Sports

Tennis Players Seek Sponsorship For International Tourney

Published

11 years ago

May 23, 2014

Sprinters struggling for honour during a national event in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi S

Some Ondo State Table
Tennis players have in Akure appealed for the state government’s sponsorship toward their participation in international table tennis championships.
The players told newsmen that it would require the government’s sponsorship for them to take part in the forthcoming senior and junior world championships.
“We were selected to represent Nigeria in the championships due to our excellent performances at the Nigeria Table tennis federation (NTTF) Pilot League and Toyin Okenla National Secondary Schools Championship held in Lagos recently.
“Both the senior and junior players from the state were to take part in the world championship and world tour in China and Portugal,’’ Ojo Onaolapo said.
Onaolapo said that it was not common for a state to be invited to represent the country in international championships, saying “this shows that we have a good track record.
“We want to thank the government for the previous encouragement but we want them to do more, the World Tour will boost our rankings as players and as a state,” Onaolapo said.
The player commended Gov. Olusegun Mimiko for supporting the development of sports in the state.
He also called for the governor’s quick intervention in order for the players to participate in the championships to boost their career.
“We want to thank the government for the encouragement and huge investment on the youth through sports development.
“But we want the governor’s intervention toward our participation in the world tours because our participation will boost our rankings as players and as a state,’’ Onaolapo said.
Another player, Kehinde Akinyinka said that attending the championships would improve the standard of the players and grassroots programmes of the Mimiko-led government.
“We need to improve on our knowledge and skills,” Akinyinka said.
The NTTF in its invitation letter said the Sunshine senior team is expected to represent Nigeria in the GAC Group ITTF World Tour.
The other competitions where they are expected to feature are China Open, and Chengdu Super Series between June 4 and 8, in Chengdu, China.
The junior players are expected to take part in the Funchal Junior and Cadet Open ITTF Circuit in Portugal between September 3 and 6.
The state table tennis head coach, Adedotun Omoniyi, said the players needed the international exposure.
“I want to call on the state government to assist us by way of sponsorship; some of them are young players who need all the exposure they can get.
“More so, their participation will serve as part of our preparation for the forthcoming National Sports Festival slated for Calabar in November.
“Table Tennis remains the state’s number one area of advantage in any competition, so, there is need to expose players to modern techniques,” he said.

Omoniyi also said that there was penalty for non-attendance.
“The penalty for not honouring invitation is as a policy £150 (about N37,500) per player and coach.
“The cost cancellation will be added to the association’s invoice to be paid together with the hospitality costs to the organisers either by bank transfer or by cash on site.
“Also, the association will not be allowed to enter future World Tour events if any cancellation fees remain outstanding,’’ Omoniyi said.

Sports

IAUE VC Football Cup Final Holds In PH, Wed

Published

3 days ago

September 13, 2025

The Tide

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, in Rivers State, will be at the centre stage on Wednesday as the VC Cup final, both male and female categories will be played at the prestigious Stadium in the school.

The both final matches promises to be exciting, as arrangements have been concluded to watch one of the best VC football Cup finals in the history.

VC Cup tournament is an annual sporting event that involves all students in various facilities.

According to the Chief coach of the University football team, David Egbiri, the female will final will kick off 2pm between faculty of Human Kinetics and Management Sciences, while the male will kick off by 4pm between Social Science and Natural Applied Science

Egbiri, who was former coach of Abiola Babe FC and Concord FC, lauded the Vice Chancellor. Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu for releasing funds on sports development, saying that he has never also failed the School in terms of infrastructural development.

“The VC who is also a sports personality has not failed to release funds for this tournament, apart from that he has not also disappointed in terms of developing the school in all ramifications.

“I want to say that my major reason for accepting to coach the school football team is to develop the youth through sports”, Coach Egbiri said.

The former Eagle Cement Coach, explained that he was not encouraged the way and manner the young ones are going about sports because there is no discipline and so much quest for quick money.

” Honestly, the way young players are looking money was just too much. Looking for short cuts always to make money that is more reason some of them don’t go far and end up badly

” In our days we first of all think about how to make name and we are passionate about it. I went to school and saw myself in sports, while my initial intention was to read electrical engineering” he stated.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

Gov. Decries Delta’s Poor Performance At 2025 NYG

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Pix: Team Delta State

The Delta State Sports Commission has come under scrutiny following the state’s disappointing performance at the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, where Lagos dethroned Delta to clinch top spot.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, visibly displeased with both the poor outing of Team Delta and the organizational lapses witnessed during the Games, summoned an emergency meeting with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) immediately after the closing ceremony.

Delta, which had dominated the NYG by finishing first in the last eight editions, only managed second place this time — a result the governor described as “totally unacceptable,” especially given the state’s significant investment in the event.

According to a reliable source privy to the meeting, Governor Oborevwori expressed deep disappointment, stressing that his administration had provided all necessary support to the Sports Commission and the LOC to ensure Delta retained its traditional top position.

In a decisive move, the governor demoted his Executive Assistant on Sports and former Director-General of the Sports Commission, Festus Owhojero, under whose leadership the Games were organized. Owhojero was reassigned from Executive Assistant (EA) to Senior Special Assistant (SSA) with immediate effect.

The governor’s action, our source revealed, reflects his zero-tolerance stance on incompetence and underperformance within his administration. Mr. Owhojero thus becomes the first high-profile casualty of the governor’s resolve to reposition sports in Delta State.

Furthermore, Oborevwori directed the Sports Commission and LOC officials to submit a detailed report on the Games, outlining what went wrong and providing recommendations for improvement. The governor emphasized the need for urgent reforms to restore Delta’s dominance, especially as the state is set to host the next edition of the Games under an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Sports

WCQ: NFF Denies Post Match Statement

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Pix: Super Eagles players in celebration mood.

The Nigeria Football Federation has distanced itself from a post-match statement that criticised some Super Eagles players following the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The statement, issued by the NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, singled out forward Cyriel Dessers and captain William Troost-Ekong for criticism.

It accused Dessers of being sluggish and faulted Ekong for the own goal that gave Bafana Bafana the lead.

However, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday that the statement did not represent the official position of the Federation.

“I saw the release just like everyone else did. Nobody in the Federation is happy with it,” Sanusi said.

“The NFF did not authorise that statement. We have great respect for all the players. Blaming an individual for a team result is unfair.”

He added that the Federation regards the South Africa match as a collective effort and will not support attempts to scapegoat any player.

“When we win, it’s a team victory. When we lose, it’s also collective. No player should be singled out,” Sanusi said.

He described the targeted criticism of Troost-Ekong as unjustified, noting that the defender had previously been celebrated as the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

“It was an unfortunate own goal. His intention was to clear the ball. Anyone who knows football understands that such things happen,” he said..

Sanusi also expressed confidence in the team’s unity, revealing that efforts were ongoing to regroup and refocus ahead of the remaining qualifiers and AFCON.

“Our house is in order. We’re preparing for the rest of the qualifiers and the AFCON in Morocco,” he said.

“There’s no problem with our players or coaching crew. Our relationship remains cordial. The government and the NFF are proud of the players’ efforts.”

The Federation had initially praised Calvin Bassey for his equalising goal and lamented the team’s failure to convert second-half chances.

But Sanusi made it clear that internal disciplinary action would be taken over the unauthorised release.

“I can assure you the NFF will take action on the matter,” he said.

Nigeria currently sit third in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers with 11 points from eight matches. South Africa lead the group with 17 points.

The Super Eagles must now win their remaining games against Lesotho and Benin Republic and hope other results go their way to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.