TRANSFER GOSSIP FOR DEADLINE DAY

Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has entered the race to sign Cagliari and Italy defender Davide Astori, 27.

Lewis Holtby could move to Fulham on loan

Full story: Daily Mail 
Fulham are on the verge of four signings, with Greek striker Kostas Mitroglou, 25, set to be joined by Tottenham's Lewis Holtby, 23, and two Manchester United youngsters.
Full story: goal.com 
West Ham are attempting to hijack Fulham's capture of Mitroglou in a move which would see Dimitar Berbatov remain at Craven Cottage.
Full story: Daily Mirror 
Berbatov, however, has stationed himself in London as the 33-year-old hopes a return to Tottenham can be negotiated.
Full story: Telegraph 
French side Nantes hope to secure the signing of out-of-favour striker Arsenal Park Chu-Young, 28, and Newcastle's 27-year-old midfielder Sylvain Marveaux.
Full story: Inside Futbol 
Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, 21, looks to have completed his loan move to Cardiff City after he posted a photo of himself wearing the Welsh club's colours on social media.
Full story: Daily Star 

Manchester United's Nani is being chased by a host of clubs

Tottenham have joined Italian side Inter Milan in the chase to sign Manchester United winger Nani, 27, on loan.
Full story: Metro 
Clement Grenier, the man Newcastle lined up to replace Yohan Cabaye, will remain at Lyon until the summer as the 23-year-old hopes to secure his World Cup place in the France squad.
Full story: Talksport 
Manchester United manager David Moyes is eyeing up a move for Spurs winger Andros Townsend.
Full story: the Sun (subscription required) 
Liverpool are embroiled in a race against time to try to land Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka amid interest from Spurs.
Full story: Daily Express 
Arsenal's big-money move for Schalke striker Julian Draxler, 20, is set to collapse with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all set to join the hunt for the player at the end of the season if he stays in Germany.
Full story: Daily Star 

OTHER GOSSIP

Joleon Lescott, 31, is set to stay at Manchester City and see out the remaining six months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium despite interest from Besiktas, West Ham and Fulham.
Full story: Daily Mirror 
The future of Leeds United is shrouded in uncertainty after a takeover of the club by a consortium collapsed due to a lack of financial backing.
Full story: Guardian 

Clement Grenier wants to secure his World Cup place with France

Liverpool, meanwhile, hope to submit plans to redevelop Anfield before the end of the season and complete work on an expanded main stand before 2018.
Full story: Guardian 
Manchester United's 18-year-old winger Adnan Januzaj will pledge his international future to England despite being eligible to represent a number of countries including Belgium.
Full story: the Sun (subscription required) 
Unsettled Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolahan has launched a foul-mouthed attack on the club, with his future at the club in the balance after he had a transfer request turned down.
Full story: Daily Star 

AND FINALLY

Lazio midfielder Hernanes, 28, burst into tears in front of supporters as he left the club's training ground ahead of a proposed move to Napoli.
Full story: Metro 
Liverpool and Tottenham target Yevhen Konoplyanka, 24, is dismissed as a "headless chicken" by one of Ukraine's all-time greats, Oleg Luzhny.

Norwich sign Joseph Yobo on loan

Norwich City have signed Joseph Yobo on loan from Fenerbahce until the end of the season.

The 33-year-old central defender, who spent eight years at Everton, has been playing in the Turkish Super Lig since August 2010.

Yobo becomes Norwich's second signing of the January transfer window following Jonas Gutierrez's arrival from Newcastle, which is also a loan deal until the end of the campaign.

Chris Hughton's side currently sit 12th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone but have won just once in their last eight league matches.

“It’s the same as everybody else. We’re still working hard, and will continue to do so right up until the last moments,” the Norwich boss said when asked about potential transfers on Thursday.

“If we’re able to do something then that would be great, but if we’re not then we have a competitive squad, and as I’ve said before we’ve got players who have been reintroduced to that squad.

“Anthony Pilkington and Alex Tettey were both involved on Tuesday, and of course there are always going to be other players coming back into the squad from injury over the course of the season.”

Closing date for Women's Sport Leadership Academy is this Friday

Women's Sport Leadership Academy 2014 will bring together outstanding female delegates from the UK and the world to provide a unique learning environment that will support women to further develop their leadership competencies.

