Sports
2014 NSF: C’River Assures On Completion Of Indoor Hall
The Cross River State
Government has assured that the Indoor Sports Hall of the UJ Esuene Stadium would be ready before the commencement of the 19th National Sports Festival in Calabar.
The state’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick Ugbe told newsmen in Calabar that the ongoing construction work at the complex was progressing on schedule.
Cross River will host the 19th National Sports Festival tagged “Paradise Games’’ from November 23 to December 7.
“We are working with a time-line and there is no doubt that we will meet up.
“We will complete all the projects before the beginning of the festival and so, we will be ready before the start of the event,’’ Ugbe said.
According to him, the state is working very hard to ensure that the facilities are delivered on time to facilitate a successful hosting.
“The important thing is that you have a time-line that you are working with, and like I said, our time-line is clear and we are sure that the facilities will be delivered.
“The facilities are also very standard,’’ the commissioner said.
In terms of preparation of the state’s athletes for the games, the commissioner told newsmen that the athletes were training in other venues within the Calabar metropolis.
Ugbe said that the sporting facilities at other venues like the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) and the Marina Resort, Calabar were being upgraded.
“We are putting sports facilities in CRUTECH; we are using UNICAL as well; we are using College of Education Akamkpa and the Marina Resort.
“So, the games are being spread across the city,‘’ he said.
According to Ugbe, the state’s athletes will strive to perform creditably at the games but will not do so at all cost.
“We are preparing our team to host very well and to do very well at the festival. If we win it, we will be happy.
“Our intention is to have a very credible performance at the festival devoid of any cheating.
“We are not inclined to such, so, we will do our best to ensure that we have a credible performance as we have been doing in previous festivals,” the commissioner said.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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