Sports
17th NSF: Ebonyi Not Worried By Athletes’ Defection
Sports authorities in Ebonyi State have said that they were not worried by the defection of their athletes to other states for next month’s National Sports Festival scheduled for Port Harcourt.
More than 10 athletes representing the state in key sports have been poached by other states in the past few months.
Emmanuel Utobo, the Acting Director of Sports in the state, told newsmen in Abakaliki that the development was not a threat to Ebonyi’s medal hopes at the sports fiesta.
“Those athletes have the right to do so. They feel that other states can provide them with better opportunities; therefore we allowed them to leave as we could not meet their demands.
“There is no way Ebonyi can compete with the likes of Lagos, Edo, Rivers and Delta in terms of athletes’ welfare because we do not have the type of resources they have,” he said.
Utobo said athletes who opted to remain with the state had shown signs that they would excel at the sports festival.
“Our Kung Fu athletes won one gold and two bronze medals at the Lagos Open Championship last November.
“Also in the same month, our wrestlers won the overall position in the Greco-Roman category of the Open Wrestling Championship in Bayelsa.
“The state’s athletes won the male and female football and handball events of the National Sports Festival zonal elimination series held in November in Enugu,’’ he noted.
Utobo said that to ensure the state performed better at the competition than it did at “Kaduna 2009’’, the sports council had toured the grass roots where it discovered new talents.
“These athletes are being groomed with the older ones to ensure that the state is ready for the festival when it commences next month,’’ he said.
The acting director said that no date had been fixed for the kick-off of the final phase of camping for the athletes but noted that they were training on their own.
“We call on individuals and organisations to complement the government’s efforts by sponsoring the athletes to the competition because adequate preparation and participation are capital intensive,’’ he said.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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