Sports
Tribalism, Favouritism, Bane Of Sports Dev In Nigeria – Monarch
The Amanyanabo of Koko Ama Kingdom in Port Harcourt City Local Government of Rivers State, King Frank Hezekiah Koko, has said that favoritism, Nepotism and tribalism are the bane of sports development in Nigeria.
He stated that Nigeria boasts talents that can produce the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and many others, but the sports administrators have not be able to harness the potentials of the hidden talents and select the right athletes for competitions.
King Koko made the assertion, on Thursday, when he was visited by the Executive of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State Chapter, in his palace, in Port Harcourt.
The Amanyanabo, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Precious Saiah, emphasised that the country have talented athletes that can compete favorably in any competition, but the administrators are not doing the needful.
“There are many talented athletes at the grassroots, but as Nigerians you know when it comes to selections of athletes for competition we now experience Nepotism, tribalism and favoritism. These are some of the factors that kill sports in the country” the Amanyanabo said.
He used the medium to appeal to SWAN members to dwell on grassroots sports reporting, saying that before now SWAN used to do well in organising local sporting activities.
The royal father noted that Sports and education are the best ways you can make money.
“When it comes to organising sports tournaments my kingdom is doing, presently my kingdom is hosting a football competition” he stated.
He thanked SWAN leadership for the visit adding that, he will invite the organisation for the finals.
Earlier, the SWAN chairman Jim Udede Opiki, said sports plays very important role in the society, saying that the visit is to partner with him grassrootssports promotion.
“Today sportsmen and women are the highest earners in our society, by organising sports in your kingdom you are developing our area,” Udede- Opiki said.
By: Kiadum Edookor
Sports
Rivers Referee Academy To Produce FIFA Graded Referees Soon
Sports
RSG Set TO Host School Sports Competition Soon
Sports
Chess Championship: Dan-Jumbo Emerges Best Female Player
The third edition of Naphtail Chess Open Championship which ended on Wednesday in Port Harcourt saw Rivers State born Queen Dan-Jumbo emerged best female player in the tournament following her impressive performance.
It was clash of the Titans as top Chess players in Nigeria gathered to chase honours.
The three days competition was held at Vee Hotel, Trans Amadi ,in Port Harcourt and over 80 players in Nigeria registered for the tournament this championship was recognised by International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Speaking with Tidesports in an exclusive interview on Saturday, Dan-Jumbo said her dream was to become Grand Master in Chess worldwide.
According to her, she started playing Chess at the age of 15 but went into it professionally in 2009 as she represented Rivers State in National Sports Festival (NSF) in Kaduna, the same year.
“I started playing Chess in the early 2000s. I picked the interest through my my elder brother as him and his friends always play Chess in our compound so I began to learn it.
” In 2009 I went to National Sports festival in Kaduna represented Rivers State and I won a silver medal on my board.
“In 2011 and 2012 NSFs I won two Gold medals each hosted by Rivers and Lagos States respectively. While in Edo NSF I won bronze medal” Dan-Jumbo said.
The Asari-Toru, in Rivers State born Chess player use the forum to advice upcoming Chess players to be focus, saying losing a game is part of every competition but the most important thing was that you don’t lose hope.
“My advice for upcoming chess players was that don’t lose focus. Even when you lose, find a way to adjust and get back out”, she added.
Tonye Orabere
-
Rivers4 hours ago
FG inaugurates PH-Aba Rail Project … As Train Service Begins
-
Opinion4 hours ago
Nigeria Must Not Become A Wasteland
-
Features4 hours ago
Curbing Substance Abuse Among Nigerian Youths
-
Nation3 days ago
VCDF in Partnership with LAWMA & Iru LCDA Conducts ‘Street Hygiene & Cleanliness’ Campaign in Lagos
-
Niger Delta4 hours ago
Eno Approves N2bn For Gratuity Payment
-
Niger Delta4 hours ago
Community Demands Employment Quota From Public, Private Institutions
-
Sports4 hours ago
RSG Set TO Host School Sports Competition Soon
-
Niger Delta4 hours ago
Edo Recruited 5,000 Workers In 7yrs – Obaseki