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Oduah Donates Wheelchair, Cash To Ex-Rangers’ Player

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A foundation player of Rangers International FC  of Enugu Kenneth Abana, has received a donation of wheelchair from Senator Stella Oduah  to enable him move around in his house.
Abana popularly called ‘Magician’ for his great skill and strength during his playing days is currently confined to his bed and side chair due to a  serious health challenge from his waist to his legs.
Sen. Stella Oduah, representing Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, also gave Abana  cash (amount withheld)  for his daily upkeep and medical needs.
Abana was joined by members of his family and kinsmen in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra, to receive the gifts.
Chairman of Ikpeazu Redoubtable FC, Onitsha, Odi Ikpeazu, who made the presentation on behalf of the Senator said she was deeply touched when the veteran player’s medical condition was brought to her attention.
Ikpeazu described Abana as a football idol whom he had  been watching on the  field from childhood  and who gave joy to the people and quickened the healing of  the Civil War wounds, especially, in the South East.
He said such people deserved the best they could get from the society while they were alive and should not  die regretting that their contributions to humanity were not appreciated.
He said  that when the Ex-Rangers Chairman told him about Abana’s condition, he quickly contacted the Senator who swiftly responded with the donated items.
“Abana is a hero, I am particularly privileged to have been the one to make the presentation, he and his contemporaries played better and for humanity in their days.
“These are national treasures that should be supported by government, most governors we have now were very young when the likes of Abana were playing football.
“On behalf of Sen. Oduah, I want to call on governors to look for these living legends and help them according to their needs,” he said.
Chairman of Ex-Rangers players in Anambra Arthur Ebuna, said,  ‘Magician’ has been an inspiration to him and to  the  members of the football community who know him.
Ebuna said, he was worried that Abana after the burial of his teammate,NwabuezeNwankwo, had been confined to bed due to ailment.
He said  that the situation had led to bedsores and nurses were only coming to treat him.
“I was sad that Abana’s health had deteriorated this much that he could  no longer move about, nurses only come to dress the wounds  and I started reaching out for assistance”, he said.

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Rivers Referee Academy To Produce FIFA Graded Referees Soon 

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The coordinator of the Rivers State Referee Academy in Port Harcourt Coach Ere Dokubo said he foresee a situation where the academy would produce International referees in eight years to come.
According to him their target was  to get the best in their early age that will officiate in FIFA organised football  competitions.
Coach Dokubo made the assertion at the weekend in a chat with Tidesports in Port Harcourt , saying that students admitted into the academy are between eight and 13 years bracket.
He explained that  Nigeria have not  produced referees to officiate  World cup games was because most of the referees did not start on time but believed that the academy would produce referees of that standard.
” We  admit them in their early age between  eight, nine and 13,  the first phase just ended because it was an holiday programme as  most of them are students.
” We are targeting to produce FIFA graded referees  in the future.
” I believe in eight years to come some of  these ones we are bringing up today will be FIFA graded  referees out of them, some will officiate in the highest league that is Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL), why some will officiate in the lower league( NLO).
” I am optimistic  that we must produce FIFA graded referees from the academy” Dokubo stated.
Kiadum Edookor
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RSG Set To Host School Sports Competition Soon

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Rivers State Government has reiterates its  commitment to host schools sports competitions  in August this year, to boost grassroots sports development with the view to discover hidden talents.

The State Commissioner of sports  Barrister Christopher Green, disclosed this on Saturday,  in an interview with sports journalists, at the final of Strata base open national Karate Championship, held at Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, Moscow road in Port Harcourt.
He said the intention of the State was to bring back sporting activities, as it used to be back in the days.
” Our intention was to catch them young and groom them to stardom. Three months from now we are going to organise school sports,  where we can identify talents.
“In those days the  likes of Oriji and Ken Saro Wiwa Cup were avenues to discover talents, we are now going back to organise such competitions.
” Apart from that we are also going to  host Public Service games, this is coming up  in November this year too”, Barrister Green said.
According to him, every corporate organisation that sponsored any sports competition would have something in returns.
” I want to say that  since the inception of this administration led by Sir Siminialayi Fubara the State have being doing well tremendously and sporting activities is almost at the peak” he stated.
Tonye Orabere
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Chess Championship: Dan-Jumbo Emerges Best Female Player

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The third edition of Naphtail Chess Open Championship which ended on Wednesday  in Port Harcourt saw Rivers State born Queen Dan-Jumbo emerged best female player in the tournament following her impressive performance.

 

It was clash of the Titans as  top Chess players in Nigeria gathered to chase honours.

 

The three days competition was held at Vee Hotel, Trans Amadi ,in Port Harcourt and over 80 players in Nigeria  registered for the tournament this championship was recognised by  International Chess Federation (FIDE).

 

Speaking with Tidesports in an exclusive interview on Saturday, Dan-Jumbo said her dream was to become Grand Master in  Chess worldwide.

 

According to her, she started playing Chess at the age of 15 but went into it professionally in 2009 as she represented Rivers State in National Sports Festival (NSF) in Kaduna, the same year.

 

“I started playing Chess in the early 2000s. I picked the interest through my my elder brother as him and his friends always play Chess in our compound so I began to learn it.

 

” In 2009 I went to  National Sports festival in Kaduna represented Rivers State and I  won a silver medal on my board.

 

“In 2011 and 2012  NSFs  I won two Gold medals each hosted by Rivers and Lagos States respectively. While in Edo NSF I won bronze medal” Dan-Jumbo said.

 

The Asari-Toru, in Rivers State  born Chess player use the forum to advice upcoming Chess players to be focus, saying losing a game is part of every competition but the  most important thing was that you don’t lose hope.

 

“My advice for upcoming chess players was that don’t lose focus. Even when you lose, find a way to adjust and get back out”, she added.

Tonye Orabere

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