WSLA 2014
Women from all around the world will share ideas, values, and policy understandings in order to enhance their own leadership strategies in sport. Women delegates will also be sharing their intercultural experiences. After the one week residency delegates will be part of an international network of women's sport leaders.

Anita White Foundation and Females Achieving Brilliance
Organised by the (AWF) and Females Achieving Brilliance (FAB) and supported by the University of Chichester, the WSLA aims to increase the confidence and leadership qualities of women working in sport. A range of skills, values, strategies and networking opportunities are at the heart of a programme facilitated by women who have found great success at senior positions of sport as varied as policy and decision-making to consultancy and chairing leading sports organisations.

We have already received applications from around the world and have been able to offer scholarships to some successful delegates. Closing date this Friday, 31 January.

Journalism grants for innovative development reporting projects

The European Journalism Centre (EJC) has received continued financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to advance journalistic coverage of issues related to global development and the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.

Journalism Grants are available for innovations in development reporting. Journalists are encouraged to break away from the stereotypes of covering development issues and innovate the storytelling behind development. Journalists can apply for a minimum grant of €8,000, with the average grant given estimated to be about €20,000.

This is a great opportunity to tell the story of how sport and development can change lives and how sport and development can impact society. A story of marathons and gender equality in East Africa was a previous winner, and there are certainly many powerful stories of development left to address. 

The deadline to submit is 26 February 2014. Apply via http://journalismgrants.org/

The International Sport and Cultural Association internship offer

ISCA is in rapid development and will in 2014 in particular

• Strengthen its focus on analysis and services for our 135 member organisations worldwide
• Roll out the European NowWeMove campaign for physical activity

As an intern you will work in the ISCA headquarters and handle tasks within one or more of the following areas

• Communications and PR
• Designing and implementing new CRM system
• Sponsorship and fundraising

You will refer to Secretary General Jacob Schouenborg and have broad contact with the 12 staff at the office as well as with colleagues abroad.

The working language is English and the workload is 30-37 hours per week. The position will likely entail international travel. Interns are expected to live in or in close proximity to Copenhagen and will receive 3000 DKK per month.

Qualification

• Studies at relevant higher education institution, e.g. communications, business development, sport science, international development, etc.
• Works fluently in English, orally and written
• Independent and strutured
• Ability to meet short deadlines in a busy, dedicated and informal work environment

We offer
An opportunity to work in an internationally oriented, value-driven organisation. You will be able to challenge yourself in a variety of tasks matching your competences and be involved in strategic, creative and administrative tasks.

You will learn about international project management and strengthen your intercultural competences. You will get a letter of recommendation reflecting your contribution and qualifications, and will receive feedback on your work from several ISCA staff. The work portfolio can be designed to meet specific requirements from your studies.


Application
Applications must be submitted by e-mail tojs@isca-web.org no later than the 27 January 2014. Questions can be addressed to Jacob Schouenborg at +4528588444

Trial Games Opportunties for Football Club and Academies in Nigeria

Midas Media Consult is a football and media management outfit based in Lagos Nigeria and it is out to catch a niche for itself by promoting the game of football,

We can arrange trial games, training camps as well as friendship games for football teams either in the Nigeria’s premier league, division one, amateur or football academies, we have more 2 years experience in the business of delivering excellent service to our clients.

We are committed to the growth of football in Nigeria and Africa

We propose some football programmes in 4 countries for football teams which you can choose from, and we will make adequate arrangement in the area of visa, feeding, accommodation and every other logistics.

We will also help your team arrange with professional scouts and club managers to see some of your special players and market them.

TURKEY

Accommodation with hotel or youth hostel, Visa, Flights, 3 meals a day, full time bus, Minimum of 6 games for your team with 2^nd or 3^rd league teams from Armenia, Turkey and Georgia for a 20 days program

Price for whole Program:             NGN 450, 000 (Naira)/Per Person. 

CZECH REPUBLIC

Accommodation with hotel or youth hostel, Visa, Flights, 3 meals a day, full time bus, top games for your team with 2^nd or 3^rd league teams for a 30 days program

Price for whole Program:             NGN 600, 000 (Naira)/Per Person.

SOUTH AFRICA

13 nights’ accommodation in 3 stars hotel in Johannesburg

Triple & four bed rooms for the athletes and single for the coach

2 meals daily (breakfast & Dinner)

6 friendly games (grass pitches, referees, doctor, and mineral water)

Transfer from/to the airport

Transfer from/to the friendly games

           Visa and Flight ticket.

