Lagos International Swimming Classics kicks off

The much-awaited Lagos International Swimming Classics kicks off on Thursday November 7 at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Three African countries – Ghana, Senegal and Benin are expected to be part of the four-day N5.8million prize money tournament while top national swimmers will also participate in the tournament. 

According to the Championship Coordinator, Babatunde Fatai-Williams, national record holders like Samson Opuakpo of Delta, Yellow Yeiyah of the Nigeria Police as well as Rachael Tonjor and Faith Edorodion would be part of the open category.

“The hit event will hold in the morning each day while final will be in the evening. The schools’ category is a time event, which means winners in each event will be determined by the time. We hope to have a full house as Ghana and Senegal will also be hoping to give our athletes tough time,” he said.

Chairman of the Main Organising Committtee (MOC), Wahid Oshodi, said all is set for the commencement of the tournament as the venue is now wearing a new look while the latest timing machine will be used for the tournament. We are hopeful that new talents will be unearthed while our stars will showcase their skills at the competition. It promises to be exciting as top swimmers from the region and beyond are going to be aiming for the top prize."

He however, emphasised that the tourney is aimed at exposing athletes to international standard and also to attract top athletes to the tournament. “We are hoping for a good tournament and for us, this is one of the ways to help our athletes. Having concluded some sporting events lined up for the Lagos Sports Classics, we are hoping that the swimming classics will also be more competitive and colourful,” he said.

Over 300 swimmers are expected to jostle for honours at the championship. The tournament has been sanctioned by the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) and it hopes to attract the best swimmers in the continent.

Meanwhile, Nigerian swimmers who are going to participate in the classics category (open) were mostly selected based on their performance at the recent 5h Chief of the Naval Staff Open Swimming Championship held last month in Oghara, Delta State, along with a few wild card entries from some states that did not participate in the championship.

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England’s Grant signs up for Lagos International Squash Classics

Former world’s top 10 rated player, England’s Adrian Grant has signed up for the Lagos International Squash Classics holding at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on November 13 to 16.

 Grant, winner of the 2012 Lagos Governor’s Cup will return to Nigeria to compete with other top 15 players in the main event of the classics. The runner’s up at the 2009 British National Championships after losing in the final to Nick Matthew and he is now ranked 20 in the world.

 The $40,000 prize money championship will also have current Nigeria top seeded players, Jonathan Peters and Yemisi Olatunji, while winners of 2012 National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012; Wale Amao and Ebifemi Taiwo of Lagos State will also be part of the tournament.

  However, prior to the main event, local players will compete in the qualifiers from this Thursday November 7 to 10 to secure places in the main event. 16 male and 8 female players will jostle for honours in the main event, while a referee training course to be handled by director of the referees’ committee of World Squash Federation (WSF), Rod Symington will also be part of the event.

 

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"NIGERIANS ARE OUR BROTHERS." - Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan has picked out Golden Eaglets players Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi for special praise. "Nigeria and Ghana are very close. Of course, we’re rivals in football but we’re brothers in every other way,” said Gyan. “Any time I meet up with Nigerians it’s like meeting up with family. We’re like the same people really. I'm rooting for them.”

He continued,
“You can see that we’re improving in Africa. We’ve got so much talent, and these kids can be stars one day. They’re just 16 and 17, trying to build their careers and by what I’ve seen so far, some of these players can go places.”

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"IKE UCHE SCORES WINNER!"

Villarreal cemented fourth place in La Liga after a last-gasp 1-0 win at Elche on Monday. The hosts had won both fixtures between the clubs in last season's Segunda Division, but Ikechukwu Uche struck in injury time to move Villarreal three points clear of Athletic Bilbao in the final UEFA Champions League spot.

Hernan Perez wasted two gilt-edged chances for the away side, with Giovani dos Santos the provider on each occassion. Manu del Moral went closest for Elche, but his header from Fidel's cross cannoned back off the crossbar. Villarreal attacked from the off after the break, but they were dealt a blow five minutes into the second half as Dos Santos was forced off with a groin injury.

