Sports

Wike’s Midas Touch In Sports Dev

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2022

Commitment is one of the hallmarks of a visionary. That, is a major quality that the Governor of Rivers state, Chief Nyesom Woke has displayed as he piloted the affairs of the state for about seven years now. Indeed, his NEW Vision mantra has left tremendous impression on the landscape of not only Rivers, but the South South region and Nigeria as a whole. The sports sector is one of the areas that the indefatigable governor has left his mark on the sands of time. In fact, he has shown a trait that smacks of Midas touch in sports development and promotion, ensuring that the state is one of the first destinations of choice in sporting considerations. Without any loud advertisement to his disposition towards sports sentimentality prior to becoming a governor, indication that sports would be on the front burner of his administration manifested in his choice of activities for his inauguration. Sports, particularly football was one of the major activities as national team icons and stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Daniel Amokachi and others were brought to Port Harcourt to play and announce the incoming governor at the Sharks FC Stadium. Being a leader with clear vision, he knew that sports is a veritable tool to engage and empower the youth, especially, as there was angst in the land as a result of unfulfilled promises and indebtedness to state’s athletes and club sides. With an unmatched resolve, he saw to it that every indebtedness left behind by the previous administration was settled. Also, having noticed that the maintenance of two top football clubs, Sharks and Dolphins, campaigning in same league was an avoidable baggage that was breeding inefficiency and strain on the state’s purse, he moved to restructure the clubs for maximum result. Both clubs were collapsed into one, now known as Rivers United. Today, the club has been transformed into a serial contender for national honours and a force to be reckoned with in the domestic and contintal arena. At the moment, Rivers United are in pole position to bring the coveted NPFL’s 2021/22 Premier league season’s title home to the state. It is also to the credit of the administration that the state maintains other viable sports clubs, including Rivers Angels Football club and Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club, which have been consistent in chasing glory for the state within and outside the shores of the country. Perhaps, it is in sports infrastructure development that Governor Wike has astounded observers. Barely months in office in his first tenure, the abandoned football stadium of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex was given attention and made worthy of hosting local, national and international football matches. Recently, the main bowl and training pitches were regrassed and other facilities upgraded to the level that the venue serves as home ground for Rivers United’s Nigeria Professional Football League and CAF continental club engagements. The Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, the venue used to host the 1988 National Sports Festival, which had been in a dilapidated state was rehabilitated and given a new lease of life. However, Wike’s flagship infrastructure, as far as sports development in the state is concerned could be said to be the magnificent and world class football academy, the Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt. It is a project conceived and delivered on schedule as promised by the governor. Described by many as an ultramodern institution that would have direct and momentous impact on grassroots sports development, the academy is designed to offer to Rivers and Nigerian children the platform to acquire knowledge and be exposed to international standards in sports skills, while combining them with regular academics. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Real Madrid Football Academy, Barr Christopher Green, the institution bequeathed to the state by Wike can measure up to any of its kind anywhere in the world. It boasts excellent facilities that are aimed at weaning young talents through practical and theoretical impartation. Barr Green is of the opinion that any student that passed through the academy should be able to hold his own in the larger society by putting knowledge acquired to use. It is interesting to note that while the academy focuses primarily on football, basketball, other sports and regular academic work are given top attention. At different fora, former Commissioner for Sports in the state, Hon Boma Iyaye has lauded the vision behind the establishment of the academy and its potential impact on the people of the state and beyond. He, at one time declared that the legacy the governor is bequeathing to the state with the academy may not be fully appreciated at the moment but would be seen in time to come. He said that the governor has clearly thought of the future of the immediate generation and others to come in the state. At the moment, the academy is ready to take off after the completion of pending logistics. Wike, apart from investing considerably in infrastructure, has also done so well in promoting and hosting sports events and competitions. It is on record that several national and international competitions have been attracted to the state largely due to the profile and stance of the governor. Among events that have been held at the behest of the governor include the national and international wrestling championships, Africa Badminton Championships, Mini Marathon, national and international football matches. Additionally, the state has considerably partnered stakeholders to keep the golf and polo clubs ticking with events. Overall, Governor Wike has impacted the sports sector and taken development in the sector to the next level. His marks in the annals of history would certainly be indelible and hard to be surpassed.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya

Sports

CAF Postpones CHAN To August

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), originally scheduled for February 1, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, to August 2025.
The decision followed recommendations from CAF’s technical and infrastructure experts, who reported that more time is needed to bring the facilities in the host nations up to the required standards for a successful tournament.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, in a statement on yesterday, January 14, 2025, expressed appreciation to the presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda for their support.
He emphasised that the postponement is intended to ensure adequate planning and infrastructure readiness for the competition.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership, commitment and the good progress that has been made in building and upgrading the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for hosting a successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024.
“I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024″, he said.
However, the exact date for the completion was not disclosed but the CHAN 2024 Draw is scheduled for Wednesday 15 January, 2025 at the iconic Kenyatta International Conventional Centre, Nairobi.

