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Sports

Atlanta ’96 book celebrates Nigeria’s biggest sporting triumph

An e-book titled “Nigeria’s Olympics: Sports and National Development” has been launched to celebrate Nigeria’s biggest sporting triumph at the Olympic Games 20 years after.
Co-edited by Lolade Adewuyi of football website Goal.com Nigeria and Tosin Adebisi of the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, the free book is a collection of 10 essays from a writing competition organised to celebrate the victory of the Dream Team at Atlanta ’96.
The book was released at an awards ceremony to fete the winner and finalists of #WritingGamesNG on Thursday September 8, 2016.
The essay competition, open to final year students in Nigerian higher institutions and National Youth Service Corps personnel, was won by Oladele Oluwasogo Dare, a National Youth Service Corps personnel based in Anambra State.
The joint runners-up were Ekene Ezike, NYSC Osun State and Alfred Olajide, NYSC Taraba State. The third place was taken by Olumodeji Gabriel Shola, NYSC Anambra State.
The other finalists were Mmerenu Harrison (NYSC Kwara), Okanga Okanga (NYSC Lagos), Orji Sunday Sylvester (University of Nigeria, Nsukka), Adewale Abiodun Sodiq (Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba), Temitope Bakinde (NYSC Lagos) and Ikpebe Akpa Simon (Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti).
“Words presently have failed me in expressing my heartfelt gratitude to everyone. You have successfully turned a near frustrating service year into a life changing story,” said Oladele, who went on an all-expenses paid trip to attend the 2016 Writivism Festival in Kampala, Uganda.
The ceremony had in attendance Mr Dotun Coker of the Lagos State Football Association, who represented NFF 1stVice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, and Mr Wale Joseph, deputy secretary general of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as well as Mr Seun Methowe, Perform Media Country Manager for West Africa.
There was a high-powered delegation from the NYSC led by Mrs. Eno AwakEssien who represented the Director General, Brigadier General Sule Zakari Kazaure. Also in attendance was the Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Cyril Akhaneme as well as several Assistant Directors.
The competition’s judges – Professor Richard Follett of the University of Sussex and Professor Dipo Salami of the Obafemi Awolowo University – praised the effort of the entrants and encouraged them to continue developing their talent. They joined AIESEC Nigeria and the NYSC in celebrating youth development and empowerment across the country.
The co-editors, Messrs Adewuyi and Adebisi, said they undertook the collaborative effort to bring synergy between sport and education as well as promote writing and a celebration of Nigeria’s heroic team of 1996.
“We see this e-book as an important contribution to Nigerian sports and scholarship that needs to be encouraged in our country as a reminder of its important football heroes. The depth of writing which explored politics, culture, religion and sports point to how our country can succeed if we work as a team like the Dream Team of 1996,” the editors said in a statement. 
The winner was offered an internship and a trip to any part of the world by youth leadership organisation AIESEC who were one of the partners of the competition.
The e-book can be downloaded free online via this link.
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Sports

Goal Nigeria and University of Sussex set to launch Atlanta '96 e-book

Leading Football website Goal.com Nigeria and the University of Sussex will on Thursday, September 8, 2016, launch an e-book in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Nigeria’s victory in the men’s football event of the 1996 Olympic Games. 

The e-book with title, ‘Nigeria’s Olympics: Sports and National Development’ is a collection of essays from the #WritingGamesNG essay competition that took place in August and is co-edited by Lolade Adewuyi and Tosin Adebisi. 

“We see this e-book as an important  contribution to Nigerian sports and scholarship that needs to be encouraged in our country as a reminder of its important football heroes,” the editors said. 

The competition, launched by Goal.com Nigeria and the University of Sussex, was open to final year students in higher institutions and serving NYSC corps members across the country. 

The winner was given an all expenses paid trip to attend the 2016 Writivism Festival in Kampala, Uganda, a foremost gathering of writers in Africa. 

At Thursday’s ceremony, the winner, as well as finalists of the essay competition, will be awarded prizes and certificates. 

