Hon. Ajibola gave the commendation when the team from the State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Special Needs, led by the Commissioner Barister Stephen Kola Balogun appeared before the Committee on how to move the state forward in areas relating to the development of youths and sports.

Speaking further, Hon. Ajibola, who lauded the Ministry for promoting the Six-point Integral Action Plans of the Governor by organizing different types or leadership training for youths such as bee keeping and empowerment programmes.

Hon. Ajibola also reiterated the fact that the House is a partner in progress to the present administration.

Earlier in his speech, the Hon. Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Barrister Stephen Kola Balogun, while commending the House for performing its constitutional duty of serving as a check to the Executive, also disclosed that the Osogbo Sports Stadium under renovation would be ready for use by the end of this year.

In the end, it was Chelsea third and Arsenal fourth – the Gunners edging out Spurs by just a point after a rare goal from Laurent Koscielny (see photo courtesy Daily Telegraph) seeing garner 73 points to guarantee a 16th consecutive qualification for the Champions League.

News of a late Tottenham winner led to a tense finish, as Arsenal would have been edged out of the top four had Newcastle equalised, but it was the visitors who came closest to a late goal, Walcott hitting the post after a typically speedy surge left three defenders in his wake.

POS

LP

CLUB

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

(1)

Manchester United

38

28

5

5

86

43

43

89

2

(2)

Manchester City

38

23

9

6

66

34

32

78

3

(3)

Chelsea

38

22

9

7

75

39

36

75

4

(4)

Arsenal

38

21

10

7

72

37

35

73

5

(5)

Tottenham Hotspur

38

21

9

8

66

46

20

72

6

(6)

Everton

38

16

15

7

55

40

15

63

7

(7)

Liverpool

38

16

13

9

71

43

28

61

8

(8)

West Bromwich Albion

38

14

7

17

53

57

-4

49

9

(9)

Swansea City

38

11

13

14

47

51

-4

46

10

(10)

West Ham United

38

12

10

16

45

53

-8

46

11

(12)

Norwich City

38

10

14

14

41

58

-17

44

12

(15)

Fulham

38

11

10

17

50

60

-10

43

13

(11)

Stoke City

38

9

15

14

34

45

-11

42

14

(14)

Southampton

38

9

14

15

49

60

-11

41

15

(16)

Aston Villa

38

10

11

17

47

69

-22

41

16

(13)

Newcastle United

38

11

8

19

45

68

-23

41

17

(17)

Sunderland

38

9

12

17

41

54

-13

39

18

(18)

Wigan Athletic

38

9

9

20

47

73

-26

36

19

(19)

Reading

38

6

10

22

43

73

-30

28

20

(20)

Queens Park Rangers

38

4

13

21

30

60

-30

25

Source: News Express

The Special One was keen to take Real`s Portuguese star to Stamford Bridge but president Florentino Perez , fuming about Friday`s Spanish Cup Final defeat by Atletico Madrid, is adamant that Ronaldo is going nowhere, the Mirror reports.

The report further said that Perez is said to be angry about the end to a trophy-less campaign for the Bernabeu giants and is happy to send off Mourinho to Chelsea, adding that the Portuguese may have to partially buy himself out of his Real deal when negotiations between his agent Jorge Mendes and Perez resume.

The report also mentioned that Perez`s decision is set to disappoint Premier League champions Manchester United, who were hoping to tempt Ronaldo into an Old Trafford return and even been in talks with their in-coming shirt sponsors General Motors to fund the player`s 55 million-pound transfer fee and 10 million-pound salary.

Ronaldo was sent off in extra-time of the Copa del Rey clash with Atletico, after Mourinho had been sent to the stands after clashing with the referee, the report added.

Source: ZEE News

Copa de rey champions

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring just before the quarter-hour mark with a thumping header, but an outstanding combination between Radamel Falcao and Diego Costa saw the latter level the scores after 35 minutes.

Los Blancos hit the woodwork three times in their search for a winner, which proved fruitless throughout regulation time before Miranda nodded home in extra-time to send the trophy to the red half of the Spanish capital.

But there were ugly scenes towards the end, as Ronaldo was sent off in the 114th minute for lashing out at Gabi, sparking a bench-clearing clash between both sets of players and staff, before the latter also saw red for a second yellow card in the dying seconds.

Mourinho sent a clear message to Pepe by excluding the defender from his matchday squad despite Raphael Varane’s injury, instead turning to Raul Albiol to partner Sergio Ramos at the back.

Diego Simeone’s XI virtually picked itself, with Mario Suarez, recovered from a back problem, the main change, replacing Tiago in midfield.

It did not take the hosts long to strike as Ronaldo, in his 100th Bernabeu outing, powered them into the lead with 14 minutes on the clock, rising above Diego Godin to head home with authority from Mesut Ozil`s corner.

But the goal did little to spark the match into life, as both sides` defensive organization contributed to a rather cautious opening half-hour, despite a torrent of noise raining down from the stands.

