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Segun David Set To Rekindle The Culture And Passion For Grassroot Sports Development In Surulere LGA

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Segun David Set To Rekindle The Culture And Passion For Grassroot Sports Development Surulere LGA—In this interview, Segun David, the Senior Special Assistant on Sport to the Executive Chairman, Surulere Local Government spoke about various issues concerning sports development in Surulere Local Government Area and the untapped sports industry.

He also shared plans to help unearth talents in the Surelere Local Government Area.

Excerpts…

What is your vision for sports in Surulere?

My vision is to give fresh ideas, propose and promote road maps for sport development, evaluation, management and improvement in Surulere Local Government. Push good initiatives to bring back the good old times and divert children, youths and communities attention from social vices and moral decadence. Reigniting a seemingly lost zeal for community and internalized sports competition in the famed sport city. Rediscovering local sport talents at a young age regardless of gender or disabilities. To encourage peace, unity and an enabling environment for ease of commerce through sport in Surulere Local Government and beyond.

Surulere Local Government Area is regarded as the hub of sports in Nigeria due to the fact that it has two major stadiums. But in recent times, not much has been heard about sporting activities in Surulere. What plans do you have to change this?

My plan is to rekindle the culture and passion for sport at the grassroot level. This can be done by improving on past sporting activities by creating the right atmosphere for sport development in our communities at various levels. Identifying potential locations or facilities. Promote and encourage diverse range of sports. Recruit and partner with qualified coaches and trainers who can impart techniques and guidance to the participants. Also, with my experience working as a Regional Scout with Sport Management Consultancy Limited, a UK Based Company, it becomes very easy for me to discover talents with the LGA.

Encourage participation of both genders, all ages and individuals with disabilities. Seek partnerships with local businesses, organizations and government agencies for financial and logistical support.

Sports is a major tool for youths’ development and empowerment. How do you intend to harness the potentials of the youths in the area through sporting activities?

Yes, we have a project called ‘LERE FUNATHON’ coming soon. It is a 10km road race and funfair event (combination of sport and entertainment). Another one is the ‘CHAIRMAN’S CUP’. This is going to be a football competition for only private and government primary schools in Surulere. We will be having local board games for artisans coming up to encourage traditional sports and to promote local culture. Surulere Sport Festival will be coming later in the year. Periodical fitness walk or exercise with Chairman, community and Surulere workers amongst others. Tournament and clinic for children, teenagers and youths of different categories.

The focus oftentimes has been on football. What other sports will you be giving attention to?

We will be giving attention to Basketball, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Athletics, Rugby, Board Games etcetera.

You seem to be passionate about sports. Do you have a plan of hosting a major sports competition in Surulere?

Definitely….

What kind of support do you have from the LG chairman as regards sports development in Surulere?

Listening ear and close attention to progressive ideas. His passion and commitments for sport is second to none and very encouraging. His open-door policy for access and operations. Quick response to work and solution to challenges.
Collaborating with private entities, Reaching out to other security and government agencies. Health and safety awareness and consciousness.

Apart from the Teslim Balogun and the National Stadium which belong to the State and Federal Government respectively, are there other recreational centres for sporting activities in the LGA?

Yes we have:
Femi Gbajabiamila Sport Complex, Sam Shonibare.
Paddington Football Field
Obele Oniwala Footbal Field
Razaq Balogun Football Field
Love Garden Football Field
Abalti Barracks Football Field
Small London Football Field

Sports Enthusiasts are of the opinion that one of the major impediments to sports development is a lack of adequate sports facilities and maintenance, especially in rural and sub-urban areas where raw talents abound. What plans do you have to address this?

I can proudly tell you that the worry about lack of adequate sport facilities in Surulere is gradually becoming a challenge of the past due to recent renovations and constructions of sport centers being facilitated by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilla and Hon. Suleiman Bamidele Yusuf. Apart from asking for more and identifying suitable locations and ensuring proper sport facilities and equipment are available for various sport activities, I believe we will focus and deal more on maintenance of the existing facilities.

Do you have any structure in place for discovering budding talents in Surulere LGA?

We will be going into partnership with reputable organizations that can help manage, market, promote and develop talents and sport activities in and outside Surulere. Hub in discovering and nurturing raw and refined talents.

So far, what is your assessment of sports development in Surulere?

Assessment of sport for us are in parts. In terms of infrastructure, so much has been done and put in place by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the Executive Chairman, Hon. Suleiman Bamidele Yusuf. We’ve had very few activities because most facilities were being given facelifts all over Surulere. Right now most infracstructural projects are done and have been handed over to the CDA’s for operations and maintenance. Evaluation and planning of sport projects are going on so we can have structured sporting programs or legacies that can outlive us.

