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Remove Politics From Sports-Wike

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that Nigeria may never fully actualise the sporting potentials in the country if political considerations were allowed to always interfere with what happens within the sports industry.
The governor made the observation while speaking with journalists, last Sunday evening at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike watched the match between Rivers United Football Club and Gombe United Football Club at the stadium used to mark the final match in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), and it ended in favour of Rivers Untied F.C 1-0.
The event was also used for the coronation of Rivers United F.C. of Rivers State as the Champions of Nigeria Football League 2021/2022 Season.
Wike stated that those who should superintend over sports affairs in Nigeria should be seasoned sports administrators and allowed to man the sector professionally.
The governor also pointed out that the random selection of persons to satisfy quota consideration has not truly been of any help in identifying the best talents and this has frustrated the growth of sports on an enduring scale in the country.
“Let us remove politics from sports. Let’s go for the best. NFF, the Super Eagles, Falcons, we must do things based on merit, getting those who are qualified.
“Let us not say take this from East, take from South, take from West, and take from North in order to make up the list, no. That won’t be the best for us.
“I want to tell Nigerians to know that sports should go beyond politics. Sports should not be confined to the political arena. We should allow people who have the talents; we should allow people who have the capacity to develop sports in Nigeria on board.”
Wike expressed delight over the victory clinched by the Rivers United F.C. as the champions of the Nigerian League.
He stated that to put a team together to play as one and to win a trophy required firm leadership, which he encouraged.
“When I came on board in 2015, we had Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt and we had Eagle Cement Football Club. I said, this is one state and for now (then), it is important to put our talents together so we will have a formidable team.
“It was not easy to achieve that and we didn’t expect it to be easy that way. But we thank God today that all our efforts have been fruitful in seeing that we have won the Nigerian League.
“So, leadership is key in everything you’re doing and if you don’t have that leadership, it would not have been possible for us.”
Wike said he was delighted that Rivers State has won the Nigeria League and would represent the country in the Champions League.
He gave the assurance that his administration would give the best support to Rivers United F.C as it prepares for the Champions League in order for them to return with the trophy from that competition.
Speaking further, Wike said that since government was a continuum, his administration has done the best it can for sports development in the state, and believes that his successor would take over from where he has stopped.
“The question is about what is good for Rivers people. So, I don’t think that any governor or government that will be in charge of this state after my tenure will relent with what we are talking about in terms of sports development. It concerns youth development.”
In his remarks, Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, said it was exciting for him to witness the emergence of Rivers United F.C. as champions of Nigerian League.
“I think that what is happening today is exciting for me. 20 games, and 10 clubs playing their final game and we are here to watch Rivers United being crowned the leader of the premier league. I think, it is exciting”.
Expressing his expectations what the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should brace up to do, especially with their election in view in September, 2022, Dare said NFF must do what was needful and give Nigerians fresh breath of air.
“You know, there is always room for improvement and we know that NFF must be able to take care of their business. I have said it, they have a status, they have a Congress, they should just do what’s needful and give Nigerians the fresh breathe and support they need.”

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New Eagles Squad Excites WizKids

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Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has expressed his satisfaction with the Super Eagles’ preparation ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali.
The team, now under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle, held its first training session on Tuesday afternoon.
Reacting to the new squad, Wizkid took to his X handle on Wednesday, writing, “New Super Eagles team! (I) love the energy,” he wrote.
The crucial qualifier is set to take place at the Amahoro Stadium in Rwanda on Friday, March 21, with kickoff scheduled for 5 pm Nigerian time.
Following the match, Nigeria will return home to face Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles must secure maximum points from both fixtures to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria’s current squad features several in-form players, including Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Genk’s Tolu Arokodare and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey.
The match against Rwanda will be Chelle’s first game in charge of the three-time African champions, who are desperate for a positive result to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Super Eagles last played at the Amahoro Stadium in September 2024, where they were held to a goalless draw by Rwanda.

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NLO Tasks Clubs To Complete Players’ Facial Registration

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The Nationwide League One (NLO) has mandated the clubs that make up the Division One and U19 Youth League to complete their players’ facial verification process.
The Secretariat of the nation’s third-tier league regulatory body via its media department gave reasons on the essence of exercise as the March 30th players’ registration deadline draws near.
According to the NLO, clubs must complete facial verification for each player during registration to prevent duplicate registrations.
As regards players that have already been registered, the NLO explained that if a player fails verification (already registered with another club), the holding club must release the player. The NLO Admin will confirm the release and allow the verification of such a player for the new club.
The NLO stressed the importance of the release documentation and Registration Window Closure.
Releasing clubs must upload the player’s release document. This document will be reviewed and verified by the NLO Admin.
After the registration window closes, clubs cannot sign new players.
With the introduction of the new facial recognition technology, all clubs must register both their existing and new players.
These updates ensure a fair and transparent registration system. For assistance, clubs should contact NLO support.

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Aruna Up For $275k WTT Chennai

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Nigeria table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, will contest in the maiden WTT Contender Chennai in India after he was picked as a replacement for German star, Dimitrij Ovtcharov.
The WTT Contender Chennai is the fifth WTT event of the year and marks the first staging of the series in the City.
The event which has a prize purse of $270,000 will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, India from March 25 to 30.
Aruna and nine other players have been confirmed for the men’s singles including his African rival, Egypt’s Omar Assar.3.
Other players confirmed so far include Denmark’s Jonathan Groth (17), Hugo Calderano of Brazil (6) and world number four Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan.
The 36-year-old has played in two WTT events this year.
In January, he made it as far as the semi-finals in the WTT Star Contender in Doha where he lost in straight sets to Japanese sensation Tomokazu Harimoto.
Last Wednesday, the world number 19 crashed out of the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 after suffering a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to world number two Wang Chuqin of China in their round of 32 clash.
Aruna will hope to put up a more commanding show in India, as he has been tipped to shine by the world body.
“Stay tuned. There’s more to come from Quadri Aruna in India,” WTT captioned Aruna’s video on Monday after announcing his participation.
WTT Executive Director of Events Mounir Bessah also said the competition is a bold step forward as they expect Aruna and other players to deliver a memorable spectacle.
“Chennai’s inclusion in the WTT Series calendar underscores our mission to expand the reach of table tennis globally while honouring the sport’s passionate fanbase in India. With a venue like the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium and the support of Tamil Nadu’s government, we are ready to deliver an unforgettable spectacle for players and fans.”

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