Sports
Rivers Very Safe, Homely – American Basketballers
Visiting American Basketballers and coaches to Rivers State have expressed shock over uncomplimentary media reports on the security challenges in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital which does not reflect the true situation on ground.
Cecil Sievers, Nathaniel Achibald and Mitch Duren made their feelings known yesterday when they accompanied the President of Royal Hoopers Basketball Club, Port Harcourt on a courtesy call on the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Romiti Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Amercians, who were visiting Nigeria for the first time, said the impression given to them in the media and at the Embassy was scary, noting that it was difficult to believe that they would be safe.
“Our visit to the Consulate in Lagos gave us a negative perception of what is happening here but we have been here three days and nothing”, Mitch said.
The visitors contended that what is being fed to the world via the internet or from outside sources do not give the true value of people in the country and urged intending visitors to Port Harcourt to “come and see things for themselves”.
“I’m happy and elated to be here”, Nathaniel Achibald, ace Bolton Celtics Basketballer said, while describing Port Harcourt as a true home.
In his response, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said he was surprised that people were yet to tell the world that the state has achieved about 70 per cent peace at the moment.
“You know, when things were bad they were writing that things were bad but now that things have improved, they are no longer there to write the story that things have changed”, Amaechi observed.
The governor, who admitted that things were not yet perfect, said that for the avoidance of doubt, the state government has been hosting Commonwealth Parliamentarians for the past three weeks, with some delegates as Caucasians, and there has not been any negative report so far.
He argued that it was unfair for the embassies to send wrong signals to their people, noting that if it was that bad, the multinational companies should have left and enjoined the foreign media to report the positive things happening in the state.
The governor, who said the state was tired of being at the receiving end of the propaganda, promised that a media campaign would soon be put in place to correct the negative reporting of the state.
Athletes competing for glory in a meet
The Head Coach of Okrika United FC, IsaacTama has commended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for hosting of the Simplified Football Tournament in the State.
Coach Tama made the commendation yesterday after Okrika United defeated Degema LGA 2-0 at the competition holding at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He expressed joy over his side’s victory, saying that his team had worked so hard before the kick-off of the tournament.
“The Governor has done very well because it has been like five to six years we saw competions among the 23 LGAs in the State.
” As you can see, we are very happy because this tournament is showcasing our local players from all the LGAs.
” So, I thank Governor Sim Fubara. We trained over two months before the competition so we prepared very well, I am surprised that we scored only two goals. The first half was so tough because the Degema team was so hard and rough in their approach, so my players were distraught. In the second half, I made two substitutions that yielded the two zero win. I saw that they were playing karate football so I changed the strategies to play from defence and attacking from the wings.
” You know, the competition has three phases, the first is to come out of the group stage, for now, we are pushing from the group stage, then, we move on” Tama said.
He described the CTC chairman of Okrika LGA, Princess Oga as the best chairman in the State, adding that she released money for the team on time.
“Before we started, we asked for N12.8 million and she did not delay in taking action. She even promised to pay players N30, 000 each if we win the match we just played. “Women CTC Chairmen are the best ooh?, ” Tama stated.
The 8th editon of National Youth Games (NYG) was declared opened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday, at Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State.
It was a colourful opening ceremony characterized with funfares, even as the heavy down could not stop the colorful ceremony.
Excitment was on the air when athletes, coaches and people from all works of life witnessed the ceremony in a full capacity Stadium.
Speaking Presidency Tinubu said the game was to hunt talents and noture them to stadium, as he accepted the abysmal performance of Nigeria’ athletes at the just concluded Paris Olympics.
He noted that Sports in Nigeria’ is declining occasion by ageing Sportsmen and stressed for norturing young athletes that will represent the country.
The President who was represent by the minister of youth and sports, Hon. John Enoh said sports plays a crucial role in creating wealth, peace and international diplomacy.
Tonye Orabere
The Caretaker Chairman of Bonny Local government Council of Rivers State, Hon Anengi Barasua Claud – Wilcox has promised to retain the Bonny Stars FC after the Simplified Football Tournament currently going on at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
According to her, Bonny LGA is known for footballing, so retaining the team at the end of the tournament would help the youths to promote their careers in the round leather game.
Hon Claud – Wilcox made the promise in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Bonny Stars FC played out a goalless draw against Eleme LGA at the Simplified Governor’s Cup for the 23 LGAs in Port Harcourt.
She praised her team despite the goalless draw, adding that the Eleme team were also a good team.
” I am very proud of my team as you can see, the opponents look young but my boys look stronger.
” The game ended well, 0-0. I think our main purpose in the tournament is to win the cup and it will go a long way for our support to Governor Sim Fubara.
“The name of the tournament, Simplified football Cup Rivers State shows that the 23 LGAs are all Simplified.
” We want to ensure we win the competition and bring the cup to Bonny LGA.
” Retaining the team yes because Bonny is known for good footballing and is also a way of encouraging the youth for them to promote their career” Hon Wilcox said.
The Bonny CTC Boos also revealed to empower other sport like female football, tennis, track and some indoor games most especially in school to keep the youths busy..
” Our target is to win the competition to showcase that the Governor is our own.
” We will try as much as possible to keep the team because is a way of encouraging the youth and to set the mind a way crime” She said.
The Chairman used the medium to advise Rivers people to engage the youth in sporting activities because it goes a long way to encourage them and keep them active, while advancing their fitness and health.
Kiadum Edookor
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