Sports

Reward The Eaglets

Published

17 years ago

December 18, 2009

The Head of the Sports Council, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, (UNEC) Barrister (Mrs) Ndidi Ejimofo, has called on the Federal Government to reward the Eaglets for their brilliant performance and display of patriotism during the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

Ejimofo who made the call shortly after UNEC Lions Football Club training at the UNEC stadium Wednesday, argued that although, the team failed to beat their Switzerland counterparts in their finals “due to ill-luck,” the Nigerian flag bearers needed to be encouraged in the true spirit of good sportsmanship.

According to her, if the Eaglets are appreciated, it would not only serve as an inspiration to future players but could be the tonic and boost the Super Eagles would require as they face the challenges of the 2010 African Cup of Nations, January in Angola and the 2010 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa.

Barrister Ejimofo, however, praised the federal government for promoting the highly enthusiastic and determined Golden Eaglets coach, John Obuh to the U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, stressing that the elevation would provide the former Enyimba play maker the opportunity to retain the bulk of his U-17 players.

The sports manager said that apart from cash rewards, the nation could get the best from those talented players by giving them scholarship while those who are not University materials could be sent to skills development centres in parts of the country.

It would be recalled that in her recent radio personality programme, ‘Sports Now’, Mrs. Ejimofo had canvassed for the establishment of sports academies in all the six geopolitical zones of the country to train young men and women in all sports, stating that admission should be by competition like JAMB.

Sports

LSG Sets Up Sub- Committees For EKO 2026 National Intermediate Games

Published

3 minutes ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

To ensure a smooth operation of the maiden National Intermediate Games, tagged Eko 2026, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday set up 13 sub-committees, with a challenge to all members to do everything possible to deliver the best-ever Games in October this year.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) held at the Conference Room of the Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, who is the Chairman of the LOC, charged all members of the various committees to focus on how to host a Game that will be enjoyable, just as he urged members of the LOC and chairmen of the various committees to be transparent in their dealings.

“We are one big family,” Egube said. “To host a Game of this magnitude requires wisdom, maturity and we should submit to the will of the majority.”

Egube, a former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State. Added: “One of the objectives of this Games is sports development, but you can’t talk about sports development without people’s development. We must organise ourselves in a way that those coming to participate in the Games will see that Lagos is truly number one when it comes to hosting National sporting events.”

Co-chairman of Lagos 2026 National Intermediate Games, Lekan Fatodu, who is the Chairman of Lagos Sports Commission, revealed that between 13,000 to 15,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Games.

“It is the first time in 14 years that Lagos is hosting another major sporting event after EKO 2024 National Sports Festival, and we must brace up to give it the best it deserves,” Fatodu stated.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles player, Waidi Akanni, a member of the Finance and Sponsorship Sub-committee, has emphased the need for massive publicity for the Games.

Among the 13-sub committees put in place for the Games is the Media and Publicity Sub-committee headed by Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso. The committee includes Lekan Okusan,Tunde Eludini and Gowon Akpodonor of The Guardian.

Other sub-committees rolled out at the venue on Friday include Mobilization committee, Venue and Facilities, Games Village and Accommodation, Medical, Transportation and Logistics, Ceremonial and Protocol, Catering and Feeding, as well as Finance and Sponsorship.

All members of the various sub-committees were given letter of appointment signed by the Secretary-General of the LOC, Mr. Adedeji Aladegbemi, shortly after the inaugural meeting on Friday.

The maiden Lagos 2026 National Intermediate Games will run from October 1-15 across various sporting centers in the state.

Sports

NSSF Commend Nestlé’s Role In School Sports Dev.

Published

3 minutes ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) has commended Nestlé Nigeria Plc. for its unwavering commitment to grassroots sports through the consistent sponsorship of the country’s longest-running school basketball competition — the MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship.

Now in its 26th edition, the annual tournament has produced numerous talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria at continental and international levels.

