Sports

NOC Commends NRFF For Ratifying Constitution

Published

8 years ago

March 7, 2018

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has commended the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) for adopting its draft constitution.
The Secretary-General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, told Tidesports source in Lagos on Monday that adoption of the NRFF Constitution was a milestone in the history of the federation.
“This is a milestone achievement in the history of NRFF; the NOC and the entire sports fraternity are happy about the development.
“You will recall that the suspension of NRFF from the international bodies was as result of an unacceptable constitution; this also led to crisis rocking the federation.’’
The secretary-general expressed satisfaction that NRFF was able to come up with an acceptable constitution which would serve as its working tool.
“We, at the NOC, are concerned about ways to resolve the crisis in NRFF because the federation is one of our new members.
“The clubs’ representatives, the board members and, most importantly, the representatives of the international body, NOC and Ministry of Youth and Sports, were all there to witness the event,’’ he said.
Popoola told Tidesports source that the event took place in a peaceful and rancour-free atmosphere.
The NOC scribe called on all stakeholder in the game to come togethers and work for the development of the sport.
The Tidesports source reports that NRFF held its Extra Ordinary Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Sunday to ratify its constitution.
Khaled Babbou, Rugby Afrique Executive Member, who came as an observer, said that the ratification of the constitution was a step in lifting Nigeria’s suspension by the international body.
“I am here to observe the process of the ratification of the NRFF Constitution, and I must tell you I am very happy about what I have seen here.
“This is one of the steps toward lifting of suspension placed on Nigeria by Rugby Afrique.
“I will write my report, and the normal administrative procedure toward lifting of the suspension on Nigeria will follow,’’ Babbou said.
Meanwhile, Kelechukwu Mbagwu, President of NRFF has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the delegates and adoption of the constitution.
“I am a very happy man, indeed; this is historic; it marks the beginning of a new dawn for rugby development in Nigeria.
“Now, we have a working tool for rugby in Nigeria; for me, the development of the game is a top priority.
“The constitution may not be a perfect one, but we have what we can work with, and there can always be amendments,’’ Mbagwu said.

Sports

Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that Nigeria have the players and abilities to compete against any country in the world.

Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.

The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.

We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”

The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.

“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.

“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”

Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.

Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.

It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.

Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.

Sports

ATLANTICBELL CEO ADVICE SPORTS WRITERS ON SPECIALIZATION

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.

He stated that in spite the fact that sports journalists are doing greatly in the country but hardly find any sports journalist that specializes on a particular sport reporting and become an authority, as it obtainable in advance countries.

Mr. Ogolo , who was the former Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State Chapter, said this after he received the Veteran Sports Journalist Award, during the SWAN @60 Diamond jubilee award night, in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, sports journalists have done tremendously well in sports development through effective and efficient reportage.

“SWAN has done greatly to develop sports in Nigeria, so they should be given its rightful place.

“Members should continue to do what they are doing, Nigerians are sports loving people when you give them facts and accurate reporting they will be happy, besides, sports writers have a big role to play in advancement of sports in Nigeria”, Mr. Ogolo said.

The former General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The TIDE Newspapers, used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the National Executive Council (NEC) of SWAN for the award.

He explained that the award is one of the most important and special awards he has received, hence it came from his primary constituency as a journalist.

” I am not just happy but overwhelmed. This award will spur me to contribute more in development of sports and I we equally support SWAN Rivers State Chapter in my little way” he stated.

By: Tonye Orabere

Sports

DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.

He stated that the sports writing fraternity is where he cannot forget as a sports journalist that starts from the grassroots.

Mr. Nyong said this while presiding over South South SWAN zonal meeting of Chairmen and Secretaries, including some elders in the zone, on Friday, in Abuja.

He explained what led to his suspension and sue unity and peace amongst members, saying that what happened should be a thing of the past, as he was actually misled and deceived.

The Deputy National President reiterated his commitment to work with Cyril Dum Wite led administration in Rivers State Chapter of SWAN, saying that SWAN is one and there should be no division of any such.

He reels out ideas that can make SWAN viable and enviable in the zone.

“I want peace and unity amongst members of the association in the zone, we are one family, let us work as family. Thank God I am back fully, members of the zone will enjoy the association”, Mr. Nyong said.

Also speaking the Vice President of SWAN south south zone, Azuka Chiemeka, thanked members that attended the meeting and also advised members to work in peace, unity and love with others members to achieve positive result.

It will be recalled Bonny Nyong was suspended in Full council meeting held in Kano following what can be described as misconduct, but was forgiven and his suspension was lifted after he apologised to Full council members in a meeting, held in Abuja, during SWAN@60 celebrations.

By: Tonye Orabere