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Why Fans Shun PH Stadium – Okiri

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The sole administrator of the Rivers State Muslims Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Sani Okiri has pinned the poor turn out of spectators in Port Harcourt during league matches to poor mobilisation on the part of the clubs and fear of hoodlums who used to harass fans at stadium.
Sani made this known in an exclusive chat with Tidesports Port Harcourt recently.
According to the Okirika born administrator,” it is funny that when one goes to the stadium to watch football matches, the person would be suddenly attacked by hoodlums, who will not only embarrass but also cart away valuables such as handsets, money among others.
He explained that the issue of militancy has also reduced the passion attached to the affairs of fans’ home clubsides like Dolphin and Sharks.
Sani, who went back to memory lane, remembered when football lovers use to crowd the stadium to watch division one matches involving Sharks and Calabar Rovers or Leventis United and will even be in the pitch two hours before the arrival of the playing teams.
He continued that back then match venue would always be filled to the highest capacity which attracts militancy personnel who chase people around. And yet more crowd outside should still be struggling to enter the match venues.
The youthful administrator further maintained that, lack of stars in the Globacom Premier League is also a fundamental factor for the low turnout in match venues.
In his words: “There are no stars to watch in the current Premier Leagues. Those playing at the moment do not have the artistry of the game, as it use to be in the bygone times.”
The Bolton Wanderers die hard fan, however, maintained that, things can take a dramatic change, if government can improve on security at the match venue and also encourage the retired professionals, such as Finidi George, Taribo West, Iyeonemi Furo among others to come back home and play one or two seasons, before finally hanging their boots.

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City Crime

‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

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The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.

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Sports

Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

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A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.

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Sports

Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs

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Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.

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