Sports
Holiday Camp: Navy Introduces Golf Skills For Children
Master Henry Harry has
emerged the overall winner of the first edition of the Sealord’s Children Golf Holiday Camp tournament while little Miss Sele Choji finished second best of the championship.
The Golf championship which started on the 20th of August was the first Edition of the Sealord’s Children Golf Holiday Camp Tournament, organized by the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder, Port Harcourt.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the event at the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder, Rumuorlumini, Rivers State, last Saturday, the Executive Officer and Commander NNS Pathfinder, Victor Choji said, the event was put to get to engage the children in sports activities and also direct the children energies towards constructive activities that would enable them be useful to the society and themselves in future.
Choji said the Sealord Golf club organized the clinic for children for two reasons, one for civil military and the other was for military security.
The Commander explained that the civil military was because the children were on holidays and the command felt that it is necessary to engage them constructively and to introduce them to sports, especially golf.
According to him, ‘’ In so doing, we may be winning the heart and minds of the host community and also, the children will in future look back and say they all started playing golf at the Sealord’s Golf Club.
‘’ The second reason which is the military security is that there is always a soft approach to any military activities, and therefore we believed that most of the criminal acts that take parts in this part of the country are perpetrated by the youths. If we catch them young and make them develop interest in the game of Golf, they will have more constructive activities to engage themselves on as they grow up rather than criminal activities as we have it now’’, he said.
Choji said rank and officers of the Nigerian Navy have several sporting activities they engage in, but this tournament was for the children and there is no barrier whether they are children of military officers or not.
The commander assured that he would sustain the game and also pray that the future commanders and Executive officers of the base would continue to sustain the tournament in future because it will help build a stronger relationship between the military, civilians and the host community.
In his remark, the special Guest of Honour, the Manager, Amni International Petroleum, Ishaku Malik commended the command for the initiative and assured his company’s assistance to sustain the tournament.
According to him,’’ We are one of the corporate organizations that assisted in opening the base and the golf club we shall do everything to see that this good idea is sustained’’.
the tournament in future, adding that this championship if sustained would product professional golfers for the country.
It would be recalled that 75 children participated in the tournament as various gift items including laptops were won by the children ages from 5 to 15 years.
Others that won prizes include Sele Choji, Joshua Onyekachi, Damilala, Cliton Okoji, Abbasi Okomi and Henry Harry.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
-
Sports4 days agoTinubu Lauds Super Eagles’ after AFCON bronze triumph
-
Sports4 days agoAFCON: Lookman gives Nigeria third place
-
Sports4 days agoFulham Manager Eager To Receive Iwobi, Others
-
Sports4 days ago“Mikel’s Influence Prevent Some Players Invitation To S’Eagles Camp”
-
Sports4 days agoMan of The Match award Excites Nwabali
-
Sports4 days agoRemo, Ikorodu set for NPFL hearing, Today
-
Sports4 days agoPolice Games: LOC inspects facilities in Asaba
-
Niger Delta4 days agoINC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form