Sport

Entrepreneur advocates sports as tool for national unity

Published

2 months ago

July 26, 2023

Entrepreneur advocates sports as tool for national unity

Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, a media entrepreneur and politician, has called for the use of sports to promote unity, peace and development in Nigeria.

Benjamins-Laniyi made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a press briefing on the sidelines of the inaugural Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi (ABL) FCT unity football championship.

She said the football competition, with participation of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was meant to foster unity and discover grassroot talents for the national teams.

“We are here to make a statement that we can achieve unity through sports and build a new prosperous nation.

“This initiative, the Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi sports tournament is an expression of premium sports for unity and indeed propelling our Nigerian youth through grassroots representation in the six area councils of the FCT,” she said.

The CEO of Doxa Group, said she would continue to work with the the FCT sports council and other relevant stakeholders to promote sports and empower Nigerian youths.

“I rise as a mother, a media entrepreneur, a politician, as a patriot to make a call for unity through sports.
“What makes a nation stand is unity, so we should rise above tribe, religion and race,” she said.

Earlier, Luka Istifanus, Director, FCT Sports Council, thanked the organiser of the competition for the laudable initiative.

He said the FCT was committed to grassroots sports development and improving it’s participation in major competitions such as the National Sports Festival (NSF) and National Youth Games (NYG).

NAN reports that over 80 teams and 1,200 players from the six FCT area councils have been slugging it at the ABL championship, which is now in the quarter-finals stage.

The grand-finale of the competition is slated for Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Sport

16th INAC: Indian instructor educates Nigerians on benefits of Yoga

Published

3 weeks ago

September 8, 2023

Desmond Ukafor

The Indian High Commission in Nigeria on Friday in Abuja urged Nigerians to embrace Yoga as a means of exercise for their overall well-being..

Diptiranjan Mohanty, Teacher of Indian Culture, High Commission of India in Abuja, gave the advice during the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC).

Mohanty, who demonstrated the exercise , said that Yoga is an aspect of Indian culture known to reduce stress, anxiety as well as improve brain function.
He said that practicing Yoga also improves cardiovascular function, quality of sleep, bone health and reduces inflammation.

“Yoga is part of our culture, we want our Nigerian friends and people across the globe to practise it as a lifestyle.
“It improves body flexibility and balance.

“Yoga is known to harmonise the mind, body and soul, and it is a method to detoxify theo body and make a healthy mind and a happy soul,” he said.

Mohanty said that Nigerians who were interested in learning how to practice yoga could attend free classes for the execise at the Indian High Commission in Abuja.

According to him, this is held Monday to Friday, from 4.00p.m. to 7.00p.
He said that India was at the expo to showcase its arts and crafts like Saree fabric, Masala Chai (indian tea), locally prepared to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol.

In the course of the expo, delegates from Taraba, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Ogun and Rivers states presented colourful dance performances.

Ogun and Rivers as well as Cuba presented cuisines peculiar to their culture, which delegates from other nations savoured.

Sport

UEFA to raise payments for clubs not in European competition

Published

3 weeks ago

September 7, 2023

Fellow Press

Clubs that fail to qualify for UEFA’s competitions are set to receive a greater share of revenue from the European governing body from next season.
The arrangement is under a new distribution model announced on Wednesday by UEFA.
UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) signed a renewed working agreement until 2030 which will “bolster long-term stability and sustainable growth in European club football,” the governing body said in a statement.

The change will be effective from the start of the 2024-25 season, coinciding with a new format in UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Under the new model for the 2024-2027 cycle, seven per cent of the revenue UEFA earns from the three competitions will be distributed to clubs not competing in them, up from four per cent.

The European Leagues Association, which represents professional soccer leagues in Europe, said the change would result in 308 million euros ($330.02 million) being shared among non-participating clubs, up from the current 175 million euros.

“Today’s announcement … will help all clubs across Europe to safeguard their competitiveness on and off the pitch while keeping investing in youth and talent development,” it said in a statement.

UEFA said further details of the new system would be unveiled at a later date.