GLASGOW 2016 Commonwealth long jump gold medalist Ese Brume and 15 other athletes are to report at the Port Harcourt camp of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The athletes who did well at the last Tuesday Over-Distance competition organized by AFN at the University of Port Harcourt based AFN High Performance Center are Knowledge Omovoh, Okolosi Oghenekome, Odele Tega, Akerele Atanda, Avnaherhe Oke, Simeon Friday and Afam Ogbuagu.
Ese Brume photo credit: Ese Brume
Others are Ogbonna Prosper, Afeez Abduraman, Odigbo Rita, Nwichi Ngozi, Isah Salihu, Ugochukwu Ottah, Ehige Josephine and Igbinosun Isoken. Coach Kayode Yahaya is the only coach invited by the federation.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has commended the University of Port Harcourt for setting high standards in the development of modern sports in Nigeria.
Barrister Dalung gave the commendation when he visited the High Performance Center which is sited in the University.
The Minister thanked the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Ndowa E. S. Lale for providing facilities, accommodation and warm hospitality for athletes to train ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
I visited the the garden city to see Nigerian athletes training in High Performance Centre in the University of… https://t.co/RK7XJlILNK
“In African tradition, if somebody offers accommodation to your children, it is natural that you follow their footsteps to see how they’re faring. We’re here to convey the appreciation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to the university for providing the facilities and accommodation for training our athletes for the Rio Games.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is also grateful for your innovation to drive sports to an advanced stage of scientific development. There is no doubt that sports has graduated from sheer determination and skill to science. Nigeria’s sports cannot remain stagnant and expect to cope with the dynamics of modern sports. This is the area we will wish the University of Port Harcourt to be a key partner” Dalung stated.
Barrister Dalung pledged government’s continuous support to the University of Port Harcourt in ensuring that all necessary facilities that will lead to the attainment of a modern and functional high performance center is realized despite the paucity of funds.
“For a high performance center to be effective, it must be housed in an academic environment, because it is not only for training but there are also curricula that are associated with it. After my visit, you may guide in taking a proper decision as to what should be the status of a national high performance center in Nigeria”.
In his response, the Vice Chancellor Prof Lale extolled the University as a citadel of sports excellence in the country adding that they were grateful to have the High performance center cited in the institution.
Honourable Minister For Youths and Sports Solomon Dalung
“This University ranks very high, not just in Nigeria but in West Africa when it comes to university sports so we need facilities to justify that status. I therefore implore you to assist and position us adequately for the status conferred upon us”.
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Dr Solomon Ogba said in a vote of thanks, that he was excited to have the minister visit the high performance center at a very short notice. He said the HPC was the latest and scientific way of training athletes.
“Those who are involved in the running of the HPC including the exercise physiologist, bio mechanics, human kinetics etc are professionals which could only be gotten from a university environment. This center has been training our athletes for the Olympics since November and the minister has come to see how the athletes are faring with their training. I urge the University authority to support the minister to achieve success in sports development”.
Barrister Dalung visited the High performance Center, students hostel, dinning area and held a private meeting with the athletes. He is due to visit the High performance center in Pretoria this weekend to compare notes that will help in re- positioning Nigeria’s HPC to international standards.
The 2015 5-A-Side Football Competition organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State chapter for all media houses in the state got underway to a fantastic set of first round games on Wednesday.
Day One of the tournament tagged “Henry Kalio Cup” was characterized by goals, misses, gaffes and modest form of novelty as journalists enjoyed themselves in a fun-filled but competitive manner.
HENRY KALIO CUP
The ceremonial kick-off was taken by the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on NDDC, Barrister Aribitonye Okiri. The combined team of Tide and Independent Monitor Newspapers started the goalfest with a 5-2 victory over Wave FM. Isaac Mbah scored a brace while goalkeeper Gabriel Nwanetanya also registered his name on the scoresheet.