However, that script was thrown out the window 10 minutes before half-time when, out of nowhere, a magnificent counterattack from Atletico carved Madrid completely in two.

Falcao did brilliantly to shake off a pair of challenges near the halfway line and release Costa, who never broke stride, streaming past Ramos and Michael Essien and drilling into the bottom corner via the post and the hand of Diego Lopez.

The game was well and truly on, with the crowd thrown into a real frenzy after the goal. And Ozil nearly blew the roof off the Bernabeu three minutes before half-time, when his snap shot cannoned agonizingly off the woodwork.

The raucous atmosphere continued into the second half, and Atletico nearly stormed into the lead on the hour mark when Gabi’s searching pass was met on the volley by Filipe Luis, but he could only find the side netting.

But Madrid were down at the other end almost instantly, and were cursing their luck after Karim Benzema poked against the post from close range, before an outrageous block from Juanfran denied Ozil’s goalbound follow up.

Fortune continued to smile on the visitors, as six minutes later, Ronaldo fooled the wall with a low free-kick, only to see his attempt bounce off the base of the post.

Tempers began to flare as the referee was forced to dish out a series of yellow cards to both sets of players – with Ramos` booking particularly riling Mourinho, who was sent from the dugout for remonstrating with the officials.

But there was nothing separating the sides as time ticked away, and the final moved into an additional half-hour for the second time in three seasons.

Mourinho wasted no time in using all three of his available subs, bringing Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Arbeloa and Angel Di Maria into the fray, with Benzema, Luka Modric and Fabio Coentrao departing.

But it was Atletico who nearly struck first in extra time, as Costa was released on goal, but failed to beat Lopez with his initial shot and then from the rebound.

Miranda would make no such mistake though, staying forward from a corner and rising highest to head in Koke`s cross at the near post.

Thibaut Courtois then stuck out a leg to deny Higuain from point blank range, and produced an even better save in the 109th minute, tipping away Ozil`s far-post finish at full stretch.

But it just was not Madrid`s night, as Ronaldo was shown red with six minutes remaining for a petulant reaction on Gabi, initiating a commotion between both teams, and effectively ending the home side`s chances once and for all.

Although Gabi was dismissed in the dying seconds for picking up a second yellow card, the mood amongst the legions of fans in red and white inside the Bernabeu could not be dampened, as Simeone`s side ended a 14-year curse against their rivals and lifted the Copa in the process.

Source: Goal.com

This is according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, an organisation recognised and supported by, although not affiliated with, FIFA.

Their latest Club World Rankings, accounting for results between March 1 2012 and February 28 2013, have produced some results that seem bizarre.

Another accolade: European champions Chelsea should enjoy being the No 1 team in the world while it lasts In second place are Atletico Madrid and third, Chelsea’s vanquished Champions League final opponents Bayern Munich. Fourth are Club World Cup champions Corinthians, while the mighty Barcelona are down in fifth.

The rankings are calculated by including results from national league matches, continental and intercontinental competitions and the most important national cup competition, ignoring results before the last 16 phase….

The top 20 sides in the world

1. Chelsea (307)

2. Atletico Madrid (304)

3. Bayern Munich (292)

4. Corinthians (287)

5. Barcelona (283)

6. Boca Juniors (281)

7. Real Madrid (277)

8. Juventus (241)

9. Inter Milan (234)

10. Sao Paulo (230)

11. Universidad de Chile Santiago (223)

12. Fluminense (222)

13. Basel (220)

14. Fenerbahce (216)

15 Lazio

16. Dortmund (215)

17. Lyon (214)

18. PSG (210)

19. Manchester United (205)

20 Club Libertad Asuncion

21 Celtic

Other English sides in the top 100

25. Liverpool (200)

37. Tottenham (186)

50. Arsenal (169)

56. Man City (161)

65. Newcastle (152).

Source: NaiJ News

The little Argentine has cemented his reputation as the world’s greatest footballer by winning the last four Ballon D’Or awards and has scored 46 goals from 32 appearances in La Liga this season to help Barcelona to the title.

Now the Epic Pictures Group are to put his story on the big screen with Luca Caioli’s biography: “Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend,” being used as the source material.

The production company are currently meeting with writers and directors with the aim of getting the film completed in time to release it just before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

According to Variety magazine: “Producers aim to focus on the story of a young boy from humble beginnings in Rosario, Argentina, who overcomes his physical shortcomings to become one of the greatest players of all time.”

Produced Patrick Ewald told the movie trade publication: “The goal is to make a powerful and positive film that will leave audiences feeling inspired to go after their dreams no matter how impossible they may seem.”

Only question remaining is who should play the 5’7″ star? Leave your thoughts below.

Source: Yahoo News

The stadium was a flood of red flags which stated simply ‘Champions 2013’ – Manchester United having won the 2013 Premiership weeks earlier and playing the end-of-season game against Swansea as a matter of formality. Even so, the players made sure that Sir Alex – perhaps the world’s most successful football club coach – was sent off on a victorious note, beating the Swans 2-1.

