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Wike’s Midas Touch In Sports Dev

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Commitment is one of the hallmarks of a visionary. That, is a major quality that the Governor of Rivers state, Chief Nyesom Woke has displayed as he piloted the affairs of the state for about seven years now. Indeed, his NEW Vision mantra has left tremendous impression on the landscape of not only Rivers, but the South South region and Nigeria as a whole. The sports sector is one of the areas that the indefatigable governor has left his mark on the sands of time. In fact, he has shown a trait that smacks of Midas touch in sports development and promotion, ensuring that the state is one of the first destinations of choice in sporting considerations. Without any loud advertisement to his disposition towards sports sentimentality prior to becoming a governor, indication that sports would be on the front burner of his administration manifested in his choice of activities for his inauguration. Sports, particularly football was one of the major activities as national team icons and stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Daniel Amokachi and others were brought to Port Harcourt to play and announce the incoming governor at the Sharks FC Stadium. Being a leader with clear vision, he knew that sports is a veritable tool to engage and empower the youth, especially, as there was angst in the land as a result of unfulfilled promises and indebtedness to state’s athletes and club sides. With an unmatched resolve, he saw to it that every indebtedness left behind by the previous administration was settled. Also, having noticed that the maintenance of two top football clubs, Sharks and Dolphins, campaigning in same league was an avoidable baggage that was breeding inefficiency and strain on the state’s purse, he moved to restructure the clubs for maximum result. Both clubs were collapsed into one, now known as Rivers United. Today, the club has been transformed into a serial contender for national honours and a force to be reckoned with in the domestic and contintal arena. At the moment, Rivers United are in pole position to bring the coveted NPFL’s 2021/22 Premier league season’s title home to the state. It is also to the credit of the administration that the state maintains other viable sports clubs, including Rivers Angels Football club and Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club, which have been consistent in chasing glory for the state within and outside the shores of the country. Perhaps, it is in sports infrastructure development that Governor Wike has astounded observers. Barely months in office in his first tenure, the abandoned football stadium of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex was given attention and made worthy of hosting local, national and international football matches. Recently, the main bowl and training pitches were regrassed and other facilities upgraded to the level that the venue serves as home ground for Rivers United’s Nigeria Professional Football League and CAF continental club engagements. The Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, the venue used to host the 1988 National Sports Festival, which had been in a dilapidated state was rehabilitated and given a new lease of life. However, Wike’s flagship infrastructure, as far as sports development in the state is concerned could be said to be the magnificent and world class football academy, the Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt. It is a project conceived and delivered on schedule as promised by the governor. Described by many as an ultramodern institution that would have direct and momentous impact on grassroots sports development, the academy is designed to offer to Rivers and Nigerian children the platform to acquire knowledge and be exposed to international standards in sports skills, while combining them with regular academics. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Real Madrid Football Academy, Barr Christopher Green, the institution bequeathed to the state by Wike can measure up to any of its kind anywhere in the world. It boasts excellent facilities that are aimed at weaning young talents through practical and theoretical impartation. Barr Green is of the opinion that any student that passed through the academy should be able to hold his own in the larger society by putting knowledge acquired to use. It is interesting to note that while the academy focuses primarily on football, basketball, other sports and regular academic work are given top attention. At different fora, former Commissioner for Sports in the state, Hon Boma Iyaye has lauded the vision behind the establishment of the academy and its potential impact on the people of the state and beyond. He, at one time declared that the legacy the governor is bequeathing to the state with the academy may not be fully appreciated at the moment but would be seen in time to come. He said that the governor has clearly thought of the future of the immediate generation and others to come in the state. At the moment, the academy is ready to take off after the completion of pending logistics. Wike, apart from investing considerably in infrastructure, has also done so well in promoting and hosting sports events and competitions. It is on record that several national and international competitions have been attracted to the state largely due to the profile and stance of the governor. Among events that have been held at the behest of the governor include the national and international wrestling championships, Africa Badminton Championships, Mini Marathon, national and international football matches. Additionally, the state has considerably partnered stakeholders to keep the golf and polo clubs ticking with events. Overall, Governor Wike has impacted the sports sector and taken development in the sector to the next level. His marks in the annals of history would certainly be indelible and hard to be surpassed.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya

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Inter Best Juventus To Maintain Serie  A Lead

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Andrea Cambiaso scored at both ends during the first half of Saturday’s Derby d’Italia, before Pierre Kalulu’s red card forced Juventus to play the entire second half a man light.

Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito got Inter back in front with a bullet header, then Manuel Locatelli’s pinpoint finish looked to have salvaged a point for the Bianconeri, before Zielinski struck on the cusp of stoppage time.

Juventus made the brighter start, but they were masters of their own downfall in the 17th minute, when Cambiaso deflected Luis Henrique’s cross beyond Michele Di Gregorio.

