Sports
Sharks FC Records First Away Point
Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt recorded its first away point and goal of the season following the draw against Wikki Tourists at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
Sharks kicked off the game with so much precision and more business like than their host who were relying on the centre referee Shabacg Barnabas from Kaduna to play the tactically for them to the consternation of the fans.
The blue angels as Sharks FC are fondly called broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Abraham Ezioha detached and jumped high above his marker to head home the first goal of the match.
The score line stood that way until the end of first half, there were other scaring moment once Ikechukwu Ezenwa was called to duty the other was the cross bar which was at the mercy of Sharks FC.
On the resumption of play in the second half Wikki came out stronger in search of the equaliser and not before long they got a controversial penalty after the referee adjudged Ezioha to have handled the ball and the subsequent spot kick was clinically converted by Tunde Aremu in the 55th minute.
The equaliser ginger the Bauchi boys and for ten minutes they were in control of the game as Sharks resorted to long thrust so as not to caused any infringement since the Centre Referee was busy making calls to the advantage of Wikki.
The introduction of Kingsley Patrick popularly called Nakata for tired Stanley Okoronkwo worked pretty well as Sharks took charge of proceeding using fast break to destabilised Wikki but the second goal never came.
Most of the fans rooted for Sharks FC but the few irate ones harassed the visitors such that the assistant coach Gabriel was slapped and the media officer got some too on his back while struggling to enter the team bus.
In fact it took the intervention of those fans who felt their players should be blamed for not taking advantage of the 12th player’s (centre referee) match officials largesse that we came left the ATB stadium unhurt.
Goal keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa described the performance of the entire team as heart-warming.
“If I may say it’s a great performance for the team and I think it was because of the hard work by the players and officials”.Ëzenwa said
The shot stopper said the draw will further motivate the boys while he solicited for more support from the management of the team.
“I believe the boys are happy now because of the score draw which will certainly ginger us for more just as I appeal to management to also do their own part as well”, he added
Meanwhile technical adviser of the side Gbenga Ogunbote dedicated the outcome of the match to God almighty.
Sports
LG Football Councils Appoint Chairman, Secretary
Rivers State Local Government Football Councils(RSLGC), has appointed the Chairman of Gokana Football Council, Martins Giadom as it’s Coordinator and Chinasa Elekwachi of the Onelga FC as Secretary.
In a meeting held in Port Harcourt last week, the 23 Football Councils in Rivers State agreed that the election of Martins Giadom and Chinasa Elekwachi as Chairman and Secretary, respectively will serve as a clearing house for a formidable grassroot sports development to support the good works of the State FA Board led by Barr. Christopher Green.
The LG FCs resolved to be proactive in their dealings with the Executive Chairmen of Council such that their impact will be felt as partners in progress
The LG Football Councils further agreed to regularly present major issues and challenges before the State FA Board for consideration.
It called for the resuscitation of the moribund Rivers State Governor’s Cup, urging relevant authorities to take action on the matter in the interest of football development in Rivers State.
The body stressed the need for all LGA FCs to be encouraged to run Football related activities within their jurisdiction, report and restrain non stakeholders from setting up political football committees who will further usurp the duties of LG Football Councils at the various Local Council Areas in the State.
Sports
Navy To Sponsor Team In NPL
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Olusola Oluwagbire, has disclosed plans by the Navy to sponsor a football team in the Nigeria Football League.
Oluwagbire said this at the opening of the maiden edition of FOC Eastern Naval Command Intra-Command football competition in Calabar at the weekend.
Oluwagbire said the essence of the competition was to re-engineer the physical fitness and inspire a sense of comradeship in the personnel.
“This competition is to bring together officers, civilian staff and corps members with us together to re-engineer their physical fitness.
“It is also aimed at strengthening the relationship among the personnel and also to maintain their mental alertness.
“It has been long in coming and we are thankful that we finally got it off today,” he stated.
Oluwagbire who was elated with the turnout of teams for the competition, said it would be sustained.
In a remark, the Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, called for the sustainability of the competition, adding that the state governments have plans to revive sports.
Sports
More Nigerian Wrestlers Will Qualify For Olympics –Comptroller General
The acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, has expressed optimism that more Nigerian wrestlers will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He stated this on Saturday in Abuja after the inauguration of the ‘Work-Life Balance’ initiative which is a routine 5km brisk walk exercise meant to keep officers and men of the NCS physically and mentally fit.
Adeniyi who is also a board member of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) said this against the backdrop of only one Nigerian female wrestler securing Olympic qualification in the just concluded World Wrestling Championships in Serbia.
The tude source reports that only three-time Commonwealth Champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye, secured a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category at the just concluded Championship, to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
Team Nigeria was represented by six female wrestlers at the championships.
The customs boss however maintains there is no cause for alarm, as there are still two more pre-Olympics qualifiers, where he hopes more Nigerian male and female wrestlers will qualify.
“I am not disappointed with the performance of the wrestling team in Serbia.
“The competition in Serbia is one of the various competitions lined-up to get slots at the Paris Olympics, there are still one or two championships.
“I am very sure there will be one (championships) in March in Egypt and those of our athletes who did not get the ticket, would have the opportunity to do so,” he said.
Adeniyi said with the quality of wrestlers in camp and the continued training and exposure being given to them, the sky is the limit.
“What we had in Serbia was just our women team, we also have our men in camp and they are in top condition.
“I believe our male and female teams stand a very chance with the level of preparation and exposure we are going to give them ahead of the outing in March,” he said.
On the ‘Work-Life Balance’ initiative, the Customs CG expressed optimism that the initiative will lead to better wellbeing and productivity for officers and men of the NCS.
The theme for the Saturday’s Walk/ exercise is: “balancing for better tomorrow “ and it had participants from other para-military agencies.
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