At a press briefing ahead of the national finals, which tip off tomorrow, NSSF President Olabisi Joseph described Nestlé’s support as “unrivalled.”

She noted: “On behalf of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, I sincerely thank Nestlé Nigeria Plc. and the MILO brand for their unwavering support and commitment to youth development through sports. Your investment over the past twenty-six years has positively impacted millions of Nigerian children and created a legacy in school sports.”

Joseph emphasised that the championship has become more than just a competition: “For twenty-six editions, the impact has been remarkable. The MILO brand has partnered with NSSF to build a foundation where passion meets purpose, serving as a breeding ground for excellence. Many young talents discovered here have gone on to represent their states, wear the national colours, and even build successful professional careers both at home and abroad.”

Beyond the basketball court, the tournament has instilled discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship among students. It has also promoted academic balance, cultural unity, and leadership development, shaping participants into responsible future leaders.

This year’s edition saw over 13,000 schools across Nigeria compete from state preliminaries to the national finals, with 12 teams – including debutants from Katsina and Ekiti – battling for glory in Lagos.

Joseph remarked: “What started as a modest initiative has grown into a national movement. The participation of over 13,000 schools this year alone demonstrates the tremendous impact and reach of this programme.”

In addition to the competition, the finals will feature clinics, mentorship sessions, and cultural exhibitions. To ensure fairness, NSSF will deploy screening, biometrics, and data capturing to confirm eligibility of school-aged participants.

Joseph said that the championship is not just about winning trophies but about nurturing confidence, leadership, and citizenship among Nigerian youth.

Sports

Keves Football Competition Opens Registration, Increases Prize Money

Published

19 minutes ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The registration has opened for participation in the Keves Global football competition in Rivers State, and the deadline for submission of entries will be Wednesday, 16th July 2026.

Speaking in a media briefing at the Rivers State Football Association (RSFA) office, NUJ Moscow Road premises on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the sponsor of the competition, Chief Ikenna Okafor, said sponsoring sports competitions was part of the company’s social responsibilities.

Chief Okafor, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Keves Global Leasing Limited, said one of the priorities of the company is building on human capacity development.

According to Chief Okafor, who was represented by the company’s head of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (QHSSE), Donald Elijah, said in this fourth edition, the prize has increased to a total record of N7 million for the amateur and All-Stars categories, excluding the individual prizes.

He stated that sponsoring sporting competitions and tournaments like football, swimming, golf, tennis, and table tennis was with the view to take youths away from the streets and catch them young.

“One of the ways we are taking youths from the streets and empowering them is through sports, not only football but also other sports. This is not the first edition; it is the fourth edition of this championship.

“So the company loves sports so much; we see sports as one of the key social responsibilities of bringing people together.

“We sponsored golf tournaments that brought over 14 international sportsmen from within and outside Africa. We equally sponsored swimming classics, tennis, and table tennis.

“We are here this year to have a better football championship so that at the end of the competition we are going to have the Ronaldos and Messis.

“This is an investment aimed at youth development and strengthening the sports ecosystem in Rivers State,” Chief Okafor said.

Also speaking, the vice chairman of the Rivers State Football Association (RSFA), Akubo Benjamin, said that he has received assurance from Chief Ikenna Okafor that the Keves Global Football Competition will be staged annually.

He explained that the funding of the competition has grown steadily since inception, adding that the total prize has risen from ?3.5 million in 2022 to ?7 million in 2026, making it a 100% increase over three editions.

“In the amateur clubs category, the winners will go home with ?2,000,000, the 1st runner-up with ?1,400,000, and the 2nd runner-up with ?1,000,000.

Meanwhile, in the All Stars category, the winner will receive ?1,000,000, the second position ?600,000, and the third position will receive ?400,000.

Also, there will be individual awards to outstanding players in different categories during the tournament.

A total of 32 clubs will compete in the amateur clubs category, while eight teams will feature in the All-Stars category.

“And the venue of the competition will be Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt,” Benjamin said.

Kiadum Edookor