The ceremony will be attended by Mr Amaju Pinnick and Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, President and 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, award judges Professors Richard Follet of Sussex and Dipo Salami of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, other dignitaries including officials of the NYSC, AIESEC and Nigeria Olympic Committee.

After the launch, the e-book will be downloadable free of charge on the Goal.com and University of Sussex websites. 
Editors’ Note

About the Co-Editors

Lolade Adewuyi, founding chief editor of Goal.com Nigeria, has been a journalist for more than a decade where he has covered presidential elections in Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. He has also been at two Fifa World Cups – South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. He holds a BA in English Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and MA in Literature from the University of Lagos. He is a fellow of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation in the 2016/17 set of the Master of Sports Administration course at the Russian International Olympic University in Sochi, a legacy of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. He is passionate about sport, music, photography and education. Connect with Lolade onTwitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Tosin Adebisi is a Senior International Officer at the University of Sussex responsible for developing recruitment, engagement and partnerships strategy for Africa and the Middle East. His passions include mentoring, martial arts and reading. Connect with Tosin onLinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
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Entertainment

2 Nigerian Players Named Among World's Top 50 Wonderkids

Top football portal, goal.com today, 20th January, 2016 released its annual list of the 50 best under-18  players in the world. Goal called upon the expertise of its 37 editions across the globe to come up with the list. Two Nigerian players have however made the cut. Sadiq Umar and Victor Osimhen occupied the 15th and 17th positions respectively. Read goal’s piece about them below.

15. SADIQ UMAR | Nigeria & Roma | 1997 | Exploded onto the Serie A scene during the winter period, netting a goal against Genoa in what was just his second ever appearance in Serie before striking again in the draw with Chievo earlier this month. His goals were not enough to save Rudi Garcia from the sack but the lanky yet agile Nigerian striker looks set for a long and successful career for both club and country.

17. VICTOR OSIMHEN | Nigeria & Ultimate Strikers Academy | 1998 | In winning the Golden Boot at last year’s Under-17 World Cup with 10 goals, the Nigerian striker bedazzled top European scouts with his coolness in front of goal and impressive physicality. Ultimately, Wolfsburg won a very competitive race to land this powerful, pacy, long-limbed forward.
Read the full list here


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Entertainment

Goal 50: Barcelona star announced as World's best soccer player

I did a story on this yesterday. I got a press release from Goal.com and I had to share.

Lionel Messi has cemented his status as the world’s best soccer player, according to Goal.com’s annual award which ranks the best 50 soccer players on the planet over the past 12 months.

The Goal 50 list, compiled by Goal.com’s team of more than 500 journalists around the globe, sees the Barcelona superstar beat off the challenge from last years’ winner, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Barcelona and Argentina forward claims the title for the fourth time in recognition of an incredible campaign during which he led his club to a treble winning season, contributing 58 goals across all competitions and captained his country to the 2015 Copa América final.

Messi’s personal milestones in 2015 included; The most valuable player at the 2015 Copa América, UEFA best player in Europe, and a host of awards for his performances in the UEFA Champions League including – Goal of the Season and a place in the Squad of the Season. This prestigious award from Goal underlines Messi’s credentials ahead of the forthcoming FIFA Ballon d’Or.

The major European leagues are well represented where 48 of the listed players feature in the major European leagues, with only two other players representing the Rest of the World, Andrea Pirlo (MLS) and Carlos Tevez (Argentina’s Primera División) who makes the list for the very first time at number 8.

World Cup winner and Bayern Munich legend, Phillip Lahm makes the Goal-compiled list for the third successive year, along with no fewer than seven other teammates. There’s no place for England and Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney who misses out for the third year running. Other notable absentees include Edinson Cavani, England’s most expensive player Raheem Sterling and Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema.

Goal’s soccer experts have given a thorough examination of players in every territory, judging them on their level of consistency, their big-game performances, their legacy and the success of their team at both club and international levels over the past 12 months.

Goal.com is working with Facebook and Instagram to gain maximum exposure across both social platforms. Exclusive Goal 50 content will appear on Facebook using their native video player, where Goal’s correspondents will be live streaming.

