Sports
NFF Secretary Wants Equal Fans’ Attention On Other Sports
Bolaji Ojo-Oba has challenged Nigerian sports fans to ask critical questions of other sports the same way they ask of football.
Speaking in Abuja early in the week, the FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner and Security Officer said he is of the view that should Nigerians ask of other sports even one tenth of the questions they usually ask of football, leaders of those other sports might also sit up and do something for general sports development.
“I am aware that football is King of sports, but let us not continue to pretend that football is the ONLY sport. That football is the ‘King of sports’ does not mean it is the only sport. Every minute, every hour, we ask questions of football, of the administrators, of the coaches, of the players, of the referees, and so on.
“But we keep quiet about the failings of the other sports and those other sports remain comatose.
“The present administration at the NFF has won five trophies, won Olympic silver, made good changes to administration in terms of personnel and physical edifice, got more partners from the private sector than ever, focused on areas of development and achieved harmony within its rank. Yet, the critics are unsparing, for God knows what.
“This country won her first Olympic medal in boxing (1964 Tokyo Games), and then won another bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and then a silver at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, long before football won in Atlanta in 1996. What has happened to Nigeria boxing? ”Our country used to be heavyweight in weightlifting at the top level, and there was an era we were much–reckoned with in volleyball in Africa. Where is Nigeria volleyball now?
“There was a Governor’s Cup tennis tournament in Lagos recently where all Nigerian players were beaten black and blue, and several years past, we used to be in serious play in the Davis Cup. What has happened? Recently, there was a FIBA African Basketball Championship in Libya where our team performed woefully. That was allowed to ride without much noise.
“In August, our track and field athletes went to the world championship in Berlin and failed to win a single medal, a trend that had been on for eight years or so. At the Atlanta Olympics 13 years ago, we won gold in women’s long jump. What has happened to athletics? ”Our country used to be the leading light of table tennis and wrestling in the African continent. What has happened to those sports?
“I can go on and on, but nobody appears to care about those sports, most of which have more medals at the Olympics than football. The so–called critics have failed us because they only talk about football, out of more than 30 sports.
“Football is the only sport doing something to lift Nigeria’s name, and yet the detractors go on without end about their perceived ‘downward trend’ of Nigeria football. Those critics also have questions to answer about the genuineness of their intention,” Ojo-Oba said.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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