Sports
C’River Redeploys Facilities At UJ Esuene Stadium Nigeria 2009 fallout
The Cross River Government has begun the redeployment of facilities installed at the U.J. Esuene stadium, Calabar for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria in 2009.
Calabar was one of the eight centres used for matches in the tournament, held between October 24 and November 20.
The state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Chief Raymond Obeten, confirmed the redeployment of the facilities.
Obeten said that power inverters and some computers installed at the media centre of the stadium had been moved to the ICT unit of the governor’s office.
He also said that a 1000-KVA generator used for the competition had been returned to Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort from where it was taken.
The five ambulances bought for the tournament have also been moved to some health facilities, while the CT SCAN and MRI machines are at the General Hospital, Calabar, the commissioner said.
He said the government intended to use the computers and inverters to improve operations at the training school of the ICT department.
“After satisfying the needs of the ICT department, we still have some computers and laptops left. We are working out a programme to make them useful to the people,” he said.
Obeten said that the redeployment of the facilities would enable the state to enjoy the benefits of hosting the tournament.
“We had said that hosting the championship would be beneficial to the state beyond the requirements of FIFA.
“It is more or less central to the growth of some sections of our social services infrastructure.
“Now that FIFA is gone, you can be sure that the facilities are available to serve our people. So, that is why the facilities are being redeployed,” he said.
Two days after the conclusion of matches at the centre on November 9, last year, some persons who claimed to be acting on orders removed some air conditioning units at the health centre of the stadium.
Those removing the items told some state LOC members and stadium workers that the orders came from the tournament’s coordinator of the health centre and the state commissioner for sports.
The commissioner then confirmed that the air conditioners were not on the list of items sent to the Calabar centre by the central LOC in Abuja.
He also said that before giving permission for the items to be removed from the stadium, he cleared with relevant authorities at the central LOC.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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