Sports
Odibola Powers Mini Marathon In PH
Port Harcourt City, Rivers State and indeed, the South South region is set to witness a grand mini marathon as Odibola Global Services Limited powers a medium distance race for athletes in the state and beyond next month tagged, New Port Harcourt Mini Marathon. The race, being put together by Odibola Global Services in conjunction with Rivers state government and other brands is scheduled to hold on the 18th of next month and would be open to any interested runner.
Speaking at a Press briefing recently in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director of the organisation, Mr Regha Julius described the one-day event as the company’s gesture to give back to the society and help in the effort to identify, wean and throw up new athletes that can fly the flag of the state and country in future athletics competition.
According to Mr Julius,” the one day mini marathon is one of the many people oriented activities of Odibola Global Services, it’s one of our ways of giving back to the society and making people know that Rivers state is safe to live and do business in. People can come and invest in the state”
“We as a brand with focus on people always try to reach out, impact on the lives of people and improve the way businesses are conducted by engaging in activities geared toward improving the lives of people”, he added.
While answering questions, the Managing Director disclosed that the race would have two categories, male and female with One million naira prize money for each. The 21km race will commence and terminate at the Sharks FC Stadium.
He stated that they would be partnering with bodies such as Rivers State Sports Council, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigerian Civil and Security Defence Corps, NCSDC and Red Cross to make the marathon a success.
He promised that there would be a second edition of the race next year and that with the support of the state government, the New Port Harcourt Mini Marathon has come to stay.
It is expected that the Rivers state Sports Council would provide the technical assistance and equipment for the event, while the FRSC ensures effective management of the road and traffic, the NCSDC provides security and the Red Cross, the medical/health management to make the event hitch-free.
Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Rivers State Chapter, Sarah David on her part said that the development was a good thing that needs to be encouraged by all. She offered the total support of all sports writers in the state towards the success of the event and called on other corporate bodies to emulate Odibola Global Services by investing in the youth and society via sports development, promotion and sponsorship.
Registration for the mini marathon is free and can be done online (www.odibola.com/marathon), at the Ministry of Sports or Odibola’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt. Residents and athletes from outside the state are eligible to participate on passing the stipulated health checks.
ODIBOLA POWERS MINI MARATHON IN PH
Gabriel Nwanetanya
Port Harcourt City, Rivers State and indeed, the South South region is set to witness a grand mini marathon as Odibola Global Services Limited powers a medium distance race for athletes in the state and beyond next month tagged, New Port Harcourt Mini Marathon. The race, being put together by Odibola Global Services in conjunction with Rivers state government and other brands is scheduled to hold on the 18th of next month and would be open to any interested runner.
Speaking at a Press briefing recently in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director of the organisation, Mr Regha Julius described the one-day event as the company’s gesture to give back to the society and help in the effort to identify, wean and throw up new athletes that can fly the flag of the state and country in future athletics competition.
According to Mr Julius,” the one day mini marathon is one of the many people oriented activities of Odibola Global Services, it’s one of our ways of giving back to the society and making people know that Rivers state is safe to live and do business in. People can come and invest in the state”
“We as a brand with focus on people always try to reach out, impact on the lives of people and improve the way businesses are conducted by engaging in activities geared toward improving the lives of people”, he added.
While answering questions, the Managing Director disclosed that the race would have two categories, male and female with One million naira prize money for each. The 21km race will commence and terminate at the Sharks FC Stadium.
He stated that they would be partnering with bodies such as Rivers State Sports Council, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigerian Civil and Security Defence Corps, NCSDC and Red Cross to make the marathon a success.
He promised that there would be a second edition of the race next year and that with the support of the state government, the New Port Harcourt Mini Marathon has come to stay.
It is expected that the Rivers state Sports Council would provide the technical assistance and equipment for the event, while the FRSC ensures effective management of the road and traffic, the NCSDC provides security and the Red Cross, the medical/health management to make the event hitch-free.
Also speaking at the briefing, the State’s Director of Sports, Mildred Hart described the involvement of Odibola Services in the event as a good development, noting that the marathon would provide a veritable platform for the youth to express and explore their talents, which can lead them away from societal vices.
Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Rivers State Chapter, Sarah David on her part said that the development was a good thing that needs to be encouraged by all. She offered the total support of all sports writers in the state towards the success of the event and called on other corporate bodies to emulate Odibola Global Services by investing in the youth and society via sports development, promotion and sponsorship.
Registration for the mini marathon is free and can be done online (www.odibola.com/marathon), at the Ministry of Sports or Odibola’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt. Residents and athletes from outside the state are eligible to participate on passing the stipulated health checks.
Andrea Cambiaso scored at both ends during the first half of Saturday’s Derby d’Italia, before Pierre Kalulu’s red card forced Juventus to play the entire second half a man light.
Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito got Inter back in front with a bullet header, then Manuel Locatelli’s pinpoint finish looked to have salvaged a point for the Bianconeri, before Zielinski struck on the cusp of stoppage time.
