The parent body of All Nigerian Football Players Union, ANFPU has identified and recognized laudable efforts of two sports philanthropists, Honorable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantriki and Barrister Paul Edeh in youth empowerment and grassroot football development, onwardnews24.com can report.

The players’ union recognized the duo with a special awards of excellence to commend both Honorable Mailantriki and Barrister Odeh for their commitments and contributions to sports in the downtrodden.

At the award reception held in Abuja on Wednesday 31st of August, 2022, President of the Union, Abdul Sule described both men as very important individuals to football and humanity.

Sule noted that Hon. Mailantriki and Barrister Odeh who have also been appointed as Patrons of the Players’ Union at the reception are among few citizens that have shown love and care for youths both in cash and kind.

“Our award recipients are very important persons in our society. They are men who spend their hard earned resources to support the youths and they have been very successful.

“Take example of Mailantriki, he has been doing this for years, he has been spending his money on the youths for years making sure that the players welfare are taken care of, making football very much easier for them. If others are doing part of what he is doing, we will harness the great talents we have in abundance.

“Are when we talking about Barrister Paul Edeh. He has been fantastic. He is taking care of young girls who had no hope and now he has given them hope and future. He has done so much for those girls to make sure they become who they are supposed to be. The future is bright for them and their families are happy.

“We as a football players union are equally happy and that’s why we felt it right and worthy to honour these men as a source of encouragement.

“Today, some of them are playing in the national teams. He organises international games in the country for them, bring teams from other parts of the continent.

“When someone gets a pat on the back for doing something, it’s an encouragement to do more. They are doing all this without government assistance and yet they have continued to forge ahead. It’s not because they are very rich but because they have the interest of the youth at heart. It’s very amazing.”

Abdul Sule who is a retired Super Eagles player recommended that duo fors national and international recognition as their contributions to the development of grassroots football in the country cannot be overemphasized just as he assured them of the Players Union’s supports in all their programs.

Honorable Khamisu Mailantriki is the financier of Mailtantarki FC who recently won both the Dana Cup in Denmark and Norway Invitational Youth Cup. He is also known for various kind of youth empowerment in Gombe State and FCT.

Barrister Paul Odeh has a keen interest in developing girl child and has been doing that through football. It was his love to give a life and figure for girls that made him established Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers Women’s Football Team. He has seen the team excelling well in Nigerian Women’s Football Leagues.
Barrister Odeh is also the BrainBehind a prestigious preseason tournament tagged Ratels Cup that has been helpful to prepare women’s teams in Nigeria for regular campaign.

The much talked about Abdul Sule Football Academy has been launched in the football loving city of Kaduna State with the aim of getting players exposed to best practices and nurtured them for greatness.

The launching ceremony which was held at the football pitch of Adeyemo College in Kaduna on Saturday had in attendance former Nigeria internationals and top government officials.

The brain behind the academy, Abdul Sule told newsmen at the event that the idea was to encourage upcoming players and also exposed them to much opportunities abound in football business.

Sule, who played for Nigeria Super Eagles between 1991 and 1993 said the academy will be in two cadres which includes Under 13/14 categories where young footballers will have the opportunities of getting standard and basic training in football from top class coaches.

He said that the U16 and U17 cadres will be mainly players who are going to thrown into big market in football business.

The former Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens added that the academy was already attracting partnership with national and international partners.

Among those who graced the official launching of the academy were Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal who were former team mates of Abdul Sule at national team and club levels and they also commended the founder for the initiative which they believed would further help to take boys off the street and give them life.

Others include Alhaji Musa Kalli who is the Special Adviser on Projects to the Minister of Niger Delta, Majority Leader of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon Haruna Inuwa Dogo and other top government officials including the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly who was represented as well as football scouts from within and outside Nigeria.

President of Naija Ratels, Barrister Paul Edeh was among dignitaries who made cash and kits donations to the academy.

Under the theme ‘Kick Out Gender Based Violence’ , the Area 3 Football Pitch Abuja will play host to the first Naija Ratels FC Novelty/Charity Match at 3pm on Saturday, the 6th of February 2021.