Perez continued to threaten but was again off target, while Elche goalkeeper Manu Herrera was called into a stunning close-range stop as Bruno latched onto Cani's free-kick. Bruna again called Herrera into action with a 20-yard free-kick as the game looked to be meandering towards a draw. But Villarreal snatched the win as Jonathan Peireira's scuffed effort landed at the feet of Uche, who tucked home from an apparent offside position, although the flag was not raised to the hosts' chagrin.

The goal was

Uche's third of the season.

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"I'M HAPPY AT LIVERPOOL. " - Suarez

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has played down speculation linking him with a January transfer to Real Madrid by insisting he is happy at Liverpool. The Uruguay international was involved in a protracted saga regarding his future in the close-season as he agitated for a move to a club in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool's Premier League rivals Arsenal had two bids rejected for the striker, while La Liga giants Real were also said to be interested in his services.

However, the 26-year-old - who has scored six goals in five Premier League appearances since returning from suspension - has indicated he is satisfied with life on Merseyside as Liverpool bid to return to the Champions League.

"I know nothing of any interest from Real Madrid, and I am happy with Liverpool," Suarez told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890.

"In the team we are all really excited, and looking forward to a good season. We have been at the top so far and we are still aiming at the top.

"We believe in the team and we believe we can have a really good season - an exciting season.

"The Premier League is the best league there is - the stadiums, the atmosphere and the fans make football here so entertaining."

Suarez's public desire to leave Anfield led to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers ordering him to train away from the rest of the first-team squad for a short period.

However, the former Ajax captain has revealed that the support of his team-mates and the Liverpool fans has had a major impact on helping him feeling settled at the club once again.

"When I was separated (from the squad), the players told me they didn't like that and wanted me to be with the group," he added.

"Today I feel very supported by my team-mates, and I appreciate their support.


Rumours persist that Real will launch a move for Suarez in the next transfer window as manager Carlo Ancelotti seeks to boost his side's firepower further following the world-record capture of Gareth Bale in September.

"The support of the fans was also very important … I feel part of things at Liverpool. It is my home."

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"I CAN'T FORGET MY FIRST COACH!" - Awoniyi

Taiwo Awoniyi has dedicated his goals to members of his family as well as his grassroots’ coach. Awoniyi who now has four goals in the championship, said he can never forget a certain coach  Abdulrazak Olojo who discovered him at United Academy FC of Ilorin.

He said: “I’m very happy that I was able to score today and apart from my teammates and the coaching crew, these goals are for members of my family."

“I can't forget the coach who discovered me but my greatest gratitude goes to God for this sweet victory  today,”  he added. The youngster also showed his gratitude to his father saying, “My dad gave me the
opportunity right from the childhood to play football and I want to thank him so much.”

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'ENYEAMA IS UNBELIEVABLE!" - Girard

Lille boss Rene Girard has expressed his delight with the form of Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
The Ligue 1 outfit sit second in the table – just two points behind reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain – after a terrific start to the campaign.

That is partly down to Enyeama, who has kept 10 clean sheets in their 12 league matches, conceding just four goals all season. Enyeama impressed again in a 2-0 win over Monaco on Sunday and Girard is elated with the form of the keeper.

"He is a real model. And in the Lille changing room, he is like a big brother, he commands respect," Girard told French newspaper Le Parisien. "Today, he is one of the pillars of the team, this is a boy who has pep, who is happy to live and transmits it on the pitch, because the job is there. This is a great person to have by my side."

Lille midfielder Florent Balmont also sang the praises of Enyeama and claims he is essential to creating a good atmosphere at the club. "Vincent brings his good mood, and a playfulness that is good for the group. His enthusiasm, his smile, his jokes are always surprising," he said.

Lille travel to Guingamp in their next fixture on Saturday.

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