Sports
GPHCDA Interacts With Stakeholders Through Golf
The Greater Port Harcourt
City Development Authority, (GPHCDA) at the weekend staged the maiden edition of Greater Port Harcourt City Golf Tournament at the golf section of Port Harcourt Club, 1928.
It was a one day competition that involved both amateurs and professionals, who had various ranges of prizes and award to contest for.
At the end of the day, Samuel Amadi emerged the overall winner with a net score of 65 beating Pastor Moses Abrakasa to the second position on net score of 66. John Eze placed third, tied on 66 but lost to Abrakasa on countback.
Okey Chike and Wale Odotola were recognised and rewarded after finishing tops of the Greater Port Harcourt Team with a net score of 77 and 79, respectively.
In the professional category, which had a total prize money of N500,000, Evans Anyanwu finished tops with a gross score of 71, Jude Emmanuel second with 72 and F. Obe third on 73 gross.
Other categories of winners include the seniors, longest drive men and ladies, nearest to the pin, men and ladies and best net scores, men and ladies.
Speaking earlier in an interview, the Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey who performed the ceremonial tee-off of the tournament said that the golf tourney was part of the Authority’s promotional strategies aimed at driving and advertising the new city development.
According to her, the tournanment with the slogan, Re-awakening the Garden City, was to interact with golfers who are stakeholders in the Golf estate being developed at the new city and leet them know what is going on. She also said that it was a one-on-one engagement.
According to the Administrator, the estate and golf course being developed by ‘ARM’ is located directly opposite the Port Harcourt International Airport will be a place to live, work and play.
The estate, she said would occupy 200 hectares of land and have an 18 hole golf course.
Already, according to officers of ‘ARM’, the development of the first phase of the course, which would deliver a playable nine-hole course by April next year, has started while the 18 holes would be ready by August 2015. The entire golf estate which would have about 750 units of houses is a three-year project.
Also speaking during the prize presentation ceremony, Captain of the Port Harcourt Club’s golf section, Adokiye Ikpoki expressed happiness with the Greater Port Harcourt’s developmental strides, especially, in provision of sports facilities, particularly a golf course, which would be the sixth in Rivers State.
He said that golf is synonymous with real estate and described the intended golf estate and course as wise investments.
Ikpoki said that the section was excited to partner the GPHCDA.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.