Sports
Fans Laud Ultimate Commander For Reviving Wrestling
Wrestling fans in Lagos applauded the Africa Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Osita Offor, aka De Ultimate Commander, for reviving professional wrestling in Nigeria.
In separate interviews with newsmen some of the thrilled fans said they enjoyed every minute of the fights at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, tagged “Gathering of Champions.’’.
The seven fights last weekend were a prelude to De Ultimate Commander’s World Heavyweight Wrestling title defence against Shelton Benjamin scheduled to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Some of the fans said that hitherto they had thought that professional wrestling bouts were staged to entertain the audience, but watching the fights live had changed their views.
They urged other wrestlers, who had benefited from the country, to emulate Ultimate Commander and support the revival of professional wrestling.
A banker, Abraham Gbadamosi, who said he had been a wrestling fan since his youth, told Tidesport soruce that because he could not get live wrestling to watch, he had resorted to watching them on television.
According to him, watching wrestling live gives him a lot of pleasure and this prompted him to bring his children to experience what they watch on television.
He urged governments and corporate bodies to rally round professional wrestlers like De Ultimate Commander to revive the sport. “I think we should commend Ultimate Commander for bringing world wrestlers to Nigeria in his bid to bring back the good old days of professional wrestling; others should emulate him,’’ Gbadamosi said.
Bukola Arowojobe, a fashion designer, said that when she heard about the championship, she thought it was a hoax.
“Until I got here and saw all these world wrestlers, I did not believe,’’ Arowojobe said.
She, however, wondered why no female wrestlers were featured in the championship, saying that female wrestlers should be given equal opportunity to exhibit their talents.
Kareem Salami, a sports lover, said that sports generally was on the decline in the country, adding that a lot more needed to be done to improve all sports.
He appealed to governments at all levels to shift focus from football and give other sports adequate attention.
“Sport is a lucrative business in other countries but people administering sports in Nigeria do not see it that way and that is why we are not reaping from the gold mine,’’ he said.
About 15 foreign and 13 African wrestlers took part in the championship, which was promoted by Universal Promotional Wrestling Federations (UPWF) in conjunction with The Ultimate Wrestling and Charity Organisation (TUWCO).
In one of the bouts, Reinforcer of USA, weighing 131.9 kg, defeated compatriot, Maximus Fury, 83.91kg; while Jimmy Palm (85 kg) of Nigeria also defeated his Nigerian counterpart, Black Heritage (85 kg).
In the tag team matches, Golden Twins of Congo DR (400 kg) defeated Nigerian Ring Riders (400 kg), while Shelton Benjamin and Val Venis (113.3 kg) USA, defeated Nigeria’s Ultimate Commander and Slam Shady (113.8 kg) of the USA.
Sports
FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa
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
Sports
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Sports
Niger Delta Games: Sports Facilities In Edo Excites Ikpokpo
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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