Price for whole Program:             NGN 390, 000 (Naira)/Per Person.

BAHRAIN

13 nights’ accommodation in 3 OR 4 stars hotel in the city of Manama

Two, triple & four bed rooms for the players and single for the coaches

3 meals daily (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

8 friendly games (grass pitches, referees)

Visa and Flight Ticket

Invitation of professional club managers and scouts from Qatar and UAE to watch games and select interested players.

 Price for whole Program:             NGN 420,000 (Naira)/Per Person.

This program can be arranged at anytime of the year expecially between the summer and winter football transfer break for teams to use the opportunity to market their players to interested football clubs all over the world.

We need to get your letter of interest atleast 6 weeks before the intended date of departure so as to meet up with all the necessary paper works and to enable us make adequate arrangement to give you a world class service.

In order to proceed with invitation letters we have to receive the deposit of 40% of the total amount.

5 weeks before the arrival we have to receive 30% and the rest of the money 2 weeks before the arrival.

                                                                  

Skype: midassoccer, Facebook: Bayonle Arashi, Twitter:@midassoccer, BB pin: 765321F4, Watsapp: +2348033769034

Khune sad to miss Nigeria clash

Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune has been ruled out of the African Nations Championship Group A clash against Nigeria on Sunday.

“I was really looking forward to this match as it is one that will decide our fate in the tournament," Khune said on Saturday.

"I am very sad and disappointed that I will not be playing. It is not nice missing such an important fixture for your country, but I believe Moeneeb Josephs and Siyabonga Mpontshane are capable of doing a great job.
"These things happen - injuries are part and parcel of the game and hopefully I will be back in the side for the following match.”

Khune suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday night and was taken for a scan the next day.
He trained on the side-lines at Bafana Bafana's final training session at the Clyde Pinelands grounds but was ruled out of Sunday's match at the Cape Town Stadium.

“Hopefully we still have more matches after this one and Khune will be able to join us," coach Gordon Igesund said.

"For now his health is important. Rather not use him now and have him available for the latter stages of the tournament instead of playing him tomorrow and losing him for a longer period of time. The risk is too high.”
Khune said he was confident of a win against the Super Eagles.

“We stand a very good chance of getting victory over Nigeria. We just need to go out there and apply ourselves like we have been at training and in the past matches," he said.

"I have been receiving messages of support for the team from all over the country, fans saying they will be at the stadium and that is what we need, it is a good morale booster to know the country is behind us.
"With that kind of support and the belief that the players have, we should be able to emerge victorious after 90 minutes and go on to the next round, but it won't be easy because Nigeria is a good side too. We are confident though that we will make it.”

Josephs has been capped 23 times for Bafana Bafana and last played for the national team in a friendly match against Mozambique in September 2012.
In the other Group A match, Mali face Mozambique at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. The match also kicks off at 7pm.

ANZHI from Grace to Grass

You all remember Anzhi Makhachkala, right? The club with all the money? The side with the name that invited the Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V manoeuvre? The Russian team that spent incredible sums on attracting the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Roberto Carlos and a whole lot besides?

Samuel Eto'o, Anzhi

Yes, that's them. They finished third in the Russian league last season, reached the last 16 of the Europa League and were installed as joint-second favourites for the domestic title before the season started in mid-July.

It may surprise you, therefore, to take a look at the Russian Premier League table. Rather than challenging Zenit St Petersburg and the four Moscow clubs for a place in the Champions League, Anzhi currently sit rock bottom of the table with 19 games played. They have just eight points, and are yet to win a league game. In fact, Tromso of Norway have been their only defeated opponent since May.

This is a club on its knees. From nothing to all and back to nothing again in the relative blinking of an eye. Forget the heart-warming of story of Sassuolo last week, this is the true modern footballing tale, and it's a story of financial dependency and vulnerability to the whims of one man.

Three years ago, Anzhi Makhachkala were a rather middling club. Only formed in 1991 and based in the capital of the Dagestan Republic, they were first promoted to the Premier League in 1999. Their debut season in the top flight was successful, a fourth-placed finish resulting in UEFA Cup qualification, with a Russian Cup final appearance the following year. 2002 brought relegation back to the second tier, but in 2009 they won the Championship to return once again. Think Middlesbrough or Leicester, perhaps, with no offence or compliment meant to either.