In Group A’s other game, CoolWazobiaNigeriaInfo were annihilated by an effortless Garden City Radio side who steamrolled over their much vaunted opponents by 5 goals to nothing. Sports writers, Damiete Sanipe, Fisayo Dairo and Benjamin Sawadinho were among the goals as the Ufuoma Egbamuno-tutored CoolWazobiaInfo side wondered what they were to do with the ball for long spells in the game.
In Group B, substitute China Ikwerreman Acheru was in goal scoring form as Today FM hammered RSTV 3-0. Acheru, who received the loudest ovation when he came on in the 2nd half scored his team’s 3rd barely five minutes after entering the fray.
Meanwhile, a brace from Maxwell Barilee propelled Treasure FM to a 4-2 win over Rhythm FM. Okey Onwugbonu was also on target for the FRCN side who rattled the Gbenga James-led Seasiders for longer periods in the game.
Group Standings
Group A
1. Garden City Radio 3pts +5
2. Tide/Independent Monitor 3pts +2
3. Wave FM 0pt -3
4. CoolWazobiaInfo 0pt -5
Group B
1. Today FM 3pts +3
2. Treasure FM 3pts +2
3. Rhythm FM 0pt -2
4. RSTV/Radio Rivers 0pt -3
THURSDAY’s SCHEDULE
Group A
1:00pm – Wave FM vs Garden City Radio
1:50pm – The Tide/Independent Monitor vs CoolWazobiaInfo
Group B
2:40pm – RSTV/Radio Rivers vs Rhythm FM
3:30pm – Today FM vs Treasure FM
The draws for the 2015 Rivers state SWAN 5-A-Side football competition tagged “Henry Kalio Cup” were conducted yesterday (Monday) at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt.
In the pick of the pairings, Wave FM were drawn in the same group A alongside local rivals Garden City Radio. Both organizations are merely 3 electric poles apart and it serves for a tantalising local derby when both teams meet on Matchday 2.
Other teams in Group A are the combined force of Tide/Independent Monitor Newspapers as well as the overhyped CoolWazobiaNigeriaInfo team.
In Group B, Rivers State Television (RSTV) will lock horns with the youthful Today FM as well as the boastful Treasure FM and Rhythm FM.
Competition starts on Wednesday at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port Harcourt.
In a related development, 1980 Nations Cup winner and former Commisiioner of Justice in Rivers State, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka has opted to donate a gigantic trophy to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State chapter in honour of the late Henry Kalio. Amiesimaka says it is his own way of immortalizing Kalio, who he describes as an “icon in Sports journalism”.
DRAWS AND FIXTURES
Group A
Wave FM
The Tide/Independent Monitor
Garden City Radio
CoolWazobiaInfo
Group B
R.S.T.V
Today FM
Rhythm FM
Treasure FM
FIXTURES
Wednesday 16th December;
A – Wave FM vs Tide/Independent Monitor
A – Garden City Radio vs CoolWazobiaInfo
B – R.S.T.V. vs Today FM
B – Rhythm FM vs Treasure FM
Thursday 17th December
A – Wave FM vs Garden City Radio
A – Tide/Monitor vs CoolWazobiaInfo
B – R.S.T.V vs Rhythm FM
B – Today FM vs Treasure FM
Friday 18th December
A – Wave FM vs CoolWazobiaInfo
A – Garden City Radio vs Tide/Monitor
B – R.S.T.Vvs Treasure FM
B – Today FM vs Rhythm FM
Saturday 19th December
Semi-finals
Match 13 – Winner A vs Runner-up B
Match 14 – Winner B vs Runner-up A
Despite disappointing narrow losses to in their first two games at the National Division 1 basketball championship holding in Port Harcourt, the Yobe Desert Warriors stunned the Port Harcourt crowd on Wednesday morning with a 77-76 points win over Niger Potters.
The Desert Warriors who are narrowly lost their first 2 games by 2 and 1 points to APA Flames and Benue Braves respectively rebounded with a victory over bookies favorites Niger Potters today.
Chairman of the Yobe State Basketball Association, Mr. Bukar Muhammed Kachalla believes the Yobe Desert Warriors has what it takes to dominate basketball in Nigeria if given the needed support.
