Sports
Dima Emerges Rivers State (Football) Referees’Chairman
The Rivers State (Football) Referees’ Council has elected a new state executive committee to oversee its affairs for the next four years. At her quadrennial/elective congress held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt last Sunday, Mr Dima Dennis Charles emerged new chairman after defeating his opponent, Mr Wokoma Solomon Innocent Anaele with nine votes to three.
. Other officers elected were Mrs. Amadi Blessing O. as Deputy Chairman, Mr. Eluozo Felix Chituru,1st Vice Chairman, Miss Peter Celestina, 2nd Vice Chairman, Mr. George Welcome, General Secretary. Mr. Ugorji Stephen, Assistant General Secretary. Igwe Menibaa Nwaudo Treasurer, Mr. Onunwor Amos Ogundu, Financial Secretary, Mr.Gwatana Lewis Kwana, Training Officer, Mr. Taiwo Ikechukwu, Assistant Training Officer, Mr Awata Eugene Fabian, Publicity Secretary and Miss Ekechukwu Gladys, Welfare Officer.
Announcing the result of the election, the 2023 Rivers State (Football) Referees’ Council election supervisor, Comrade Oyowai Canus Abraham, from Bayelsa State (Football) Referees’ council, who supervised the exercise said the election was peaceful free and fair. He congratulated members of Rivers state football Referees’ council for their matured understanding.
“The election for now has come and gone, it was free, fair and peaceful. The candidates accepted the results. I am happy with the turnout of members. I thank the contestants for their peaceful disposition before, during and after the election”.
Addressing Journalists after the election, Mr. Dima expressed his gratitude to God and the delegates and promised an all inclusive leadership.
“First, I give glory to the Almighty God who has made the day possible. I thank the delegates and everybody. My administration will be an all inclusive government, everybody will be part of it.
We must ensure that the face of Rivers state (Football) Referees’ council will move to next the level in a positive way. We are going to showcase more are time unfolds”.
When asked his impression on his predecessor administrative performance in the past four years, he said “ My promise is that there is going to be huge difference from the past administration, there is going to be a lot of innovations, there are going to be programmes that would show stakeholders in football in Rivers state that football Referees’ exists.
Viktor Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal comfortably beat Sunderland to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points.
The Gunners looked like they were going to be frustrated by a well organised Sunderland defence before Martin Zubimendi’s excellent strike beat Robin Roefs, after hitting the post.
Sunderland did cause problems, with Brian Brobbey unsettling the Arsenal backline with his physicality and the forward had a shot cleared off the line by Kai Havertz after keeper David Raya fumbled a long ball into the area.
Declan Rice and Havertz went close with curling strikes before substitute Gyokeres slammed the ball into the net after being teed up by Havertz in the 66th minute.
The Swedish international then finished into an empty net in stoppage time after Gabriel Martinelli rolled the ball across the box to him.
After Aston Villa’s draw with Bournemouth and Manchester City not in action until yesterday afternoon, the victory adds more pressure on Arsenal’s title rivals.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
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