And then, on January 18 2011, billionaire Suleyman Kerimov made a deal to purchase his hometown club. An investor, businessman and politician, Kerimov had continuously courted controversy through his extravagant business dealings, amassing a fortune considered to be in the region of £4.5billion by the age of 45. It was clear that Anzhi would be changed irrevocably and at speed.

By the end of the following month plans had already been made to remodel the club's old Khazar Stadium, increasing capacity to 30,000 (which opened last year), and former Brazilian international Roberto Carlos had been signed on a two-and-a-half year contract worth a reported €10m. Anderlecht's Mbark Boussoufa and Brazilian's Diego Tardelli and Jucilei also joined for a combined €26m - the financial flexing of muscles had truly begun.

That summer, in the Russian mid-season transfer window, things went from ambitious to obscene. Hungarian Balazs Dzsudzsák joined for €14m, with Yuri Zhirkov bought from Chelsea for a similar fee. On August 23, 30-year-old Samuel Eto'o was signed from Inter for around €28m. More pertinently, his weekly wage was announced as €400,000 a week. Guus Hiddink was appointed manager, and the Dutchman immediately bought Christopher Samba for €14m. Last season, the club finished third in the league with the signings of Willian and Lacina Traore thrown into the mix for a cool €53m. You almost get desensitised to the eye-watering figures.

If one incident summed up Kerimov's indulgence, it came in April 2011. Just two months after signing from Corinthians, Roberto Carlos celebrated his 38th birthday. Leaving his party in one of Makhachkala's hotels, the owner presented Carlos with the keys to a Bugatti Veyron worth €1.8m. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.
And then, in August, with Anzhi considered serious contenders for both the Russian title and the Europa League, came the quotes that astounded Dagestan's public. The term used by club president Konstantin Remchukov was "reformatting", but the rough translation was 'fire sale'. Kerimov has decided, it appeared, that he no longer wished to bankroll Anzhi.

Whether the move was linked to Kerimov's recent £325m loss (a reminder that Kerimov's fortune is still at £4.5bn) in a business transaction involving one of his companies, Uralkali, or whether the plaything had simply lost its charm and the owner sought a new fix, we may never know, but one thing is evident - Kerimov had had enough and Anzhi had been instantly devastated.

The club's day-to-day budget was instantly reduced by 75%, meaning that Eto'o, WIllian, Samba, Traore and Lassana Diarra all left the club shortly after, followed by Russian internationals Zhirkov, Igor Denisov, Oleg Shatov, Aleksei Ionov and Aleksandr Kokorov, a squad decimated through the inability to even meet the wage bill with the economic restrictions placed upon them by their owner.

To recap, Anzhi are bottom of the Russian Premier league, and will almost certainly be relegated back to the first division. The remaining remotely high-profile players (including former Manchester City midfielder Abdul Razak and Brazilian Ewerton) will leave, and the club will be in its worst position since formation.
That may be an intriguing tale to read, but don't kid yourself that this is nothing but an interesting aside to your working day. Kerimov didn't break the rules, and he would presumably be welcomed with open arms in England if he wished to purchase a middling Premier League club. And, when he again decided he was bored of the ride, he would step off and letit career off the tracks.

Furthermore, there are plenty more like him. This week has seen Hull owner Assem Allam threaten to walk away from Hull unless he was able to rename the club, effectively holding supporters and the Football Assocation to ransom. Having put in £60million of his own money Allam does deserve praise, but is there any reason to suggest he may not demand his investment back should he finish his long-winded toy-tossing? "I wouldn't allow the club to be in any risk," was Allam's promise in November, "as long as I am not deprived of the opportunity to make money for it."

In south Wales too, Vincent Tan continues his determined mission to rule Cardiff with his iron fist after changing club badge, kit colour and the very ethos of the club. Should he walk, he will be owed £66m, and we can be certain that he will take his share.

Three years ago on Sunday, Kerimov changed a club forever with one waft of his chequebook. We may bury our heads in the sand, refusing to believe that our beloved clubs are nothing more than toys in the hands of the richest and most powerful. But that's exactly where some uncomfortably sit.
Supporters may be desperate for their clubs to spend in order to keep up with the footballing Joneses, but the perversely speedy upturn and downfall of Anzhi is a warning to those that want their club to grow in anything other than a financially sustainable and independent way - be careful what you wish for.

