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Entertainment Extreme Sport Sport

Anyone can become a skater, says Dan of Zumiez

Anybody Can Become Pro in Skating, Says Dan of Dumiez
Anyone can become a skater, says Dan of Zumiez

 

In a conversation earlier today, Dan, a Manager at Zumiez — a household name in action sports-related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories — shared inspiring words for aspiring skaters.

Dan emphasized that professional skateboarding is not limited to a select few, stressing that “anyone can become a skater.” He explained that mastering the sport requires consistent dedication and years of practice.

“One of my homies is extremely, extremely good,” Dan noted with enthusiasm, adding that the key lies in persistence and a genuine love for the sport.

Zumiez has long been associated with supporting skate culture and encouraging young talents through sponsorships, community events, and access to quality gear. Dan’s message resonates strongly with many in the skateboarding community who believe that hard work and passion can turn dreams into reality.

With the growing popularity of skateboarding worldwide, opportunities continue to expand for new talents to rise — and Dan’s words serve as a reminder that the next pro could be anyone willing to put in the grind.

 

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Football

Taribo West says Nigeria fond of Neglecting ex football stars

Taribo West in his active year
Taribo West in his active year

 

Taribo West, a former Super Eagles defender, has accused his country of always neglecting its football giants when they retire. West played for several clubs during his football career, including Auxerre (France) – where he won the UEFA Cup in 1998, Inter Milan (Italy) – where he continued to excel and won the UEFA Cup in 1998. AC Milan (Italy) – where he played until 2000, Derby County (England) – during the 2000 winter transfer window, Heartland F.C. (Nigeria) – where he played for two seasons before retiring. He also represented the Nigerian national team, earning 42 caps. 

At the burial of another Nigerian football giant, Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana) recently, West accused the Nigerian Government of abandoning Rufai when he needed support. He also named more ex-Nigerian football stars who lived and died miserably.  

 He blamed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning the family of late goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, saying such neglect is why he would never encourage his own son to visit the country.

He said, “It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.

“My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?”

“With this kind of example they have shown in (Yisa) Sofoule, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliya and Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory), I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.

“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he stated.

Rufai was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup tournaments, playing a key role as the Super Eagles reached the Round of 16 on both occasions. He also starred in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), winning silver in 1984 and 1988 before lifting the trophy with Nigeria in 1994.

The late goalkeeper made his international debut in December 1981 and had a stellar career that spanned over 14 years in the national team. He played for club sides in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

Rufai died on July 3 at the age of 61 in a Lagos hospital after reportedly battling a long-term illness.

But the NFF responded in post on X saying “In support of the burial rites of Christian Chukwu, the NFF provided financial assistance to his family, and was represented by Executive Committee Member Chief George Aluo, Barr. Okey Obi, and Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi.

“Similarly, at the funeral mass of Peter Rufai in Lagos, the NFF also offered financial support to his family. The delegation included Executive Committee Member Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and Dr. Ademola Olajire,” the circular read.

The federation further stated that it honoured their “service, celebrated their legacy, and extended continued support to their families.”

This comes after widespread outrage over the plight of Rufai’s family, who reportedly struggled to raise funds to give the late goalkeeper a decent burial.

 

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Latest News Sport

Nigeria’s Olympic cyclist thanks German team for bike loan

"The German team came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you," posted Ese Ukpeseraye
“The German team came to my rescue by offering me a bicycle. Thank you,” posted Ese Ukpeseraye

 

Nigeria’s first ever Olympic cyclist has praised the German team for giving her a bike to compete with in the Paris 2024 Olympics after she was unable to source one of her own.

Ese Ukpeseraye had initially only been registered for the women’s road race but competed in two track events – which require a different kind of bike – at “short notice”, she said on social media platform X.

The 25-year-old wrote that with no bicycle to race with and in the spirit of sportsmanship the German team had come to her rescue.

Her post prompted several Nigerians online to question the competency of their national sports authorities, but Nigeria’s sports minister insisted the situation was unavoidable.

John Owan Enoh said the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world’s foremost cycling authority, offered Nigeria last minute slots in two women’s track events “due to the disqualification of a country”.

The offer was made after Ukpeseraye and the rest of Team Nigeria had arrived in Paris for the games, Mr Enoh said.