The President of Naija Ratels Football Club, Barrister Paul Edeh and his friends will play against the players of Naija Ratels FC to raise awareness for women who are going through Gender based violence, which is in tandem with the theme of this year’s event.

Among the individuals that have confirmed their participation for the one-day event include Former Inter-Milan and Westham star Victor Obinna Nsofor, Popular Gospel Singer Chris Morgan, Barrister Paul Edeh, Nigeria U-17 women football team (Flamingos) Manager, Bankole Oloowokere, Legendary Goalkeeper John Gaadi, Ex-Super Eagles Forward Abdul Sule.

Others Include Tukur Tukur, Barrister Elechi, Ndaliman Babajirgi, Owolabi Abubakar, Mustapha Hagler, Jeremiah Iorshe, Onofiok Ekong, Bamigboye Godwin, Comrade Azikwe and others.

Barrister Paul Edeh in his words made the club’s stance and it’s aim clear. The legal luminary stated that the match is primarily to create awareness against any form of violence towards the girlchild, nothing that any form of violence against women and girls is a direct violation of human rights.

“I want to assure every violated woman and girl through this campaign that we are all with you.

“We condemn every act of violence against females and enjoin everyone to give full support to them.

“For those of us in Football, we respect the responsibility we have and also aware of our ability to contribute to a better world through this novelty game.” The UN Peace Ambassador concluded.

At the 2021 NNL Congress in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the President of the Most Important League in Nigeria, Senator Obinna Ogba describe Mallam Abdul Sule as a blessing to football even as he has foster peace among club owners in the NNL.

Mallam Sule who is also the President of NNL club owners forum thanked the league body for the honor as he promised the forum’s continued support to promote the league.

Other recipients of the Football Icon Awards include the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, NFF General Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi, Owner of Remo Stars Sports Club, Hon. Kunle Soname among others.

The 2021 NNL is set to kickoff on January 30, 2021.

Coach Whyte blamed the management of Confluence Queens for the result with allegations of interference.

In a brief with sport writers on Saturday in Lokoja, the former Ibom Angels handler apologized for what he said describing it as regrettable.

Whyte noted that extending his winless run against his former employer aggravated his emotions just as reiterated desire to continue working with the team and promised better outings in the league.

“I call for this briefing just because of what happened on Wednesday, I have realized my mistakes and I regret my actions and plead for another chance to continue my work at the club

“But I felt that the 1-1 draw to me, as a good coach its a loss and that led to my aggravation and emotions overtook my reactions and that made those utterances I made wrongly against the Management

Coach Whyte also lauded the leadership of the club led by former Super Eagles player, Abdul Sule which he describe worthy of emulation by others.

“I would say Mr Abdul Sule has being a good boss since I came, the chairman and the Team Manager have made my stay here comfortable despite the team’s financial challenges, they make sure everything the team and I need are available, I commend them for that.

” I sincerely, regret my actions and want another chance to do my job.”

Some media outlets reported that the Coach alleged that he wasn’t allowed to perform his duties by the management of the team.

However, if his latest statements are anything to go by, the coach has stated the issue ‘was blown out of proportion.’

Speaking to Newsmen on Friday, Ogbonda Whyte said: “I think my statement was exaggerated. The whole issue was blown out of proportion.”

“I love my job, the Confluence Queens team, management and fans of the club.”

“Some things happened and we make a big deal of something that isn’t. Some may have jumped to certain conclusions which isn’t fair.”

“Since I joined this club, the support has been encouraging from the management. We have all worked in harmony. I am very grateful for being part of this great family.”

The former Rivers Angels Assistant Manager apologized to the management of Confluence Queens for the embarrassment that the report brought to the club.

“I have always been dealt like a professional here and this is something I really appreciate so much. I am using this medium to tender my apology to the management of Confluence Queens for the misunderstanding the report brought. We make mistakes and try to learn from it. I have learnt my lessons.”

The Lokoja based side started the 2020/21 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) top tier campaign with a 1-1 draw with Rivers Angels at Confluence Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. And the coach was satisfied with the performance of his wards and called for more support from teaming fans of Confluence Queens as they battle for the CAF Women’s Champions League ticket at stake.

