Sports
Expert Lists Factors For Grassroot Sports Dev
A renowned Tennis
Coach and Consultant, Godwin Kienka, has said that the basic ingredients needed by budding grassroots talents to thrive were parental support, interest and access to facilities.
He told newsmen in Lagos that such critical ingredients were needed to propel potential world beaters on their career paths.
The coach stressed that the involvement of parents in the mentoring of their children to attain greater heights in the sport, had made the programme more interesting and competitive.
“Most of the parents are equally engaged in our programmes because of the pains they take to ferry their children from one event to the other.’’
Kienka, who spoke against the backdrop of the ongoing NNPC/Shell Open Tennis Championships for Boys and Girls between the ages of 10 and 16, noted the marked improvement in sponsorship.
“Things are getting better now with the support of major corporate organisations and the backing of the Nigeria Tennis Federation.
He said that no fewer than 150 boys and girls were participating in the competition with the youngest being eight years old with the oldest about 15 years old.
The coach said that the aim of the competition was to sharpen the competitive edge of the children through competitions, where they were made to go through gruelling round-robin games.
“In some cases the players might end up playing a minimum of two matches a day or possibly more.’’
Kienka, who is the director of the International Tennis Academy, harped on the need to develop precocious talents from when they were young and amenable to the rudiments of the game.
“Anything short of catching the players at their tender stages, will be a very frustrating experience for those involved in their upbringing,’’ Kienka said.
Asked about the steps being taken to develop the capacity of coaches training the children for competitions, he said that tips to improve their players were done informally.
“What we do is inform the coaches on what they need to do to improve the performance of their wards.
“Our emphasis is mainly on the development of the players through competitions,’’ Kienka said.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
-
Business2 days ago
Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports
-
Business2 days agoCBN Revises Cash Withdrawal Rules January 2026, Ends Special Authorisation
-
Business2 days agoNigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN
-
Business2 days ago
NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace
-
Business2 days agoFIRS Clarifies New Tax Laws, Debunks Levy Misconceptions
-
Politics2 days agoTinubu Increases Ambassador-nominees to 65, Seeks Senate’s Confirmation
-
Sports2 days ago
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
-
News2 days agoTinubu Swears In Christopher Musa As Defence Minister