Cambiaso atoned within nine minutes, catching Henrique on his heels when Weston McKennie’s cross squirmed through to the back post and applying a side-footed finish.

But after Bremer cleared Zielinski’s dinked effort off the line, Juve’s hopes were damaged when Kalulu received his second yellow card for a 42nd-minute pull on Alessandro Bastoni, though the Inter centre-back appeared to go down theatrically.

Di Gregorio made a remarkable stop to thwart Hakan Calhanoglu, but as Juventus dropped ever deeper, they were punished when substitute Esposito guided Federico Dimarco’s searching cross into the far corner with 76 minutes on the clock.

It looked like Inter would have to settle for a point when Locatelli whipped a wonderful finish into the bottom-left corner in the 83rd minute, but Zielinski had the final say as his 20-yard drive fizzed through Locatelli’s legs and beat Di Gregorio.

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Szoboszlai’s Real Madrid Dream Sparks Concern At Liverpool 

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A cloud of uncertainty has settled over Liverpool after comments from Hungary head coach Marco Rossi reignited speculation about Dominik Szoboszlai and Real Madrid.

Rossi, who has worked closely with Szoboszlai since his teenage years, revealed that the midfielder’s lifelong ambition is to play for the Spanish giants.

“Because of the very close and direct relationship I’ve had with Dominik since he was a child, Real Madrid has always been his dream,” Rossi said.

For a Liverpool side building around Szoboszlai as a centerpiece of Arne Slot’s project, those words landed hard.

Within hours of Rossi’s remarks, Szoboszlai interacted on social media with two Real Madrid players, applauding posts from Vinicius Junior and Trent Alexander-Arnold following Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad.

His reaction to Vinicius’ post drew particular attention. The exchange with Alexander-Arnold, his former Liverpool teammate, was seen as less surprising.

Still, in the hyper-connected world of elite soccer, even a digital thumbs-up can carry weight. On Merseyside, fans and pundits quickly began dissecting the meaning behind the interactions.

Szoboszlai, Hungary’s captain, has become one of Liverpool’s most influential players. That status is precisely why Rossi’s comments triggered such an intense reaction in England.

The midfielder had just delivered on the field as well, scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.

After the match, Mohamed Salah heaped praise on his teammate, calling Szoboszlai “the best player in the world.” Slot struck a slightly more measured tone but echoed the sentiment.

“I think there are many elite players in the world, but I definitely agree with Mo that he is one of them,” Slot said. “He is very important for us.”

Szoboszlai is under contract at Liverpool through 2028. However, the club is reportedly eager to open extension talks in the coming months to secure his long-term future.

The player himself addressed the situation recently with notable candor.

“There’s nothing yet, to be honest. Nothing from now on. It’s not in my hands. That’s how it works,” he said. “There’s no progress, but if the right offer comes, we’ll see.”

He was equally clear about his affection for Liverpool.

“We’ll see what happens. Hopefully everyone will be happy in the end. Of course I want to stay. I like the city, I like the club, I like playing with these guys. I love Anfield, I love the fans. Let’s see what the future brings. It’s not my fault. I’d love to stay. We’ll see.”

 

Inter’s dramatic victory boosted their lead over rivals AC Milan to eight points, ahead of the Rossoneri hosting Como on Wednesday. Juventus, meanwhile, could drop out of the top four as Roma visited Napoli last night.

The last four Serie A matches between Inter and Juventus have produced a total of 21 goals (an average of 5.25 per game), compared to just nine in the previous six (1.5 per game).

Cambiaso became the first player in Derby d’Italia history to score and put through his own net in the same match between these old rivals, but it was Zielinski’s fifth Serie A goal of the season that proved decisive.

Inter will argue they were deserved victors after amassing 21 shots and 1.88 expected goals (xG), while Luciano Spalletti’s visitors mustered 10 shots and 0.92 xG – though the Bianconeri actually attempted six of their shots while down a man in the second half.

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Wolves Beat Man Utd Conquerors

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Premier League strugglers Wolves overcame resolute Grimsby Town in challenging conditions at Blundell Park to reach the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of the side that eliminated Manchester United in the last round.

Santiago Bueno scored from Wolves’ only shot on target with an hour played, diverting Joao Gomes’ cross past goalkeeper Jackson Smith with his thigh to end the League Two club’s resistance.

Unrelenting rainfall caused heavy ground underfoot and one penalty area in particular- that of Grimsby’s Smith in the first half – was already a quagmire before kick-off.

Charles Vernam shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box with just 43 seconds on the clock as Grimsby sought to catch their top-flight visitors cold.

Wolves had to wait until the 17th minute for their first opportunity of note, forward Tolu Arokodare firing over with a first-time attempt.

The white paint of the pitch markings soon blended and blurred with the mud as the surface rapidly deteriorated, and both sides struggled to stitch together cohesive attacks as passes travelled unpredictably across the sodden ground.

 

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