Transfer window gossip: Sunday

Tottenham are reportedly targeting a January deal for Napoli's Goran Pandev, with the 30-year-old striker thought to be keen on a move.Full story: Metro

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic, 30, on loan to boost the club's title hopes — but the Italian club are trying to force through a £10m sale.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha, 21, will be allowed to go out on loan - but only if United's injury problems ease with fellow wingers Nani, 27, and Ashley Young, 28, currently out of action.
Wilfried Zaha

Zaha has struggled to make an impact at Manchester United

Full story: Manchester Evening News

The Old Trafford club are monitoring seven top-class midfielders, including Everton's Ross Barkley, 20, and Southampton's Adam Lallana, 25.

Full story: Daily Star

But Manchester United boss David Moyes has been dealt another blow in the transfer market after Spanish midfielder Koke, 22, signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid.

Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United have switched their attentions to Seville left-back Alberto Moreno, 21, with Leighton Baines, 29, due to sign a new deal at Everton this week.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits it is unlikely that Monaco striker Lacina Traore, 23, will sign for the Upton Park club.

Full story: Mail on Sunday
OTHER GOSSIP

Young Premier League stars could see their wages capped under radical plans being drawn up by the FA's ­commission into the future of English football.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, 30, feared his World Cup dream - and possibly his career - was finished after he suffered a freak foot injury against Everton earlier this season.

Full story: Daily Star

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will be a shock contender for the West Ham manager's job - if they sack current boss Sam Allardyce.

Full story: Sunday Mirror
AND FINALLY

New Everton signing Aiden McGeady, who signed from Spartak Moscow this week, admits that parts of Russian life is like "20 years ago".

The Swiss Academy for Development seeks grant writer

The Swiss Academy for Development (SAD), both a frontrunner and think tank in sport and development (S&D), is a practice-oriented research institute that promotes development opportunities for children and young people who experience rapid and often conflictual change, and encourages their participation in society. At the interface between science and practice, SAD develops and tests new approaches and methods. It generates practice-oriented knowledge through applied studies, monitoring and evaluation as well as through its own operational pilot projects. SAD passes on this practical knowledge to other organisations, which generate a multiplier effect both in Switzerland and abroad. Place of work: Biel/Bienne, Switzerland Work load: 60% (corresponds to 24 working hours/week) Starting date: Immediately or as per agreement Duration: Open-ended Major responsibilities Conduct research to determine grant sources; review calls for proposals and recommend whether SAD should pursue funding opportunities; review donor proposal requirements Develop, write, edit and submit grant proposals in close collaboration with the senior management Liaise with project staff to collect relevant information required for writing a grant Support project staff in writing donor reports; proof-read and edit donor reports that are written by project staff Other relevant duties as assigned Knowledge, skills and abilities Demonstrated grant writing experience; proven track record in corporate, foundation and/or government fundraising Excellent written communication skills in English (native speakers preferred) Exceptional initiative and proven ability to work efficiently and effectively in a collegial and fast-paced environment Ability and willingness to handle multiple assignments, meet deadlines and pay strong attention to detail Flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team as well as independently At least a good passive understanding of German Good understanding of social science, development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid Successful candidates qualify for a work permit in Switzerland How to apply: Please submit your application (motivation letter, resume, relevant certificates, references, writing sample) per e-mail to: eggenberger@sad.ch, +41 32 32 344 30 53, www.sad.ch

