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18th NSF: Team Rivers Would Retain Title- Amaechi

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Rivers atheletes marching through Port Harcourt streets with the National Sports Festival’s Torch of Unity, on Friday.

Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has said that “Team Rivers” would participate and defend its title at the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged ‘Eko 2012’ billed to hold in Lagos State later this month.

Governor Amaechi who made this declaration when he received the Torch of Unity in Port Harcourt on Friday for the 18th National Sports Festival stated that the state’s athletes have been going in and out of camp and that their welfare is being given adequate attention. Also, he said the state engaged most of the best coaches in Nigeria to achieve set objectives.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru.

According to him, Rivers State holds the record of winning the biennial sports fiesta with the highest number of medals.

“Rivers State is the first among equals, we are not only going to participate, but participate to win’, Ikuru said.

It would be recalled that the state hosted the 17th edition of the NSF tagged “Garden City Games 2011” and won. Team Rivers won 135 gold, 79 silver and 85 bronze medals, bring the medal haul to 299 to emerge overall winners of the 17th NSF.

Engr Ikuru who was also the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Garden City Games said the theme of Team Rivers in the 18th edition is “Participation To Win” saying that they would increase the number of medals won last year in Lagos.

“Our theme at the sports festival is “Participating to Win”, we are prepared.

The Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi who was represented by Olusegun Abiodun appealed to Rivers State Government to support and partner with the National Sports Commission at the zonal level.

According to him, the 17th edition of the Games hosted by the state is an event to be beaten in the history of NSF.

“Rivers State not only hosted the 17th NSF but added colour to it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Unity Torch has left Rivers State to Bayelsa State.

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race

Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.

Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.

According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.

“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”

Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.

The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”

It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”

The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.

Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.

His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.

Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.

The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor

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Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push

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A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.

The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.

On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.

In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.

Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.

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W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.

The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.

Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.

Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.

The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.

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