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Ethiopians Win Obudu Mountain Race, Again

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A two-time winner, Abebe Dinkesa of Ethiopia has again won the 2012 edition of the Obudu International Mountain race in the male category.

His compatriot, Etenesh Dironeda, also won the female category of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship.

Both of them went home with 50,000 dollars cash each and trophies.

The 8th edition of the race ended on Saturday  in the Ranch Mountain Resort.

Dinkesa who breasted the tape in 1.00.58 seconds had won the race in 2008 and 2010 while Dironeda returned with a record time of 1.00.03 seconds to win in Obudu for the first time.

Macdonard Ondara from Kenya came second while Robert Chemosine also from Kenya took the third position with a time of 1.02.00 and 1.03.00 seconds in the male event.

In the female category, the 2007 winner Rita Jepto from Kenya came second clocking 1.02.45 seconds while Kipoech Paskalia from Kenya emerged third with 1.04.02 seconds.

In the Nigerian category, runners from Plateau swept the first three and first two positions in the male and female categories, respectively.

Emmanuel Gyang from Pankshin took the first position, Gideon Goyep and Danjuma Gyang from Vom took second and third positions, respectively.

In the female race, Deborah Pam came first for Nigeria and 8th in the African championship, Janet Dung and 13-year-old Jacinta Machu from the Ranch community came second and third among the Nigerian athletes and 9th and 10th in the African championship, respectively.

Commenting on the outcome of the race, Dinkesa who was full of excitement said that unlike last year when he came distant 11th he was delighted that he came tops in the 2012 edition of the race..

“I prepared very well for this race and I am happy I won. The new course is very tough and it is amazing,’’ he said.

Dinkesa, who wedded this year in Addis Ababa, said he was dedicating the victory to his wife and promised to come back stronger in the 2013 edition of the championship.

“Winning the race and conquering the mountain was not easy because the course is rugged and hilly, but I will come back next year. I am not afraid of any challenger,’’ he said.

Commenting on the 8th edition of the Obudu Mountain race, the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham, said he was impressed with the organisation and the performance of the Nigerian athletes.

He noted that the athletes were taking the race more seriously, adding that the state’s sports comprehensive programme was yielding meaningful results.

He expressed the hope that the athletes would do better next year and that in 2014 Nigeria would be among the first five or even win the race.

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RSG Pledges To Develop  Baseball 

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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
 

 

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CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

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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.

 

 

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

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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.

 

 

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