Sports

14 years after, Ese Brume returns Nigeria to World Indoor Championships podium

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2022

Multi-talented Nigerian athlete, Ese Brume, on Sunday, ensured the country had a podium finish at the ongoing 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, 14 years after its last achieved the feat.

The Delta State-born Brume took the silver medal with a personal season’s best jump of 6.85m achieved in the third round to finish behind homegirl, Ivana Vuleta, who claimed gold with a personal best jump of 6.89m best in the second round, before improving to 7.06m in the fourth round.

Brume’s feat came after Nigeria last won a medal at the 2008 edition in Valencia through Olusoji Fasuba’s 60m gold medal, and took the country’s overall medals haul to 12, made up of two gold, six silver and three bronze medals.

A handful of Nigerian athletes had done the country proud in previous World Indoor Championships, though such feats have been sporadic and far between.

The 25-year-old Brume, however, becomes only the third Nigerian athlete after the late quarter-miler, Sunday Bada, and Gloria Alozie, to win medals at both World Indoors and Outdoors Championships as well as Olympic medals for the country.

Alozie, an hurdler who later switched allegiance to compete for Spain, had won a silver medal in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Maebashi in 1999, and the outdoor version same year in Seville, Spain, in the 100m hurdles before going on to win a silver medal at the Olympics in Sydney.

The late Bada had earlier set the pace by winning three World Indoor Championships medals in 1993,1995 and 1997 respectively.

He then topped his glorious feats when he helped Nigeria’s men’s 4x400m relay team to win gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 to add to a 4x400m relay bronze at the World Outdoor Championships he won in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1995.

Brume is the third long jumper to win at the World Indoors after Paul Emordi and policewoman, Chioma Ajunwa feats in 1987 and 1997 respectively.

She is also joint fourth on the top of the all-time African and Nigerian long jump indoor list behind Chioma Ajunwa (6.97m), Blessing Okagbare (6.87m), and Sierra leone’s Eunice Barber (6.86m).

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Sports

Senegal football federation suspends all football activities after deadly protests

Published

20 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Following a spate of violent protests which has led to the death of over 23 people, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has suspended all domestic football until further notice.

The violence which broke out last week engulfing several cities in the West African country was sparked after a Dakar court sentenced main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko to a two-year prison term on charges of “corrupting the youths.”

Following days of violence which saw security forces clash with protesters, leading to deaths and destruction of government properties and public utilities, the football federation decided to suspend all football activities due to security concerns.

A statement by the FSF on Friday, said:

“All football competitions are suspended until further notice throughout the national territory.”

The FSF statement added that the decision was the result of a government order which mandated that several public activities should be put on hold.

The statement noted that the suspension did not affect the national team, the Terenga Lions which is the reigning African champions after defeating Egypt in the final of the last AFCON.

The Terenga Lions have a date with Benin Republic in the 2024 AFCON qualifying match on June 17.

Sports

Players’ union warns African players to steer clear of Egypt’s football clubs

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

International football players’ union, FIFPRO, has warned African footballers against signing with clubs in the Egyptian league, following allegations of slavery and harsh working conditions.

The FIFPRO warning is coming after a report emerged of a “disturbing rise in labour conflicts involving issues such as non-payment of salaries and abusive behaviour within the Egyptian football scene.”

The Egyptian league is one of the top leagues in Africa with lots of African players, especially Nigerian players who have made the north African country a sort of footballing mecca.

According to the report, there are around 30 Nigerian players plying their trade in the Egyptian league, with many of them often complaining of withheld or delayed salaries.

The likes of Emeka Eze and Anthony Okpotu are currently plying their trade with Al Masry, while Paul Joules, Favour Akem, Akinade Ibukun play for El Geish.

Smouha FC has in its books Sodiq Ougola, Abubakar Liday, and Junior Ajayi, who came out few months ago to complain of welfare issues with the club.

In the warning, FIFPRO advised the players to exercise extreme caution when considering moving to the Egyptian league.

In the statement, the players’ union said the increasing labour conflicts in the Egyptian league “emphasizes that such a move may potentially lead to legal proceedings.”

“In light of this, FIFPRO provides valuable recommendations to protect players’ interests,” the statement reads.

“It is important not to surrender their passports to club officials; they should, submit photocopies or insist on personal presence during formalities.

“FIFPRO also warns against signing blank contracts, as clubs have been known to manipulate these by later inserting different details. Players are urged to retain a signed original version of their contract and ensure that the currency is fixed to prevent club manipulation.

“Additionally, players are advised to approach agent dealings with caution, seeking support from trusted parties in case of disputes,” it added.