1 GAME condemns attack on Enyimba media chief

1 GAME on Monday condemned what it called a “senseless” attack on Enyimba of Aba media chief Farriel Allaputa following Sunday’s ill fated Nigeria Premier League (NPL) game between Ocean Boys and Enyimba at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, and said it shows the need to defeat violence in football.

“This is a senseless attack,” 1 GAME founder Philip Obaji (Pictured above with Super Eagles Coach Samson Siasia) said of the incident that saw Allaputa molested by fans of Ocean Boys who were incensed following their side’s 0-0 draw with Enyimba.

“1 GAME condemns in the strongest terms the attack on Enyimba’s media chief Farriel Allaputa. Such behaviour brings the game into disrepute and is unacceptable. Acts of hooliganism must not be tolerated wherever and whenever they occur.”

Obaji added: “It only highlights the existential threat that these kind of ill-mannered supporters pose for football, and underscores why it’s so important that we continue to work together in defeating violence in the game.”

Disgruntled fans of Ocean Boys who feared Enyimba might seek justice from the NPL over the way match officials handled the game that saw Victor Barnabas last minute goal for the Aba side disallowed, descended on Allaputa after the Enyimba spokesman refused to turn in the match tape, dispossessing him of cash and personal belongings.

1 GAME is a non-profit initiative calling on football enthusiasts to rise in support of its call for an end to fanaticism and vices in the game by signing up through its website www.play1game.org.

So far, thousands of people have signed up to be part of 1 GAME in a list that includes General Manager of Ocean Boys Tony Ogola whose club supporters were the culprits in Sunday’s attack on Allaputa.

Obaji confesses: 1 GAME bigger than me

1 GAME founder Philip Obaji said on Saturday that the campaign to achieve ‘Football without Violence’ is much more than a one man show.

The 1 GAME arrowhead was speaking while appearing as guest on NTA Calabar weekly sports programme, Sports Panorama.

Obaji said: “It’s something of the public. It is not a one man campaign. The best way to achieve results is a collective effort to end violence. So far we seen the state of union in the effort of football legends, coaches, sports administrators, sports writers and politicians and I can say it is strong.”

He added: “We believe we can win the war against violence. Sports writers feel that way but we are uniting to pass the message across every sector and hope we can achieve results. I’m positive we will.”

1 GAME has continued to impress with the coming together of football legends toward achieving success in the campaign against violence in the game, the most recent being Thursday’s announcement of former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju as part of the initiative.

1 GAME condemns attack on Referee, Stanley Eguma

1 GAME on Sunday condemned attacks on centre referee Pius Effiong and Dolphins coach Stanley Eguma by Sharks supporters shortly after Saturday’s Rivers State Federations Cup final between Sharks F.C and Dolphins F.C held at the Sharks Stadium in Port-Harcourt in which Dolphins won 9-8 on penalties after regulation time ended 2-2 apiece.

“We have seen reports indicating that centre referee Pius Effiong and Dolphins Coach Stanley Eguma were attacked shortly after Dolphins victory over Sharks at the final of the Rivers State Federations Cup,” 1 GAME founder Philip Obaji said. “If true, we condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.”

"We have reiterated many times there is no justification of the targeting of players and officials during and after matches and those responsible for these violent acts should be held accountable," Obaji said.

He added: “1 GAME’s objective is to put an end to fanaticism and football related violence in every area including match venues. By involving themselves in acts of hooliganism, these supporters have abused the game and brought it into disrepute.”

After Goalkeeper Udoo Ochiogu’s heroic last penalty save gave Dolphins the trophy, angry Sharks supporters descended on referee Effiong from Cross River State and Coach Eguma in separate incidents. Eguma was said to have come off worse.

It is not the first time an incident of such nature has been reported from the Sharks Stadium. On Saturday, March 20, 2010 there was commotion at the same venue. Dolphins’ goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi was allegedly harassed by Sharks fans after they claimed he refused to let in a goal as gift to the opponents.

1 GAME is a non-profit initiative calling on football enthusiasts to rise in support of its call for an end to fanaticism and vices in the game by signing up through its website www.play1game.org.

So far, more than One hundred thousand people have signed up to be part of 1 GAME including Jamaica’s Reggae Musician Shaggy, Hip-hop duo P-Square, Nigeria senior national football team coach Samson Siasia, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Aminu Maigari and some members of NFF Executive Committee.

Obaji appears on NTA. Refuses to speak on 1 GAME, NFF

1 GAME founder Philip Obaji was guest on Sports Panorama, a weekly programme on NTA Calabar but made no comment on 1 GAME and its relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Obaji had posted on his facebook page on Saturday morning that he will be live on NTA and will speak on issues concerning 1 GAME and the NFF but said no word about either body. Not even did the anchorman of the show speak a word on the issue.
An anxious man watching from a restaurant where our reporter monitored the show said “are there hiding something? Why inform us about this and not say anything about it.” The man asked.

The relationship between 1 GAME and the NFF has been something of a debate in the media after naijasportivo.blogspot.com reported of a rift between them, a story Obaji was quick to deny.