“We wanted more against Rivers Angels but grabbed a draw at home. My wards really tried their best to pick maximum points.”

“I’m satisfied with the level of their performance. We would go back and correct the lapses noticed in the game.

“Our target still remains picking the CAF Women’s Champions League ticket.

“All we need is support from our fans who haven’t stopped believing in this crop of players,” he concluded.

It was earlier reported by some media outlets that the management of Confluence Queens led by Mallam Abdul Sule are denying Whyte the freedom to carry out his job accordingly.

However, the chairman has denied the allegations and insisted the public should not be misguided

“At no point has anyone one from the management interfere in Ogbonda’s job. We gave him all freedom to do his job because we believed in his technical know how,” the former Super Eagles star said in an official statement.

“Ogbonda is a good coach and he has proved that by qualifying Confluence Queens to our first ever Super 4 where we came second. He has always gotten all the necessary supports from the management and other technical crew.”

The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership week one game between Confluence Queens and Rivers Angels ended 1-1 on Wednesday.

“Before our match against Rivers Angels, he wrote his list and brought it to the management. In our usual tradition, I went through the list and only complained about a player by name Esther Kanu that for now she is not fit enough to play. He defended his selection and I said fine,” the ex Stores player recalled.

“I never asked him to remove or add anyone and we played with the same list. I was surprised he accused the management of selecting players that played against Rivers. How?

“It’s unfortunate he wants to mislead the public with interference claims. We played well against Rivers Angels even though we drew 1-1.”

“We never interfered in his job,” he added.

The preseason tournament which was formerly known as Ratel Preseason has now been named after the late Kogi born female combat pilot Tolulope Arotile.

The New Direction Queens will join rivals Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens, Royal Queens among others for the preseason tournament

Speaking about the preseason, the chairman Confluence Queens Mallam Abdul Sule expressed delight about his side’s participation while also praising the organizers for the grade A women’s preseason.

“I’m very happy that Confluence Queens will honour this invitation because the late Capt Tolulope Arotile is from Kogi State and we will like to honour her.”

“Also, I will like to commend the organizers for this kind of tournament as participating teams will benefits more. This kind of standard preseason will help us to prepare for the new season

“I’m very happy that my team will be participating at the preseason. First because late Tolulope Arotile is from Kogi State and it will be a good thing we are involved.”

“It will be of great benefits to all the participating teams, as it will enable teams to assess their readiness for the NWFL 2020/21 season.”

Abdul Sule who played for Herning Fremad between 1997 and 1999 was a cult hero scoring memorable goals that turned the club to a force to reckon with in Denmark.

Sule who has previously played for NUB in Kaduna, Stationery Stores of Lagos, BCC Lions of Gboko and Qatar SC in Qatar before he was signed by former manager Ove Pedersen.

Sule would then make history in 1999 when he moved to Akademisk Boldklub, AB with the then Danish record transfer of €9m.

In a video chat with top official of the club, Sule recounted how he was able to settle down quickly at Herning, motivation from Coach Pederen, his refusal to pick ball from the bush with fear of snakes and sundry.

“I was in Qatar when Pedersen met me a asked if I would like to play in Denmark, then I agreed to come.

“At first I was worried how I would settle down and get to understand the new environment, new team mates and weather, but I was lucky I came in the summer which was almost similar to where I came from and I also found my team mates supportive.”

Sule who is currently the chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens played in the Super Eagles between 1992 and 1994.

The President of Nigeria National League, NNL Club Owners played ten times for Eagles.

Sule also talked about his first training experience and best friends at Fremad.

“When I first moved to Herning and we were having the shooting training, and when I shoot the ball and went into the bush, I tried to pretend not to go in there and Ove Pedersen asked me ‘Why are you not going to pick the ball and I was like I’m afraid of the snake, then he told to go in and pick the ball that there’s no snake in Denmark. I was shocked to hear that but he truly told there’s no snake in Denmark.

“I have so many friends then, Kenneth Frumm, he’s one of my best friends, we were very closed, he would always pick from home to training and take me back home, and I also have Steve Pedersen, I have a couple of best friends then.”

See video of Abdul Sule’s interview with Herning Fremad: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=241114570448109&id=301491883257253