“For this track race reallocated to Team Nigeria, a very special equipment (approved specifically for the Olympic track game) is used,” he posted on X.

“It’ll take months to have it delivered after ordering and making payment.”

Online commenters remained sceptical, however. Some linked Ukpeseraye’s case to incident earlier on in the games, where Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili discovered last minute that she could not race in the women’s 100m as she had been left off the entry list.

“I would have asked what happened to Favour Ofili who missed her 100m race because whoever was supposed to fill in her name for the competition failed to do so. Does that also take months to import?” one X user wrote.

Others asked why Nigeria was yet to win any medals at this year’s games. It is an outcome even Nigeria’s government seems frustrated by – the information ministry touched on “the disappointing performances of Nigerian athletes” in a recent press release.

In this year’s games, Ukpeseraye became the first Nigerian – man or woman – to compete in a cycling event.

Cycling Federation of Nigeria Ese Ukpeseraye by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, FranceCycling Federation of Nigeria
Ese Ukpeseraye says she has “set the ball rolling” for cycling in Nigeria

Her first event was the women’s road race, but she was among a number of athletes who failed to complete the 154km (96-mile) route.

“It was an honour to represent Nigeria at this level. Although I couldn’t finish the race, being here is a victory in itself,” she is quoted by the Nigerian media as saying.

Ukpeseraye also missed out on the finals of the two track events she competed in – she finished sixth in her keirin heat and 28th in the sprint qualifiers.

However, she remains proud of her achievements, writing on X that she has “set the ball rolling for cycling in Nigeria”.

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Law Sport

Nigerian boxer, Ogunsemilore fails drugs test at Olympics

Cynthia Ogunsemilore (right) won a bronze medal competing for Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
Cynthia Ogunsemilore (right) won a bronze medal competing for Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

 

Nigerian boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore is out of the Paris 2024 Olympics after being provisionally suspended for a failed drugs test.

The 22-year-old, who won gold at the African Games in Accra earlier this year and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, tested positive for furosemide, a banned substance that is classed as a diuretic and masking agent.

The out-of-competition sample was collected by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on 25 July on behalf of the International Olympic Committee.

Ogunsemilore can appeal the result but any decision will not come in time for what would have been her Olympic debut fight against Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei on Monday in the 60kg lightweight division.

The BBC has reached out to the Nigerian Olympic Committee for a response.

Ogunsemilore’s result means Nigeria have now had athletes suspended for doping violations at two successive Olympics following sprinter Blessing Okagbare’s positive test three years ago in Tokyo.

Okagbare was subsequently banned for 11 years for the use of human growth hormone.

Ahead of Paris 2024, there were concerns Nigerian athletes might not be allowed to compete under their own flag due to allegations made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) that the country’s own anti-doping agency is non-compliant with Wada regulations.

Nigeria’s National Anti-Doping Committee denies the charge and the case is currently being examined by the Court of Arbitration of Sport.

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Football Sport

Real Madrid: 3 fans sentenced for racially abusing Vinícius

(FILES) Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior reacts to being insulted pointing at the stands during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 21, 2023. – Three Valencia’s supporters have been handed eight-month jail terms for racist insults against Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior in May 2023, which sparked a wave of international outrage, AFP reports on June 10, 2024. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)
Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior reacts to being insulted pointing at the stands during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 21, 2023. Spanish prosecutors opened a probe on May 22, 2023 into racist chants aimed at Real Madrid’s star forward Vinicius Junior during a match as the football federation president admitted the country had a “problem” with racism. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)

 

Three Valencia fans were handed eight-month jail terms Monday for racist abuse towards Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior at a La Liga match last year that sparked international outrage, a court ruling showed.

The defendants, who were not identified, were convicted of an offence against moral integrity with the aggravating factor of racially-motivated discrimination and slapped with a two-year match ban, the Valencia court said.

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Football Latest News Sport

Nigeria: Peseiro quits as Super Eagles coach

Jose Peseiro
Jose Peseiro

 

Jose Peseiro has confirmed he is no longer the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

This comes following the expiration of his contract just after the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON).

The Portuguese tactician, in a series of tweet on his X account on Friday, described it as a pride and honour to have coached the Super Eagles.

Peseiro, who would be leaving alongside his backroom staff, conceded that they will miss the team “but we will always be there for you.”

He wrote, “Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF.