However, we believe there is a lot to be done. This is why we are opening our arms to private organizations, ex-internationals especially sons and daughters of Surulere, government agencies, community leaders, individuals and stakeholders for support in all forms to drive and renew the hope of the famed sport capital of Lagos and Nigeria.

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Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided

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Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Financial Charges as Sanctions Remain Undecided—-An independent commission has reportedly ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the Premier League’s financial charges, but sanctions are yet to be decided as the club prepares to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty on 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them by the Premier League, according to reports from The Athletic and The Times, in a major development that could have significant consequences for English football.

The verdict comes more than three years after the Premier League formally charged Manchester City following a lengthy investigation into the club’s finances.

An independent commission is understood to have reached its decisions on the allegations, which cover several seasons dating back to the 2009-10 campaign. City have consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the case.

However, no sanction has yet been decided.

Reports indicate that Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings, meaning the long-running case is now moving into another stage. Sky Sports reports that the process is moving towards an appeal, while the Premier League has declined to comment because the proceedings remain private and confidential.

What Were Manchester City Accused Of?

The Premier League’s original case against City included allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period.

The charges included alleged failures to accurately report revenue, operating costs and sponsorship income, as well as allegations concerning payments made to players and managers.

The Premier League also accused City of breaches relating to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and its own Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

A separate set of allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.

The case was formally referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a Premier League investigation that lasted several years.

City Maintain Their Position

Manchester City have repeatedly rejected the allegations and continue to maintain their position that the process has not yet been completed.

Following reports of the verdict, a City spokesperson said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality. The club also reiterated its previous position from February 2023.

The Premier League has also refused to publicly confirm the reported findings.

A league spokesperson told Reuters: “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all.”

Sanctions Yet to Be Decided

Despite the reported guilty findings, Manchester City have not been punished at this stage.

The exact sanctions, if any, will depend on the next stage of the proceedings. Possible punishments discussed during the case have included financial penalties and sporting sanctions, but no specific punishment has been confirmed.

That means there is currently no confirmed points deduction, relegation, expulsion or stripping of previous titles.

Any such outcome would have to come through the formal disciplinary process and could also be affected by City’s expected appeal.

Appeal Could Extend the Case

The reported verdict is therefore not necessarily the final word on the matter.

Manchester City are expected to challenge the findings, with Sky Sports reporting that the inquiry is moving towards the appeal stage.

The original hearing lasted 12 weeks, concluding in December 2024, after which the independent commission spent considerable time considering the extensive evidence.

The case has become one of the most significant financial disputes in Premier League history, with the outcome potentially affecting the club’s sporting and financial standing.

For now, the key development is the reported 114 guilty findings from 115 charges.

But with sanctions still undecided, the verdict not publicly released by the Premier League and an appeal expected, Manchester City’s lengthy financial case is far from over.

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges—-Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged Premier League financial breaches, with sanctions yet to be determined and the club expected to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, bringing a major development to one of the longest-running financial cases in English football.

The reported verdict was delivered by an independent commission following a lengthy hearing into allegations dating back to the 2009-10 season. The Premier League originally charged City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation into the club’s financial affairs.

According to reports from The Athletic and The Times, the independent commission ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the 115 charges.

The allegations covered several areas, including claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information, failed to properly disclose payments to players and coaches, breached UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, and failed to cooperate with the league’s investigation.

Verdict Yet to Be Publicly Released

Despite the reported outcome, the Premier League has not formally published the commission’s verdict.

A Premier League spokesperson told Reuters that the matter remains confidential and the league would not comment on the reported findings. Manchester City also indicated that the process is not yet complete.

City have consistently denied wrongdoing since the charges were brought and are expected to appeal the reported findings.

The club said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

What Were Manchester City Charged With?

The 115 charges relate primarily to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, while separate allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.

Reports indicate that 54 of the charges relate to alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, while another 35 concern alleged failures to cooperate with the investigation.

Further allegations involved the reporting of player and manager compensation as well as alleged breaches of UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

The hearing before the three-person independent commission lasted around 12 weeks and concluded in December 2024. The verdict was then delayed for a prolonged period because of the complexity of the case.

Punishment Has Not Been Decided

Manchester City have not yet been handed a punishment.

The sanctions that could potentially be considered under Premier League rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual punishment will depend on the commission’s findings and the next stages of the process.

The club’s expected appeal could further prolong the case.

For now, the reported verdict represents a dramatic development in a case that has followed Manchester City for more than three years and covers a period in which the club established itself as one of the dominant forces in English football.

Manchester City maintain their position that they have acted properly and have consistently defended themselves against the allegations.

With the verdict reportedly going against the club on 114 of the 115 charges, attention will now turn to the official publication of the commission’s decision, the sanctions, and Manchester City’s expected appeal.

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