Sports
Holiday Camp: Navy Introduces Golf Skills For Children
Master Henry Harry has
emerged the overall winner of the first edition of the Sealord’s Children Golf Holiday Camp tournament while little Miss Sele Choji finished second best of the championship.
The Golf championship which started on the 20th of August was the first Edition of the Sealord’s Children Golf Holiday Camp Tournament, organized by the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder, Port Harcourt.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the event at the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder, Rumuorlumini, Rivers State, last Saturday, the Executive Officer and Commander NNS Pathfinder, Victor Choji said, the event was put to get to engage the children in sports activities and also direct the children energies towards constructive activities that would enable them be useful to the society and themselves in future.
Choji said the Sealord Golf club organized the clinic for children for two reasons, one for civil military and the other was for military security.
The Commander explained that the civil military was because the children were on holidays and the command felt that it is necessary to engage them constructively and to introduce them to sports, especially golf.
According to him, ‘’ In so doing, we may be winning the heart and minds of the host community and also, the children will in future look back and say they all started playing golf at the Sealord’s Golf Club.
‘’ The second reason which is the military security is that there is always a soft approach to any military activities, and therefore we believed that most of the criminal acts that take parts in this part of the country are perpetrated by the youths. If we catch them young and make them develop interest in the game of Golf, they will have more constructive activities to engage themselves on as they grow up rather than criminal activities as we have it now’’, he said.
Choji said rank and officers of the Nigerian Navy have several sporting activities they engage in, but this tournament was for the children and there is no barrier whether they are children of military officers or not.
The commander assured that he would sustain the game and also pray that the future commanders and Executive officers of the base would continue to sustain the tournament in future because it will help build a stronger relationship between the military, civilians and the host community.
In his remark, the special Guest of Honour, the Manager, Amni International Petroleum, Ishaku Malik commended the command for the initiative and assured his company’s assistance to sustain the tournament.
According to him,’’ We are one of the corporate organizations that assisted in opening the base and the golf club we shall do everything to see that this good idea is sustained’’.
the tournament in future, adding that this championship if sustained would product professional golfers for the country.
It would be recalled that 75 children participated in the tournament as various gift items including laptops were won by the children ages from 5 to 15 years.
Others that won prizes include Sele Choji, Joshua Onyekachi, Damilala, Cliton Okoji, Abbasi Okomi and Henry Harry.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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