Sports

MTN Schools’ Athletics Championships Set To Debut

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2023

All is now set for the maiden MTN Schools’ Athletics Championships tagged MTN CHAMPS, which is aimed at transforming school sports with four centres hosting the first edition across the country.
The tournament is the brainchild of Making of Champions (MoC) in collaboration with the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) with technical support from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will take place in the Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern parts of the country from this month to next month.
In a statement issued by the Main organizing Committee, MoC, over 7,000 athletes from 500 Schools across the four events, with each centre hosting the three-day Championships, in Benin, Uyo, Ibadan and Abuja for the inaugural season while the grand final will take place in Abuja where the best athletes discovered from each zone will converge for the finale.
According to the MoC, the ultimate goal of the MTN CHAMPS is to re-ignite grassroots athletics talent search across Nigeria to discover and develop the athletes that will deliver global medals and become future sporting legends for the nation.
To this end, the grand prize of season one will be full one-year sponsorships for 10 athletes discovered at MTN CHAMPS to join MoC Athletics Academy in Lagos, which MTN is supporting as Lead Sponsor in 2024, to enable the best talents discovered earn college or high school scholarships in US or Jamaica, and to train for a chance to represent Nigeria at future global competitions.
Over 1,800 athletes are expected to compete at the three-day tournament in each centre with Benin centre kick-starting the championships on October 12. The Abuja grand finale will be held on December 2.
Among the events to contest for include 100m, 100mhurdle, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 800m, shot put, discus, long jump, triple jump, high jump.

Sports

FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

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

Sports

Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions

Published

11 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The annual NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup 2025 edition draw its curtains closed last Saturday, with Obagi Community defeated hard fighting Akabta community 1-0, to lift the trophy.

The final which was held at Obite Civic Centre (field) saw Chiefs, community leaders, youths, including the Total Energies JV Asset Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Cassasoles and people from all works of life in attendance.

Speaking at the event Mr. Cassasoles revealed that three best players in previous tournaments have been sponsored into a football academy within Nigeria.

He stated that all participants are winners, as he reiterated that the tournament is aimed at promoting peace, cooperation among host communities.

He expressed gratitude for the peaceful organisation and conduct of both officials and players during the final of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup for 2025.

On his part the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee(COC), Mr. Saheed Ogunsanya said Ubeta and Ubio will not be participating in the next edition as they violated rules of the tournament.

Ogunsanya praised all the teams for their sportsmanship, stressing that this year edition was a success hence it maintained age grade of under 18 years.

He disclosed that two players have been picked from the tournament and they will be sent to football academy, while underscoring importance of the event to sports and youth development in the host communities.

This is the first time Obagi Community emerged champions of the competition since its commencement 22 years, as 18 communities participated in tis years edition.

At the end of the competition Obinna Godstime, emerged the highest scorer with 11 goals and Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.

while Michael Charles, from Obobru community became best goalkeeper of the tournament

Sports

Forest Embarrass Liverpool At Anfield

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.

Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.

Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.

Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.

Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.

It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.

Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.