Sports

NSC Restates Commitment To Grassroots Sports

Published

14 years ago

April 9, 2012

The National Sports Commission (NSC), has reiterated its commitment towards the development and upliftment of grassroots sports in the country.

Mr. Stanley Okebugwu, the South East zone 1 Coordinator of the commission, who stated this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, during an interactive session with executive committee members of Enugu state chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, recently, said the Director General of NSC, Dr. Patrick Ekeji has vowed not to rest on his oars until the nation’s present dwindling sports situation especially at the grassroots levels is properly addressed.

According to him, it is against the backdrop of getting things right in the sports sector, as well as restoring the lost glory of grassroots sports in the nation, that the NSC boss, decided to initiate the formation 12 zonal structures arrangement in the country, with a view to addressing the issue squarely.

Okebugwu, who assumed office in the zone not too long ago however, called on all major stakeholders in sports especially sports Writers from the three states of Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu that make up zone 1 to join hands with his office in realizing the commission’s dream of taking every sports to the next level.

He further explained that because of the importance and seriousness Dr. Ekeji, attaches to the rival of grassroots sports in the country, that he decided to deplore senior officers, ranging from Assistant Directors, to man the zonal offices for effective performance.

While stressing the need for a symbiotic relationship between sports journalists, sports managers, and administrators at all times, the zone 1 helmsman, also used the forum to appeal to SWAN members both at the state and national levels to always ensure accurate and objective reportage both in the electronic and print media, saying it is only when a media organization is known for objectivity that members of the public could have confidence in such outfit.

“As partners in progress, my office is always open for good ideas that would assist us in bettering our sports, especially when such idea is coming from stakeholders such as SWAN”

Earlier in a brief remarks, chairman, Enugu SWAN, Norbert Okolie, had assured the zonal coordinator of his members and the association’s readiness to partner with them, describing both bodies as partners in progress hence, the need for an enduring cordial relationship among them.

Sports

Rivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship

Published

1 week ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

A veteran Rivers State chess player, Apollos Akomaka, has finished in joint 3rd place at the just-concluded World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship held in Abuja.

Akomaka, who is the director of physiotherapy at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, overcame a shaky start to secure a podium finish in the 11-round rapid event that began on August 2.

The tournament featured top chess players from several countries.

After losing his opening game, the defining moment for Akomaka came between Rounds 7 and 11.

He raised his game and began defeating some of the top-ranked players in the event.

The Rivers-born player ended the championship tied for 3rd place in the U2000 category with 6.5 points out of 11, alongside Cameroon’s national champion, Noumbo Vidal.

His final game was against Vidal, with the Nigerian playing the black pieces.

Vidal opened with a queen’s gambit but quickly transposed into an English opening with a double fianchetto attack.

Akomaka responded sharply with a king’s Indian defense and soon launched a kingside attack from a defensive position.

The pressure paid off, resulting in an immediate material gain, a knight for a rook, and leaving Akomaka with a strong attacking advantage.

Vidal fought hard to avoid mate and managed to steer the game into an endgame, where he found some respect. At that point, the Cameroon champion offered a draw, which Akomaka accepted.

Speaking after the event, Akomaka said that he is resilient and determined after the poor start but happy that he finished on the podium.

He expressed optimism that in subsequent competitions he will make Rivers State proud and Nigeria at large.

Akomaka has won both local and national chess championships in recent times.

He is passionate about chess; besides, he has equally sponsored several national chess tournaments in Nigeria.

The World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship concluded with Akomaka of Rivers State,

Nigeria, battling back from an early loss to end among the top three in his category

Tonye Orabere/Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Team Nigeria Secures Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m Finals at World U20 Championships

Published

1 week ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Team Nigeria continued its impressive showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, securing places in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals after strong performances in the heats.

The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiyadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu booked their place in the women’s 4x400m final after clocking a season’s best of 3:35.28.

Nigeria finished third in the heat behind Italy and Great Britain, doing enough to advance to the final and remain firmly in contention for a medal.

In the women’s 4x100m, Ugoh joined Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Nwankwo and Oluebube Ezechukwu as Nigeria produced another season’s best, clocking 43.65 seconds to secure an automatic ticket to the women’s 4x100m final.

The qualification was sealed by a sensational anchor leg from Ezechukwu. Receiving the baton nearly 20 metres behind the United States, the Nigerian launched a determined charge down the home straight, rapidly closing the gap before edging the Americans at the line to claim the third automatic qualifying position.

Nigeria stopped the clock at 43.65 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the United States, who finished in 43.67 seconds.

The performances mean Nigeria will now contest both women’s relay finals, further strengthening the country’s medal prospects at the championships.

In Saturday’s evening phase of the event, Success Uyibo will compete in the 200m women’s final while the 4x100m compete in the women’s final.

Sports

Poor welfare forced me to dump Delta for Enugu, says world – Nwachukwu

Published

1 week ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

World Record holder and Commonwealth Games champion, Goodness Nwachukwu, has revealed why she dumped Delta State for Enugu State.

The sudden departure of Nwachukwu, a multiple gold medallist, from Team Delta to the Coal City, Enugu , sparked controversy within the sports family, with officials of Delta State Sports Commission accusing the president of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, of manipulating the system for the athlete to dump the state.

But Nwachukwu, who broke the World Record to win a gold medal for Team Nigeria in the Women’s Discus F42 event at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has cleared the air on the circumstances that led to her movement to Enugu State.

Speaking with The Tidesports source report, shortly after winning the gold medal, Nwachukwu said: “It is not true that anybody aided my movement from Delta State to Enugu. Rather, it was Delta State that forced me to leave because of poor remuneration.