Sports
Behold, LaLiga’s Nigerian Rising Star, Samuel Chukwueze
Few young international players have made such an immediate impact in LaLiga Santander in recent years as Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, with the 20-year-old Nigeria international already looking key to the Yellow Submarine’s chances of success this coming season.
Tidesports source reports that Ikwuano-born Chukwueze came a long way very fast following his LaLiga debut against Levante on 4th November 2018, having scored his first senior goal for club from Spain’s eastern coast in a Copa del Rey tie against Almeria a few days previously.
A first LaLiga goal arrived on November 11th, when he drove into the area and dribbled past two defenders before firing low through the legs of Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
A second league strike came the following weekend, when Chukwueze received a back-heel from teammate Santi Cazorla and showed composure and technique to fire the ball low into the bottom corner for the winning goal against Real Betis at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The huge moments kept coming, with the teenager completing the 90 minutes in a narrow defeat at Barcelona’s Camp Nou and hitting his first Europa League goal in a 2-0 victory against Spartak Moscow to confirm Villarreal’s progress as group winners to that competition’s last 32.
All that seemed a long way away when Chukwueze was born back on 22nd May 1999 in Abia State, Nigeria. He began playing football aged just five and although his parents originally wanted him to concentrate on his studies, his natural talent and dedication soon shone through.
While honing his skills at the famed Diamond Football Academy, Chukwueze came to international attention with his thrilling performances as Nigeria won the 2015 Under-17 World Cup trophy. Three goals in the competition, including a strike after just 25 seconds in a 5-1 win against hosts Chile, secured him the competition’s Bronze Boot prize.
After joining Villarreal’s youth system in 2017, he quickly settled and was first promoted to the C team before rising into the B reserve side playing in Spain’s third tier. Having impressed his coaches in training with the senior side, a first-team chance soon arrived and was taken with both hands.
A fast, direct winger who likes to cut inside and shoot, Chukwueze has been compared to former Real Madrid star, Arjen Robben. Current Nigeria international Ikechukwu Uche, who played for Villarreal between 2011 and 2015, is a close follower of his compatriot’s career.
His immediate impact on LaLiga has raised hopes that Chukwueze could emulate another Nigerian, Christopher Ohen. The former Real Madrid youth teamer scored 48 goals in 117 topflight games for SD Compostela in the 1990s, making him the third-highest African scorer in LaLiga history.
Already, a senior international with his country, following a sensational tournament performance with Nigeria during the 2019 AFCON tournament, Chukwueze will now shift his focus to maintaining his fast start with Villarreal. In what was a difficult 2018/19 season for the Yellow Submarine, their emerging Nigerian star is a rising star to keep their spirits high in the new LaLiga Santander season!
All is now set for the maiden Sun Open Amateur Golf Tournament expected to take place at the Python Golf Course in Port Harcourt.
The tournament which is expected to attract hundreds of golfers from across the country will see the winner represent Nigeria at the Qatar Open.
Speaking to newsmen at a briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Python Golf Club of Port Harcourt and partner of the golf tournament, Ikenna Okafor said the partnership with the organizer of the tournament, High Performance Center Sports Leadership Hub, HPC, will advance the game of golf and also project amateur golfers to the global stage.
According to the Chairman, who is also an ardent promoter at various levels, the Python Golf Club will sustain its efforts to ensure golf development in the country.
He further urged interested golfers to sign up for the mundial.
On his part, the Director of the High Performance Center Sports Leadership Hub and organizers of the Sun Open Amateur Golf Tournament, Dr Bob Olukoya said the tournament will also advance sports diplomacy between Nigeria and its international counterparts.
He also said the tournament will serve as an opportunity for Nigeria to get a ranking in the golfing community.
Dr Bob Olukoya also revealed that Nigeria has now been removed from the blacklist of the Qatari Golf Association.
The tournament,which will hold between the 21st and 24th of this month is expected to attract a good number of golfers, especially, amateurs and potential professionals, who would use the platform to hone their skills.
It is also an opportunity for the Python Golf Club to push further their efforts toward developing and promoting the sport in Rivers State and beyond.
Port Harcourt residents and indeed Nigerians are set for thrilling experience as no fewer than 68 polo players from Nigeria, Argentina, England, and South Africa are set to compete in the 2025 Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament scheduled to gallop off on Sunday at the Port Harcourt Polo Club.
The tournament to be hosted in collaboration with the Nigerian Polo Association (NPA), would take place from January 12-18.
Over the years, the event has attracted polo patrons and enthusiasts from Nigeria and beyond, making the tournament one of the major flagships in Nigeria.
President of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Prince Henry Agbodjan, noted that the tournament, themed ‘Unity in Motion,’ aims to provide a lively and enjoyable experience for polo enthusiasts nationwide, residents of Port Harcourt and beyond.
The President said this during a Press briefing at the club last Wednesday.
He added that, apart from the matches, attendees could look forward to entertainment shows and opportunities to purchase items at affordable rates from the tournament’s Micro Market.
“The event will serve as a major commercial boost for the Rivers State economy,” Agbodjan remarked.
He expressed appreciation to the Rivers Government and the tournament’s sponsors for their support and called on the media to raise awareness to further promote the sport of polo in Nigeria.
In his own speech, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament, Dolapo Attoni said that this year’s tournament was expected to surpass previous editions, showcasing the finest polo players from Nigeria and around the globe.
“About 60 players from 20 teams across Nigeria and eight players from Argentina, England, and South Africa will compete for four trophies and other prizes,” Attoni said.
Attoni highlighted the participating teams, which include two each from Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, Katsina; three from Lagos; one from Nassarawa; and eight from Rivers.
“The teams are categorised into high goal, medium goal, and low goal teams.
“They will compete for four trophies, comprising the TY Danjuma Cup, Alfred Diette Spiff Cup, TJT Princewill Cup, and Governor’s Cup, which has been rechristened OB Lulu Briggs Cup.
“Trophies, medals and individual prizes will be awarded to winners and runners-up, while sponsors and individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth of polo in Nigeria will also be recognised,” he added.
Attoni, who also serves as the Vice President of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, mentioned that matches would take place daily between noon and 6:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Captain of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Ikenna Nebolisa, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to compete.
“Our players and horses are fully prepared to claim victory and make our fans proud,” he concluded.
Hon Dike who spoke with sports journalists shortly after the flag off the 2024 edition of Chairman’s Football Unity Tournament at Botem Tai in Tai LGA, said the tournament is an annual event to promote peace and unity in Tai as well identify budding talents in the area for global competition.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was more like a carnival was witnessed by huge crowd including prominent indigenes of Ogoni Kingdom, sports lovers and people from all works of life.
The LGA boss revealed that special sports committee will be setup in the area to work out modalities to strengthen sports development in Tai.
He advised the participants in the tournament from various wards in the LGA to play the game by the rules and conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner and use the opportunity to showcase their talents.
Hon Dike further disclosed that his administration will also give priority attention to skills development among the youth to enhance their human capacity and promote enterprise development in the area.
Earlier in his address the Chairman of Tai LGA Football Council, Elder Wisdom Gorgor said the annual football competition has been a unifying factor in Tai LGA that need to be sustained to forge more unity and development in the area.
He urged the participants to see the competition as an opportunity to embrace football as a full career and earn sustainable livelihood.
Elder Gorgor who commended the Chairman of Tai LGA, Hon Dike for his visionary leadership and tremendous development achievements recorded in the LGA under his administration, appealled to the Chairman to build a Mini Sports Stadium in the area to promote sporting activities.
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