Sports
Sports, Critical In Child’s Dev – Principal
S
ports have been identi
fied as a necessary instrument for the intellectual, moral and physical growth and a veritable tool in the development of children, especially in Primary and Secondary school levels.
The Principal of Stella Maris College, Harbour Road, Port Harcourt, Rev. Fr. Anthony Baakel, stated this at the 30th Inter-House-Sports School Competition/Meritorious Award of the college, adding that it was through sports that children’s talents and abilities could be exhibited, harnessed and utilised for the development of the society.
He said that the school gave prime place to sports as it does to academic and morals because of its positive impacts to the society, adding that many personalities in the world today became who they are through sports.
According to him, the school was well known for track records of brilliant academic, physical and moral performance because of the priority given to this trilogy in the formal education of the child.
“We recently won the Best school in academics by the Catholic Education Board for Best WAEC results, several competitions such as School Quiz, Debate, Essay and Spelling. The school is feared among other schools when invited for schools competition,” he said.
“This is why, “We give priority attention to sports in the school. I know that several of our students today will develop their talents to stardom at the end of the day.”
The principal noted that this is more possible in today’s world, given the fact that numerous sportsmen and women have not only become stars in their chosen fields, but also bread winners in their families.
He appealed to the Director of Sports in Rivers State, Mr Daobu Harvest Harry who was also the chairman of the occasion to provide the school with most of the various sporting equipments needed to train young talents.
The Principal also disclosed that the meritorious award was organised along side the Inter-House-Sports Competition with a view to recognising and appreciating those who contributed to the revival of the school.
In his remark, chairman of the occasion, and the Rivers State Director of Sports, Mr Daobu Harvest Harry, thanked the management and staff of the school for encouraging sporting activities in the school and directed that all that is needed to equip the school in terms of sports be forwarded to his office for considerations and submission to the relevant authority for approval.
Among the honoraries for the Meritorious Awards of medals include: Justice J.M. Kobani, Chief Dr. Peter Didia, Chief B. Ogela, Rev. Fr. Fabian Nwaeke and Engr Patrick Anaje. In the competition, Tony Amakiri won the Best 100metres Junior Boys, Gift Enyenwa Best 200metres Junior Boys while 4XIOO metres Relay Race Senior Boys medal went to Ala Oju Bob-Manuel.
In the parents awards category, The Mother of the Day, Mrs Ibifuro James Zacharie won the Best Caring Mother, the Director of Education, Very Rev. Fr Joseph, the President of Old Boys Association, Sir Emeka Icholu, Director of Sports, Rivers State and Chairman of the occasion, Mr Daobu Harvest Harry, Parent Teacher Association Chairman, Mr Ogaranya Nwabueze, the Special Guest of Honour, Mrs Maria Warmate among others were some of those that won the meritorious awards for their general contributions and donations.
In the schools Relay Race, Prison Staff School emerged the best in the Primary Boys category, in the Primary Girls category, Police Children School emerged winner. In the Senior Secondary school Boys category, St Mary’s Modern School, emerged best while Holy Rosary College emerged the Best in the Senior Secondary School Girls category.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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