Sports
UYSFON Plans Competition For Churches
The United Youths Sports Federation, UYSFON, is set to float a football competition tagged ‘Christian Cup’, to be competed for by Christian churches in Rivers State.
This was disclosed by the National president of UYSFON, Chief Godspower Kokoriko recently during an event to confer patronship on Hon Magnus Ngei Abe, the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government, SSG, in Port Harcourt.
According to Chief Kokoriko, the competition would serve to bridge the divide amongst Christians and improve the fitness of members of the churches.
Confering the position of life patron on Hon Abe, Kokoriko stated that it was in recognition of his selfless service to humanity and sports development as well as philanthropic gestures.
Kokoriko, said Hon. Abe’s commitment to grassroot and community development were worthy of recognition and commendation, explaining that the appointment would further strengthen his desire for humanity and grassroot development.
Kokoriko commended Abe’s continuous support to UYSFON and other sports body in the country and presented him with a merit award, which is one of the highest in UYSFON.
Responding, Hon. Abe who is also the People’s Democratic Party, PDP’s candidate for Rivers South East Senatorial district expressed appreciation for the appointment and promised to do his best to continue to support not only UYSFON’s competition but variables capable of uplifting the society.
Abe praised the setting up of a cup by the body for sporting competition among churches stressing that it would ensure healthy bodies and douse denominational differences among Christians.
The former Commissioner for Information and Communication in Rivers State advised the body to work in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to actualise the Christian cup projection.
He promised to assist and sponsor sporting activities that would promote unity among the youths in Rivers State, stating that active participation among youths in sports would discourage violence and restiveness in the society.
Eze Hillary
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.”
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.
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