“It was a pride and honor to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfillment.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Sir Amaju Pinnick (the president who signed us), President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Secretary Dayo Enebi, the NFF, all the Staff, and especially all the PLAYERS, with whom leading has been a great pleasure.

“Guys, we are thankful; it has been a privilege to be part of this family. We will miss you, but we will always be there for you, no matter where you are. A big hug to all of you.”

Algeria wants to hire Jose Peseiro as next manager

The Algeria Football Federation has showed interest in hiring coach Jose Peseiro who led Nigeria to the finals of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This came after Djamel Belmadi was fired following a dismal performance at the just-concluded AFCON tournament.

Belmadi was fired after the nation failed to advance beyond the Group stages.

Peseiro led Nigeria to the final of the 34th AFCON, where they lost 2–1 against the host team, Ivory Coast.

According to an Algerian publication, DZ Foot, the president of the Algerian football federation, Walid Sadi, is impressed by Peseiro’s credentials and is willing to have a chat with the Portuguese tactician about taking over their national team job.

“Not made public, the shortlist established by the ad-hoc commission set up by the FAF, is made up of three names, namely José Peseiro (63 years old), Vladimir Petkovic (60 years old) and Carlos Queiroz (70 years old),” the website wrote.

While the name of Carlos Queiroz has come back in force in recent days as being the final choice of the FAF, according to our information this would ultimately not be the case and José Peseiro becomes the preferential choice of Walid Sadi.

“Indeed the one who took Nigeria to the CAN 2023 final would be in direct contact with the president of the Algerian football federation who would have been seduced by his profile and his speech without forgetting the financial aspect.”

 

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Latest News Sport

Nigerian solo driver enters Africa from London

Nigerian solo driver enters Africa from London
Nigerian solo driver enters Africa from London

 

Nigerian travel content creator Pelumi Nubi has arrived in Africa in her ambitious solo drive from London to Lagos.

Her plan includes traversing through 17 countries through a distance of more than 7,000km (4,340 miles), with the goal of reaching Lagos in just two months.

The 29-year-old avid traveller has been sharing updates from her journey, starting from Paris, France, after departing from England early this month.

On Sunday, she posted a video on Instagram of her arriving in Morocco.

“I won’t sugarcoat it – crossing into Morocco from Spain had me on edge initially,” she wrote.

Her route includes navigating through the West Sahara desert, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally, Nigeria, reaching Lagos.

Ms Nubi believes she is the first black woman to attempt this journey.

She emphasizes that her goal is not about breaking records but rather showing the world that “impossible” is just a word, as she initially announced the challenge in November.

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Athletic Latest News Sport

Kenya’s Marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, 24, dies in road accident

Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident in his country home
Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident in his country home

 

The men’s marathon world record holder, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, 24, has died in a road accident in his home country.

He was killed alongside his coach, Rwanda’s Gervais Hakizimana, in a car on a road in western Kenya on Sunday.

Kiptum made a breakthrough in 2023 as a rival to compatriot Eliud Kipchoge – one of the greatest marathon runners.

And it was in Chicago last October that Kiptum bettered Kipchoge’s achievement, clocking the 26.2 miles (42km) in two hours and 35 seconds.

The two athletes had been named in Kenya’s provisional marathon team for the Paris Olympics later this year.

Paying tribute to Kiptum, Kenyan Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote on X: “Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”

Kenya’s opposition leader and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, said the country had lost “a true hero” and was mourning “a remarkable individual… and Kenyan athletics icon”.

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, said Kiptum was “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy”.

The road accident happened at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, police were quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Giving further details of the crash, police said Kiptum was the driver, and the vehicle “lost control and rolled, killing the two on the spot”.

A spokesman quoted by AFP added that the third passenger – who was female – had been injured and “rushed to hospital”.

Just last week, his team announced that he would attempt to run the distance in under two hours at the Rotterdam marathon – a feat that has never been achieved in open competition.

The rise to fame for the father-of-two had been rapid – he only ran his first full marathon in 2022.

He made an instant impact over the distance as he ran the then fourth fastest time on record (2:01:53) to win the Valencia Marathon before setting a course record of 2:01:25 at the London Marathon in April 2023.

Six months later, in just his third marathon, Kiptum took 34 seconds off the world record time in Chicago in his final race.