Juventus made the brighter start, but they were masters of their own downfall in the 17th minute, when Cambiaso deflected Luis Henrique’s cross beyond Michele Di Gregorio.
Cambiaso atoned within nine minutes, catching Henrique on his heels when Weston McKennie’s cross squirmed through to the back post and applying a side-footed finish.
But after Bremer cleared Zielinski’s dinked effort off the line, Juve’s hopes were damaged when Kalulu received his second yellow card for a 42nd-minute pull on Alessandro Bastoni, though the Inter centre-back appeared to go down theatrically.
Di Gregorio made a remarkable stop to thwart Hakan Calhanoglu, but as Juventus dropped ever deeper, they were punished when substitute Esposito guided Federico Dimarco’s searching cross into the far corner with 76 minutes on the clock.
It looked like Inter would have to settle for a point when Locatelli whipped a wonderful finish into the bottom-left corner in the 83rd minute, but Zielinski had the final say as his 20-yard drive fizzed through Locatelli’s legs and beat Di Gregorio.
A cloud of uncertainty has settled over Liverpool after comments from Hungary head coach Marco Rossi reignited speculation about Dominik Szoboszlai and Real Madrid.
Rossi, who has worked closely with Szoboszlai since his teenage years, revealed that the midfielder’s lifelong ambition is to play for the Spanish giants.
“Because of the very close and direct relationship I’ve had with Dominik since he was a child, Real Madrid has always been his dream,” Rossi said.
For a Liverpool side building around Szoboszlai as a centerpiece of Arne Slot’s project, those words landed hard.
Within hours of Rossi’s remarks, Szoboszlai interacted on social media with two Real Madrid players, applauding posts from Vinicius Junior and Trent Alexander-Arnold following Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad.
His reaction to Vinicius’ post drew particular attention. The exchange with Alexander-Arnold, his former Liverpool teammate, was seen as less surprising.
Still, in the hyper-connected world of elite soccer, even a digital thumbs-up can carry weight. On Merseyside, fans and pundits quickly began dissecting the meaning behind the interactions.
Szoboszlai, Hungary’s captain, has become one of Liverpool’s most influential players. That status is precisely why Rossi’s comments triggered such an intense reaction in England.
The midfielder had just delivered on the field as well, scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.
After the match, Mohamed Salah heaped praise on his teammate, calling Szoboszlai “the best player in the world.” Slot struck a slightly more measured tone but echoed the sentiment.
“I think there are many elite players in the world, but I definitely agree with Mo that he is one of them,” Slot said. “He is very important for us.”
Szoboszlai is under contract at Liverpool through 2028. However, the club is reportedly eager to open extension talks in the coming months to secure his long-term future.
The player himself addressed the situation recently with notable candor.
“There’s nothing yet, to be honest. Nothing from now on. It’s not in my hands. That’s how it works,” he said. “There’s no progress, but if the right offer comes, we’ll see.”
He was equally clear about his affection for Liverpool.
“We’ll see what happens. Hopefully everyone will be happy in the end. Of course I want to stay. I like the city, I like the club, I like playing with these guys. I love Anfield, I love the fans. Let’s see what the future brings. It’s not my fault. I’d love to stay. We’ll see.”
Inter’s dramatic victory boosted their lead over rivals AC Milan to eight points, ahead of the Rossoneri hosting Como on Wednesday. Juventus, meanwhile, could drop out of the top four as Roma visited Napoli last night.
The last four Serie A matches between Inter and Juventus have produced a total of 21 goals (an average of 5.25 per game), compared to just nine in the previous six (1.5 per game).
Cambiaso became the first player in Derby d’Italia history to score and put through his own net in the same match between these old rivals, but it was Zielinski’s fifth Serie A goal of the season that proved decisive.
Inter will argue they were deserved victors after amassing 21 shots and 1.88 expected goals (xG), while Luciano Spalletti’s visitors mustered 10 shots and 0.92 xG – though the Bianconeri actually attempted six of their shots while down a man in the second half.
Premier League strugglers Wolves overcame resolute Grimsby Town in challenging conditions at Blundell Park to reach the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of the side that eliminated Manchester United in the last round.
Santiago Bueno scored from Wolves’ only shot on target with an hour played, diverting Joao Gomes’ cross past goalkeeper Jackson Smith with his thigh to end the League Two club’s resistance.
Unrelenting rainfall caused heavy ground underfoot and one penalty area in particular- that of Grimsby’s Smith in the first half – was already a quagmire before kick-off.
Charles Vernam shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box with just 43 seconds on the clock as Grimsby sought to catch their top-flight visitors cold.
Wolves had to wait until the 17th minute for their first opportunity of note, forward Tolu Arokodare firing over with a first-time attempt.
The white paint of the pitch markings soon blended and blurred with the mud as the surface rapidly deteriorated, and both sides struggled to stitch together cohesive attacks as passes travelled unpredictably across the sodden ground.