Sports

Amaechi Urges Paradigm Shift In Football

Published

13 years ago

December 14, 2012

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,
has stated that for Nigerian football to take its pride of place and postiviely
impact the socio-economic development of the nation there needs to be a
paradigm shift in the way it is run.

Governor
Amaechi said this yesterday while declaring open the 2012 Annual General
Meeting of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in Port Harcourt.

Representing
by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi, who is also Chairman of the
Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), stated that “it is time for a paradigm shift
in the way sports is run in this country”, stressing that “while our
footballers in Europe are paid heavily, our local players live in abject
poverty, something must be done that would enable everyone to smile to the bank
at the end of every season and also make the country richer”.

Calling
for cuts in public sector involvement in sports, Governor Amaechi tasked the
NFF members to take more responsibility, pointing out that “the game of
football is in your hands. If you want it to die, it’s in your hands. If you
want it to survive, it’s in your hands. Whatever you make of it that’s what it
will be”, he stated.

Earlier,
in his welcome address, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji
Aminu Maigari, stressed the need for a peaceful atmosphere for sports
development in Nigeria, commending the national teams for their sterling
performance, assuring them to NFF’s support to enable them win all their
matches in the coming year, calling on stakeholders to remain united and
focused, commending Governor Amaechi for hosting the event.

Also speaking, the Chairman, House of Representative
Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Ali-Gaiya, called on NFF to redouble its
efforts in football development, disclosing that 2013 holds a lot of
challenges, assuring them of collaboration in tackling some of the challenges
being faced by them, adding that “the National Assembly is working assiduously
to ensure that the bill presented to it by NFF is passed in a short time”.

On his
part, the State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Fred Igwe, thanked the NFF for
choosing to hold this year’s Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt,
describing Rivers State as “a peace haven,” commending Team Rivers for making
the State proud in the just concluded National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012
held in Lagos State.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

Sports

FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.