Sport Betting: LSLB raise stiff sanctions for underage betting

 

Tobi Adesina

With over 70million sport Bettors in Nigeria, survey shows that 10% are underaged. The customary age for an individual in Nigeria is 18 but we would be wrong to hide the obvious fact that only 90% of registered sport Bettors are over the 18year old mark.

In this week's edition of Bet Review, we approach the Lagos State Lottery Board to speak on what sanctions have been put in place to checkmate this wrongful act.

Speaking with the P.R.O of the LSLB, Mr. Quadri made us realise that stiff sanctions have been put in place to check this.

"We have imposed huge penalty on anyone, Agent or company caught in this dreadful act. We immediately seal up their shops or outlets and seize their licence till full investigation is conducted"

"In a situation where they are guilty of doing business with a Minor, we confiscate their sport bet licence, because we are not only here to promote the business, we also Regulate and Sanction those who err from the laws of Lagos State." 

UWW President Visits Rivers, As SWAN, Foskolo Sign MOU

Barth Ndubuwah

Ahead of the 2018 Wrestling Championship, the African President of United World Wrestling (UWW),Mr Fouad Meskoit has visited Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, promising to fast-forward Rivers State’s bid for the hosting of the forthcoming wrestling championship.

Accompanied by the National President of SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawoo, the UWW President inspected facilities for possible hosting of the tournament.

Facilities inspected include, Presidential and Golden Tulip Hotels, as well as Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, all in Port Harcourt.

Fielding questions from Sports Writers shortly after the inspection, the UWW President said he was satisfied by what he saw. He commended the Nigerian President of Wrestling Association, Mr Daniel Igali for his effort in developing wrestling in Nigeria.

“I am satisfied with the facilities I have seen on ground. I am also amazed by the level of hospitality shown to me by Rivers people and indeed Nigerians.”

On the chances of Nigeria getting the hosting right, Mr Meskoit said, “as an inspector, I must be neutral, but  having gone through the facilities, including the hotels, I think Nigeria has a chance of winning the hosting bid. Again, other North African nations have hosted the championship in the past,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of SWAN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with Foskolo Media Productions to revive the moribund SWAN Monthly Parley Platform.

Performing the official signing ceremony at  the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, in Port Harcourt ,the  Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Foskolo Media Productions, Mr Ufuoma Egbamuno said the essence of the MOU is to resuscitate the SWAN monthly parley, noting that his group is poised to making the best out of the partnership.

The Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the NUJ, Mr Omoni Ayo Tamuno and Chairman of Rivers SWAN, Mr Sopriala Bobmanuel also spoke on the importance of the project.

2017 Federation Cup: Aiteo Cup Kicks off 2nd of August

 
Tobi Adesina

The long awaited Federation Cup has been given a date, set to begin its preliminary fixtures on Wednesday 2nd of August 2017.  In a statement released from the office of the general secretary of NFF.

The Aiteo Cup starts with National preliminary matches to be played at 10 designated centers namely; Jos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Lokoja, Bauchi, Sokoto, Nnewi, Umuahia, Akure and Owerri.

Successful teams following the preliminary results, will qualify for a place in the next round of fixtures.

The preliminary fixtures will include the following matches...
Minda FC vs Niger Tornadoes feeders, Moyero FC vs Fashmog FC, Young talent vs Haifa FC, Ayade babes vs Lexinton FC, Kaka FC vs Potiskum academy, FC Galadima vs Jarma FC, Sam daddy FC vs Coal City FC, George Turnah vs Ngwa FC, Spartan FC vs JCTC FC, Ifeanyi Ubah feeders vs Cynosure FC.

Sport Betting: Bookmakers yank off Remo Stars vs MFM FC from portal

Tobi Adesina

The three major Bookmakers in Nigeria have today, removed an NPFL game from each of their platform.

The Remo Stars vs MFM FC game scheduled to hold today (30th July 2017) was yanked off firstly by Bet9ja on the 28th of July followed by NairaBet and Winners Golden Bet company 24hours later.

As at the evening of Friday 28th of July, the Bookmakers gave MFM FC a odd of 4.50 which is the lowest ever given to an away team in the NPFL.

This act happens in rear occasion, that Bookmakers yank off a particular event.

Speaking with a sport bet Analyst Theophilus, he made us realise when a particular event becomes unpredictable and large number of Bettors continue to stake on the particular game.

"when the level of uncertainty on a game increases but Bettors continue to stake high on it"

Looking at the above mentioned NPFL match, you will realise Remo Stars who currently sit rock bottom of the log have little to play for as they are whiskers away from the NNL (second division of the Nigerian league). Meanwhile, MFM FC are desperately in need of a point on the road to keep the Olukoya boys continental hope alive.

Well, what can I say but to congratulate Bettors who staked early before the event was cancelled.

Poor officiating: LMC to withdraw four NPFL referees

Tobi Adesina

Following the recent uproar in the Nigerian Professional Football League 2016/2017, the League Management Company, in its review of performance of match officials, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Matchdays 29, 30 & 31 referees of the NPFL.

