JUST IN: Embattled Blessing Okagbare’s Ban Extended

Published

1 year ago

June 28, 2022

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JUST IN: Embattled Blessing Okagbare’s Ban Extended—The Athletics Integrity Unit has extended the ban on Nigeria’s 2008 long jump silver medalist Blessing Okagbare to 11 years.

In February 2022, a 10-year-ban was handed down to Okagbare by the body after she was found guilty of doping.

In a document released on Monday, June 27, the AIU added one additional year to Okagbare’s ban after she allegedly failed to respond to the charges by the extended deadline -June 21, 2022.

According to the document, the 33-year-old athlete is meant to have admitted the anti-doping rule violations (under Rule 2.3 and Rule 2.5 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules) and to have accepted the consequences.

The 33-year-old, who is also a sprinter, was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year before the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19.

In February 2022, the Disciplinary Tribunal banned Okagbare for 10 years, consecutive five-year bans for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances, and for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.

The prohibited substances she tested positive for were human Growth Hormone (hGH) and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO).

The decision stemmed from charges that the AIU brought against Okagbare on October 7, 2021.

On June 10, 2022, the AIU further charged Okagbare with Evading Sample Collection, and Tampering or Attempted Tampering with the Doping Control process.

The charges related to the circumstances of the athlete’s whereabouts failure on June 13, 2021, and were pursued based on information in a criminal charge, brought against US-based “naturopathic” therapist Eric Lira, on 12 January, 2022, by the United States Department of Justice under the Rodchenkov Act.

Lira was alleged to have supplied performance-enhancing drugs to athletes before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (delayed until summer 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Part of the document read

“On the basis that the Athlete is deemed to have admitted the anti-doping rule violations under Rule 2.3 ADR and Rule 2.5 ADR and accepted the consequences set out in the Second Charge, the AIU confirms by this decision the following consequences for the anti-doping rule violations: an increase of one (1) year to the period of Ineligibility of five (5) years already imposed upon the Athlete by the Tribunal in the Decision in accordance with Rule 10.4 ADR.

Disqualification of the Athlete’s results since 13 June 2021, with all resulting Consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points prizes and appearance money; and
40.3. disqualification of the results of any relay team in which the Athlete competed since 13 June 2021 in accordance with Rule 11.3.1 ADR.

This decision constitutes the final decision of the AIU pursuant to Rule 8.5.6 ADR.

Further to Rule 13.2.3 ADR, the Athlete, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) and the Nigerian National Anti-Doping Committee have a right of appeal against this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, in accordance with the procedure set out at Rule 13.6.1 ADR.”

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JUST IN: Wonderland Lagos Announces #Tingo Mobile As Headline Sponsor

Published

12 months ago

December 9, 2022

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JUST IN: Wonderland Lagos Announces #Tingo Mobile As Headline Sponsor—Wonderland Lagos, the one stop holiday experience for family and friends, is delighted to announce Tingo Mobile as the headline sponsor for its maiden edition of the project.

Tingo Mobile, an all-in-one financial solution application aimed at addressing business challenges
for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises came onboard to provide all necessary payment
solutions needed at Wonderland Lagos scheduled to take place this December in Eko Atlantic
Energy City, Lagos.

Speaking on the sponsorship, the CEO, Tingo Mobile, Dozy Mmobuosi expressed his excitement
saying, “Wonderland Lagos is an exciting and unique project, and we are more than delighted to
provide a seamless payment platform for the project.

The co-founder of Wonderland Lagos and CEO, Balmoral Group, Ezekiel Adamu, also
commented on the sponsorship saying, “Both businesses are aligned on one singular goal, which
is providing a unique experience to its guests, from the payment process to the fun activities lined
up. We are excited to have Tingo on board in achieving this goal.”

BREAKING: Wonderland Lagos Announces #Tingo Mobile As Headline Sponsor

Also commenting on the partnership, the co-founder of Wonderland Lagos and CEO, Octoplus
Marketing Group, Vincent Emokpaire commended the partnership between both parties as they
look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship on the project.

Wonderland Lagos will feature various activities across its four villages; World Class Football
(Qatar 2022 viewing) at Qatar Live in Wonderland Lagos, Family Entertainment (+100 unique
attractions) and Kiddies’ Wonderland (+20 side attractions) in Christmas in Wonderland; back-toback Music and Concerts (+50 A-list performers) at the ‘Wonder X’.

BREAKING: Wonderland Lagos Announces #Tingo Mobile As Headline Sponsor

Nickelodeon in Wonderland is set to delight kids and their families with memorable shows from
their favourite characters from 17 to 23 December. It promises to be one-week of excitement and
unlimited fun as Nickelodeon seeks to make Lagos a more playful place during the festive season.
Wonder X will feature appearances from Nigerian and global music talents such as Olamide,
PSquare, DaBaby, SeyiVibes and more.

For all the juicy details on how you can be part of the excitement this festive season at Wonderland
Lagos, be sure to like, follow and connect with @wonderlandlagos, @tingoincgroup on social media

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Bet9ja League: Produce Future Players For Sunshine Stars, Ondo Deputy Gov

Published

1 year ago

July 3, 2022

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Bet9ja League: Produce Future Players For Sunshine Stars, Ondo Deputy Gov charges organisers—Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the State Football Association to ensure that Bet9ja Ondo State Football League produce future champions and players for clubs, especially for Sunshine Stars.

The deputy governor said this at the official unveiling and launch of the football league on Sunday in Akure.

Ayedatiwa, who was represented by the General Manager, Ondo State Football Agency(ODSFA), Mr Akin Akinbobola, commended the state football association for re-awakening the state league which had been docile.

He noted that the league would encourage football activities across the 18 local government areas and identify talents for national and international engagements.

“This is laudable; this is the beginning of grassroots league. I commend the state FA for the noble and laudable initiative which would afford the talents abound in the state to showcase themselves.

“Competitions have been organised in the state before now, but I must say this Bet9ja competition is novel, well structured, I pray for the success of the Bet9ja competition.

“Our government will continue to support any initiative driven towards development of our youths at the grassroots,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa called on well to do individuals to invest more in the development of football in the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Ondo State Football Association, Otunba Dele Ajayi, said the state football league would provide a pool of talents for clubs in the state to tap from.

Ajayi, who noted that scouts would be brought for the competition, appreciated Bet9ja for coming to the aid of the association in terms of development of grassroots football.

“The committee needs your cooperation. We were voted in last year and all our programmes have been successful and I appreciate my board members for the support and cooperation,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Bet9ja Ondo State Football League, Mr Yomi Seriki, said the committee had concluded a statewide tour to sensitise stakeholders about the league.

“Registration will be for a period of two weeks and we envisage nothing less than 80 football teams at the grassroots, across the state, to register for the inaugural league.

“After registration, the teams will be divided into groups and then the league will commence.

“At the end of the first stage, the winner and the runner up from each group will converge in Akure for the grand finale; it is from the engagement between the teams that the state champion will finally emerge.

“The league will be run and managed according to the statutes of FIFA through the Nigerian Football Federation and we have obligations to our title sponsors, Bet9ja, the foremost sports betting company in Nigeria, and we will fulfill all our commitments to them in words and in spirit,” he said.

The Chairman, Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Youths and Sports Development, Olugbenga Omole assured the FA of budgetary allocation to fund the association for excellence

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