Sports

LMC Fines Heartland N6.25m, Deducts Three Points

Published

8 years ago

April 30, 2018

The League Management Company (LMC) at the weekend sanctioned Heartland Football Club of Owerri following crowd trouble which marred their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture against champions Plateau United.

Tidesports source reports that the club’s fans attacked centre referee Yusuf Garba, who they claimed made a number of questionable calls.

Garba sustained injuries from the attack in the critthreeng8 fixture, which had ended in a 1-1 draw on April 22, and had to be treated at a nearby hospital.

The Owerri-based club side will now have to forfeit three points and play their next three home matches at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri behind closed doors.

The LMC revealed that it also fined the club N1.5 million.

It said this was for their fans’ encroachment after the game and their failure to restrict unauthorised persons to restricted areas during the match.

“For the assault on match officials, the LMC fined the club N1 million and ruled that they should pay N1.25 million as compensation to the match officials.

“Another N500,000 fine will be paid by Heartland for their failure to use and issue matchday tickets for record and crowd control purposes.

“They will pay another N1 million for issuing public statement capable of bringing the league to disrepute.

“For unfairly criticising and discrediting match officials who are officers or agents of the league, Heartland have also been fined N1 million,” the LMC said.

It also punished the club’s Team Manager, Mobi Oparaku, for his role in the incident.

The former Nigeria international has been suspended from all LMC activities for the next 10 games.

With the decision of the LMC, the former NPFL champions now face a tough task in maintaining their top-flight status as they sit in the last position on the table with 15 points from 18 games.

The club only gained promotion to the top-flight last season after spending a season in the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Tidesports source also reports that the LMC had docked three points from Sunshine Stars earlier in the season for a similar offence.

Sports

Inter House Sports Is Where Talents Are Discovered -Rear Admiral Okehie

Published

15 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, has said that inter-house sports competition was mainly to discover talents from the grassroots.

According to him, over the years, inter-house sports competition has remained a defining platform for building resilience, confidence, and unity among the students.

Real Admiral Okehie was represented by the executive officer, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Navy Captain Muhammad Umar, who said this last Saturday during the 20th Annual Inter-House Sports Competition at the Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Borikiri, Port Harcourt.

He commended the parents and guardians for their sustained trust and partnership, saying that their unique cooperation remains indispensable to the growth of the students and the steady progress of the institution.

He further lauded the hard-working commandant of the school, Navy Captain Chinomso Omezurike, for highlighting the importance of vocational education and entrepreneurial development in the practical skills acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme for the senior secondary three students.

Also speaking, the Commandant of the school, Captain Omezurike, expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government, as they have built some facilities in the school.

“We specially express our profound gratitude to the State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for his visionary leadership and love for the school.”

“This event is not merely a sports gathering, but it represents a strategic investment in youth development.

“Sports remain one of the most effective instruments for sharpening character, promoting discipline, and fostering unity among young people,” he said.

“Thus, competitions such as this adequately prepare students, not only for academic success but also for life’s challenges.

Captain Omezuruike used the opportunity to thank her staff for good work and dedication to duty and expressed appreciation to the parents.

The vice-chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school, Barr. Anthon Wamah, also commended the excellent performance of the commandant of the school.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Yenagoa City Set For Maiden 10km Marathon

Published

15 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

All is now set for the maiden edition of the Yenagoa City International 10KM Race, a landmark sporting event designed to position Bayelsa State as a destination for global sports tourism.

The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.

Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.

According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.

The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.

To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.

The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.

Sports

NSC rewards Ogun State Athlete N3m

Published

22 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Director General of National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopde celebrates with the athetes

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.

The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.

Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.

Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.

“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.

He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.