Sports
SWAN Worries Over Future Of Nigerian Football
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has Wednesday expressed serious concern over the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian football in recent times.
In a press statement signed by its Deputy Secretary-General, Babs Oyetoro, the body said Nigeria’s present situation was one of its darkest moments in football.
“It is sad to note that this is the first time since 1986 that Nigeria would fail to qualify for the African Nations Cup.
“It is also worrisome that the Super Falcons, who were African champions for a sixth time record by 2010,did not make it to the All-Africa Games last held in Maputo.
“Now, they are already out of the Olympic Games slated for London in 2012,’’ SWAN said in the statement, a copy of which was made available to the Tidesports source in Abuja.
The sports writers body also lamented the failure of former African champions Enyimba International FC of Aba to qualify for the final round of the CAF Champions League.
“This was after it (Enyimba)had raised the hope of the teeming Nigerian populace that they were on the verge of making another history.
“In the same vein, Sunshine Stars of Akure lost at home in the CAF Confederation Cup in the first leg match, and this is also a testament to the declining state of the Nigerian league,’’ SWAN said.
It noted that all these indicated that there were some fundamental problems.
“Obviously, something is fundamentally wrong with Nigerian football,’’ SWAN lamented.
It then called on the Nigerian football authorities to urgently address the ugly situation.
“This has to be done with immediate effect, if Nigerian football must move ahead. Nigerian football, at the moment, needs an urgent reformation to move forward,’’ it said.
It also urged the National Sports Commission ( NSC) to go beyond funding the game, and take its supervisory role more serious.
“The NSC should be prepared to take the bull by the horns to deliver the round leather game from its present captivity.
“It should work in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to find a lasting solution to the lingering crises.
“These crises, to a larger extent, have affected the genuine growth of the game because any house divided against itself can never stand,’’ SWAN said.
It further called on all the warring factions in Nigerian football to sheathe their swords in the interest of the game.
“Certainly, there cannot be any meaningful progress amid crisis.
“This is why the NFA board members, when they meet on Friday in Abuja, should allow national interest to be the overriding factor with a view to moving Nigerian football forward,’’ the body said.
Sports
Naphtali Director Reiterates Commitment To Dev Chess
The Chief executive officer (CEO) of Naphtali Groups Dr Apollos Akomaka has reiterated his commitment to develop the game of Chess in Rivers State and beyond.
He stated his intention was to ensure that Chess is as popular as football and played by everybody in the State.
Dr. Akomaka said these shortly after he won the Naphtali Battle Of Two Generations Chess Competition, in Port Harcourt, sponsored by Naphtali physiotherapy and wellness Clinic, recently. at Twilight Lounge Total Gospel street, Odili road, Port Harcourt.
In the competition “The Battle of Two Generations came to a dramatic display with the Old Generation (Veterans) staging a comeback after Day 1 to thump the New Generation with a 7.5 vs 4.5 points on the final Day.
At the commencement of the day one tournament Martins Konju play the white pieces against tactical Dr Apollos Akomaka( veteran) who played the black pieces, Akomaka stretched the young Martins Konju’s resilience to hold on the game to a draw via continuous checks that eventually made Konju fell into a mating net and got mated.
Meanwhile, board two saw an Under 14 player John Nwachukwu with the white pieces,who delivered a strategic attacking onslaught on his opponents Stanley Egbujie, the highest Fide rated player of the event with 1940 rating. Stanley Egbujie could not hold on with Nwachukwu’s attack as he had to resign to avoid an embarrassing mate that was in the offing.
It a different ball game on board three where the highest rated new generation player Pamella Ezeh Souter with a 1904 rating against an unrated veteran Ipalibo George wasted no time in employing his tactical prowess to subdue the veteran who succumbed to pressure and resigned,giving the new generation the needed win after round one.
In the subsequent round Martin Konju secured a 3 fold repetition and earn a vital draw against Dr. Akomaka while Stanley Egbujie had it easy over John Nwachukwu as Pamela Ezeh took advantage of the rustiness of Ipalibo George to deliver another resounding victory to give the new generation an early advantage of 3.5: 2:5 after Day 1.
Tonye Orabere
Sports
Team Rivers Shine At South-East Chess Championship
The second edition of South East Zonal Chess Championship draw its curtain close at the weekend in Umuahia the capital city of Abia State.
The tournament saw Rivers Chess team which was represented by three players Stanley Egbujie, Eunice Ajawachukwu and veteran, Dr. Appollos Akomaka who captained the team excelled at championship.
Rivers players won all their games in the day one of the tournament, in the female category Ajawachukwu emerged champion and narrowly lost to highly rated player to win silver medal with a 4/7 points in the major championship
Stanley Egbujie of Rivers performed impressively which took him to the finals but also lost to the joint winner of the major championship as Egbujie dropped to fourth position by ranking with 5/7 points.
This year edition did not feature the veteran category; however the reigning veteran champion of the championship, Dr. Akomaka also garnered 3.5points out of 7 to still remain undisputed as the veteran champion of the zone.
Speaking shortly after the event, the acting chairman of the Rivers State Chess Association Dr Apollos Akomaka urged players to always put in their best, saying and that one day their efforts will be crowned with glory.
He stated that if they continue to perform impressively in competitions he believes government would support them.
Tonye Orabere
Sports
NDDC To Introduce Secondary Schools Football League
The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has pledged to introduce Niger Delta Secondary Schools League (NDSSL) to promote and develop football in the region.
He stated that in the next edition of W.W White cup the best player would be sent to any football academy in Europe, instead of scouts to come.
Dr. Ogbuku said these shortly after the finals of the competition sponsored by NDDC, last Friday at the Stella Maris College, between Ennitonia High School and Nyemoni Anglican Grammar School in Port Harcourt,
According to him, the reason of sponsoring the tournament was to bring back Port Harcourt how it used to be, adding that the name was also maintained to immortalise the person who started the competition as a way of giving back to the society.
“We believe that we needed to go back how Port Harcourt used to be, the peaceful Port Harcourt as it used to be that glorified all of us. Besides, for a long time now we have not played inter secondary football competition in the State.
“Next year we will improve on it by sending the best player to any of the football academics in Europe. This competition would go round the nine States that NDDC covers but it will not bare W.W.White. We are going to look for other existing competition there and winners of each State will play Niger Delta Secondary School League”, he said.
The NDDC Managing Director , further revealed that the the commission would introduce football competition for female in the area hence it will not bare W.W. White. We all know that female football in Nigeria’ started from Rivers State.
“ The truth was that we are gender friendly, we will introduce another competition and not W.W. White Cup, if we do that then it will not bare W.W.White cup again”, he stated.
At the end of the game Enitonia High School beat 4-2 Nyemoni Anglican Grammar School on penalty after playing 1-1 at regulation time to emerge champions.
Consequently, Ennitonia High School go home with N1.5m while Nyemoni smile home with N1M.
Tonye Orabere
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