Odunlami Tasks Youths On Traditional Sports

Published

13 years ago

April 23, 2012

The Secretary of Lagos State Traditional Sports Association, Segun Odunlami, has advised youths to take to traditional sports, to enhance its development.

Odunlami told newsmen in Lagos that more traditional sporting events like Langa, Abula and Dambe had been lined up for the second quarter to discover talents in the state.

He said that apart from the just concluded 1st Lagos State Traditional Wrestling (KOKOWA) Championship, additional efforts would be made to discover more talents in traditional sports.

The secretary said that 80 wrestlers featured in the KOKOWA championship in the 55kg, 65kg, 75kg, 85kg and 100 kg categories.

Odunlami commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for his support toward the development of sports generally, including traditional sports.

“‘Those youths who have not been participating in sports should go to their local government areas and get involved in one traditional sport or the other.

“‘For instance, we have wrestlers clubs only in some areas like Ajegunle, Ketu, Ibafo, Ikorodu and we want more participants,” the secretary said.

Odunlami said that gold, silver and bronze medals won by the athletes in each category would attract N20, 000, N15, 000 and N10, 000 respectively.

“‘We do not have any challenge now because the state has done much for us by releasing money for grassroots sports development.

“‘No sport is neglected and this is encouraging to our youths, who have been training for long without getting competitions to assess their strength.”

He said the talents discovered in various competitions would be called to camp ahead of the state and National Sports Festivals.

Coach Edet Ibanga of the State Traditional Sports expressed surprise at the new crop of talents emerging from traditional sports.

“The standard is high now and we have been able to discover new talents at the grassroots, who are qualified to represent the state,” he said.

A traditional wrestling coach with the Lagos State, Femi Akinsanya, applauded the efforts of the state government, and urged wealthy individuals to emulate Fashola’s good gesture.

Akinsanya recalled that Lagos State won all the prizes in Langa, Dambe and Kokowa in the traditional sporting championship in Ogun State a fortnight ago.

“We want more competitions to build our athletes’ level of confidence, ahead of the sports festival scheduled for November 27 to December 9 in Lagos.

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.

The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.

Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.

” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.

” This programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the programme”, Inyengiyikabo stated.

Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.

He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was indication the game was popular in Nigeria.

” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.

“The few days we have stayed Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.

Kiadum Edookor

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials, depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo.

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.