Sports
Amaechi Canvesses Support For Eagles
Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has called for mass support and prayers from all Nigerians for the Super Eagles in their bid to qualify for FIFA World Cup taking place in South Africa next year.
Also, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has been selected to host the 2010 Nigerian Football Awards organised by the African Independent Television (AIT) and sponsored by Telecommunication giant, MTN.
Governor Amaechi who made the call recently in Abuja at the 2009 MTN-AIT Football Awards also prayed for the National Team’s qualification, with the guests at the epoch-making events saying “Amen.”
His words: Now we’re struggling to qualify. We no longer depend on our legs to qualify for the world cup, but on prayers. I pray that Eagles will qualify. Cheer Eagles when we play in Nairobi, Kenya. I am an Arsenal supporter for life, even if they’re losing. Please let Nigerians support Super Eagles for life. Currently, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is doing well to ensure they qualify.
Rt. Hon. Amaechi who was accompanied by his wife, Judith at the epoch-making occasion evoked emotion when he requested the audience to observe a minute silence in honour of the late DAAR Communication Group Manager, Director, Alhaji Ladi Lawal who was said to have contributed meaningfully to the concept of the Awards before his death.
“Shall we stand up and observe a minute’s silence in honour of Alhaji Ladi Lawal, he requested, and the guests obliged him, after which he prayed for the repose of his soul thus, “May his gentle soul rest in peace” and all said ‘Amen’.
Governor Amaechi thanked AIT and MTN for what he termed a good move and urged them not to relent in their efforts at taking awards to the heights.
Confirming the hosting rights of the 2010 Awards on Port Harcourt at the end of the 2009 events, the Awards Panel, led by its chairman veteran sports journalist, Paul Bassey presented Governor Amaechi with an insignia (flag).
In accepting to host the event next year, governor Amaechi recalled that some companies pulled out of the Niger Delta region in the past, even where their presence and services were required by the region. He said, MTN-the sponsor of the award had to abandon the sponsorship of polo tournament in Port Harcourt for the state government which took over, adding, “On behalf of the Niger Delta, I welcome all those who abandoned us back (to the region)” and assured of a hitch-free event.
Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke has praised his players for not losing focus at the crucial moment in Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Shooting Stars in a NPFL Matchday 24 fixture in Owerri.
The Naze Millionaires defeated the Oluyole Warriors through Chukwuma Agor and John Bassey goals in the 31st and 88th minutes with Mustapha Adam’s 80th minute spot kick a mere consolation for the visitors.
Amuneke while speaking to journalists shortly after the encounter, said his boys showed the zeal and determination to seal the three points and that despite the shenanigans of the centre referee, Kolawole Emmanuel, the boys were never troubled.l
“We were eager to get the three points and we were aware Shooting Stars are a good side and won’t allow us to have our way easily,” Amuneke told journalists in Owerri.
“We planned for them and almost throughout the entire game, they were never a threat to our team. We were able to control the game from the beginning. It was unfortunate how the game ended. We were just focussed on the three points and we are thrilled we got it. It was a very good game from both sides but we subjected them to constant pressure almost throughout the game.”
While he was asked if he believed his boys could finish the season impressively, Amuneke was evasive but noted that he and his players would continue to work harder.
“Everything in line is possible but we know that nothing happens without hard work. We will continue to work harder and continue to see how we can grow as a team. We have a lot of young players in the team. Some of them just got their topflight breakthrough.
“We didn’t lose focus at the time of the controversies. We continued to do the same thing we have been doing and taking the game to them.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, turned the sod of the new Olympic-standard 25,000-capacity Bayelsa Stadium project at Igbogene, Yenagoa, as part of the activities marking the fifth anniversary of the Senator Douye Diri administration.
The former Nigerian leader performed the ground-breaking ceremony as Governor Diri restated his appeal to the federal government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), oil firms operating in the state and the private sector to join hands with his administration to develop sporting talents.
The Federal Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) equally thumped up Governor Diri for initiating the project.
Dr. Jonathan expressed delight over the project, saying as a Bayelsan, he was duty bound to celebrate with the state government for the progress so far achieved.
He lauded Diri’s developmental strides, urging him not to rest on his laurels and that the contractor and the state government should ensure the project met the highest standards.
Jonathan also called on the state and federal governments to set up a sports fund to cater for sportsmen after their active days and encourage younger ones to be involved in sports.
He said: “This is my state and I have to celebrate with the government for the progress so far made. This is an iconic project that will develop the state. Please do not rest on your laurels as we want this stadium to meet the best standards.
“I am happy with the presence of relevant federal government officials. I hope they will guide the state well and support where necessary.
“As a country, we must have a fund to care for sportsmen. The federal and state government can think about it so that the younger generation will be interested in sports.
“I am happy that you gave a target of 24 months and I hope that by that time I will escort President Tinubu to Bayelsa to inaugurate it.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has condoled the family of former Nigeria international midfielder, Ayo Ogunlana, who died in Kaduna on Friday after observing his early-morning walk.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, showered tributes on the departed midfield pearl, who was a star attraction during a number of important Nigeria FA Cup battles in the 1980s and held sway in the middle for the Super Eagles in the late 1980s, and at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria.
“We are very sad to learn of the sudden passing of Ayo Ogunlana, only a couple of weeks after the demise of another former Eagle, Moses Effiong (a member of the 1980 AFCON-winning Green Eagles squad, in far-away USA). Ogunlana was a great midfielder who made playing football look so easy with his majestic touches and turns, and his magnificent free-kicks.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant both of them eternal rest and grant the families they have left behind the fortitude to bear the losses.”
Ogunlana was magisterial in the midfield as Nigeria overhauled Guinea and Zimbabwe to qualify for the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, and was imperial against Cameroon in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Ibadan that the Super Eagles won with an emphatic 2-0. He also played in the 1990 ECOWAS Cup competition that Nigeria hosted in Kaduna.