Sports
Monarch Promises To Promote Sports In Rivers Kingdom
The Amanyanabo of ancient Ele Kingdom in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area Rivers State, King Felix Tamunoseipiriala Okuru, Apina VII, has promised to promote sports activities in the Kingdom in order to discover budding talents and groom them to stardom.
King Okuru, Apina VII, who disclosed this when a silver medialist in the just-concluded National kick-boxing championship held in Asaba, Delta State, Ebenezer Imbu, visited him at his palace over the weekend.
The Ele Monarch said, Ebenezer Imbu, an indigene of the Kingdom had truly made at the people proud, urging him to aim at the sky as his limit.
According to him, “Indeed, members of Ele Kingdom, Wakirike ethnic nationality,
Rivers State and Nigeria in general are highly elated with the giant strides of their son, and efforts should be made to encourage him to achieve more laurels in his chosen sports;’and congratulated him on his well-deserved victory.
The Paramount Ruler however promised that in order to discover more talents in sports, he will in conjunction with the chiefs and the entire people of the area host a sports festival which will be first of its kind come December, 202l.
King Okuru Apina VII prayed God to bless and give the proud son of Ele kingdom, Ebenezer Imbu, the strength to win more gold medals in future tournaments.
Earlier in his speech, Ebenezer Imbu said he was in the palace to present the gold medal he won at the National kick-boxing championship in Asaba 2021, as a sign of honour to his king.
Mr Imbu assured that with God on his side, he will make the Kingdom proud in future tournaments and appealed for encouragement.
Also present during the visit were the Secretary of Ele Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Godknows Imbu, the Legal Adviser, Chief Aberenika Johnwill, a former lawmaker of Ogu/Bolo Legislative Assembly, Hon. Fiberesima Minaseichinbo and the youth leader of Ele Kingdom, Comrade Isaac Imbu.
It would be recalled that Ebenezer Imbu won Silver medal in kick boxing at the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
