Busquets Trains Barca Academy Coaches in Nigeria
In terms of robust wealth of talents in Nigeria he said, “Nigeria to me, is indeed a classic group of her own, standing like a giant that she is when it has to do with natural endowed resources in sports especially football, which is the core subject of our interest, the talents is enormous and the energy is vast, a rare find. Nigeria is a great country she proved that a few days ago with Anthony Joshua’s victory in World boxing.”Busquets also stated that his visit to Nigeria availed him with the opportunity to see the Barca Academy Group Nigeria facilities in Teslim Balogun Stadium, Children International School, and Corona all in Lagos.He commended the promoters for their focus and zeal to keep improving on the Academy’s high standard to lead on in this clime.In his response, Technical Director, Barca Academy Group Nigeria, Jorge Couto, who spoke on behalf of the participants expressed his satisfaction in the rigorous training that spanned all the departments of the game of football including goalkeeping.“It was an awesome privilege and opportunity very well embraced by all of us. We have learned more and new things which would be passed onto our children in the Academy,” he said.Standing in for the Chairman, Blaugrana Sports Group International Leslie Oghomienor, Marketing and Corporate Communication Specialist, Ayeesha Ibrahim, revealed that the group was poised at doing everything legally and humanly possible which is globally acceptable to be in the forefront of driving sustainable youth developing using sports as a viable platform.“Thus, we must do value-adding uncommon things that will put us on top in real and truth, we must not glory at our achievements, rather, work more harder and smarter in order to achieve our objectives and live our vision in the shortest time span. This is our prayer.“We are not just here to be part of humanity but with selfless commitment and passion, driven by strong, but positive emotion, strive to add great value of enormous worth for the good of humanity and the betterment of our teeming youth population in Nigeria. To succeed we must engage in uncommon approaches in doing things and well planned continuous training of the Group’s capacity is key…” she stressed.Busquets will also visit and discuss with top industry key players to seek ways for possible collaboration to better the workings of the sport in Nigeria.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram In line with the vision and methodology of the global Football giant FC Barcelona and to maintain their lead and strength in the standards so far achieved, Blaugrana Sports Group International promoters of Barca Academy in Nigeria, was honoured by the visit of Pau Casassa Busquets, Technical Coordinator of the Academies in Europe, Middle East and Africa, last weekend, in Lagos, to help sharpen the knowledge and skills of the technical crew, Barca Academy Group Nigeria and the Coaching Team of FC Bulmaro.His visit to Nigeria is basically to further train both the local and foreign coaches of the academy and others such as the coaching crew of the young FC Bulmaro and a few other private individuals who were selected based on their selfless contributions to the development of football, especially at the grass-roots level in Nigeria.Busquets said that he was highly amazed and elated to see individuals who are strongly driven by their inner strength with great passion to selflessly contribute to the building and growing of global giant football Institution in Nigeria, which he has discovered to be a role model not only in Nigeria but in the entire Sub-Sahara Africa.He added that throughout his tour of duty to various countries of the world, he had never seen people so warm, caring, friendly and hospitable as Nigerians compared to the reportage and perception of people who had not been here.
Though it spent last year actively seeking out student members, Campus and Community United has been a little quieter this semester — but only in hopes of making a greater impact by focusing on six main goals.CCU is a student group attempting to promote and preserve the interests of USC’s neighboring community, particularly as the university looks to expand and develop the University Park Campus. Last year, the group focused on generally helping the community, but this year it has developed a more strategic plan.Helping hand· Juniors Toby Eversole and Andrey Artamonov use the services of L.A. Bicycles, a local business CCU is attempting to assist. – Geo Tu | Daily TrojanJennifer Yee, alumni and parent coordinator for CCU, said she was excited about the group’s new focus.“Previously, we concentrated a lot on outreach around a general act of principles. Right now we are realizing that it is more important to have a core group of people who are dedicated than 50 people coming in and out of the club,” said Yee, a junior majoring in comparative literature.This year, CCU is focusing on a six-point plan that Yee said the group members feel will be more effective.“Last year, we focused a lot on outreach around a general set of principles and ideals. Now we have made six concrete campaigns and now we’re deciding which of the campaigns will be the most feasible and have the most impact,” Yee said.The six goals CCU plans to explore include getting students involved in USC’s Master Plan, creating a neighborhood opportunity center to foster a pipeline for economic opportunity and making more affordable transit.With its new approach, CCU is hoping to work directly with community partners, said Daniel Wu, the group’s faculty and projects coordinator.“The purpose of CCU is to promote neighborhood opportunity, and this year we are really hoping to expand on our coalition and develop relations with partners in order to put movement towards our goals,” Wu, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies, said.Rachel Zolensky, a new member, said she liked the six-point plan the previous group members have come up with as a new focus for this year.“I like how each goal addresses specific issues and also addresses how USC fits into each of those specific issues,” said Zolensky, a sophomore majoring in sociology.Though the club has picked the issues it wants to focus on, it has not yet developed concrete methods for attacking these problems. They do know, however, they want support from the university community.“We are really trying to build off of USC’s tradition of service for the community. [President Stephen B. Sample] stresses the importance of housing and jobs for USC’s surrounding neighbors and so does CCU,” Wu said.Wu said the club is striving to get undergraduates, graduates and staff to rethink the way they see cities and neighborhoods.Currently, members like Yee, Zolensky and Wu are appealing to the USC administration to retain the small-town feel of the University Village, rather than bringing in large businesses like those seen at the Grove and Beverly Center.“We don’t need a mini-Grove. One of our main goals would be to survey people and get the administration to realize that there’s an appreciation for local small businesses and the USC flavor,” Yee said.
