Sports
Amaechi Urges Paradigm Shift In Football
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,
has stated that for Nigerian football to take its pride of place and postiviely
impact the socio-economic development of the nation there needs to be a
paradigm shift in the way it is run.
Governor
Amaechi said this yesterday while declaring open the 2012 Annual General
Meeting of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in Port Harcourt.
Representing
by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi, who is also Chairman of the
Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), stated that “it is time for a paradigm shift
in the way sports is run in this country”, stressing that “while our
footballers in Europe are paid heavily, our local players live in abject
poverty, something must be done that would enable everyone to smile to the bank
at the end of every season and also make the country richer”.
Calling
for cuts in public sector involvement in sports, Governor Amaechi tasked the
NFF members to take more responsibility, pointing out that “the game of
football is in your hands. If you want it to die, it’s in your hands. If you
want it to survive, it’s in your hands. Whatever you make of it that’s what it
will be”, he stated.
Earlier,
in his welcome address, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji
Aminu Maigari, stressed the need for a peaceful atmosphere for sports
development in Nigeria, commending the national teams for their sterling
performance, assuring them to NFF’s support to enable them win all their
matches in the coming year, calling on stakeholders to remain united and
focused, commending Governor Amaechi for hosting the event.
Also speaking, the Chairman, House of Representative
Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Ali-Gaiya, called on NFF to redouble its
efforts in football development, disclosing that 2013 holds a lot of
challenges, assuring them of collaboration in tackling some of the challenges
being faced by them, adding that “the National Assembly is working assiduously
to ensure that the bill presented to it by NFF is passed in a short time”.
On his
part, the State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Fred Igwe, thanked the NFF for
choosing to hold this year’s Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt,
describing Rivers State as “a peace haven,” commending Team Rivers for making
the State proud in the just concluded National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012
held in Lagos State.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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