Sports

Maradona Hits Back At Critics

Published

16 years ago

October 17, 2009

Diego Maradona hit out at critics of his coaching after his Argentina team qualified for the World Cup and said he had issues to discuss with the head of the country’s football federation.

“For those who didn’t believe in this national team, for those who treated me like garbage (I say) today Wednesday we are in the World Cup with all the honours, beating a team like Uruguay,” Maradona said.

Argentina secured their berth at the 2010 finals in South Africa with a 1-0 away win over arch-rivals Uruguay at the Centenario, scene of the first World Cup final in 1930.

“I am black or white, I’ll never be grey in my life,” Maradona, who in Argentine eyes could do no wrong as a player, said as he criticised the media for inventing stories about differences within the national team staff.

Maradona has been under fire for most of the qualifying matches since he took charge a year ago, for inconsistencies in selection and tactical errors that left Argentina on the brink of failing to qualify.

He lost four matches and won four, including the last two against Peru and Uruguay that left Argentina in the last of South America’s four automatic qualifying berths behind Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.

Fifth-placed Uruguay play off next month against Costa Rica, of the CONCACAF region, for another place.

A week ago, Maradona gave the impression there were divisions in the national team staff, suggesting in Buenos Aires that preparations to face Peru on Saturday had not run smoothly.

He said he would only stay on for the finals on his terms, but a few days later accused the media of inventing his possible resignation.

On Wednesday, he allowed a similar doubt to fill the air when, in answer to a question about whether he would be in charge of Argentina in South Africa, Maradona would only say: “I need to talk to (Argentine Football Association president Julio) Grondona.”

He reserved his praise for his players and the small group of fans, less than 2,000, who crossed the River Plate from Buenos Aires to support the team in a stadium packed with close to 60,000 Uruguayans baying for Argentine blood.

“I want to thank the whole squad for having given me the privilege of taking Argentina to the World Cup and the people, who crossed the pond.”

Sports

Tinubu Declares Para Games Open… Expresses Commitment To Continually Develop Sports

Published

16 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

It was another colorful opening ceremony at the third edition of the National Para Games, holding in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

The Moshoodi Abiola National Stadium was colorfully decorated to suit the event; there were cultural dances and acrobatic displays to activate the spirit of sportsmanship, love, and unity.

Again, the match past event expresses that there is ability in disability; it rekindled friendship and hope in them.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu expressed commitment to support sports in all ramifications continually.

According to him, the aim of the competition is to promote unity and discover talents that can represent the country at an international level.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasised that every sport will be given adequate attention.

“This administration’s commitment is to ensure equal opportunities for all sports in the country.

” We urged participating states to use the event to demonstrate the spirit of togetherness, mutual respect, and service to humanity,” Tinubu said.

Also speaking, Rivers State Director of Sports Obia Inyingikabo used the forum to express her profound gratitude to the Governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for graciously approving and releasing funds to enable the state para team to attend the games.

She stated that the governor has made a significant impact on sports development in the state and also expressed confidence that the team would make a statement in the competition.

By: Tonye Orabere

Sports

Red House shines At CSS Obete Ndoki 10th Interhouse sports

Published

16 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Community Junior Secondary School, Obete, Ndoki in Obigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State last week held their 10th edition of the school’s Annual Inter-House Sports Competition. It was a display of variety of sporting engagement and competition that saw the Red House emerging winners at the end of proceedings.

Green House came second, while the Yellow house finished third.

Meanwhile, the Principal of the school Obete Ndoki Mr Amaechi Ifeanyi has decried the poor infrastructural facilities at the school.

Speaking with newsmen,he said the school with a total student population of 170 has no classrooms, science laboratories and teachers.

The principal listed the challenges of the school to include, poor learning environment classrooms, office and staff room, lack of sports equipment, lack of school bus and others.

He listed some achievements of the school to include reconstruction of 30 pieces of desks, and reconstruction of staff office.

The principal stressed the need for the government to come to the aide of the school, adding students sit under dilapidation roof and trees to learn.

Speaking on the interhouse sports, Ifeanyi said the school has produced a lot of sports men and women in the past, stressing that the school is talented future footballers and Athletes who will one day make the nation proud of discover early.

“Today we are here to celebrate our illustrious children the builders of tomorrow, this competition is to create awareness to our children to understand the society requirements to sustain their future living

“I will also draw the minds of parents to the spirit of sportsmanship in their respective houses by forgiving one another to help all grow better in our community irrespective of the degree of offence and challenges “he said.

The event also featured awards to distinguish personalities who retired from the school.

Sports

Yellow House Wins Dinada Academy Inter-House Sports Competiton

Published

16 hours ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The yellow house on Thursday scored 182 points to emerge as champions of the first annual inter-house sports competition of the Dinada Academy Nursery and Primary School in Port Harcourt.

The competition, which was held at the number six field of Old Port Harcourt Township, saw the Blue house come second with 164 points, as the Green house occupied the third position with 158 points.

In his opening address, the chairman of the occasion

Alalibo Kingsley encourages the children to use the inter-house competition as a means of developing different sporting activities.

Kingsley, who was represented by Frank Kabolo, said sport is currently one of the best ways of earning income, adding that it is important to key into sports at an early age.

The chairman commended the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Ibiene Josiah, and the staff of the academy for organising its first annual inter-house.

“Today I want to commend the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Josiah, and the staff for the knowledge they have imparted to the children.

“As you can see, the children are very happy, as sports bring joy unity, and love to the society,” Alalibo said.

Also speaking was the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Josiah, who thanked the staff and management of Dinada Academy and also expressed her profound gratitude to parents and guardians for their contributions and cooperation towards the successful inter-house competition.

“It is indeed a day to remember in the history of Dinada Academy.” We started the journey together, and God, in his provision, supplied all that was required in achieving our desired goals.

“I appreciate the management, parents, and guardians for giving us a day like this to remember in years to come.

“We pray as you journey back to your respective destinations God will grant you journey mercy,” she prayed.

By: Kiadum Edookor