Sports
Rivers SWAN, Ministry Partner For Sports Dev
The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon Fred Igwe has assured members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State branch of his preparedness to partner with them in the onerous task of sports development in the state.
Hon Igwe, who stated this during a courtesy visit by the executive of Rivers SWAN in Port Harcourt at the weekend, also unfolded plans by the Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led administration to make Rivers State a major destination for all sporting activities.
According to him, under his watch as Commissioner for Sports, he would work assiduously to ensure that the sports ministry is alive to its responsibilities by charting the way forward on issues of sports development.
He revealed that the ministry was already working in conjunction with Ministries of Education and Youths on how to produce a workable sports policy for the state, geared towards developing talented young Rivers people in all aspects of sports.
Hon Igwe further disclosed that the ultra modern Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is expected to be completed by June this year, pointing out that the management and maintenance of the edifice may be outsourced to ensure the facilities are kept in top shape.
“I want to assure you that when the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium is completed, Port Harcourt will be the major destination for sporting activities in Nigeria,” he stressed
On Sharks and Dolphins Football Clubs, the sports commissioner said a major restructuring would be carried out to reposition and ensure that optimum performance for the two state owned teams.
While acknowledging that SWAN is the only umbrella body of sports writers in Nigeria, he promised to involve the association in the activities of the ministry, including continental engagements of Dolphins football club.
Earlier in his speech, the Rivers State chairman of SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawoo had congratulated the Sports Commissioner on his appointment by Governor Chibuike Amaechi, pointing out that within his short stay in office; the state had recorded several sporting achievements, including the emergence of Dolphins football club as the Premier League Champions.
Sirawoo assured the sports commissioner of the association’s desire to partner with him in the task of sports development in Rivers State, stressing that as a stakeholder, the association is well positioned to offer credible suggestions on how best to make the work of the commissioner easier.
He stressed that SWAN is the only recognised umbrella body for sports writers in Nigeria, adding that those who canvass contrary association are on their own.
He called on the sports commissioner to carry SWAN members along in the activities of the ministry, while also soliciting financial assistance to enable the association repair it’s broken down bus. Also speaking, the National Vice Chairman of SWAN South South, Mr Gabriel Nwanentanya, while congratulating the commissioner for his appointment on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of SWAN, noted the achievements recorded so far and called on the sports commissioner not to rest on his oars.
He assured of the readiness of SWAN NEC to partner with the Rivers Ministry of Sports to achieve desired objectives.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) says it will no longer pay athletes training grants in foreign currency.
The development came after sprinter, Kayinsola Ajayi, alleged foul play regarding the disbursement of training grants by the Commission.
Head of NSC’s Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board, Yusuf Alli, told Tidesports source on Friday that it was wrong of Ajayi to rubbish the good intention of the NSC, saying: “I have been in athletics for over 40 years now, and this current NSC Board, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, has done what others could not do. So far, the NSC has spent over N200 million in payment of training grants for athletes ahead the 2026 Commonwealth Games and preparation for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.”
The NSC sourced the money from the private sector. It has never happened before. “I expected the athletes to encourage the NSC so that it can do more instead of raising unnecessary alarm and making allegations that is capable of discouraging them (NSC) and even the sponsors. It takes good initiative and trust for sports administrators in Nigeria to convince sponsors to donate money for welfare of athletes,” he said.
Speaking further, Alli, whose long jump record of 8.27m set in 1989 (35 years ago) is still unbroken, said: “We have decided that henceforth, all payment of training grants will be in Naira. No more payment of grants in U.S. dollars. We are Nigerians, and everyone knows that the exchange rate is not stable. As at the time Ajayi got his money, the rate of dollars to Naira may have changed
“I expected him to make a call either to myself or anybody in the Elite Board, or even the NSC to find out what happened instead of resorting to such allegation.
“If we make payment in Naira, any athlete who wants to convert his or her money to any foreign currency can tell their people back home to do so. I am sure this will solve the problem. If anybody wants to know how much he is entitled to, he must first of all find out the category that he or she belongs to.”
Alli disclosed that coaches, who train the athletes would soon get their grant. “They train the athletes, and the NSC feel is it not proper to leave them out in payment of grants. We have compiled their names, and very soon, the coaches would get their money,” Alli stated.
The chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has directed that a minute’s silence be observed before kick-off at all Matchday 30 fixtures this weekend in honour of former Green Eagles captain Henry Nwosu, following the death of the former midfielder at the age of 62.
In a statement made available to Tidesports source on Saturday, the league body confirmed that the tribute would be held across all matches to recognise the contribution of the former international to Nigerian football.
Elegbeleye described Nwosu’s passing as both a personal loss and a painful moment for the country’s club football community.
Nwosu, who was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations, died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja after a brief illness.
The former midfielder had reportedly spent several days in hospital receiving intensive care before his death.
Elegbeleye said the late footballer was more than a colleague within the sport, describing him as someone with whom he had maintained a long-standing personal relationship dating back to his time at the National Sports Commission.
He said the former national team star had remained supportive of him in various moments of his career, including when he was nominated for the Pitch Football Awards.
Reflecting on Nwosu’s legacy, the NPFL chairman said the news represented the loss of a major figure in Nigerian football, noting that the former midfielder distinguished himself not only at club level but also later contributed to the development of the domestic game as a coach.
Elegbeleye said the death of the former international was “the death of a true ambassador of the domestic and national team football because he not only made his mark as a player in league clubs, but he also coached some of the league clubs.”
He added that death remained a submission to the will of God and prayed for the repose of Nwosu’s soul while urging strength for his family as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
Earlier confirmation of the former midfielder’s death came from former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Nwosu died after spending five days in hospital. Odegbami said the former player passed away at about four o’clock in the morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in intensive care.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON,” Odegbami said.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at four o’clock this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in heaven”.
At the club level, the former international spent most of his career in Nigeria, starring for New Nigeria Bank FC of Benin City and African Continental Bank FC of Lagos during a period when both sides were among the dominant forces in domestic football. His performances later earned him moves abroad, where he also played for ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast and Racing FC Bafoussam of Cameroon.
