Sports
Nigeria, S’Leone To Clash At Women Cricket Tourney
Nigeria will meet Sierra Leone in the opening game of the third NCF Women’s Invitational Tournament, which begins on March 27, 2023 at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval, Lagos.
The women ‘Yellow-Greens,’ as the country’s national team is known, has been training at the TBS Oval ahead of the competition, which will also featuring defending champions, Rwanda, Cameroun and Ghana.
Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman, Chuma Anosike, said he is confident that the tournament would be a show of good cricket, adding that the Nigerian team has been programmed to excel at the event.
“It would be my joy for the Nigerian team to win, but a good tournament for me will be one that all teams have a good experience,” he said.
The event is supported by Access Bank, Lagos State government, Alaro City, EKO Electricity Distribution Company, Pets Foundation, Aries Suites and Geregu Energy.
National Team Women’s Coach, Leke Oyede, said that the team has been in camp for three weeks and they are ready for the event.
“When the team files out against Sierra Leone, my job is to present a confident and disciplined side. Most of the players on the team are well-exposed, and we have planned to win every match we enter at the event, irrespective of our opponent,” he said. Defending champions, Rwanda, will face Ghana in the second game of the event.
Matchday two will see debutants, Cameroun, trying their luck against Nigeria, while Ghana will meet Sierra Leone in the second match of day two.
Thursday, March 30, has been designated as a rest day, as each of the teams would have tested at least two of their four opponents in the 10-match series.
“Last year’s experience at the event is what we are building on,” Anosike said, adding, “and beyond the action on the pitch, we have plans to make the rest day a memorable one.
“We are glad that some of our partners are supporting us to make this a key part of the event.” Nigeria’s matches against Ghana and Rwanda are scheduled for the second phase of the event on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, respectively.
According to Oyede, “I believe those matches will weigh in more on winning the event or not, and we have prepared so far to win. So, expect a more experienced team and an interesting encounter in all.”
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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