Connect with us

Sports

Justice Wike Lauds Ex-Chief Judge Over Golf

Published

on

Eberechi Nyesom-Wike,
the wife of Rivers’ Gov. Nyesom Wike, at the weekend lauded a former Chief Judge of the state, Daisy Okocha, for her contributions towards golf’s development in the state.
A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, quoted Nyesom-Wike as also commending Okocha for her contributions  to  the  growth of the game nationally .
It said Nyesom-Wike made the commendation while unveiling Hole 12 of the 18-hole course at the Golf Section of Port Harcourt Club named after the retired Justice Okocha.
“The wife of the governor expressed delight that it is the first time a hole is being named in honour of a woman who was also the first female chief judge of Rivers State.
“She appreciated Okocha’s contributions to the game of golf, having served as a Lady Captain and won a bronze medal in golf at the 1989 National Sports Festival in Lagos.’’
The statement further quoted Nyesom-Wike thanking the Port Harcourt Club’s Golf Section for honouring Okocha as a mark of respect for ladies.
In her response at the occasion, Okocha was quoted as describing the unveiling as historic, noting that it was a thing of pride for the ladies.
“By this singular act, the Golf Committee has demonstrated equal opportunity for both men and ladies to own the course,’’ the statement quoted Okocha as saying.
Earlier at the event, Captain of the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section, Emmanuel Okene, had noted Okocha’s role in the golf section.
He said part of the sponsorship was that whenever there was a competition in the course, there would be a Hole-in-1 prize in the hole.
“There will also be the `Nearest the Pin’ prize for both men and ladies,’’ the statement quoted Okene as saying.
Tidesports gathered that the highlight of the unveiling was the ceremonial tee-off by Retired Justice Okocha, followed by a golf tournament for men and women.
The event was attended by the first governor of old Rivers and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Others were a past president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), O. C. J. Okocha, the Lady Captain, Judith Obomanu-Assisi, and other golf enthusiasts.

Continue Reading

Sports

Nigeria Cricket Federation Re-Elects Akpata President 

Published

on

President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, has been re-elected for a second term in office, PUNCH Online reports.

Akpata emerged unopposed during the federation’s annual general meeting and board elections, which ended in Abuja on Saturday.

The election was decided by 37 delegates, with 12 other board members also emerging, to steer the affairs of the federation for the next four years.

Former Kwara State stalwart, Wale Obalola, emerged as the vice president at the election.

Representative of the South-West on the NCF board, Tayo Atoloye, also returned for another term, while team manager of the Junior Female Yellow Greens, Femi John, was elected as the representative of the South-South on the board.

Other zonal representatives are Chika Okoro (South-East), Ladan Usman (North-West), Dare Aimola (North-Central), and Zainab Adamu (North-East).

Former captain of the men’s national team, Endurance Ofem, secured 30 of the 37 votes to beat another ex-player, Chimezie Onwuzulike, for the players’ representative seat.

Olumide Akinkokun emerged as the technical representative, Prof Mariam Suleiman will represent the National Association of Women in Sports, Chuma Anosike as the sponsors’ representative, while the military and paramilitary will be represented on the board by Major Monica Wabulla.

The president, Akpata, was first elected in 2021 and has driven the growth of Nigerian cricket in the last four years.

Part of his notable achievements include the heavy investment in infrastructure and high-performance, national grassroots development programmes, as well as the introduction of professional contracts for Nigerian players.

Earlier this year, the women’s U-19 team finished sixth at the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, after the senior team had won a historic bronze medal at the last edition of the African Games in Ghana in 2024.

Nigeria has also bagged several International Cricket Council awards in recognition of the country’s strides towards growing the game, especially for women.

 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

Nathaniel hopes to inspire young Nigerians after feat

Published

on

Nigeria’s 400m hurdles sensation Ezekiel Nathaniel hopes his national record-breaking performance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will inspire young Nigerian athletes, despite narrowly missing out on a medal after finishing fourth, Saturday PUNCH reports.

The 22-year-old ran a scorching 47.11 seconds in Friday’s final, smashing his previous national record of 47.31 seconds set earlier this year and becoming only the second Nigerian since Henry Amike in 1987 to reach the 400m hurdles final at the World Championships.

“I hope this performance will inspire young Nigerian athletes,” Nathaniel said after the dramatic final

“This is a great opportunity to learn from the world’s best athletes.”

The race saw American Rai Benjamin storm to victory in 46.52 seconds to finally clinch his first world championship gold medal after two silvers and a bronze, but not without drama.

Benjamin was initially disqualified for crashing into the final hurdle and affecting other athletes, briefly elevating Nathaniel to bronze position. However, the American’s appeal was quickly upheld and he was restored to the top of the timesheet.

Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos claimed silver in 46.84 seconds, while Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba took bronze in 47.06 seconds, leaving Nathaniel agonisingly close to Nigeria’s second medal of the championships.

Despite the near-miss, Nathaniel remained philosophical about the disqualification reversal.

It’s a fair call,” the Nigerian said.

“He put in a lot of work to get that medal and if they are trying to rip off from that, I don’t think that’s fair. He didn’t deliberately knock over the hurdle, that could happen to anyone.”

The former 800m runner, who competes for Baylor University in Texas, expressed satisfaction with his performance and hinted at greater things to come saying, “I still have a lot of potential. I am pleased because I did my best and I ran a personal record. I have it in me and just need to wait for the right time. For now, I am enjoying the process.”

Nathaniel’s rapid rise in the event has been remarkable. Born in 2003, he broke a decades-old Nigerian record set by Henry Amike when he ran 48.42 seconds at the Big 12 Conference meet in 2022 as a freshman.

His progress accelerated dramatically this year. In June, he won the NCAA Outdoor Championships title in Eugene, Oregon, clocking 47.49 seconds – the third fastest time in NCAA history. He also became the first man in NCAA history to run a sub-48-second time in the 400m hurdles semifinal, recording 47.86 seconds.

The Tokyo performance adds another chapter to what has been an exceptional year for the young hurdler, who has now established himself among the world’s elite quarter-mile hurdlers.

While Nathaniel’s fourth-place finish matches Amike’s result from the 1987 World Championships in Rome, his national record performance signals a bright future for Nigerian athletics in the event.

Nigeria’s campaign in Tokyo concluded with Tobi Amusan as the country’s only medallist, though this still represented an improvement over the Budapest World Championships where Team Nigeria ended empty-handed.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop  Baseball 

Published

on

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.
The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.
Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.
” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the  State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.
” This  programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the  programme”,  Inyengiyikabo stated.
Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.
He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was  indication the game was popular in Nigeria.
” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.
“The  few days we have stayed  Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.
Kiadum Edookor
 

 

Continue Reading

Trending