Kristiana Ferguson had always played on attack. But before the 2015 season, Ferguson and her coaches jokingly discussed the idea of a switch.Syracuse only had one goalie in the fall and practices would take longer because of it, Ferguson said. At first, having her take some of the shots so starting goalie Kelsey Richardson could get a rest was only a somewhat serious suggestion.“Having one goalie take all the shots is kind of brutal,” Ferguson said.But that suggestion became reality, and before the season, Ferguson got to test out her new position. Against the United States national team on Jan. 17, Ferguson was able to face some of the nation’s best attacks. She performed well, associate head coach Regy Thorpe said. For the Orange, the No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, this year, she allowed two goals in her lone chance in net against Canisius on Feb. 7.“She went down and stepped in and played against the U.S. for a half and did an outstanding job,” Thorpe said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”AdvertisementThis is placeholder textFerguson, now a senior, had played attack for two years prior, but couldn’t establish a consistent role because there were so many other attacks on the bench. She said she wanted to help the team however she could, and with a void at the goalie position, she decided to make the switch.Ferguson has hit her ups and downs though, since she is still learning the position.“I’ll get really frustrated because I know I should be doing something but I can’t really figure it out,” she said.Despite the learning curve, Thorpe said she’s progressing well, noting she has great hands, good size and is really quick.While it’s been both trying and rewarding, Ferguson said she enjoys goalkeeping, acknowledging that it’s very much different from attack.“Instead of scoring goals,” Ferguson said, “you’re trying to stop them, so that was a little weird.”She said switching from an attack mindset to the complete opposite of trying to prevent goals has been as difficult as any of the physical demands.Kristen McGuinness, Ferguson’s Niagara Wheatfield (New York) High School coach, emphasized that her stick-handling ability was the best on the team.Ferguson played attack in high school and scored 14 goals for Niagara Wheatfield in the 2009-10 season.McGuinness said she wasn’t surprised to learn that Ferguson was moving to goalie, though. Ferguson is athletic, strong and an all-around lacrosse player, she said. In addition to her on-the-field talent, McGuinness commended her leadership, noting that she was a captain in 2009.At SU, Ferguson credits Richardson with helping teach her the ins and outs of the position. Thorpe said that with Richardson being a senior, her experience and leadership is valuable knowledge for other, younger goalies, including Ferguson.Playing time for Ferguson remains limited, though.Thorpe said he thinks it’s important to get the other goalies, including Ferguson, some playing time in order to prepare for next season.“Obviously Kelsey’s a senior, it’s her position there, but if there’s opportunities to get her in there, we’re going to get her in there,” Thorpe said. “… She’s filling a void for the team so she’s doing whatever we ask of her, and that’s all you can ask.” Comments Published on May 4, 2015 at 6:14 pm Contact Danny: dmantoot@syr.edu Facebook Twitter Google+
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed that seven countries have submitted bids to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.They are: Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe.Nominations were opened on 23 August, following the withdrawal of the original host, Libya, with the deadline for bids set as 30 September.The host country will be decided by the CAF Executive Committee during one of its sessions in 2015.CAF said that due to the limited time frame for the organisation of the finals, the executive committee will focus on the host with acceptable infrastructure and facilities required – stadia, training grounds, accommodation, communications – in making a decision.Of those bidding, Kenya and Zimbabwe have not hosted tournaments before, though both have had winning bids. South Africa replaced Kenya as 1996 hosts after the east African nation fell behind in its preparations while Nigeria and Ghana co-hosted in place of Zimbabwe in 2000 due to a lack of funding.Algeria (1990), Egypt (1974, 1986 and 2006), Gabon (co-hosts in 2012), Ghana (1963, 1978 and 2008, co-hosts in 2000) and Sudan (the inaugural event in 1957 and 1970) have all hosted before.Libya were stripped of the right to host the continent’s showpiece tournament in August as ongoing fighting in the country delayed plans to build new stadia for the 16-team finals.The North African nation was originally scheduled to hold the Nations Cup in 2013 but, because of the unrest, swapped with 2017 host South Africa.Morocco will host next year’s finals, with final group qualifying underway. In September, CAF awarded Cameroon the 2019 finals and Ivory Coast the 2021 edition, while Guinea was handed the right to host the 2023 edition.