The 2015 Goal 50 winner, Lionel Messi said; “Thank you for the Goal 50 award. I always say that the most important awards are collective ones, the ones where recognise as a team at the end of the season. I am also happy when I receive individual awards like this one, of course. I am very grateful for that”.

2015 Goal 50 List

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Neymar (Barcelona)
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)
Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors)
Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint Germain)
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Andrea Pirlo (New York City)
David De Gea (Manchester United)
Antoine Griezman (Atletico Madrid)
Carlos Bacca (A.C. Milan)
James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona)
Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)
Alvaro Morata (Juventus)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Claudio Bravo (Barcelona)
Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
David Silva (Manchester City)
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
Nicolás Otamendi (Manchester City)
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain)
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Gary Medel (Inter Milan)
Thiago Silva (Paris Saint Germain)
Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Jérôme Boateng (Bayern Munich)
Memphis Depay (Manchester United)

Notes to Editors
The 2015 Goal 50 is a comprehensive list of the best players in the world who are active professional soccer players, compiled by Goal.com’s journalists.
Those who qualify for the list include FIFA-registered professional players of all nationalities in any professional league across the world – or registered players currently without a club, but who are actively looking to sign for a professional club.
The full Goal 50 graphics are available for free use with prior permission from Goal.com.
Goal.com is the world’s largest digital soccer media brand, publishing 37 editions in 18 languages reaching an audience in excess of 60 million fans around the the world every month, producing 1.2 billion page impressions.

For further information contact:
Sabrina Carrozza
PR for Goal.com
646-596-2853
[email protected]

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Entertainment, Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo named the world's wealthiest footballer. See Goal Rich list 2015.

Cristiano Ronaldo has for the second time cemented his status as the world’s wealthiest current footballer, according to the Goal Rich List 2015.  His  net worth- is €210m.
The Rich List, compiled by Goal.com, the world’s largest digital football brand, sees the Real Madrid superstar beat off the challenge from Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, with Ronaldo’s estimated wealth now running at €210 million.
It is a further indicator to Ronaldo’s current standing in the game, having last season won the Champions League, a success that ultimately saw him crowned 2014 Ballon d’Or winner.
While Messi is second on the Rich List, the gap between him and Ronaldo has increased slightly over the past year, though both remain firmly ahead of the pack, with another La Liga star, Barcelona’s Neymar, the best of the rest in third place having been listed sixth just 12 months ago.
The major European leagues are well represented, though there is also a significant contingent from those who are forging new careers in the USA, led by Brazilian superstar Kaka.
Though still playing at the highest level for club and country, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon drops out of the Rich List Top 10, as does Arsenal great Thierry Henry having announced his retirement from the game and excluding himself from consideration.
Replacing them in the 2015 table are: Real Madrid legend Raul, now with New York Cosmos appears at eight in the Rich List, while Chelsea great Frank Lampard, currently with English champions Manchester City but who will move to New York City at the end of this season, is placed at No10.
The Goal Rich List is collated by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers. 
Only current professionals are eligible with the earnings of more than 200 contenders assessed before Goal’s experts finalised on their selection. 
Commenting on the announcement of the Goal Rich List 2015, Graham Shaw, Editorial Director of Goal.com, said; “Ronaldo and Messi are the two best footballers in the world currently and their fortunes now put them up with the top names in cinema and music. These levels are entirely warranted because these players are global entertainers.

“This year’s comprehensive list will again provide real talking points for Goal’s userbase of football followers worldwide.”
Goal Rich List 2015 – Top 20 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – €210m  
2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – €200m  
3. The Neymar family (Barcelona) – €135m  
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) – €105m  
5. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – €103m  
6. Kaka (Orlando City) – €96m  
7. Samuel Eto’o (Sampdoria) – €87m  
8. Raul (New York Cosmos) – €85m  
9. Ronaldinho (Queretaro) – €83m  
10. Frank Lampard (Manchester City) – €80m 
11. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern) – €75m  
12. Rio Ferdinand (QPR) – €72m  
13. Gigi Buffon (Juventus) – €68m   
14. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) – €64m  
15. Yaya Toure (Manchester City) – €62m 
16. Franck Ribery (Bayern) – €61m 
17. Francesco Totti (Roma) – €60m 
18. Gerard Pique (Barcelona) – €58m  
19. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – €58m 
20. John Terry (Chelsea) – €56m

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Entertainment

FIFA to introduce TV monitor that'll allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions

I hope it doesn’t stop few months after it is introduced trust me cos whether the referees are right or wrong coaches would always challenge their decisions. Goal.com reports that FIFA President, Sepp Blatter is planning to introduce a TV monitor that will allow managers to challenge refereeing decisions.