The LMC therefore request NPFL refs in Tornadoes vs Plateau Utd; Katsina Utd vs Kano Pillars; Plateau Utd vs FCIfeanyin Ubah; FCIfeanyin Ubah vs Gombe Utd to be withdrawn.

The Referees listed for withdrawal are  Umar Mohammed who was incharge of Niger Tornadoes vs Plateau United in matchday 29, Aliyu Abdullahi who officiated Katsina United vs Kano Pillars, Saleh Mohammed who officiated Plateau United vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah in matchday 30 and lastly is Sam Agba who was in the centre of action in FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs Gombe United

Sport Betting: Why you keep losing bets

Tobi Adesina

It's a widely known concept that the vast majority of sports bettors are going to lose money. The most popular concept is that 90-percent of sports gamblers will lose money over the course of the year, but that doesn't stop people from wagering on sports. When those bettors eventually go broke and cannot wager anymore, there's always somebody else waiting to take their place in line.

MONEY MANAGEMENT

The number one reason most sports gamblers lose isn't because of poor picks, but instead is because of poor money management. There are far more bettors who can pick winners than there are who can make money, and money management is the key.

Betting 100naira on one game and 500naira on another is a sure way to find yourself separated from your cash in the long run, just as betting 50% of your bankroll on one game will ultimately lead disaster. A sports bettor may win a few games when betting more than they should, but eventually the loss, or losses, will come and the bettors ends up in trouble.

Doubling up after wins or losses is another recipe for disaster, and is a common mistake many bettors make, including those who have been betting for many years.

If you've ever read books on sports betting, you'll find that nearly every one has at least one chapter devoted to money management and that isn't because authors enjoy writing about it.

It's because it is that important.

BETTING ON THE WRONG EVENTS

It's no secret that football and basketball are the two sports that receive the majority of the betting dollars, just as it's no secret that most long-time sports bettors will say those are probably the two toughest sports to show a long-term profit in.

The sport of choice for most professional gamblers is baseball, which happens to rank well below the top two sports in the amount of money received. Hockey is another sport that many long-time bettors believe can give the sports gambler an advantage over the sportsbook, but hockey nets less than even baseball.

A sports bettor doesn't have to particularly like baseball or hockey. As long as they like money, those are two sports that should be followed, or at least find somebody who is a good baseball or hockey handicapper  and follow their plays.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

Most sports bettors know just enough to make them dangerous, as there is a great deal of difference between being knowledgeable in the NFL and being knowledgeable in NFL betting. Being able to name the starting offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys isn't likely to help a person win a bet.

What many sport bettors don't realize is that they're actually competing against other bettors who spend countless hours on handicapping, studying trends, injuries, and betting angles.

If you don't have the time to study the games try to find somebody who does, whether it be on a posting forum, a reputable sports service, etc., but don't assume you know more than everyone else.

There is the old joke of a sports bettor who loses week after week, and finally, his bookie starts to feel sorry for the guy and suggests that he might want to try betting hockey.

"Hockey! I don't know anything about hockey!"

BETTING TOO MANY TV GAMES

There are a large number of sports bettors who feel if a game is televised, it's their duty to have a wager on the contest. While this didn't create much of a problem years ago, there are so many games televised now, that bettors can easily have seven or eight wagers on a single night, and even more on the weekend.

Typically, the lines are the sharpest on televised games, as the oddsmakers and sportsbooks realize that those games will be bet the heaviest.

If you have to have a wager on every televised game, those bets should be much smaller than your typical bets, somewhere around one-fourth of the amount.

Roger Federer: The Legend reaffirmed his status

Born on August 8 in Basel, Switzerland in the early eighties to a Swiss father and a South African mother, Roger Federer has grown up to become a tennis legend.

He turned professional in 1998 and in 2003 won his first major at Wimbledon - the tournament he has gone on to win a record 8 times.

He currently holds the record for the most grand slam titles in the men's category after winning the Wimbledon on Sunday - his 19th grand slam titles.

The Swiss maestro won 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 as Croatian Marin Cilic struggled with a blister on his left foot and broke down in tears during the second set.

Federer, 35, finished the contest in one hour and 41 minutes to claim his first Wimbledon title since 2012 and with it becomes the oldest man in the Open era to win at the All England Club.

He has won all the four majors; a record eight Wimbledon titles, five Australian Open titles, a record five consecutive US Open titles and one French Open title. He is among eight men to have captured a career Grand Slam and has reached a record 29 men's singles Grand Slam finals, including ten in a row from the 2005 Wimbledon Championships to the 2007 US Open.

He also won the Olympic gold medal in doubles with his compatriot Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and the Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Representing Switzerland, he was a part of the 2001 winning Hopman Cup team and the 2014 winning Davis Cup team. He was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record four consecutive years from 2005 through 2008.

Federer is regarded as the best player in history having amassed 93 single titles, which made him 3rd in career titles wins in the open era behind Ivan Lendl (94) and Jimmy Connors (109).

