Sports

Polo Players Storm Port Harcourt, Promise Exciting Experience

Published

1 year ago

January 10, 2025

Port Harcourt residents and indeed Nigerians are set for thrilling experience as no fewer than 68 polo players from Nigeria, Argentina, England, and South Africa are set to compete in the 2025 Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament scheduled to gallop off on Sunday at the Port Harcourt Polo Club.

The tournament to be hosted in collaboration with the Nigerian Polo Association (NPA), would take place from January 12-18.

Over the years, the event has attracted polo patrons and enthusiasts from Nigeria and beyond, making the tournament one of the major flagships in Nigeria.

President of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Prince Henry Agbodjan, noted that the tournament, themed ‘Unity in Motion,’ aims to provide a lively and enjoyable experience for polo enthusiasts nationwide, residents of Port Harcourt and beyond.

The President said this during a Press briefing at the club last Wednesday.

He added that, apart from the matches, attendees could look forward to entertainment shows and opportunities to purchase items at affordable rates from the tournament’s Micro Market.

“The event will serve as a major commercial boost for the Rivers State economy,” Agbodjan remarked.

He expressed appreciation to the Rivers Government and the tournament’s sponsors for their support and called on the media to raise awareness to further promote the sport of polo in Nigeria.

In his own speech, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament, Dolapo Attoni said that this year’s tournament was expected to surpass previous editions, showcasing the finest polo players from Nigeria and around the globe.

“About 60 players from 20 teams across Nigeria and eight players from Argentina, England, and South Africa will compete for four trophies and other prizes,” Attoni said.

Attoni highlighted the participating teams, which include two each from Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, Katsina; three from Lagos; one from Nassarawa; and eight from Rivers.

“The teams are categorised into high goal, medium goal, and low goal teams.

“They will compete for four trophies, comprising the TY Danjuma Cup, Alfred Diette Spiff Cup, TJT Princewill Cup, and Governor’s Cup, which has been rechristened OB Lulu Briggs Cup.

“Trophies, medals and individual prizes will be awarded to winners and runners-up, while sponsors and individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth of polo in Nigeria will also be recognised,” he added.

Attoni, who also serves as the Vice President of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, mentioned that matches would take place daily between noon and 6:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Captain of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Ikenna Nebolisa, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to compete.

“Our players and horses are fully prepared to claim victory and make our fans proud,” he concluded.

Sports

Tinubu Declares Para Games Open… Expresses Commitment To Continually Develop Sports

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

It was another colorful opening ceremony at the third edition of the National Para Games, holding in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

The Moshoodi Abiola National Stadium was colorfully decorated to suit the event; there were cultural dances and acrobatic displays to activate the spirit of sportsmanship, love, and unity.

Again, the match past event expresses that there is ability in disability; it rekindled friendship and hope in them.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu expressed commitment to support sports in all ramifications continually.

According to him, the aim of the competition is to promote unity and discover talents that can represent the country at an international level.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasised that every sport will be given adequate attention.

“This administration’s commitment is to ensure equal opportunities for all sports in the country.

” We urged participating states to use the event to demonstrate the spirit of togetherness, mutual respect, and service to humanity,” Tinubu said.

Also speaking, Rivers State Director of Sports Obia Inyingikabo used the forum to express her profound gratitude to the Governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for graciously approving and releasing funds to enable the state para team to attend the games.

She stated that the governor has made a significant impact on sports development in the state and also expressed confidence that the team would make a statement in the competition.

By: Tonye Orabere

Sports

Red House shines At CSS Obete Ndoki 10th Interhouse sports

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Community Junior Secondary School, Obete, Ndoki in Obigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State last week held their 10th edition of the school’s Annual Inter-House Sports Competition. It was a display of variety of sporting engagement and competition that saw the Red House emerging winners at the end of proceedings.

Green House came second, while the Yellow house finished third.

Meanwhile, the Principal of the school Obete Ndoki Mr Amaechi Ifeanyi has decried the poor infrastructural facilities at the school.

Speaking with newsmen,he said the school with a total student population of 170 has no classrooms, science laboratories and teachers.

The principal listed the challenges of the school to include, poor learning environment classrooms, office and staff room, lack of sports equipment, lack of school bus and others.

He listed some achievements of the school to include reconstruction of 30 pieces of desks, and reconstruction of staff office.

The principal stressed the need for the government to come to the aide of the school, adding students sit under dilapidation roof and trees to learn.

Speaking on the interhouse sports, Ifeanyi said the school has produced a lot of sports men and women in the past, stressing that the school is talented future footballers and Athletes who will one day make the nation proud of discover early.

“Today we are here to celebrate our illustrious children the builders of tomorrow, this competition is to create awareness to our children to understand the society requirements to sustain their future living

“I will also draw the minds of parents to the spirit of sportsmanship in their respective houses by forgiving one another to help all grow better in our community irrespective of the degree of offence and challenges “he said.

The event also featured awards to distinguish personalities who retired from the school.

Sports

Yellow House Wins Dinada Academy Inter-House Sports Competiton

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The yellow house on Thursday scored 182 points to emerge as champions of the first annual inter-house sports competition of the Dinada Academy Nursery and Primary School in Port Harcourt.

The competition, which was held at the number six field of Old Port Harcourt Township, saw the Blue house come second with 164 points, as the Green house occupied the third position with 158 points.

In his opening address, the chairman of the occasion

Alalibo Kingsley encourages the children to use the inter-house competition as a means of developing different sporting activities.

Kingsley, who was represented by Frank Kabolo, said sport is currently one of the best ways of earning income, adding that it is important to key into sports at an early age.

The chairman commended the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Ibiene Josiah, and the staff of the academy for organising its first annual inter-house.

“Today I want to commend the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Josiah, and the staff for the knowledge they have imparted to the children.

“As you can see, the children are very happy, as sports bring joy unity, and love to the society,” Alalibo said.

Also speaking was the proprietress of the academy, Mrs Josiah, who thanked the staff and management of Dinada Academy and also expressed her profound gratitude to parents and guardians for their contributions and cooperation towards the successful inter-house competition.

“It is indeed a day to remember in the history of Dinada Academy.” We started the journey together, and God, in his provision, supplied all that was required in achieving our desired goals.

“I appreciate the management, parents, and guardians for giving us a day like this to remember in years to come.

“We pray as you journey back to your respective destinations God will grant you journey mercy,” she prayed.

By: Kiadum Edookor