Nigerians Praise Rating Of NPL By IFHHS

Published

13 years ago

July 23, 2012

It was with mixed reactions that soccer buffs in Nigeria welcomed the rating of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) as the strongest in Africa.

The International Federation History and Statistics (IFHHS) in a recent report ranked the league as number one in Africa and 24th worldwide.

While some noted that it had properly situated the position of the league in Africa, others said that it left gaps which the organisers could work on to put it among the top 20 best leagues.

Spokesman for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire said that the federation was happy with the rating.

“We are happy that the little we are doing is being appreciated; it means that we have to strive to make it bigger,’’ he said.

Mitchell Obi, the Vice-Chairman of Mastersports International, a Lagos-based sports marketing outfit, said the rating merely showed the NPL as the most competitive in Africa.

He said that from the current placement on the league table, it was obvious that the competition among the top five teams in the league had been tough.

“Even the previous champions, Enyimba is not certain of their final placing.

“The current league leaders are also uncertain of the eventual outcome of the league as they are locked in a tough competition to win the league.

“Indeed, any mistakes among them can trigger drastic changes in position among the top five frontrunners,’’ he said.

However, Obi said that the rating had not really added real value to the league.

“There are a lot to be done to improve the quality and content of the league; it is not yet paying its way.

“The league has yet to attract sponsors; it has yet to fill the spectator stands. It should be able to have good commercial padding as well as offer a variety to the viewing public,’’ he said.

Obi said that the league should also be in a position to provide a retirement opportunity for the country’s top flight players after their careers in big leagues abroad.

He contended that the only good thing about the league was that it was now being played in quality pitches across the country, with a measure of quality officiating.

“There is some hope for improvements in future,’’ he said.

Joe Erico, a former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, described the rating as a plus to the NPL as they were achieving what they set out to do.

“Our league is one of the best in Africa, no doubt about that. I am not surprised that we are rated as the strongest; we are very passionate about the sport and we try to make the best out of it.

“We pray that we grow from strength to strength, and one day we will be rated one of the best in the world.

“I would say here that we should work more on the day to day running of the league as it would help us to improve in our performance,’’ he said.

The General Manager of 3SC of Ibadan, MutiuAdepoju, said that the NPL’s ranking as the most competitive was a good encouragement to strive for the best.

“This goes a long way to show that the league is strong, and we should continue to strive for the best and not relent in our efforts.

“But we still need to improve in our performance, most especially in the African Championships and other major events,’’ he said.

AllStars Club Renovates Tennis Court… Appeal to Stop Misuse

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2025

The Tide

Port Harcourt AllStars Tennis Club, old Port Harcourt township, has renovated and commissioned its training court at Niger/Bende Street, No.5 field popularly known as Information centre, in Port Harcourt.

The court was officially declared opened by Commander Abdul Qadir Yumusa (rtd), President of Police Tennis Club, after it undergone total renovation.

Speaking at the occasion, the President of Port Harcourt AllStars Tennis Club, Engr. Ifiesimama Omineokuma, decried the intentional misused of the sports facilities which Rivers State Government built for the purpose of grassroots sports development.

According to him, the centre which accommodates two tennis courts and one volleyball court has become burial and wedding centres on weekly basis thereby obstructing sports activities.

“The Exco of the club normally renovate and maintain these facilities because most times we organise grassroots tennis programme for primary and secondary school children in the State.

“No doubt we have discovered some talents through our programmes but it is disheartened to note that most times when we come, we can’t access the tennis courts following wedding, burial programmes etc.

“Consequently, we are appealing to the appropriate authorities to regulate these activities on sporting facilities, as the club has taken the responsibility to maintain the facilities, hence we are equally using it to train”, Engr. Omineokuma said.

He advised members of the tennis club to conduct themselves very well anytime they come for training.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

New W.White Cup: GSS Elekahia Emerged Champions

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2025

The Tide

Government Secondary School ( GSS) Elekahia has won the second edition of the New W.W. White all Secondary schools football competition in Rivers State, sponsored by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Elekahia boys (players) thrashed one of the highly rated teams in the competition Government Secondary School Rebisi 4-1 to emerged champions.

The final encounter which took place at Sharks Football Club Stadium, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, was well attended by some important dignitaries in the State, including the Managing Director of NDDC Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

Speaking at the event Dr. Ogbuku, assured that NDDC will continue to engage youths in region meaningfully and support school activities, arts and culture, including music, saying that talents discovery is not limited to only sports alone.

According to him NDDC provided this platform to showcase their talents and become valuable to themselves and society.

“I want to assure you that NDDC will always support such events, school activities, not only W.W.White cup, we are also supporting secondary schools in the region, in the area of arts culture, including music because talent is not limited to only sports”, Dr. Ugbuku said.

He advised teams that lost to go back to the drawing board, know the reasons why they lost and improve, and those that won should equally work hard to defend their trophy in next edition, saying that sports is a healthy competition, it is not for bitterness.

” For me all the teams that participated are all winners, sports is healthy competition, it is not for bitterness. We will keep on engaging youths so that we discover new talents”, he stated.

At the end of the event winners, GSS Elekahia goes home with the sum of N2.5M, while second place GSS Risbisi pocketed the sum of N1.75 , as third place Pabod model Secondary School also goes home with the sum of N1.25M as they beat Government Secondary School Azuabie 1-0.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

Players Battle For Honours At PH International Polo Tourney

Published

1 week ago

December 12, 2025

The Tide

Players from within and outside Nigeria will from January 11-17, 2026 gather in Rivers State for the 2026 NPA Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament with the theme: “United By The Game.”

Among the trophies to be contested for are Rowland Cookey-Gam, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, King T.J.T Princewill, T.Y Danjuma, Armed Forces Remembrance, President and Governor cups, in addition to a special memorial cup in honour of late former president of the club, Rowland Cookey-Gam.

The President of Port Harcourt Polo Club, Prince Henry Agbodjan, at a media briefing, stated that this year’s edition seeks to deepen unity and inclusiveness.

According to him, “Like the theme of this year’s tournament said, it’s united by the game. So for us as polo club, it’s a diverse group of people. Polo in itself is played in very diverse manners, and we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusiveness as well. So for us both, male and female, no matter where you come from, we are in a united front to ensure that next year’s tournament will be a major success.

“And if you see again clearly, as part of preparations for this tournament, we have one of our own who we lost 20 years ago in a plane crash. Rowland Cookey-Gam and you can see him clearly in the part of the emblem for this year’s tournament. So, we’re going to use this tournament to eulogize him, remember him, and of course, appreciate his work for polo within the Harcourt Polo Club and polo in general around the world.”

Agbodjan noted that the club was able to achieve its goals during the last tournament, especially in the area of catching them young and taking polo to the grassroots, adding “So we commenced our Catch Get Young program and it was very well received by the public and are going to intensify the program.”

“And we hope that this whole thing will yield the right dividends in the next four to five years where we see great polo players all from Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta at large, contesting and competing against the best in the country and of course around the world as well,” he stressed.

He commended the Rivers State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), alongside other private and corporate sponsors for their continued support to the club over the years, whilst assuring that the flagship polo tournament in the country would continue to draw people from all walks of life.

The club president assured of adequate security before, during and after the tournament, as well as entertainment that will feature varieties of local and national artistes, among others.

Also speaking, the captain of Port Harcourt Polo Club, Dr. Ikenna Nebolisa disclosed that players from Iran, Mexico, England, Argentina, among others would be participating at the tourney, in addition to entries from Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Jos.