“We always knew we had a good team but we were pegged back by the slow start, all we need now is to win our remaining games and see what happens from there”.
” Dont forget we used to be household name before the insurgency started and that really slowed us down. I am glad we got back to restoring back all sports in the state and basketball is one of the key sports, we hope to work with and very soon we will dominate Nigerian Basketball”. He added
We Have what it takes to Dominate Nigerian Basketball. – Kachalla
Double double from Musa Muhammed 22 points, 17 rebounds, and M. Danladi 12 points, 12 rebounds propelled the energetic warriors who ended the first quarter tied 14-14 with Potters before winning the 2nd and 3rd quarter 22-19, 22-18 respectively and then held on in the final quarter despite losing by 19-25 points.
Coach of Niger Potters, Isaq Yahaya blamed the loss on fatigue and said the loss doesn’t derail their promotion ambitions.
” We lost due to playing early today after playing 2 games yesterday. There was not enough time for my boys to recover, however we are still on course”.
So far, Comets have not lost any game in the conference and still look good to give hosts Royal Hoopers
Proprietor of Comets of Lagos, Ayo Bakare, whose team is currently competing in the ongoing Men National Division Basketball League in Port Harcourt has revealed his intention was not to qualify the DSTV League but expose the bunch of talented young boys in his club to the dynamics of playing in the league.
This is coming as Comets have continued to display good basketball artistry in the tournament meant for the qualification of two teams one each from the Atlantic and Savannah to replace demoted FCT Rocks and Police Baton.
Ayo Bakare
So far, Comets have not lost any game in the conference and still look good to give hosts Royal Hoopers big fight when they clash on Thursday afternoon in a game that will most likely determine the leader of the group.
On Sunday, in their opening game, Comets beat Osun Lions 95-22 and defeated Raptors 71-54 on Monday.
In spite of their good displays, Ayo Bakare, a former national team coach believes exposure is key first for his boys than playing in the elite DSTV League. “I am not too ambitious about playing in the DSTV League; rather my interest is in exposing my team and the young boys to league atmosphere. This is because most of them have not played at this level before. They are bunch of young and new players hungry for exposure and competitiveness at this level. I have only three of them who have played in the league about 3 seasons ago, most of them have not experienced league action reason why I am willing to expose them.” He revealed
All is now set for the jump ball of the 2015 edition of the National Division 1 Men’s basketball championship to be hosted in Port Harcourt by the Royal Hoopers basketball club between November 27 and December 6.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF confirmed the hosting of the championship which will decide the promotion of two teams to the DSTV Premier League after a meeting of the technical committee of the NBBF and a representative of the hosts, Royal Hoopers, Ogoh Odaudu, at the federation’s boardroom in the National Stadium Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr Odaudu during the presentation to members of the committee, said the city of Port Harcourt was ready to host the first division teams expected for the 8-day championship.
Odaudu, who doubles as the head coach of the host team Royal Hoopers, and member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) revealed that they are ready to stage a memorable championship having already constituted a 7-man LOC which has since hit the ground running. He disclosed that the LOC has put in place adequate security arrangements, a functional gym for the competition, standby generator coupled with vibrant host media for a good coverage, as well as other logistics for a good championship.
Confirming that all roads lead to Port Harcourt for this year’s edition that will produce replacements for relegated FCT Rocks and Police Batons, the NBBF, said it was impressed with the preparedness of the hosts.
According to the schedule of events, arrival for teams and officials is Friday November 27,while the on-site interface between the federation’s technical officials and the LOC and inspection of facilities will take place same day at 4pm. The technical meeting and opening game for the 2015 edition are both scheduled for Saturday November 28.
The winners and runners-up will both be promoted to the DStv Premier Basketball League in the 2015/2016 season and will receive plaques and medals for their effort. There will be awards for the Most Valuable player, Best Rebounder and Best Three- point shooter of the tournament.
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the 2016 African Nations Championship final round, first leg qualifier between the Home–based Senior National Team, Super Eagles B, and the Etalons of Burkina Faso, will now take place on Saturday.