When the final whistle came, Sir Alex was smiling broadly, then shaking the hands of backroom staff and fans as he strode on to the pitch.

Then came the long goodbye as the Scot gave his farewell speech, warning he was close to “blubbing” and describing his 26 years as boss as “the most fantastic experience of my life.”

Making a strong case for his successor, Everton’s David Moyes, Sir Alex said: “I would also like to remind you that when there were bad times here the club stood by me, all of my staff stood by me and the players stood by me. Your job now is to stand by our new manager.”

Fergie, dressed in a dark overcoat with a jumper zipped up to his neck, gave his speech, which he said was unscripted, with his left hand in his pocket.

“My retirement doesn’t mean the end of my time at the club. I will be joining you and suffering!” he said.
“The last-minute goals, the comebacks and even the defeats are all part of this great, unbelievable club. It has been an unbelievable experience and I want to say thank you for that.”

The electronic board to show substitutions had cleverly been programmed to show 26 and 38 – 26 for Fergie’s years at the club, 38 for his trophies, 13 of them the Premier League one which was presented following his speech.
In a moment that might as well live forever in football history, 71 years old Sir Fergie, all smiles and gumchewing as he is famously known to do, did a jig with his players as he lifted the trophy after the game.

And thus ended the Fergie era. When next season blasts off in August, it will be Moyes, not Fergie, who’ll be in charge. The good old Fergie who is now a Manchester United Director and Ambassador, will only be watching from the stands, less the stifling tension associated with coaching.

Source: News Express

Everton manager David Moyes has confirmed he will take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United at the end of the season.

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com following the announcement of the 71-year-old’s retirement, United players had been told at the club’s Carrington training ground in the wake of the Scot’s decision that the Toffees boss had been identified as his successor.

More to follow…

Source: Goal.com

The Tottenham Hotspurs manager, is set to make a return to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, for the first time after he was sacked, to face the Blues in what has been termed a Champions League knock-out match.

“In the end, (changing managers) has brought them success and sometimes success is what matters in football, independent of the style,” he said.

“I have a different opinion. I think if you don’t have a style, it makes you invisible in football. Only teams with style succeed, but in the end, success normally is what matters in modern Europe.

“I mean style of play. When things are attractive. Obviously what is attractive to me is maybe different to the style of football you might find attractive.

“We saw the wonderful team Mauricio (Pochettino) is building at Southampton. The change from Nigel (Adkins) to Mauricio was difficult to take, but the reality is Southampton is not invisible in terms of their football. Their football is absolutely outstanding this season.”

Villas-Boas also went on to suggest that Jose Mourinho’s team created a unique identity for the club, but the thirst for trophies has led to constant change in the pattern of football played.

“If you remember the (Chelsea) team of 2004 was an absolutely deadly machine of football, but in a different way” he added. “Great counter-attacking football and one of the great teams in the country.

“There are various types of teams, teams built along great creative players and these Chelsea teams have the ingredient to be able to play this type of football.”

Source: Daily Post

Ferguson will step down from the club at the end of the season, following the club’s match against West Bromwich Albion, and will join the club’s board.

Announcing his decision to retire, Sir Alex said: “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

“It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

“Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

“Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both director and ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

“I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career.”
Who will take over?

Betting companies were quick to cash in on the inevitable speculation as to who will take over from “Fergie”.

Paddy Power and William Hill had former Chelsea manager and Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho at evens, with former Everton manager David Moyes at 5/4 and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp in third.
Speculation

Sir Alex, who with 49 trophies to his name is the most successful manager in British footballing history, had been subject to speculation in British newspapers on Wednesday. The reports were based on rumours that emerged at a team golf day on Tuesday.

Characteristially, Manchester United is quick to issue official denials of stories it does not agree with. However, the club had remained silent when the rumours emerged.

As the club is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, it is obligated to announce significant news to the market.

Before United floated on the stock exchange last year, its American owners, the Glazer family, warned that any change in manager could damage the club.

A prospectus for the share issue said: “Any successor to our current manager may not be as successful as our current manager. A downturn in the performance of our first team could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain coaches and players.”

After winning his 13th Premier League title two weeks ago, Sir Alex denied he had any plans to step down.

“I certainly don’t have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see,” he said.

However, it emerged at the weekend that the 71-year-old manager requires hip surgery. In the past he has said that only health problems would force him into retirement.

United chief executive David Gill said after the latest title triumph that Ferguson had “not knocked on my door” and said he wanted to retire.

However, Mr Gill did also say that any new manager would have to adapt to the existing squad and support team rather than making radical changes.

“The quality of the squad, the composition of that squad, means that any new manager coming in will inherit a great squad of players,” he said. “And yes he may, whenever that is … clearly want to bring in one or two of his own people, new players.

“But he won’t want to change the squad wholesale because he won’t be our manager. We’ve got to be consistent with that and that’s what we are planning on.”

Source: Channel4