Sports
RSG Redeeems N50m Reward To Rivers Queens …As Plans To Host Schools Sports On Top Gear
The Rivers State Government under the leadership of Sir Siminialayi Fubara has strongly indicated that the State would organise School Sports tagged’ Rivers State Schools Sports Festival” before the end of this year.
It further revealed that plans are also on top gear to hold Rivers State Sports Festival next year to discover talents that will represent the State at the National Sports Festival ( NSF) scheduled to hold in Ogun State.
State Commissioner for Sports Barrister Christopher Green disclosed this shortly after he presented the N50 million cheque to the State Handball team called “Rivers Queens”.
It will be recalled that the State Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara, rewarded the team with N50 million for making the State proud when he formally received them at Government House in Port Harcourt as they emerged Champions at the National Handball Tournament held in Edo State.
According to him, he is committed and determined to revamp sports in all ramifications in line with State Governor’s new vision and policy on Sports development.
“The Governor has charged me to revamp sports at all levels in the State this means not only football. Consequently, I have set three steps to develop sports immediate, middle and long term plans.
“His Excellency policy was to bring all sports at per that is no single sports should play second fiddle.
“This achievement was remarkable and commendable because this is the first time a female team in State has won trophy outside football and festivals” Barrister Green said.
The number one Sportsman in State further explained that he will invite elites athletes to groom upcoming Rivers State born athletes to stardom.
“I want to bring back the era when people hear names of Rivers State indigenes at both national and international levels” he stated.
By: Tonye Orabere
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”