Venue remains the Adokiye Amiesieamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, with kick–off scheduled for 4pm.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Boubou Traore from Mali as Referee for the encounter. Traore’s compatriots Bobo Yomboliba, Boubacar Kinta and Harouna Coulibaly will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively.
Mr. Pedro De Morais Neto, from Angola, will be match commissioner.
Meanwhile, a total of 25 players are battling for shirts in Port Harcourt under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coaches Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu.
There are goalkeepers Femi Thomas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, David Obiazor and Okemute Odah, defenders Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Kalu Orji, Solomon Kwambe, Idris Aloma, Samson Gbadebo, Jamiu Alimi and Stephen Eze, midfielders Abdulrazak Aliyu, Ifeanyi Mathew, Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed, Bature Yaro and Osas Okoro, and forwards Ezekiel Bassey, Chisom Chikatara, Tunde Adeniji, Prince Aggrey, Bright Onyedikachi and Dayo Ojo.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the first two editions of a competition reserved for senior players plying their trade in their country’s domestic league, but won bronze medal at the third edition held in South Africa early last year.
The winner over two legs between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will be eligible for a place at the 4th African Nations Championship taking place in Rwanda early next year.
The crucial Match Day 34 tie in Port Harcourt between Dolphins and Kano Pillars will no longer hold on Sunday, October 18, 2015.
This is because of the CAF Championship for African Nations (CHAN) qualifying tie between Nigeria and Burkina Faso that has been fixed for the same day.
Dolphins will now host Kano Pillars on Wednesday, October 21 at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium.
In a notice sent to all the 20 Clubs of the League, the League Management Company (LMC) Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar said, “please be informed that all fixtures for Match Day 34 has been rescheduled due to the CHAN Qualification match between the Nigeria (Super Eagles) and Burkina Faso in Port Harcourt on Sunday, October 18, 2015.
This is to allow clubs with players in the CHAN team have full complement of their services for the matches of the Glo Premier League”.
Dolphins sank deeper into relegation zone as they failed to beat FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Dolphins’ players seemed uninterested in the game from start to finish and it seemed the visitors were the ones who needed a result more.
Omoh Johnson, Oghogho Oduokpe and Chiwendu Ali in attack for Dolphins didn’t cause the visitors much trouble all game long.
The first half had just two clear cut chances; in the 15th minute when Sunday Rotimi did well to tip and Austin Oladapo freekick for corner and a minute later when Christian Weli freed Oghogho Oduokpe but his lame effort was saved by Edwin Nwakanma in goal for the visitors.
Chiwendu Ali would have had a chance to put Dolphins a goal up in the 24th minute after Christian Weli dribbled his way in to the box and found him in space. He didn’t time his volley well and his miskick was as awful as they come.
In the 2nd half, Omo Johnson, Ifeanyi Egwim and Christian Weli had offers to put their names on the score sheet but turned them down.
Johnson ran at the defence in the 56th minute but and shot at goal but Nwakanma saved; in the 65th, Christian Weli had a pop but it sailed wide even though half the ground thought it was in; and in the 79th minute, Ifeanyi Egwim who had come in for Chiwendu Ali had a shot from distance but the keeper parried for a corner that was wasted.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah then adopted time wasting tactics until the game ran its course.
Stanley Eguma of Dolphins blamed the players for not giving their all.
“It wasn’t a good game and I am not surprised because the players did not live up to expectations.
Godbless Asamoah in action for Dolphins vs Giwa fc in a Glo NPFL match
“I attribute it to their non-challant attitude towards the game and that is why I say the team is not prepared psychologically,” Eguma said
John Obuh of FC Ifeanyi Ubah said his side were determined to get a result.
“We knew we had to get something on the road when you consider our recent poor home form,” Obuh said.
Dolphins will be on the road to Giwa FC in a Match Day 33 fixture.
The war of words have begun in Port Harcourt between fans of Dolphins and Sharks as the derby day approaches.
Both teams go head to head on Sunday at the Sharks FC Stadium in a game that will have a role to play in whether both sides remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League next season.
