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Nigerians United Against NFF, Divided On Govt’s Action

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Reactions has started to trail the decision taken by the Federal government, that the Nigeria nation would not participate in international football competitions for at least two years.

According to the Federal government, the decision was sequel to the unimpressive performance of the national team at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa and the need to reform the football system to enable the country have a formidable football structure.

In his reactions, the Chief Coach of Sharks FC, Imama Amapakabo condemned the decision, saying that the consequences of the action would be enormous if the decision is implemented.

According to Amapakabo, the best way to improve Nigeria football is to restructure the administration of the football house.

“Personally, I do not support the idea of the two years suspension, because it will hinder our progress in the game”.

He suggested that the government should use the anti-graft agencies sanitized the system.

He also said that government should initiate a long term grassroots football programme, by going to schools to discover and mean real youth players.

“My brother, I’ll want the government to use any other means to reform the system, the decision cannot solve the problem”, Amapakabo said.

Simeon Ojoko, the team manager of Gateway Church Football academy, on his part described the decision as a good one.

According to him, Nigerian’s Football is in a real mess, besides members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have reached their peak and as a result lack good ideas to move game forward.

Ojoko, however expressed sadness, saying even though the decision would create room for reforming Nigeria football it will also affect un-coming young talents and one or more generation could lose the opportunity  to explore their potentials.

“I like the government decision. But my fears is that it will affect the progressive system of our football and that is not too good for us” he said.

James Onoja, a sports analyst, in his reaction disagree with the decision, he made it clear that the action is a wrong one.

According to Onoja, the best approach to reform football is to dissolve NFF and the  team, because both arms have failed in various aspects, not to suspend international football activities.

In his reactions, the technical adviser Dolphins FC, Stanley Eguma said the decision is a welcomed development that will actually sanitized football administration, but is also a harsh one.

According to Eguma, if the decision would not be contrary to FIFA rules and regulations, it is the best action.

“It is a good decision, and appreciate, but it should be inline with the runs of FIFA”.

 

Tonye Orabere

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Rivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 

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A veteran Rivers State chess player, Apollos Akomaka, has finished in joint 3rd place at the just-concluded World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship held in Abuja.
Akomaka, who is the director of physiotherapy at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, overcame a shaky start to secure a podium finish in the 11-round rapid event that began on August 2.
The tournament featured top chess players from several countries.
After losing his opening game, the defining moment for Akomaka came between Rounds 7 and 11.
He raised his game and began defeating some of the top-ranked players in the event.
The Rivers-born player ended the championship tied for 3rd place in the U2000 category with 6.5 points out of 11, alongside Cameroon’s national champion, Noumbo Vidal.
His final game was against Vidal, with the Nigerian playing the black pieces.
Vidal opened with a queen’s gambit but quickly transposed into an English opening with a double fianchetto attack.
Akomaka responded sharply with a king’s Indian defense and soon launched a kingside attack from a defensive position.
The pressure paid off, resulting in an immediate material gain, a knight for a rook, and leaving Akomaka with a strong attacking advantage.
Vidal fought hard to avoid mate and managed to steer the game into an endgame, where he found some respect. At that point, the Cameroon champion offered a draw, which Akomaka accepted.
Speaking after the event, Akomaka said that he is resilient and determined after the poor start but happy that he finished on the podium.
He expressed optimism that in subsequent competitions he will make Rivers State proud and Nigeria at large.
Akomaka has won both local and national chess championships in recent times.
He is passionate about chess; besides, he has equally sponsored several national chess tournaments in Nigeria.
The World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship concluded with Akomaka of Rivers State,
Nigeria, battling back from an early loss to end among the top three in his category
Tonye Orabere/Kiadum Edookor
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Team Nigeria Secures Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m Finals at World U20 Championships

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Team Nigeria continued its impressive showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, securing places in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals after strong performances in the heats.
The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiyadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu booked their place in the women’s 4x400m final after clocking a season’s best of 3:35.28.
Nigeria finished third in the heat behind Italy and Great Britain, doing enough to advance to the final and remain firmly in contention for a medal.
In the women’s 4x100m, Ugoh joined Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Nwankwo and Oluebube Ezechukwu as Nigeria produced another season’s best, clocking 43.65 seconds to secure an automatic ticket to the women’s 4x100m final.
The qualification was sealed by a sensational anchor leg from Ezechukwu. Receiving the baton nearly 20 metres behind the United States, the Nigerian launched a determined charge down the home straight, rapidly closing the gap before edging the Americans at the line to claim the third automatic qualifying position.
Nigeria stopped the clock at 43.65 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the United States, who finished in 43.67 seconds.
The performances mean Nigeria will now contest both women’s relay finals, further strengthening the country’s medal prospects at the championships.
In Saturday’s evening phase of the event, Success Uyibo will compete in the 200m women’s final while the 4x100m compete in the women’s final.
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Poor welfare forced me to dump Delta for Enugu, says world – Nwachukwu

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World Record holder and Commonwealth Games champion, Goodness Nwachukwu, has revealed why she dumped Delta State for Enugu State.

The sudden departure of Nwachukwu, a multiple gold medallist, from Team Delta to the Coal City, Enugu , sparked controversy within the sports family, with officials of Delta State Sports Commission accusing the president of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, of manipulating the system for the athlete to dump the state.

But Nwachukwu, who broke the World Record to win a gold medal for Team Nigeria in the Women’s Discus F42 event at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has cleared the air on the circumstances that led to her movement to Enugu State.

Speaking with The Tidesports source report, shortly after winning the gold medal, Nwachukwu said: “It is not true that anybody aided my movement from Delta State to Enugu. Rather, it was Delta State that forced me to leave because of poor remuneration.

 

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