Sports
Rivers United Is The Team To Beat – Obuah
Sports philanthropist, founder and sole sponsor of Go Round Football Club, Omoku, Rivers State, Bro Felix Obuah, has described Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt as the team to beat, both in the domestic football competitions and the CAF Confederation Cup this season. Making this description yesterday at his residence in Omoku, during an appreciation visit by the management, supporters, players and officials of Rivers United, Obuah declared that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has taken the club and indeed, sports development and promotion to enviable height in the state.
According to him, “Rivers State had never gotten it this right in sports before now, but Governor Wike, a man of vision with great passion has taken sports to another level. Today, Rivers United is doing exploits within and outside Nigeria, Rivers Angels are doing very well, we are hearing about Real Madrid Football Academy, in fact, the state is doing well in all areas of sports, all thanks to Governor Wike. I want to thank the Governor for impacting positively on the state, especially, through sports and for choosing two proven technocrats in Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye and Permanent Secretary, Honour Sirawoo to drive his vision”.
He went ahead to charge the team to make the governor and state proud by winning laurels in their competitions beginning from their next match coming up against Enyimba in the CAF Cup. “You have to go to Aba and deal with them, show them that you are the best. Rivers United is the team to beat and you must not underrate yourselves. Go and make the governor proud, he is ready to do more for you”, he charged the team.
Obuah, who used the opportunity to redeem the pledge of two million naira for victory, and two hundred thousand naira per goal against Bloemfontein Celtic of South Africa as he doled out N2.6million to the team and repeated same pledge for the match against Enyimba in Aba on Sunday. He assured of his continued support for the club and readiness to partner the state government by contributing his quota to sports development and promotion.
Indeed, it was commendation galore as speaker after speaker extolled Obuah on his philanthropy and gestures to the club which have gone a long way to motivate the players and galvanise them to go the extra mile to ensure success.
Hon Iyaye in his speech said that the visit was borne out of the club’s need to show appreciation for what Bro Obuah has been doing for them and sports in Rivers State. He said, “We are here to appreciate and say thank you to a man with a large heart, a good man, who has empowered people, especially, youths through sports, an oracle of football. His support gingers and motivates the team to go the extra mile”.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Honour Sirawoo, Technical Manager of the team, General Manager of the team, Supporters Club chairman and Team Captain, all showered encomiums on Bro Obuah for his generosity and support for Rivers United and sports in the state. They assured that the team would do its best to put smiles on the faces of Rivers people, particularly, Governor Wike and all those that support them.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.