Sports

NFF, CAF Mourn Yekini

Published

14 years ago

May 7, 2012

The Nigeria Football Federation at the weekend expressed sadness and sorrow at the death of Nigeria’s record goalscorer Rashidi Yekini.

Yekini, who scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for the Super Eagles between 1983 and 1998, died after a brief illness in Oshogbo, Osun State on Friday.

In London, United Kingdom for the launching of a foundation by another former international, John Chukwudi Utaka, which took place yesterday, NFF President Aminu Maigari said that Yekini’s death was “very, very sad”.

By a mile the most outstanding striker Nigeria has ever produced, Yekini loomed large in 15 years of meritorious and unconditional service his to country, during which he won the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze and played at two World Cups.

The country’s football family was thrown into tremendous shock as news filtered in on Friday evening about Yekini’s death, as the man kept completely away from the spotlight and would only relate to only a few people, and therefore details of his sickness were shrouded in secrecy.

Nicknamed ‘Goalsfather’, the lanky striker’s first major tournament for Nigeria was at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. He then played at the 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994 finals, his five goals in the 1994 tournament in Tunisia earning Nigeria the gold medal and trophy for only the second time.

His sterling all-round performance in 1993, which ensured Nigeria qualified for the World Cup for the first time, earned Yekini the African Footballer of the Year award in 1993. He was awarded the trophy inside the Hotel Abou Nawas, Tunis, on the margin of the Cup of Nations finals; the first to be organised by CAF.

In 1994, Yekini became the first Nigerian to score at the World Cup, when he connected a pass from Finidi George to put Nigeria in front against Bulgaria inside the Cotton Bowl, Dallas, United States of America.

Yekini also played for Nigeria at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, during which he scored Nigeria’s only goal in the tournament – in the 1-3 loss to Yugoslavia.

The Nigeria Football Federation was represented at his burial in Ira, Kwara State on Saturday by member of the Executive Committee, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju, Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association, Alhaji Busari Ishola, the Chairman of NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee and former Kwara FA Chairman, Chief Kunle Adesiyun, and the Executive Secretary of Nigeria National League Ayo Rahaman.

Sports

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

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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