DES MOINES — A special investigation by the state auditor’s office has concluded an employee in the Iowa Department of Human Services filed more than $10,000 worth of improper or unsupported travel claims.Social worker Bobi Miller worked out of the agency’s office in Dallas County. Auditors reviewed the travel claims and work records she submitted over a nearly three year period. The auditor’s report concludes Miller claimed excess mileage for some destinations, didn’t have supporting records for other trips and had claimed reimbursement for work-related travel on days she was out sick or on vacation.Last April, Miller asked the agency’s director to pay her more than was allowed annually for travel. That sparked an internal review of her travel claims. Miller was placed on administrative leave last May. She resigned from her job last summer.Copies of the state auditor’s report have been filed with Des Moines Police and the Polk County attorney as well as the state attorney general and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
BILL NEAL :09 All I can say to you Gateway Gator haters is you can stop talking bad about the coaching staff (all 42 of them). All they keep doing is winning.They’ve won two WPIAL titles and are now in search of a state title after taking Seneca Valley apart at the shoelaces 68-44. Shut-up…just shut-up!!! That means me too!:08 Speaking of the Gateway game, and I was. (You now see how this thing works huh?) While at the Gator game we kinda missed a goodie over at Peabody High. Allderdice, led by Justin Dobbs and Ben Mickens, two of the top seniors in the city, lost a close one to Shaler 57-51. Penn State recruit and family name legend Geno Thorpe led the way for Shaler with 20 points.:07 Grown folks I am proud of y’all. You’re showing up real strong in support of your High School Ballers. Keep up the good work. And when it’s all over take them out to dinner.:06 A huge congratulations to Godwin Nyama of Brashear. He becomes the first City League wrestler ever, ever, ever to win a State Title…ever, ever!!!:05 Don’t look now but there’s a possibility that as the Penguins enter the Stanley Cup playoffs they could have centers Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Captain Sidney Crosby all healthy at the same time! What? Don’t ask me how I know, I just know. Ok, ok, I got it out of the Trib, but it still might happen.:04 First the “Heat” now the Celtics. Just line-em-up baby. My L.A. Lakers are knocking them down and “The Black Momba” is taking no prisoners. I tried to tell you but you didn’t want to hear it. Kobe’s leading the league in scoring and he’s like 50 or something…C’mon Man!! But I still need to know who’s wife Lamar Odom got caught with to get him sent packin’…you don’t just get rid of the best sixth man in the league and get nothing in return for no reason…that’s double C’mon-C’mon Man!!:03 If the Denver Broncos sign Peyton Manning it would be the biggest insult to a player…“Tee-bow”…since, well since Lamar Odom got sent packin! (Hey, he might have been with Phil Jackson’s woman. That will get you on a bus quick, fast and in a hurry!):02 Keep hope alive! The pressure is still on to get the pants up. Don’t do it for me. For that matter don’t do it for yourself. Do it for your son. Help him understand the meaning of what a real man is. And the importance of Black pride, dignity and respect.:01 “At The Buzzer”We’ve got 12 teams for “The Volley with the Stars” Volleyball Tournament and we’ve got room for 4 more. Call 412-628-4856 to sign your team up. 12 person teams, 6 men, 6 women, one 16 & under, one 55 and older, $100 per team, 1st & 2nd place trophies.“The Champions” 37th Annual High School All-Starr Basketball Classic is set and coming at ya Saturday, April 28. All seniors wanting to play should call in ASAP at 412-628-4856. SENIORS…IT’S YOUR TIME!!!First Friday Old School Par-Tay is right around the corner Friday, April 6 at JT’s Joint at The Club in Monroeville—Starring National Recording Stars Artistree…You know the rest!~ Double Overtime ~:00 Here’s your movie review plain and simple. Act of Valor…Four basketballs, and I never give four basketballs. Now run, don’t walk, run and see it. It’s not for the faint of heart but man it brings it!!!~ Game Over ~ :10 Well she told me not to tell it but you know I am gonna tell it… and the second she said don’t you dare tell it…she knew I was gonna tell it! But I am not gonna tell it all. So to the lovely lady standing in the middle of the floor at The Savoy on Friday night thanks for the compliments on my column and you’re now in “The Locker Room” unnamed as requested but you know who you are…don’t ya!! 
