Sports
Obuah Challenges Nigerians On Sports Dev
A call has gone to
sports-loving Nigerians to rise up and develop the nation’s sporting sector.
Making the call on Tuesday in Port Harcourt was the President of Nigerian National League side Go-Round Football Club, Bro Felix Obuah who was speaking in his keynote address at the Mascot unveiling ceremony of the forthcoming Go-Round/SWAN Secondary School Athletics Championship.
Obuah who is the financier of the Championships billed to commence on the 31st of this month at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt enjoined Nigerians to put aside the norm of heaping blames on the nation’s Sports administrators but rather take steps towards rescuing sports from entering the doldrums.
“Rather than sitting down and rain blames on Sports authorities or the country’s leadership for the misfortune of our Sports (sector), we should as patriotic Nigerians take the bull by the horn and salvage the situation.” Obuah noted.
Obuah who further declared the intention of the organizers (i.e Go-Round and SWAN) to make the Championship an annual event also harped on the organizers’ resolve to take the project to the grassroots as it will bring forth a multi-faceted reward.
“We have to go back to the grassroots, to the streets and schools, catch them young, harness these talents and reclaim our lost glory. By this, our youths will be meaningfully engaged and we will also take them away from social vices.” Obuah enunciated.
The Mascot named “Duckie The Champion” was unveiled by the Chief Unveiler, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka who himself being a product of School Sports seized the occasion to emphasize on the need for proper planning and conscious developmental programmes such as the Go-Round/SWAN Athletics championships which will help to develop a sustainable pool of stars that will do the country proud in no distant future.
Other important speakers at the ceremony include Chairman of the Occasion, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Special Guest of Honour, Rivers State Commisioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sir Rudaford LongJohn, who all who lauded the vision of the Sponsor and declared their unflinching support towards a successful championships.
There were also goodwill messages at the Occasion from the National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Alhaji Seidu Abubakar and the immediate past president of the Association, Olu Amadasun among others.
Other side attractions at the Mascot Unveiling ceremony include colourful cultural displays from Secondary students in the state. The Go-Round/SWAN Secondary School Athletics Championships will commence on the 31st of January and end on February the 6th, 2016.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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