Sports
National Staduim Project:‘ICC Specifications Were Not Followed’
The immediate-past Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) administration did not follow the International Cricket Council (ICC) specifications in constructing the Abuja National Stadium ovals, NCF President Yahaya Ukwenya, said yesterday.
Ukwenya, who came into office in July told Tidesports source in Abuja that the issue had delayed the completion of the ovals.
The construction of two ovals at the Abuja National Stadium was initiated by the Emeka Onyeama-led immediate-past NCF board with the aim of hosting international tournaments in the country.
Ukwenya, however, said part of the work on the ovals was not properly done, adding that the federation would need to revisit the job.
“The truth of the matter is that the ovals were not constructed according to ICC standard and a lot of due processes were not followed when the work started.
“They are specifications for international pitches, in terms of size, the wicket and back-up facilities like the pavilion, changing rooms, et cetera.
“When we bidded to host the ICC Africa Regional Qualifiers, the international body sent their personnel and they visited both the Lagos and Abuja ovals.
“They opted for Lagos because it was the closest to an international facility in terms of size and otherwise, though the Lagos oval is undergoing renovation at the moment.
“So, a lot still has to be done on the ovals at the Abuja stadium,” he said.
The president also said the federation had invited an ICC expert from South Africa to perform a survey of the ovals in Abuja and make recommendations to aid the pitches’ completion.
“An expert from South Africa will be in Nigeria on April 4 to look at the ovals and give recommendations — in terms of the road map, what should be done and the necessary technical expertise needed.
“We do not want to jump back on completing the job and be told to go back to the beginning,” he added.
Sports
Rivers Referee Academy To Produce FIFA Graded Referees Soon
Sports
RSG Set To Host School Sports Competition Soon
Rivers State Government has reiterates its commitment to host schools sports competitions in August this year, to boost grassroots sports development with the view to discover hidden talents.
Sports
Chess Championship: Dan-Jumbo Emerges Best Female Player
The third edition of Naphtail Chess Open Championship which ended on Wednesday in Port Harcourt saw Rivers State born Queen Dan-Jumbo emerged best female player in the tournament following her impressive performance.
It was clash of the Titans as top Chess players in Nigeria gathered to chase honours.
The three days competition was held at Vee Hotel, Trans Amadi ,in Port Harcourt and over 80 players in Nigeria registered for the tournament this championship was recognised by International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Speaking with Tidesports in an exclusive interview on Saturday, Dan-Jumbo said her dream was to become Grand Master in Chess worldwide.
According to her, she started playing Chess at the age of 15 but went into it professionally in 2009 as she represented Rivers State in National Sports Festival (NSF) in Kaduna, the same year.
“I started playing Chess in the early 2000s. I picked the interest through my my elder brother as him and his friends always play Chess in our compound so I began to learn it.
” In 2009 I went to National Sports festival in Kaduna represented Rivers State and I won a silver medal on my board.
“In 2011 and 2012 NSFs I won two Gold medals each hosted by Rivers and Lagos States respectively. While in Edo NSF I won bronze medal” Dan-Jumbo said.
The Asari-Toru, in Rivers State born Chess player use the forum to advice upcoming Chess players to be focus, saying losing a game is part of every competition but the most important thing was that you don’t lose hope.
“My advice for upcoming chess players was that don’t lose focus. Even when you lose, find a way to adjust and get back out”, she added.
Tonye Orabere
-
Niger Delta9 hours ago
Edo Recruited 5,000 Workers In 7yrs – Obaseki
-
Sports8 hours ago
Rivers Referee Academy To Produce FIFA Graded Referees Soon
-
Niger Delta9 hours ago
N40,000 Minimum Wage Disappoints C’River Workers
-
City Crime8 hours ago
Monarch Recommits To Peace, Security Of Ekpeye Land
-
Niger Delta9 hours ago
Monarch Fingers Political Class On Community’s Socio-economic Woes
-
Featured8 hours ago
Lady Fubara Restates Rivers’ Support For President’s RHI …As Mrs. Tinubu Launches RHI-WASP For S’South To Curb Food Crisis
-
Rivers9 hours ago
Youths Task FG On Oil Exploration Resumption In Ogoniland
-
Featured8 hours ago
They’ve Rebuffed Reconciliation Despite Peace Efforts – Gov Fubara …Says Rivers Assembly Members Don’t Exist As Lawmakers …Accuses Adangor of Sabotaging State, RSG