African Player Transfers and the Politics

One of the biggest problems facing African soccer is the constant flow of top talent out of African leagues and into the leagues of Europe. This one-way stream of player movement has been beneficial to the national teams as it allows their players to train regularly with the best in the world, but it prevents the nations from gaining any sort of financial benefit for the talents of their players. It is common around the world for the best players to play in England, Italy and Spain. These three nations have well-established and incredibly well funded leagues and even players from soccer-rich nations such as Brazil and Mexico move to these leagues. The problem for Africa soccer is that players jump at their first chance to move to Europe regardless of the quality of the league they are joining. Of the top 5 African teams heading into the 2014 World Cup (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Mali), only 5 of the 150 players play in domestic leagues. The remainder play in European leagues ranging from the English premier league to the second division of Turkish soccer. However, countries with competitive and well-established leagues, such as Egypt and South Africa, are better able to keep players from going overseas. In fact, both Egypt and South Africa have a majority of players that stay and play nationally In order to properly understand the effects of this player migration, one must know what causes it. One of the major causes of player movement from Africa to Europe is simply the globalization of soccer. Now, more than ever before, scouts from the top teams in Europe travel the world in search of talent. In his essay entitled, African Footballer Migration, John Bale notes, “In the early 1990’s, there were less than twenty foreign players in the English Premiership. By 2000 there were over 250.”[2] Globalization does not account however for the fact that many of the top national teams in Africa feature no players from their domestic leagues. The player movement from Africa to Europe cannot be attributed just to the globalization of soccer. A more sinister explanation for the player movement from Africa to Europe is neo-colonialism or exploitation of African labor by Europeans. Bale states that, “The systemization of recruitment, migration and work of African footballers can be read as a form of neocolonialism and exploitation in the well worn European traditions of scrambling for Africa.”[3] This view is supported by the manner in which many African soccer players are recruited to Europe. The soccer academies and talent scouts that many European clubs have scattered all over Africa generally care more about the soccer ability than the general welfare of a prospective player. By no means are all soccer academies and agents guilty of exploiting young African soccer players, but it happens often enough to lead Bale to compare the movement of young Africans to Europe to the plantation system of colonial Africa. He claims that major clubs, “Seek to (a) ding raw materials, i.e. talented players; (b) refine them, i.e. train the players, and (c) ship abroad the finished products, i.e. football players.”[4] This comparison is not entirely fair but it correctly points out that for the most part young African players are not treated well by the system of recruitment. It is commonly accepted that the process by which many African soccer players move to Europe is flawed. The UK House of Commons has even gotten involved recently but as of yet there have been no changes to the process.[5] The question then is why do so many young Africans put themselves in the hands of corrupt agents and impersonal soccer academies. The answer to this lies in the living conditions of most African countries. A feature article on the Ivory Coast men’s national soccer team in Spiegel Online illustrates the conditions that many African soccer players are dealing with. “Etoile Sportive, have their backs to the wall on a pitch of rutted, mustard-brown earth. It’s a schoolyard, but deep gullies have been carved out by the rains. The ball bounces erratically, like a rugby ball, and the rotting goalposts threaten to collapse with every goal scored. There are at least two or three balls on the pitch at any one time – made of plastic, leather or knotted rags; clusters of children are playing their own matches around its fringes.”[6] When compared with the pristine and manicured pitches that even the youngest European children have at their disposal the conditions in the Ivory Coast, and in most of Africa are far inferior. It is no surprise therefore that African soccer players are willing to gamble on a career in Europe. The mass exodus of top footballing talent that cripples most of the domestic soccer leagues in Africa is not caused by any one source. Globalization of soccer accounts for much of the player migration and neo-colonialism may also play a role, but without a doubt the major reason for African soccer players moving to Europe is the harsh reality that even as a reserve player in a lesser European league they will have a better life than had they stayed in Africa.

Midas Football Academy Player Departs Nigeria for Trials in UAE

Emmanuel Ofili with manager Bayonle Arashi @ the Lagos airport.

Midas Football Academy Centre Back Emmanuel Ofili left for the United Arab Emirates tonight for a 2 week trials that will enable him sign for a professional football club and progress in his career.

He his hoping to start his trials from Monday January 20th and details about his club will be published soon.

we wish him all the best in his trials.

Echiejile signs for Monaco from Braga

Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile has completed a move to French municipality club Monaco from Portuguese side Sporting Braga. The Super Eagles man has signed a four and half year contract that will see him at Monaco until 2018. The 25-year-old was part of the Nigeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and also played at the Confederations Cup where he scored a goal against Tahiti. "I am very happy and very proud to return to France with a club like Monaco, who are one of the best in Europe and who possess great repute in Africa since George Weah emerged there,” Echiejile told the club’s website. "Moreover, excellent Nigerian players have worn the shirt, like Victor Ikpeba and Lukman Haruna, and I'll give the best of myself to succeed them as well as I can." Echiejile previously played at Rennes in the French first division.

