Talking Drums

The West African News Magazine

Sports

Azumah fights on July 28

Ghana's featherweight boxing king, Azumah Nelson has been billed to fight once again for the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight crown. According to a report in the Weekly Mirror by Ghana's prolific sports writer, Mr Joe Aggrey, all is set for a showdown with Puerto Rican holder Wilfredo Gomez in the champion's own backyard on July 28.

According to Mr Aggrey, Azumah is lucky indeed to have got two shots at a world title in a relatively short time as he has been given, especially in a division as busy as the 126-pounders.

"But, of course, Azumah's showing against the legendary Salvador Sanchez in his first attempt in New York's Madison Square Garden in August 1982 was so inspiring that it kept him in the top rankings and made him eligible for another title," Mr Aggrey postulated.

American aid to African athletes

The Los Angeles Olympic Organising Committee is flying 250 African athletes free to the Games venue. LAOOC chairman Peter Ueberroth, announcing the offer which he described as "a gesture of friendship" said the estimated 290,000 dollar-venture is one designed to provide substantial help to those nations that stand to be heavily burdened by the cost of sending a team.

A plane was expected to arrive in Morocco to pick up the athletes who took part in the African Athletics championships in Rabat.

Upper Volta withdraws from Games

Ouagadougou radio has reported a message to the OAU Chairman from Capt. Sankara announcing that Upper Volta was abstaining from the Olympic Games in view of the repeated violations of the Olympic Charter and UN and OAU resolutions on sporting links with South Africa. The message called on all African heads of state to condemn the "British' rugby team's tour of South Africa and not to take part "along with Great Britain" in the Olympics.

Bendel insurers forced to a draw

Bendel Insurance of Benin were forced by State Malien to a 1-1 draw in their WAFU Cup quarter final encounter.

The match, the first by the Insurers in the on-going competition for the Gnassingby Eyadema Cup was saved by substitute John Omughele whose 80th minute goal put the Insurers level with the visitors who had netted the curtain raiser in the 20th minut through wing half Seydo Daura.

Usifo sets new African record

Maria Usifo of Nigeria set a new African record of 13.42 seconds for the women' 100 metres hurdles at the African Athletics championships in Rabat, Morocco.

Usifo is a student at Texas South University and has been credited with a wind assisted 13.36 at a meeting in the United States this year. The old record of 13.49 was held by another Nigerian, Modupe Oshikoya.

Bank club set to retain title

The New Nigerian Bank Football Club of Benin walloped visiting Jangorzo FC of Niger 6-1 in the first leg, quarter finals or the WAFU Cup soccer championships played at the National Stadium.

Return of marathon

The Amateur Athletics Association of Nigeria plans to hold a national marathon race for men in August - 33 months after it held the last one.

The last marathon sponsored by African Petroleum was held in Abeokuta in November 1981 over 42 kilometres.

This year's marathon is billed for Bauchi from August 31 to September 2. Only three athletes and an official are allowed from each state.

YSFON stars join Eagles

All the 17 Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Stars players that won the Pre-Olympic soccer championship held in Los Angeles are among 38 players invited to the Flying Eagles camp in preparation for the 1985 Junior World Cup African elimination starting in September. The players were also being invited for camping for the African Youth Soccer

Championship for the Tessema Cup. The NFA meanwhile has appealed to all the state Football associations and clubs concerned to ensure that the invited players were allowed to report to camp on the specified date. The Flying Eagles will begin the defence of the Tessema Cup they won in 1983 in September

Nigeria names team

Nigeria's contingent to the 23rd Olympiad in Los Angeles, has been officially named. Among the contingent are 19 athletes two of whom are women - Maria Usifo, 100 metres hurdles and 400m hurdles, and Ifeoma Mbanugo - marathon. Seven boxers, six weightlifters and three wrestlers make up the 35-man squad.

Also on the contingent are 21 officials among who are three doctors and one physiotherapist.

The Nigerian delegation which will be led by Sports Minister Group Captain Samson Omeruah is as follows:

TRACK AND FIELD

MEN:

1. Innocent Egbunike 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 400m
2. Chidi Imo 100m, 200m
3. Sunday Uti 200m, 400m, 4 x 400m
4. Lawrence Adegbeingbe 100m, 200m, 4x 100m
5. Moses Adebanji 100m, 4 x 100m
6. Gabriel Okon 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m
7. Timothy Arinze 100m, 4 x 100m
8. Esene Ikpoto 100m, 200m, 4x 100m
9. Henry Amike 400m Hurdles, 4 x 400m
10. John Okoye 400m, 4 x 400m
11. Moses Ugbusien 400m, 4x 400m
12. Rotimi Peters 400m, 4 x 400m
13. Yusuf Alli Long Jump
14. Ajayi Agbebaku Triple Jump
15. Paul Emordi Triple Jump
16. Jububaraye Kio Long Jump, Triple Jump
17. Joseph Taiwo Triple Jump
18. Samson Oyeledun 4 x 100m
19. Isiaq Adeyanju 4× 100m

WOMEN:

1. Maria Usifo 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles
2. Ifeoma Mbanugo Marathon

BOXING:

1. Joe Orewa Bantam-weight
2. Christopher Ossai Light-weight
3. Peter Konyegwachie Feather-weight
4. Charles Nwokolo Lightwelter-weight
5. Roland Omoruyi Welter-weight
6. Jeremiah Okorodudu Middle-weight
7. Aigbonage Uabe Light-Heavy-weight

WEIGHT-LIFTING

1. Lawrence Iquaibon 60 kg
2. Patrick Bassey 67 kg
3. Emmanuel Oshomah 90 kg
4. Oliver Orok 100 kg
5. Bartholomew Oluomal 110 kg
6. Ironbar Bassey 110 kg






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