He had already honed a distinct tactical approach that saw him run with the pack for 30kms before upping the pace and going out on his own for the remainder of the race.

Kiptum competed in his first major competition in 2018 running in borrowed shoes because he could not afford a pair of his own.

He was among a new crop of Kenyan athletes who began their careers on the road, breaking away from the past tradition of athletes starting on the track before switching to longer distances.

Kiptum told the BBC last year that his unusual choice was simply determined by a lack of resources.

“I had no money to travel to track sessions,” he explained.

His coach, Hakizimana, 36, was a retired Rwandese runner. Last year, he spent months helping Kiptum target the world record.

Their relationship as coach and athlete began in 2018, but the pair first met when the world record holder was much younger.

“I knew him when he was a little boy, herding livestock barefooted,” Hakizimana recalled last year. “It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels and I would chase him away.

“Now, I am grateful to him for his achievement.”

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Football Latest News Sport

Ghana MP apologises to footballer Harry Maguire

Ghanaian MP Isaac Adongo apologised to footballer Harry Maguire (pictured)
Ghanaian MP Isaac Adongo apologised to footballer Harry Maguire (pictured)

 

A Ghanaian MP has apologised to English footballer Harry Maguire for comparing him with the country’s vice-president describing them as poor performers.

The MP had last year criticised Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia for Ghana’s poor economic performance, and likened him to what he said was Maguire’s poor performance as a player for scoring own goals.

But on Tuesday, the MP Isaac Adongo said the Manchester United defender had since turned around his fortunes.

“Mr Speaker, I now apologise to Harry Maguire. Today, Harry Maguire has turned the corner and he is a transformational footballer,” he said in parliament during a budget debate.

He criticised Mr Bawumia’s performance as vice-president and head of the Ghana’s Economic Management Team, which he said had driven the country more into debt and risked its economic performance.

[Harry Maguire] is now a key player for Manchester but as for our Maguire [Mr Bawumia] he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he said.

Ghana is currently going through its worst economic crisis in a generation.

Last year, the inflation rate hit a record high of 54% – and is still running at more than 35%.

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African Arts Latest News Sport

Vincent Unogwu Building Volley-Ball Culture in Nigeria

Coach, National Volley-Ball Team, Vincent Unogwu, first from Right and players
Coach, National Volley-Ball Team, Vincent Unogwu, first from Right and players

 

Day and night, some sports enthusiasts in Nigeria are tidying up sequences on how to mainstream volley-ball game inn the country. But your guess is as good as mine—it won’t be as easy as a walk-over. Reason is because Nigerians love already made mono-product. The culture of cultivating new grounds and getting it to start yielding is not present in Nigeria. If you doubt this, you can ask politicians. The only promising political party is the ruling party. Other political parties irrespective of their political ideologies can go to blazes. The economy depends on oil alone, despite the fact that other revenue sources could be viable.

In sports, for Nigeria, it’s football. Men and female football. Other sports no matter how interesting they might be are not attractive.  

Despite these disincentives, some sports lovers and doing all they could to build volley-ball sports base in Nigeria. And their efforts are already paying-off as a good number of school children are now getting interested in volley-ball.

A young Nigerian, Vincent Unogwu, is taking the initiative of catching them young and training them on volley-ball. Mr. Unogwu has been inviting sports lovers from both private and public sectors to invest in volley-ball game in Nigeria. Interestingly, some individuals and organisations are already keying in as patrons and partners.

Over the weekend, Mr. Unogwu and patrons organized a dinner for the young volley-ball National players. Reason was to inspire them more and also think of strategies to grow the game in Nigeria.

Unogwu said: “Nigeria has a lot of talents. What we are doing is to harness these talents. These children are doing very well. I remember some years ago when I invited these kids from their houses. Their parents did not like the idea. But I kept on encouraging and training them. Today, they are the best in the country. Some of them have left the shores of Nigeria to play in Europe. Very soon, some more will get the opportunity to travel out. We keep encouraging them and also inviting more children”, he said.

He noted that the challenge they face is agency support. “We need government agencies to support these children so that they could leverage those platforms to access international opportunities. If it comes to talent, we have it. and we are not relenting”, he noted.

He said with support from patrons and well-meaning individuals, volley-ball game is gaining popularity across the country and volley-ball courts are now springing up in Abuja, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Jos and other parts of the country.

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