Latest transfer newsLive Blogblues newsChelsea news LIVE – Latest updates from Stamford BridgeLive Blogunited newsMan Utd news LIVE – Latest updates from Old TraffordLive BlogGunners newsArsenal news LIVE – Latest updates from the EmiratesGossipGOING DUTCHChelsea ‘to grab Mbuyamba on free deal’ with defender set to leave BarcelonaDEPAY CHARTMan Utd flop Memphis used computer data and analytics to quit Old TraffordLive BlogBLUES NEWSChelsea news LIVE: Latest updates and transfer gossip from Stamford BridgeGossipFIT IN HIS BELEArsenal turn attention to Lyon striker Dembele as Lacazette replacementGossipGUNNER MAKE A MOVEArsenal weighing up transfer move for Barcelona star RafinhaHe has managed just one goal and one assist so far this term in a flailing Tottenham side desperately struggling.Real Madrid is the most likely destination as Daniel Levy looks on course to accept a reduced transfer fee, rather than lose Eriksen for free in the summer.But reports over the weekend suggested Juventus were considering making a swoop and could offer new signing Adrien Rabiot as part of the deal.ACCA WITH LADBROKES Pick up a whole load of acca features to help you land the big one4 Christian Eriksen is out of contract at White Hart Lane next summer and is a transfer target for Real MadridCredit: Reuters4Man Utd target Bruno Fernandes smashes two dressing room doors in furious rage after being sent off for Sporting Lisbon TOTTENHAM are reportedly ready to make an approach for £65million-rated Bruno Fernandes in January to replace Christian Eriksen.Spurs eyed a move for the midfielder in the summer but could not agree a deal with Sporting Lisbon.4 Christian Eriksen’s stats since the beginning of last season are significantly inferior to Bruno Fernandes’4 Tottenham are preparing a fresh approach to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno FernandesCredit: AFP or licensorsFernandes claimed it was all done from his side but his club blocked the transfer going through.Sporting said they rejected a £40m bid plus £18m for “goals that were to win the Premier League and Champions League”.Tottenham ended up bringing in Giovanni Lo Celso on an initial loan from Real Betis but injuries have blighted his season so far.But now according to A Bola, the North Londoners are preparing another attempt to sign the Portuguese star.Sporting are understood to want around £65m for their 25-year-old captain.He has already notched up seven goals and five assists in just ten appearances for his club side – including four strikes in his last four games.Fernandes was also wanted by Manchester United and drew comparisons to Frank Lampard after scoring 32 goals and adding 18 assists from midfield last season.The only blot on his copybook so far this season is the red card he received in the 1-1 draw with Boavista, reportedly smashing two doors as he raged following his dismissal late on.But Spurs are seemingly undeterred and are set to make a move in the New Year, when they also expect to lose Eriksen.The Danish star, 27, is out of contract at the end of the season and has publicly declared he wants a new challenge.Five stars could save Spurs’ horror season, including Dybala and FernandesTOTTENHAM had a very shaky start to the season.Then it got even worse when they crashed out of the League Cup to Colchester United and were crushed 7-2 by Bayern Munich.And then they went and lost 3-0 away at Brighton to pile the misery – and pressure – on Mauricio Pochettino.So SunSport looked at five players Spurs could try and sign in January to turn the mess around…READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):Four Caribbean member federations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) are supporting calls for reforms to the governing body of athletics.Member Federations from Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and the United States Virgin Islands have submitted proposals to make changes to the constitution of the IAAF at its Congress in Beijing, China this month.They are supporting Dr Amadeo Francis, a former president of North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association. The Puerto Rican native was also a vice-president of the IAAF.Among the reforms proposed are changes to the constitution to include limiting future elected IAAF presidents to three consecutive terms (12 years); provide that candidates for Council must be under 70 years of age as of the year of their election and also provide for one of the four elected vice-presidents to be a female.The member federations, who are supported by Nicaragua and Hungary, also proposed a new system for conducting the election process for members and officers of the Council and Committees.”It was quite an effort to get the leaders of the federations that have individually submitted the proposed amendments to the Constitution to comprehend and assume a proactive position on these reform items which I hope will continue when, as sponsors of the legislation, they are perforce entitled to speak on behalf of each of their amendments,” said Francis.”These amendments are not unique; rather, they were first introduced by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 when, faced with a major crisis as to the transparency and credibility of that body, the members under the leadership of Juan Antonio Samaranch established that the tenure of newly elected members would terminate in the year in which they reached their 70th birthday, and limited the tenure of the elected president to 12 years.”He said that it’s also right that the IAAF should assure that there is at least one representative of the female community in its critical day-to-day decision-making body.
Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson In men’s semifinals, Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev booked a spot in the final by upsetting fourth-seeded Fabio Fognini of Italy 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.Medvedev will meet Australian teenager Alex de Minaur or Benoit Paire of France.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ LATEST STORIES Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours View comments Meralco ‘never the same’ after Almazan injury in PBA Finals Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina
She will face Ashleigh Barty, who beat Australian compatriot Daria Gavrilova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the other semifinal.In a match that included 11 breaks of serve, Barty needed just one in the third set.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk“It’s nice getting a bit of confidence going into our biggest tournament for us,” Barty said of next week’s Australian Open.Gavrilova’s frustration with her serving were evident in the ninth game of the set when, soon after leveling at 4-4, she double-faulted twice and received a code violation for smashing her racket. Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Brian Heruela arrival bolsters Phoenix backcourt, defense Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates her win over Camila Giorgi of Italy in their women’s semifinal singles match at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)SYDNEY — Angelique Kerber won her eighth consecutive match of the new season, coming from 3-1 down in the final set to beat qualifier Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3 to reach the Sydney International final on Friday.Kerber, a former No. 1 and the 2016 Australian Open champion, won all four singles at the Hopman Cup and now all four in Sydney en route to the final.ADVERTISEMENT Scottie Thompson also worthy of Finals MVP, thinks Cone Saudi women to enter stadiums for first time to watch football Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award
A letter addressed to the Senate Pro Tempore, Gbehzohngar Findley, and his colleagues has raised alarm over US$1.75 million that has allegedly gone unaccounted for from the 2011/2012 national budget.Written by Senator George T. Tengbeh, Junior Senator of Lofa County, the communication asked for a full investigation into what he termed the “misappropriation” of US$1,750,320.The amount was said to have been set aside for car washing under a “Fleet Management Policy”; but according to Senator Tengbeh, thanks to an investigation, “no carwash in the Republic of Liberia has received said amount.”Senator Tengbeh’s letter read: “During the recess period, lots of issues were identified which claimed our attention. One of these issues is the alleged “misappropriation” of US$1,750,320 of the 2011/2012 budget that was said to have been given for car washing under the Fleet Management Policy. Our investigation revealed that no car wash in this country received such an amount.”He concluded: “In view of the above, distinguished colleagues, we request a full investigation into the matter to determine the whereabouts of this amount.”In reaction, Senator Isaac Nyenabo of Grand Gedeh intervened to point out that the organ that deals with misappropriations in the Chamber is the Public Accounts Committee:“…in [the] case of misapplication of items, the Ways, Means and Finance Committee comes [in]to play for inquiry and investigation. This communication talks about misappropriation; and the constitutional committee [concerned] is the Public Accounts Committee,” Nyenabo explained.The Grand Gedeh County Senior Senator then suggested that plenary dispatch the letter to the right committee.But in their reaction, some members of that august body observed that the name given the communication was incorrect; that instead of “misappropriation”, which would require reference to the Public Accounts Committee, the Senator should have used the word “misapplied.”The Senate, at only its second day sitting, refused to act on the communication from Senator Tengbeh until it was rewritten and re-phrased.Amid the controversy, the presiding officer of Thursday’s plenary, President of the Senate and Vice President of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai, decided to end the debate. Describing Tengbeh’s communication as a serious matter, Boakai called for contact with the author of the letter.Following a few minutes of dialogue with VP Boakai, Senator Tengbeh agreed with his colleagues that the word “misappropriation” should be replaced with “misapplied.”Given the final decision, presiding officer Boakai ordered the communication withdrawn and rewritten to address the actual intent. That decision was unanimously agreed to.The verbage of the communication has now been downgraded to “misapplication” with the consent of the author.(Editor’s Note: This story has been edited from its original version to include the necessary corrections. We thank our readers for their observations.)Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)