“The next step I will propose to the international board is to try to bring this so-called ‘call’ that the coaches or team managers have the right in a half, twice or once, to challenge a refereeing decision but only when the game is stopped. Then there must be a television monitor [provided] by the television company, then the referee and coach look at it and the referee may then change his mind as is the case in tennis for instance.” Blatter said at the 2014 Soccerex convention in Manchester, England.

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Entertainment

Brazil 2014: Inside Nigeria's base camp (Photos)

What often comes to mind when the phrase ‘base camp’ is mentioned is usually an old barrack building. Far From it. For the forthcoming tournament which will start in Brazil by June 12, 2014, our dear Super Eagles will be practising and preparing for their matches in a well-appointed hotel in Brazil.
According to Goal.com Nigeria, the hotel Vitoria Hotel Concept, Campinas a 19-floor edifice with 253 rooms was chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation. It also boasts of a spa, a hydrotherapy room, a swimming pool, a heliport, fully fitted gym, four restaurants, shopping centres, bakeries to mention a few. They will also be training at the 40,988 capacity Estadio Brinco de Ouro de Princesa stadium located in the heart of the city of Campinas.
Barbara Porto, the hotel’s General Manager told Goal.com, “We are very prepared to host the Nigerian delegation. We have three more hotels in the Vitoria chain and we have been in this market for 15 years. Last year we hosted the USA, Russia, Brazil and Poland volleyball teams for two weeks and everything was alright (food, room, events, breakfast). We are training our employees to give the best service and teaching almost all of them to speak English. I think we are not going to have any problem with the Nigerian delegation.”
Credit: Goal.com Nigeria
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Entertainment

World's richest players: Cristiano Ronaldo stays ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o

Real Madrid Forward, Cristiano Ronaldo stays ahead of his Barcelona nemesis, Lionel Messi and Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o on goal.com‘s list of top ten richest players in the world. The Portuguese who has been extremely magical for his club side this season has an estimated fortune of £122m. Goal.com took into account their salaries, length of contract, bonuses, business interests, endorsement and sponsorship deals, property and all other avenues.
Top Ten
1) Cristiano Ronaldo- £122m (Portugal/Real Madrid)
(2) Lionel Messi – £120.5 (Argentina/Barcelona
(3) Samuel Eto’o – £70 (Cameroon/Chelsea)
(4) Wayne Rooney- £69 (England/ Manchester United)
(5). Kaka: £67.5m (Brazil/ AC Milan)
(6) Neymar: £66m ( Brazil/ Barcelona)
(7) Ronaldinho: £64m (Brazil/ Atletico Mineiro)
(8) Zlatan Ibrahimovic: £57m (Sweden/PSG)
(9) Gianluigi Buffon: £52m (Italy/Juventus)
(10) Thierry Henry: £47m (France/New York Red Bulls)
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Entertainment

PHOTOS FROM THE LAUNCH OF GOAL.COM NIGERIA

The world's biggest and most popular football website Goal.com launched its Nigeria edition at the Oriental hotel, Lagos on Friday 30th March.

Present at the occasion were Chief Editor, Goal.com Nigeria, Ololade Adewuyi, Dan Price, Business Development Manager Perform, Deacon Ayo Ositelu, Editorial Board member The Guardian, Daryn Wober, Managing Director Global Business Development Perform, Tokunbo Adodo, Marketing Manager Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Nigeria Breweries, Ita Bassey, Senior Brand Manager Gulder, and Olayiwola Onafowokan, Head of Value Added Service, Etisalat Nigeria.

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