Durella Joins 1 GAME Campaign

Nigerian musician Durella has become a supporter for the 1 GAME Campaign naijasportivo.blogspot.com understands. The entertainer’s picture appeared on the organization’s website www.play1game.org among ambassadors and supporters for the anti-football violence campaign. His involvement brings to four, the number of musical artistes that have signed for the initiative, coming after Jamaican Reggae star Shaggy, hip-hop duo P-Square and long serving music sensation Pasto Goody Goody.

1 GAME founder Philip Obaji had hinted a few months back that Durella will be part of his organization’s effort to stamp out violence and negative fanaticism from football, a move that clearly has materialized.
Durella was born to Mr and Mrs Okulaja, who named him Oluwadamilare (the Lord has rewarded me). Going to secondary school in Lagos, brought the love of music out in Durella. With performances at schools events leading to a loyal following of adoring fans in and around his school, Durella knew then, as he does now, that performing as an artiste was what he wanted to do.

In December 08 Durella won MTV Advance Warning, a contest design to announce the next Nigerian Super Star.

On the 26th of July 09 Durella was appointed the UN Youth Ambassador for Peace.

Guardiola hits back at criticism

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has leapt to the defence of his players ahead of the Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid, claiming they are examples of professionalism.

Dani Alves, Pedro and Sergio Busquets were all accused of unsporting conduct by Madrid in a fiesty first leg at the Bernabeu, while the latter is reported to have racially abused Real full-back Marcelo.

However, UEFA decided against taking additional action against both clubs - deciding to stick with the original list of charges - and also threw out the extra accusations made by the Catalan club against Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.

Guardiola, though, took the chance to hail his players' attributes and said: ''I know my players very well and they are an example of professionalism and honesty. They can all make mistakes during the game, but they are exemplary human beings and in any case, the actions from the past are just that - in the past.''

Barcelona midfielder Xavi also hit out at Madrid's protests to UEFA.

''The complaint from Real Madrid was a disgrace and it's logical UEFA have rejected it,'' he said. ''We have hardly talked about football at all and that makes me sad.''

Tensions have grown on and off the pitch over the last 17 days, but Tuesday's game will conclude the four-match El Clasico series, which began on April 16 with a 1-1 draw in the Primera Division. ''I'm happy it's all over,'' Guardiola added.

Back on the pitch, Barca will be big favourites to reach the final after winning the first leg 2-0, but Madrid striker Karim Benzema believes Real can produce an upset.

"We will attack to score goals," he told Madrid's official website. "I will do so too. We need goals, so we will look for them."

"I hope we win here and reach the final. Many things can happen in 90 minutes of football and I hope we win the game. Nothing is set in stone in football and we can end up winning the tie. We will have to defend well in order to score goals. It's important to keep a clean sheet."

No rift between 1 GAME and NFF - Philip Obaji

1 GAME founder Philip Obaji (pictured left)insists his organization enjoy the assistance and co-operation of the Nigeria Football Federation contrary to reports in some section of the media of a rift.

An online portal naijasportivo.blogspot.com had reported that Obaji had a major disagreement with NFF President Aminu Maigari in the presence of NFF Technical Committee Chairman over 1 GAME’s anti-violence publications in the media when the former visited the NFF Secretariat in March a report Obaji was quick to deny.

The 1 GAME arrowhead said on his Facebook page that he remains good friends with Aminu Maigari and the NFF Board and have enjoyed their support in the campaign to end violence in Nigeria football system.

“Aminu Maigari is a symbol of humility and modesty. There has never been a time I have had to disagree with him or anyone from the NFF. I have rather enjoyed their assistance and co-operation in the fight to achieve success in the campaign against violence and fanaticism in football. Reports by some people of a rift is frivolous.”

1 GAME has in recent times come up with series of media publications intended to promote its objectives of non-violence and an end to fanaticism in football, calling on the public to sign up to its campaign and support its cause. The campaign has had more than One hundred thousand sign-ups on its website www.play1game.org including endorsements from NFF President Aminu Maigari and some members of the Football Federation’s Executive Committee.

Hitzfeld hits out at Mourinho

Two-time Champions League winner Ottmar Hitzfeld has blasted Jose Mourinho for his "boorish" attitude and "shameful" tactics.

Mourinho has come under fire for his part in Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona last week in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with the former Chelsea and Inter boss adopting a defensive approach at the Bernabeu and then making explosive comments to the press after the game.

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against both clubs, but Switzerland boss Hitzfeld suggested the first-leg victory for Barca was justice for the sport after the way he approached the game.

"Luckily, Mourinho's destructive tactics, aimed solely at provoking and destroying the opponents' gameplan, did not work," he told German magazine Kicker.

"Such a way of playing does not relate to the demands of Real. It's really shameful for Real Madrid. It harms the good name and image of this legendary club.

"I've met him at UEFA meetings and his behaviour is faithful to his image: arrogant, haughty, chewing gum and somewhat of a boor. Barca should make him pay on the pitch."

Hitzfeld won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern Munich in 2001, and has also won the Bundesliga on seven occasions as a coach.