Sports

… NFF Hopeful Of Team’s Good Outing

Published

15 years ago

January 5, 2011

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja expressed cautious optimism on the draws for the 2011 African Youth Championship (AYC).

Nigeria were drawn alongside defending champions Ghana, 1995 winners Cameroon, and Gambia in Group B, while Group A has hosts Libya, Mali, Egypt and Lesotho.

The championship is scheduled for March 18 to April 1 in Tripoli and Benghazi with the semi finalists qualifying to represent the continent at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia later in the year.

Reacting to the draw, the NFA Acting General Secretary, Mr Musa Amadu, acknowledged that the Flying Eagles have tough opponents ahead of them.

“It is a tough draw and the Flying Eagles have a big task ahead of them at the AWC in Libya,” he told our correspondent in a telephone interview.

Amadu pointed out that the group had countries with teams, having pedigree at youth football level and also had impressive qualification records.

“Both Ghana and Cameroon are regular participants at the competition, with Ghana being three-times winners in 1993, 1999 and 2009 and also runners-up in 2001 and in 1991 they emerged third.

“Cameroon have won the competition once in 1995 in Nigeria here, and were losing finalists twice in 1993 and 2009 and were third in 1999.

“Gambia were third in their only appearance so far in Congo in 2007, and were one of the best teams on the road during the qualifiers. So, the Flying Eagles are in a tough group and must work hard,” he said.

The NFA Acting General Secretary, however, said the Flying Eagles could perform well in Libya and qualify for the Colombia world event if they hit the path to success early.

“If we win our opening game against defending champions Ghana on March 19 and go on to beat Cameroon on March 22, our final group match with Gambia on March 25 will only be a formality,” he said.

Amadu said the NFA’s major target was for the team to qualify for the FIFA championship and to ensure that the team and its handlers were given necessary support to achieve the goal.

“We will do all we can to assist the team and its handlers because we know they can do it. I am confident we will qualify for Colombia,” he said.

Sports

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

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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