Sports
Firm Promises To Empower Youth Through Football
The Executive General Manager, Field Operations of Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Vincent Kiehl says it is committed to encourage and empower youths through active engagement in football and skill training that will promote sustainable socio-economic development.
He explained that, this year’s competition is a special edition in recognition of the security challenges currently beleaguering his host communities.
Kiehl stated this at the weekend in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2018 edition of NNPC/TEPNG football competition tagged “OML58,” held at Obite Civil Centre Football Field, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, (ONELGA), Rivers State.
Kiehl, who was represented by the Community Relations Manager, Offshore/Port Harcourt communities, Obara Okechukwu noted that his determination is to encourage peace and reconciliation amongst the youths.
Okechukwu explained that the theme for this year’s competition is “Playing in Search of Enduring Peace and Reconstruction of the Social Value System” of the youth of his host communities.
According to him, sixteen (16) teams will participate in the competition and noted that all the teams would campaign towards one goal of winning the championship.
He used the medium to welcome two new teams to the competition, Ihuowo and Odhio-Ugbokor communities, adding that both communities are drawn from Ekpeye Kingdom to participate in the tournament for the first time.
The manager further explained that the management of Total E&P Nigeria Limited and their joint venture partners remain committed to support the annual competition.
Okechukwu recalled that for the pass three years, the competition was not holding in communities in Egi, Amah or Idu because of the security challenges adding that they were glad to bring back hope that peace would continue to improve for the benefit of every member of their host communities.
He, therefore, enjoined all the participating teams, managers and their supporters to maintain and consolidate the current peace by playing for friendship and unity among the teeming youths of the area.
“I charge you to remember that we play best when we play according to the rules of the game.
“We must know that the best part of the competition is participation. Participate to make new friends; this should be the main trust. When we play for friendship we become better sportsmen and that way, we better kick out violence,” Okechukwu stated.
He thanked the partners, NNPC for their continuous support of the youthful project.
The manager noted that the collaboration with the Rivers State football Association (RSFA) and the referee council would produce competent umpires that would apply the rules of the game effectively in order to entrench fair play and sustainable friendship throughout and beyond the duration of the competition.
He commended the central and local organising committee as well as the medical team and other health resources for a job well done. He wish all the participating team goodluck in the competition, adding that the best team would always win.
Also speaking, the chairman of Rivers State Football Association (RSFA), Bar, Chris green expressed joy over the tournament, saying that now that the economy of the country is bad, the companies are still giving the youth platform to excel in their talents.
Green who was represented by the Secretary of RSFA Ibigoni Akobo commended Total E&P Nigeria Ltd and its joint venture partner NNPC for giving the youth the opportunity to showcase their skills, be peaceful and become good sportsmen.
Earlier, the president of Egi Youth Forum Odioku Umejuru had thanked the organizers of the tournament, saying that the youth of the host communities will maintain peace during and beyond the competition.
The opening match was between Erema United FC an Ihuowo FC which ended in a goalless draw.
By: Kiadum Edokor
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”.
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.
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”.
-
News4 days agoCouncil Boss Sues For Love, Unity
-
Editorial6 hours ago
Reforming Nigeria’s Prison Crises
-
Politics5 hours ago
Gov Bago Succumbs, Invites Persons With Dreadlocks
-
News4 days agoIBAS, FAMILY CELEBRATE EASTER AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE CHAPEL
-
Politics4 days agoEkiti YPP Felicitates Christian Faithful At Easter
-
News6 hours ago
Nigeria Safe For Investment, Edun Assures Investors
-
Niger Delta5 hours agoDELSU Spends N720m On Electricity Annually -VC
-
News4 days agoUS Supreme Court stops Trump from deporting migrants