Sports
Mixed reactions Trail RSG’s Reward To Festival Athletes
The recent award ceremony organised by Rivers State Government at the Alfred Diete Spiff athletes and coaches who won medals at the 16th National Sports Festival held in Kaduna tagged “KADA 2009” has started to receive mixed reactions. In his reactions, John Senibo, popularly known as Big John who featured in boxing event said that the value of the reward from the government would only discourage athletes in the state. According to him, it is far below the expectations of the athletes. “As far as I am concerned, this award or reward, anything they chose to call it, is discouraging because it is far below the expectations of the athletes, after all, most states who gave much more to their athletes are not as rich as our state”, he said. Big John added the most painful part was that government deliberately neglected and refused to reward those that did not win medals after all the sufferings most athletes went through in Kaduna . “It is very painful and annoying that the state ignored those who participated in the festival. It is not fair at all, at least they would have given them something, no matter how small in order to encourage them. You and I know that some persons lost their lives while competing in some of the events.” he stated. He continued that the state which is preparing to host the 17th edition of the NSF next year would have used the opportunity to encourage and motivate the athletes. Big John, who is also the state Amateur Boxing Champion used the forum to call on Sports council to provide boxing gym and kits to enable boxers train well in preparation for the NSF next year. The Chief coach of Karate Association, Kingsley Okwelle, popularly known as Grand Master, in reaction thanaked the government for fulfilling its promises. According to him, the gesture would spur the athletes to do more in subsequent competitions, especially the forthcoming sports festival. “I thanked God today and feel very happy, because government has finally rewarded the athletes that made the state proud, I know that this gesture would encourage them to do more.” He said. In his reaction, the chairman of Amatuer Atheltic Assocation (AAA) Chief Nemi Adoki, said he observed that the athletes were not happy, perhaps they felt the award ceremony was overdue and the reward too small for such a national competition. He expressed hope that the reward would encourage them to put in more effort in next year’s national sports festival to be hosted by the state. The Secretary to the State government Hon. Magnus Abe, who represented the governor at the award ceremony, advised athletes to see the reward as an appreciation for what they have done. Hon. Abe, advised them to take their sports seriously to enable them become the best in their various events. He said that what government did was to encourage them to do more. He further said that “there is no sports today that would not make you rich, so long as you are the best in that particularly event. “What government has given to you today will not make you a rich man or woman. What you need is to put in your best to make you be the best. “Those sportsmen you hear that are millionaries did not start one day they have start long ago”. he said. The athletes who were initially promised a scholarship blank cheque to any level at any part of the world especially, for gold medalists were rewarded with the cash prize of N300,000, N200,000 and N150,000 for gold, silver and bronze medal runners, respectively.
Tonye Orabere
Brian Brobbey scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Sunderland came from behind to beat Newcastle United in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park.
Newcastle had been on target for their first home victory in this fixture since 2010 when Anthony Gordon gave the hosts a ninth-minute lead.
Sunderland played out from the back but defender Luke O’Nien’s pass was intercepted by Nick Woltemade and he gave it to Gordon, who did the rest to score his 17th goal of the season.
The hosts almost made it 2-0 just before the break, but Sven Botman headed against the post following a cross from left-back Lewis Hall, one of five Newcastle players to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, another called up by Tuchel, did not get great distance on a punch, the ball was played back into the box, Brobbey chested it goalwards and Dan Burn cleared off the line, only for Chemsdine Talbi to fire in the rebound.
Noah Sadiki had a chance to put Sunderland ahead, only for him to shoot at Ramsdale.
Yet it did not prove costly as Brobbey scored the late winner, to the delight of the away fans, when he converted a rebound from close range after Ramsdale saved his first attempt.
The result gives Sunderland their first league double over Newcastle since 2014-15.
Rangers International technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu has credited his recent stint with the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle as a major factor behind the club’s resurgence in the Nigeria Premier Football League title race, Tidesports source reports.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ matchday 31 fixture against El Kanemi Warriors in Enugu, Ilechukwu said the experience gained at international level has significantly influenced his approach, particularly in the areas of intensity, discipline and overall team structure.
“Change is constant in life. After working closely with Eric Chelle, the mentality I got from him is not an easy one. The training sessions are super intense, about 80 per cent of what we do now is heavy training,” he said.
Ilechukwu maintained that the discipline and structure he adopted during his time with the national team have translated directly into improved performances at the club level.
“I think my return has had a positive impact defensively, offensively, everything. The preparation, the pep talks, the quality, it gives confidence. I came back with an advantage,” he said.
Rangers have enjoyed a remarkable run since his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, losing just once in 11 matches, with six wins, four draws and seven clean sheets propelling them firmly into contention.
They currently sit second on the table with 50 points, just one behind leaders Rivers United, with eight matches remaining in the season.
Despite their strong position, Ilechukwu insisted his side will not be weighed down by pressure as the title race intensifies.
“There is no different message, we don’t want to be under pressure because of the league. We take it one game after the other, after this game we talk about the next one,” he said.
He added that his players possess the necessary qualities to compete at the highest level.
“They understand what it takes to win. They have the attitude, the capacity, the character, and they understand what we want. To me, we are always ready,” he said.
While acknowledging the strength of Rivers United, Ilechukwu maintained that the title race remains open heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
“They are the strongest team, but you never can tell what will happen. We are also strong. In the remaining games, we will fight more and stay at the top of our game but without pressure,” he said.
Having guided Rangers to the NPFL title in the 2023/24 season, Ilechukwu is now aiming to secure his second league crown in three years as the Enugu side continue their pursuit of the title.
Odegbami described CAF’s decision to overturn the Jan. 18 final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”
As reported by Tidesports source on Saturday, he noted that Senegal were crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.
“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months after,” he said.
Odegbami said the decision had sparked outrage among football fans and stakeholders worldwide.
“This judgment has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” he added.
The ex-Nigerian Football Legend questioned the motive behind the decision, describing it as risky and unpopular.
“What could have driven such a decision that undermines the spirit of the game?” he asked.
Odegbami said although football regulations may not cover every situation, rare cases require wisdom.
“This AFCON case demands that rules and common sense must align,” he said.
He recalled that Senegal were crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience.
“Two months later, CAF delivered what I call a ‘poisoned verdict’ through its Appeals Committee,” he said.
Odegbami explained that Morocco’s protest, earlier dismissed, was later upheld on appeal.
“The decision to reverse a final match result is one of the most unpopular ever,” he said..
He said the rules on walkouts are clear but must be applied with context.
According to him, Senegal players walked off after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, staying away for 17 minutes.
“Ordinarily, that attracts forfeiture, but the referee allowed play to resume, which changed everything,” he said.
Odegbami noted that petitions can alter results but argued that the AFCON final was different.
“If this were a qualifier, nobody would question the CAF’s decision. But this was the final,” he said.
He stressed that the trophy had been awarded and celebrations concluded before the reversal.
“There was no room for post-match litigation in a final of this magnitude,” he said.
Odegbami maintained that the referee’s decision to restart play nullified the forfeiture clause.
“The match resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, Senegal scored and won fairly,” he said.
He insisted that CAF had no justification to overturn the result after recognising a winner.
“Punish any infractions if necessary, but do not tamper with a concluded final,” he said.
Odegbami urged CAF to review its regulations and restore Senegal as champions.
“For now, CAF should retrace its steps and return the trophy to Senegal,” he advised.