Sports
Tennis Players Laud Federation For Tournament
Some wheelchair tennis
players have commended the Nigeria Wheelchair Tennis Federation (NWTF) for organising the maiden edition of the National Wheelchair Tennis Ranking Tournament.
The NWTF is to use the tournament to rank Nigerian players and discover talents to represent the country at international competitions.
Alex Adewale, who emerged champion, is now the national number one male player, while Foluke Shittu is now female number one player in the country.
Adewale, who won the male single, commended NWTF and the Lagos State Government for giving the players opportunity to showcase their talents.
“I must commend the state governor for his assistance to me personally and the growth of the sport in the country.
“Governor Fashola paid our transport to and fro the stadium for the training and offered us some other assistance.
“Though there is no prize money attached, I appreciate the Golden Penny Company for providing us with T-shirts which made the event more colorful,” Adewale said.
Jude Uwazie, the number two seeded player, expressed his happiness in participating in the tournament.
“It is just all about game, either lose or win. I played my best, but the most important thing for me is the opportunity to learn new skills.
“We are supposed to go for world team cup qualifier this year, but due to lack of funds we may not take part in the qualifiers.
“I urge the government and private companies to come in and sponsor the game,” he said.
Aare Adebayo, who emerged champion in the male’s singles of the Quade category, urged the federation to ensure that the players took part in international competitions.
“I urge the federation to do more in ensuring that we participate in international competitions,’’ he said.
Shittu, the female champion, said that the players had learnt a lot from the competition.
“I am happy for the great opportunity given to me to display my talent and I have also learnt new skills during the competition.
“ We are happy that we started the year with competition; we are calling on the federation to ensure adequate competition both in Nigeria and outside the country.
“It only through competition that players can improve on their skills,” she said.
The players also called on the sports authorities in the country to take the welfare of physically challenged athletes seriously.
The Head Coach of Okrika United FC, IsaacTama has commended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for hosting of the Simplified Football Tournament in the State.
Coach Tama made the commendation yesterday after Okrika United defeated Degema LGA 2-0 at the competition holding at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He expressed joy over his side’s victory, saying that his team had worked so hard before the kick-off of the tournament.
“The Governor has done very well because it has been like five to six years we saw competions among the 23 LGAs in the State.
” As you can see, we are very happy because this tournament is showcasing our local players from all the LGAs.
” So, I thank Governor Sim Fubara. We trained over two months before the competition so we prepared very well, I am surprised that we scored only two goals. The first half was so tough because the Degema team was so hard and rough in their approach, so my players were distraught. In the second half, I made two substitutions that yielded the two zero win. I saw that they were playing karate football so I changed the strategies to play from defence and attacking from the wings.
” You know, the competition has three phases, the first is to come out of the group stage, for now, we are pushing from the group stage, then, we move on” Tama said.
He described the CTC chairman of Okrika LGA, Princess Oga as the best chairman in the State, adding that she released money for the team on time.
“Before we started, we asked for N12.8 million and she did not delay in taking action. She even promised to pay players N30, 000 each if we win the match we just played. “Women CTC Chairmen are the best ooh?, ” Tama stated.
The 8th editon of National Youth Games (NYG) was declared opened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday, at Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State.
It was a colourful opening ceremony characterized with funfares, even as the heavy down could not stop the colorful ceremony.
Excitment was on the air when athletes, coaches and people from all works of life witnessed the ceremony in a full capacity Stadium.
Speaking Presidency Tinubu said the game was to hunt talents and noture them to stadium, as he accepted the abysmal performance of Nigeria’ athletes at the just concluded Paris Olympics.
He noted that Sports in Nigeria’ is declining occasion by ageing Sportsmen and stressed for norturing young athletes that will represent the country.
The President who was represent by the minister of youth and sports, Hon. John Enoh said sports plays a crucial role in creating wealth, peace and international diplomacy.
Tonye Orabere
The Caretaker Chairman of Bonny Local government Council of Rivers State, Hon Anengi Barasua Claud – Wilcox has promised to retain the Bonny Stars FC after the Simplified Football Tournament currently going on at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
According to her, Bonny LGA is known for footballing, so retaining the team at the end of the tournament would help the youths to promote their careers in the round leather game.
Hon Claud – Wilcox made the promise in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Bonny Stars FC played out a goalless draw against Eleme LGA at the Simplified Governor’s Cup for the 23 LGAs in Port Harcourt.
She praised her team despite the goalless draw, adding that the Eleme team were also a good team.
” I am very proud of my team as you can see, the opponents look young but my boys look stronger.
” The game ended well, 0-0. I think our main purpose in the tournament is to win the cup and it will go a long way for our support to Governor Sim Fubara.
“The name of the tournament, Simplified football Cup Rivers State shows that the 23 LGAs are all Simplified.
” We want to ensure we win the competition and bring the cup to Bonny LGA.
” Retaining the team yes because Bonny is known for good footballing and is also a way of encouraging the youth for them to promote their career” Hon Wilcox said.
The Bonny CTC Boos also revealed to empower other sport like female football, tennis, track and some indoor games most especially in school to keep the youths busy..
” Our target is to win the competition to showcase that the Governor is our own.
” We will try as much as possible to keep the team because is a way of encouraging the youth and to set the mind a way crime” She said.
The Chairman used the medium to advise Rivers people to engage the youth in sporting activities because it goes a long way to encourage them and keep them active, while advancing their fitness and health.
Kiadum Edookor
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