Sports

Chelle Sure To Qualify For 2026 W’Cup

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

New Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has expressed his desire to lead Nigeria to the ‘pinnacle of world football’ starting with the ticket to the 2026 World Cup as he takes the reign of the three-time African champions.
Chelle was unveiled on Monday at a brief ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation, one week after his announcement as the 37th coach of the Super Eagles.
He was handed a two-year deal with an option to extend if he gets the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket.
Since his appointment last week, the NFF has constantly hammered the coach’s task of leading Nigeria to the tournament which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico despite the precarious situation of the Eagles in the qualifying series.
After four rounds of matches in the series, Nigeria are fifth in Group C with just three points having only drawn three and lost one.
To avert the danger of missing out on a consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Eagles must win all their six remaining matches in the group or even hope for favourable results in other ties – a task Chelle fronted at his unveiling.
Asked if he would take responsibility at the end of the qualifying campaign, the ex-Mali coach said, “If you want to be a great coach, you need to take some risks, you need to make some sacrifices.
“I want to be in the history. The first thing, I need to talk to the players. I will be a big brother. It is my prayer that we are going to the World Cup.
“I want to thank my agent, the NFF, the NSC and indeed all Nigerians for this big opportunity. Coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria is an amazing job; I do not take this appointment for granted. I am elated and will do my utmost best.”
For most of the reactions that have trailed his appointment, the rallying point was his enterprising and attacking style with the Mali national team at the AFCON, which he emphasised he would be bringing to Nigeria.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style. I know the expectations of Nigerians and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The 47-year-old also relished his long-time dream of getting the Super Eagles job, having been a fan of the Nigerian national team in his boyhood.
“Nigeria’s team is more than a team. When I was young, this was my favourite team. I owned a shirt; I watched all the games at the World Cup in France. I was in Marseille and it was my team.
“From this very moment, I am already hard at work. My goal is clear: to restore the Super Eagles to the pinnacle of world football, where they truly belong. This will require hard work, discipline, and a strategy that is both ambitious and realistic. I will rely on the exceptional talent of our players, whether they play at home or abroad, and build a team that reflects the unity, strength, and excellence of Nigeria,” the coach added in a social media post.
Chelle, who took Mali’s Aiglons within breathing distance of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, left his job at top Algerian side MC Oran – 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists – to team up with the Super Eagles.

Sports

Gokana Chairmanship Cup Symbol Of Unity Peace – Chairman

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

Gokana Local Government Council, Chairman Hon. Monday Dumiye has said that 2024 Gokana Chairmanship Cup symbolises unity, peace and love for Gokana people.
Hon. Dumiye said this during the grand finale of the 2024 Gokana Chairmanship cup titled “Unity Cup” as the fourth edition of the Chairmanship Cup ended last Saturday at Kpor, the council headquarters.
He expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara for his tremendous support, most especially the peace Rivers people are enjoying including Gokana LGA.
He also applauded members of the local organising committee of the tournament and all those that contributed towards the success of the championship.
He hinted the huge crowd witnessed during the tournament shows peace has come to stay in Gokana,saying that it has been his intention to ensure that there is peace ,unity and togetherness among the people.
” Without peace we all know that there will be no meaningful development. I want to say that it is the first of its kind in the annals of the people to use the instrumentality of sports to develop talented Gokana youths.
“The mamoth crowd you are seeing here today shows our people have embraced peace. This is exactly what we intend to achieve uniting our people through sports.
On his part, former Super Eagles player and current coach of Rivers United, Finidi George, commended the Gokana Chairman for organising such a wonderful tournament for the youth.
He advised the chairman to form a formidable team from the tournament, admitting the unprecedented crowd that witnessed the championship shows that the chairman is on the right direction.
The Leader of the Simplified in Gokana, Hon. Friday Beema thanked the Chairman for his zeal to develop Gokana.
He also commended the Rivers Governor forgiving them well focused Chairman who reason like him.
The leader called on the people of the area to support Governor Fubara for the development of Gokana.