the work done with private and other public sector partners, as well as the National Economic Summit Group (NESG) we birthed a draft of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) which will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council for its consideration and hopefully approval.

“This policy is anchored on three triggers, the three ‘I’s which are Infrastructure, Investment and Incentive. All embedded in the sports policy,” Dare explained.

He further spoke about some collaborative steps including Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signed with the Egyptian, Algerian, Ghanaian, South African and Turkish Governments towards youth and sports development.

Revealing Nigeria’s support for Egypt’s campaign to become Africa’s first hosts of the Olympics Games in 2032, Dare said, “the capabilities of our Egyptian brothers and sisters are significant as those who have visited recently will testify.

“This will really showcase the capabilities of Africa to the world and bring the world even closer to Africa through this very powerful tool. The economic opportunities for our people are of course significant as the symbolic importance of hosting the world,” he added.

Enyimba boss, Finidi George, is furious with match officials following his side’s defeat to Heartland in the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL on Saturday.

Speaking after the game in Owerri, The former Nigerian international claimed his side was hard done by some referee decisions and won’t mind quitting the league if things don’t get better.

He said: “ You watched the match, If I say something then I am leaving this league, you can not play football this way and expect to get another result and that is what we are experiencing Nationwide”

“You all saw the game and I am not going to comment about that, winning or no winning it should be better and games like this should be better and I wish you guys are doing a better job, you all watch the game and it is not about coaching, it is not about anything, the league should be better than this”

“Is it right what is happening, journalists should write about what they are seeing in different centers across the country, football is dying”, He said.

Murphy Chukwu scored the only goal of the game for Heartland in the 57th minute.

The defeat means, Enyimba remain 7th on the table, eleven points behind leaders Rivers United.

Premier League club Chelsea, owned by Russian Roman Abramovich,issued a statement on Sunday saying they are praying for peace and described the situation in Ukraine as ‘horrific’.

Abramovich announced on Saturday that he was giving “stewardship and care” of the club to trustees of the London side’s foundation.

The Russian’s comments came after calls in Britain that he be sanctioned over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine but did not include any reference to Ukraine or the conflict.

“The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating. Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace,” Chelsea said on their website.

Abramovich remains the club owner and his announcement on Saturday did not reveal why he was giving the foundation stewardship nor any details on how the arrangement would work.

Several Russian individuals and entities have been put under sanctions by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea this week.

Abramovich has not faced any sanctions but British opposition lawmakers said on Thursday that he should be included. One said the UK should seize his assets and bar him from owning the football club.

The chairman of the Chelsea foundation trustees is American lawyer Bruce Buck who is also chairman of the club as a whole.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said on Friday that uncertainty over Abramovich’s future weighed on the club in Sunday’s League Cup final.

Chelsea enjoyed unprecedented success after Abramovich took over in 2003, winning five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the Champions League twice.

The draw for the final competition for the Qatar 2022 World Cup will hold on 1 April, the date generally known as ‘All Fools Day’.

This will be just days after the conclusion of the play-off for the qualifiers from Africa. Nigeria are due to host Ghana in Abuja on Tuesday 29 March, just three days to the final draw.

Traditionally, the final draw had always held in December of the year preceding the World Cup. But the 2022 edition is a departure as it will be holding in winter time of November and December instead of the traditional June/July calendar.

Hence, the final draw which holds six months to the competition is now slated for April. It will hold on the sidelines of the 72^nd FIFA Congress at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the sport’s governing body announced on Sunday, because of his invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion by land, air and sea on Thursday followed a declaration of war by Putin.

A judo blackbelt, the 69-year-old is a keen practitioner of the discipline and has co-authored a book titled “Judo: History, Theory, Practice”.

“In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” the IJF said in a statement.

The IJF on Friday said it had cancelled a May 20-22 event in Russia.

“The International Judo Federation announces with regret the cancellation of the 2022 Grand Slam in Kazan, Russia,” IJF President Marius Vizer said.

The Czech Republic will not play a potential soccer World Cup qualifier against Russia following their invasion of Ukraine, the Czech FA said on Sunday.

The Czech ruling body is the latest to pull out of the playoff matches after Poland and Sweden announced on Saturday they would not contest the qualifiers in March to decide who will go to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“The FA executive committee approved unanimously the decision that the Czech national team will under no circumstances play the possible game against Russia’s team in the 2022 World Cup qualification,” the Czech FA said.

“The executive committee tasked FA chairman Petr Fousek and secretary general Michal Valter to talk to UEFA and FIFA in regards to the decision of the executive committee not to play the possible game against Russia.

Russia are scheduled to host Poland in the semi-finals of their strand of the World Cup playoffs on March 24 and, if they advance, to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.

The Czech FA said it would not play the match even if it was moved to a neutral venue, and called for the invasion to end as soon as possible.

Rafael Nadal maintained his unbeaten start to 2022 by beating British number one Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-4 to win the Mexican Open.

At the end of last year, Nadal, 35, thought he might have to retire because of a foot injury, but has won all three tournaments he has played this year.

The Spaniard won a 21st major title at the Australian Open after victory in a Melbourne warm-up event.

“At the start of the year this was unimaginable,” said the Spaniard.

“A month and a half ago nobody would have believed it.”

Victory over Norrie extended Nadal’s career-best winning start to the season to a 15th victory.

The fourth seed, who beat incoming world number one Daniil Medvedev in the last four, lifted the title in Acapulco without dropping a set.

It is the 91st title of Nadal’s career and a fourth in the Mexican city, having won his first as an 18-year-old in 2005.

Nadal, who also triumphed in 2013 and 2020, is now the tournament’s youngest and oldest champion.

A finely balanced opener swung the way of Nadal when he converted the only break point of the set in the fifth game and served out without serious pressure from Norrie.

Norrie, who is ranked 12th in the world, had won his previous eight matches and claimed the title in Delray Beach last week.

The 26-year-old Briton found a way through Nadal’s serve to break back for 1-1 in the second set, only for his fellow left-hander to take control with four straight games.

A stunning pick-up volley from Nadal set up two championship points and he took the first when Norrie went long with a forehand.

“Rafa doesn’t give you any free points and if you give him one or two he takes advantage of them,” said Norrie.

“It is impressive to see how he still does it.”