Sports
Pistorius ‘ll Be Back On Track – Agent
Oscar Pistorius will be welcomed at certain meetings when he returns to athletics, according to his agent.
The athlete, who denies murder after the shooting of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp at his South Africa home in February, is on bail awaiting trial.
A court changed the 26-year-old’s bail restrictions last week to allow him travel abroad for competitions.
“I’ve received emails of support from various meeting directors,” Peet van Zyl told Tidesports source.
“When the time is right, we will approach competitions and I’m sure there will be guys out there who will be willing to have him back out on their track.
“But he is the only one who can determine if and when he is ready to train and return to competition.”
The South African double amputee, who is known as ‘Blade Runner’ because of his prosthetic legs, is on bail after being charged with the premeditated murder of Steenkamp, who was shot dead at his Pretoria home on 14 February.
Pistorius claims he mistook her for an intruder at his home.
Van Zyl, has also not ruled out the prospect of the athlete competing at August’s World Championships in Moscow.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which is the body responsible for the World Championships, told Tidesports source that Pistorius, who has competed at both Olympics and Paralympics, would be “free to run” in the event on the “basis of the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ principle”.
“First and foremost, he has to be ready to train and compete,” said van Zyl. “Once he is ready and feels he is up for training again, we will have him back on the track.
“He is a world-class athlete and if he does compete again this season – and if he achieves the qualifying times – it is something you would have to consider, but it is early days.
“He hasn’t trained for eight weeks, so to get back into competition form he would have to train first and it will take him time to get back to that level.”
Nova, the company which organises the Manchester City Games, said there were “no plans to invite him over” after the change in his bail conditions. Pistorius withdrew from the event, to be held on 25 May, after being charged.
It is also believed he is unlikely to be invited to compete at the London Anniversary Games in July at the Olympic Stadium.
At London 2012, Pistorius became the first double amputee to run at an Olympics. as he took part in both the 400m and 4x400m.
He then won gold medals in the T44 400m and T42-46 4x100m at the Paralympics, as well as silver in the T44 200m. The International Paralympic Committee told Tidesports source that Pistorius matter would be discussed at the IPC Athletics Championships, which take place in Lyon in July.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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