He got married to former WTA player Mirka Federer on April 11, 2009. They both met while they were competing for Switzerland in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. And later in July 2009, Mirka gave birth to identical twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva. The Federers had another pair of identical twins in 2014, this time boys whom they named Leo and Lennart.

Respect to the legendary Swiss maestro!

Top Athletes to have battled cancer

Tobi Adesina

1. Stiliyan Petrov: Born 5 July, 1979. The former Bulgaria international and Aston Villa Hall of famer had a glorious spell in Celtic having moved from CSKA Sofia. He won ten trophies with the Scottish giant and later moved to Aston Villa where he was later diagnosed with acute leukaemia in 2012.

2. Lance Armstrong: One of the greatest cyclist to ever graced the track. He completed 1995 Tour dé France but pulled out of 1996 after falling ill. He was later diagnosed of testicular cancer. He has since then donated $5.1m to other cancer warriors via his Foundation, LIVESTRONG.

3. Gary Lineker: The Leicester City legend's son, George got diagnosed with cancer just months after birth in the 90's. He is however now grown and sort after by British models, all Courtesy of Gary's gene.

4.  Yeray Alvarez: The Spanish and Athletic Bilbao defender got diagnosed with testicular cancer late last year (2016). He however came back to playing active football by January 2017 After undergoing 3 months of chemotherapy but the joy was shortlived as the 19 year old was withdrawn from the Spanish U21 team. Doctors say the cancer had return to his body. The event which has led to all Bilbao players shaving their hair to show support.

5.  Jonas Gutierrez: When you need dedication and discipline from a footballer, don't go too far. Gutierrez made fame playing for Newcastle United in England. His approach to derby games were second to none. Sunderland fans were quick to drop the sword after he was diagnosed.

6. Éric Abidal: The great Barcelona defender was diagnosed with liver cancer in March 2011. Abidal will never forget the night when Carles Puyol let him lift the Champions League Cup at Wembley. In 2013, he had a transplant and he returned to the pitch to play once again.

7. Arjen Robben: Fans will never forget the moment he faced Spain's goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, in the World Cup 2010. But, he is proud of the fact that he survived testicular cancer at the young age of 20.

8. Juan Carlos Garcia: The Wigan player got diagnosed with cancer back in 2015 at the young age of 26. The club immediately flew his mum and sister down to Manchester also provided an apartment very close to the hospital.

9. Chris Todd: Born 22 August, 1981. Eastleigh's Chris Todd was diagnosed with cancer back in 2011. He has since returned to playing active football once again.

10.  Carl Ikeme: After the departure of Vincent Enyeama, Nigerian football Faithfulls were happy to see Carl pick up the gloves because of his breath taking saves. Carl was diagnosed with leukaemia early July 2017, weeks after returning from a long spell on the sideline courtesy of an injury. He has since being receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Weak LMC fails statutes, gets intimidated by Eyinmba F.C

Tobi Adesina

Match day 28 in the Nigerian Professional Football League witnessed a shocker as Eyinmba fielded a player who was on suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Ibenegbu Ikechukwu, a player suspended for maximum yellow card accumulation from match day 27, helped the peoples elephants secure maximum three points at home against Niger Tornadoes by scoring the opener in a game that saw the Aba millionaires run out 3 nil winners.

According to the LMC statutes (rules and regulations) signed 2014/2015 which still stands as the basis for the League Management Company guideline, 3 points and 3 goals were to be deducted from Enyinmba and accorded to Niger Tornadoes F.C.

The LMC in a bid to redeem its image, sanctioned Ibenegbu Ikechukwu to serve his one game ban in match day 29 against Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. Meanwhile, Eyinmba as a club goes free for fielding a player who was ineligible.

Sports Betting: Youth empowerment on the rise as Nigerian Bookmakers offer low Agent licence fee

Tobi Adesina

With over 20 million unemployed youths living above a N100,000 per quarter of the year in Nigeria, this week's episode of Bet Review opens up some unexplored areas of the highly lucrative business.

Most unemployed youths in Nigeria have phones, gadgets and even shoes worth thousands of naira. They wake up each morning bitter, complaining of how wasteful and irresponsible the government have been. Unknown to most Nigerian youths, a shoe in their closet can make them a self employed.

Speaking with the Cooperate affairs Manager of Winners Golden Bet company, Mr Femi Junaid said their is no excuse for most Nigerian youths.

"Laziness and inability to think remains the main cause for joblessness in the country."

"You can acquire our licence to become an Agent for as low as N90,000. With that, you own your own standard shop and can operate as a licenced Agent."

Speaking with a sport bet Agent in Alagbado area of Lagos, Tola made us realise how lucrative the business as been.

"I collected my license some two years ago, I employed a sales person and I became a Boss"

"I have never deep my hands into my pocket to pay my salesman. It is the money recovered from the shop I use in paying his salary and I still receive not less than N30,000 monthly as my profit."

So hurry, sell that expensive wristwatch keeping you unemployed and become an employer of labour.