Sports

Okpekpe Road Race Holds, May 7

Published

9 years ago

May 2, 2016

The organisers of the
10-kilometre Okpekpe Road Race said on Saturday that the 2016 edition would hold on May 7, 2016.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee of the race, Mr Mike Ituemagbon, told a news conference in Benin that the 2016 marathon, the fourth in the series, was to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer patients and orphans in the country.
He said rather than prize money being the focus, the 2016 edition would be used as a platform to impact positively on the health and wellbeing of the people.
“The race is not all about prize money. It is going to be about our health and to draw global attention to our health.
“‘Run for a Course’ is what this year’s race is all about. It is running for a specific and particular purpose,” he said.
Ituemagbon also said that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) would use the race to propagate its “Safer Life and Fuller Life” campaign.
He said the wife of the Edo governor and Miss Nigeria would also propagate health and wellbeing messages of their respective pet projects during the race.
On the cheating witnessed at the third edition of the race, the chairman said that a new technology would be deployed to check the menace.
“The transponder will be worn by every athlete; this time, nobody will chase you, the time you run will automatically register at the end of the race.
“We are also using drones for the first time. They will be deployed at the end point and the starting line.
“In addition, without a number, you can’t run. The number ranges depend on what category of race you will be participating in.
“All this is to avoid cheating as witnessed last year,” he said.
On the number of athletes that have so far registered for the race, Ituemagbon said “the figure is alarming”.
“We already have more than 300 elite runners that have indicated interest but we are only going to take 30 of them.
“This is because we discovered that most of them that participated in the past only came to enjoy our label to boost their career.
“We will be taking only those with good timing unlike in previous editions that we took anyone who came.
“We are not there yet; we want to get to the silver label soon while our aim is the gold label,” he said.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

3 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

3 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

Sports

FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway

Published

3 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.