Both sides need to win the game, but a draw will favour Dolphins more since they are the away side and currently are above Sharks on the log.
Telema George says he has been a fan of Sharks all his life and he told DolphinsFC Media that only one result is possible on Sunday and it will be a win for his side.
Festus Allen, sharks fc coach
“Sharks are in a bad position now and do not need to drop points at home. We need the three points badly to escape relegation and I am sure we will win on Sunday against Dolphins,” Telema George said.
Agwu Augustus, a member of the Dolphins Supporters club shared his optimism that Sharks will lose on Sunday.
“We are going to beat Sharks. It’s a local derby and it is unpredictable but with the caliber of players we have I am optimistic we will defeat Sharks,” Augustus said.
Looking at the recent exchanges between both sides, Telema George admits that Sharks fear Dolphins but says he will pray to God so his side can win.
“We look on God and we are praying. We always have the fear of Dolphins because when you compare both of them, Dolphins have a better head to head record compared to Sharks,” Telema George said.
Isiaka Olawale, Dolphin fc
Agu Augustus on his part admits it will be a tough game, but Dolphins will win and escape relegation at the end of the season.
“It will be a tight match, but we will win. With the caliber of players we have I don’t see why we won’t win,” he said.
When both sides played at the Liberation Stadium in the first round of the league, it ended 1-1, Yusuf Jaiyeola opening scores for Sharks and Godbless Asamoah getting the equalizer with three minutes left to play.
Last week, the Nigeria Women Football League board issued a statement warning the Head Coach of Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon of what it termed as “unruly behavior” at match venue.
This was after the match commissioner, Alhaji Edris had stated in his report that the gaffer was insulting the match officials during a week 11 game involving Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons in Lafia.
The Women League board, as issued a warning to Okon and all other members of the club to refrain from abusing match officials for the growth of the league.
But the former Super Falcons coach has defended self from the report Mr Edris gave to the board.
Edwin Okon in a chat with the club’s media officer, Jessica Amadi said the Match Commissioner was bias in his report.
“I want to say that the match commissioner is a biased man because if he is not biased, and if there’s no ill feelings, then there nothing wrong with a coach walking up to the match commissioner to complain about something he or she the coach did not like”
“The Centre Referee walked up to me and told me she’s in charge of the match and not the Assistant Ref 2, that she decides what happens and not the Assistant Ref 2, the Assistant Ref said it’s a goal kick, the Centre Referee said its a corner kick and they argued for over 20 seconds, it also happened that afterwards a player inside the six yard box used his hand to parry the ball and then cleared the ball from the 18 yard box and I complained the second time to the same match commissioner and he said is human error and I told him the Centre Referee do not want the growth of the game”
“And a Centre Referee that will tell the players to lie down, that after all they lose 2-0 to Rivers in Rivers state, that Rivers Angels will surely lose here in Nasarawa, i think that Centre Referee is not supposed to be a referee for any of the female leagues if it actually wants to grow” said Okon.
Okon however questioned why the same Match Commissioner has been the one commissioning their games with Nasarawa Amazons for the past 3 seasons of the NWFL.
“How come its that same match commissioner that has been commissioning our matches, (Rivers Angels versus Nasarawa) for three good seasons? Does it mean that there’s no other match commissioner? And he always worked against Rivers Angels, even in Osun same man worked against Rivers Angels so am not surprised that he wrote against the team because he has been working against Rivers Angels, I think at this level we’re not being unruly, we only tabled those things and if we shout, there’s something that makes one to shout, a child does not cry for nothing, before a child cries, there’s something that makes that child to cry” the gaffer said.
Rivers Angels Coach Edwin Okon
He further pleaded that match officials should be looked into by the authorities
“We’re saying that the authority should look into these officials that they send to match venues so that at the end of the day, we see the beautiful side of the game because where the Centre Referee, the match officials including the match Comm is being taken care of by the home team, they’ll do everything to make sure they deliver results to the home team” he added.
Meanwhile, Rivers Angels will be in action today in a rescheduled match day 12 game of the Nigeria Women Football League with Taraba Queens at the Liberation stadium.
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