D’Tigers lose to Mali for 2024 Olympics dreams to end ignominiously

Published

1 month ago

August 16, 2023

D’Tigers lose to Mali for 2024 Olympics dreams to end ignominiously

Nigeria are no longer in the race for qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics after the D’Tigers exited the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Lagos winless on Tuesday.

The Nigerian senior male basketball team lost 68-77 on the second day of the tournament for Mali and Senegal to celebrate making it to the last four.

They led 17-15 and 26-23 in the first two quarters, then lost 16-18 and 7-24 in the last two quarters to put an end to their quest to qualify.

Mali will play their second group A game against Senegal at 6pm tomorrow to determine who tops the group as both teams have now qualified for the semi finals

Nigeria led Mali by as many as nine points in the first half, but what happened in the third quarter was an immeasurable disaster for the hosts.

The D’Tigers had stepped on the floor knowing that only a win would be enough to advance, after having lost 87-93 to Senegal on Monday at the Eko Convention Centre.

But Mali, who trailed 61-53 at the end of the third quarter, used a 16-0 run to stun the team which represented Africa at the last three editions of the Olympic Games.

In the meantime, Mali not only advanced to the pre-qualifying tournament’s semi-finals, but they also boosted their chances of making it to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

Uche Iroegbu led Nigeria’s stats with 26 points while Daniel Utomi, the other Nigerian to score in double digits, finished with 16 points.

Their efforts were however not enough to help Nigeria bounce back from the loss to Senegal the night before.

Twins Fousseyni Drame and Hassan Drame led Mali with 14 points apiece.

Mali will now close their Group Phase campaign against Senegal, who also advanced to the last four off the back of Mali’s victory.

Nigeria’s loss means Africa will have a new representative at the 2024 Paris Games.

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

Published

2 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.