BERTRAND LOANED TO VILLA

Ryan Bertrand has today (Friday) completed a loan move to Aston Villa until the end of the season. So far this campaign the Academy product has made three appearances, taking his Chelsea total to 57 games. Bertrand has one England cap, making his debut against Italy in 2012, and also represented Great Britain at that summer's Olympic Games. The 24-year-old has seen his club involvement limited this season due to the form of Cesar Azpilicueta and Ashley Cole in his favoured left-back position. He has previously enjoyed several loan spells, including at Bournemouth, Oldham Athletic, Norwich City, Reading and Nottingham Forest, having arrived at Stamford Bridge from Gillingham in 2005. He made his Chelsea debut in April 2011, and just over a year later lifted the Champions League on his first European outing for the club. He remains the only player ever to make his debut in the final of the competition. Aston Villa currently sit 11th in the Barclays Premier League, and travel to Liverpool tomorrow evening, a game for which Bertrand will be eligible.

US Department of State grant opportunity

Public and private non-profit organisations are invited to submit proposals for exchange projects designed to use the popularity and power of mega sporting events to create positive change. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) request for grant proposals: Sport for Community: Emerging Leaders in Action Programme Announcement type: New cooperative agreement Funding opportunity number: ECA-ECAPEC-14-031 Catalog of federal domestic assistance number: 19.415 Application deadline: February 7, 2014 The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the FY 2014 SportsUnited programme, “Sport for Community: Emerging Leaders in Action”. Public and private non-profit organisations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals for exchange projects designed to use the popularity and power of mega sporting events, such as the World Cup, to create positive change in communities through sustained mentorship and youth-led community-based sports initiatives. In support of U.S. Department of State foreign policy objectives, ECA’s SportsUnited programmes create both people-to-people and institutional linkages through sport exchanges. The FY 2014 “Sport for Community: Emerging Leaders in Action”, under the Global Sports Mentoring Programme, will focus on both male and female youth, ages 20-35. Sport for Community will provide ten (10) to twenty (20) emerging leaders with a U.S.-based mentorship in the sports sector. Approximately ten (10) American representatives of the mentoring organisations will then travel to the host country for follow-on programming with their mentees. At the time of publication, Sport for Community may be implemented in conjunction with the Men’s World Cup, but the U.S. State Department reserves the right to modify the host country based on changing circumstances. Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition. If multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared ineligible and receive no further consideration in the review process. Visit the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website @ http://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding/open-grant-solicitations to view the full announcement

Post-graduate scholarship offer at the University of Western Cape

The University of the Western Cape / Interdisciplinary Centre for Sport Science and Development is pleased to announce postgraduate scholarship opportunities in partnership with Generations for Peace. Programme description The University of Western Cape and Generations for Peace have embarked on a multidisciplinary postgraduate development research programme on sport for peace and development. The programme offers exciting opportunities for postgraduate students to do their PhD with the interdisciplinary centre for sport sciences and development (ICESSD) at the University of Western Cape in niche areas that will impact on sport for peace and development. Scholarship opportunity The following 2014 scholarship opportunities are available: One postgraduate scholarship of R 120000 (PhD full-time) per annum OR Two postgraduate scholarships of R 60000 (PhD part-time) per annum Scholarships will be awarded for one year at a time, with renewal up to three years dependent on evidence of excellent work and satisfactory progress. Research description Research projects should include disciplines located within the faculties of arts, community and health sciences; education, law and/or natural sciences. Research projects should focus on the use of sport for peace building, notably sport-based approaches to conflict transformation to address local issues of conflict and violence at the grass roots in communities. Closing date for applications: 15 February 2014. Visit the ICESSD website http://icessd.uwc.ac.za/ for more information and how to apply For eligibility criteria and submission requirements please see the attached document.

ADMISSION NOW OPEN FOR 2014 SEASON AT MIDAS FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Admission into Midas Football Academy for 2014 season is now open, register now and be part of our exciting local and international soccer tournament this year. Accommodation also available. Midas can also arrange for your South Africa visa and trials into football academies in SA, We can also arrange for Schengen visa, UK visa, Australia visa, China visa, Japan visa as well as Canada and United States visa at an affordable rate with guaranteed result. Interested players, parents or coaches should visit our office at MIDAS MEDIA CONSULT, Suite 10 Ebunoluwa shopping plaza, Ajala bus stop ijaiye Lagos or call Bayonle on 08033769034, BB pin: 2B36474E for all the financial details to be given to you or sent directly to your mail box. @ Midas we guarantee you 100% result without hassles, come do business with us today and you will be glad. contact us on the above number or bb pin for details, we are one of the best in Nigeria and Africa.

Football Afri Independence Edition