Sports
Amaechi Splashes N20m On UNIPORT …For Winning NUGA
Dolphins player trying to block a Sharks striker during a league match in Port Harcourt, recently.
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has commended the University of Port Harcourt for emerging the overall winner at the last Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) held in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Amaechi who described the victory as overwhelming said he was proud to have schooled at the prestigious University of Port Harcourt. He rewarded the athletes with the sum of N20 million.
He spoke when the athletes of the University led by the School’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka with other officials came to present the trophy to him in Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
The governor said the school excels in sports and academics and reiterated his administration’s support for sports and academic development in the university and other institutions of learning across the state.
He congratulated them on their victory and received from the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka the trophy for the NUGA Games 2014.
Amaechi said: “Let me start by congratulating you and once more tell you how proud I am to be a graduate of Unique Uniport. I have told the Vice Chancellor that we are prepared to work with the University in any regard especially in the area of sports and academic development to ensure that by the time we leave office, Uniport will be an edifice for others to envy.
“Let me also reassure the athletes that it is not our tradition to give out money but we will be compelled by your achievements because they are very overwhelming to say that we would give your Vice Chancellor N20 million for you. That is the reward for hard work. If you don’t pay hard work, you will not get harder work, so we think that that is one way to honour you and to ensure that you will not only win the sixth, you will win the seventh.”
This was the fifth consecutive time the school was clinching the trophy.
Earlier, leader of the delegation and Uniport’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka said that the university won 63 gold medals to once more clinch the trophy.
He commended Governor Amaechi for promoting sports and academic development in the university and across the state.
“Your Excellency Sir, your university is a centre of excellence in sports in Africa and we want to thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
“We have won West African University Games three consecutive times. We have now won Nigeria University Games five consecutive times and each time we scaled new heights. At the 24th NUGA in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife in February, our victory was so spectacular that your university, unique UNIPORT is now branded Unisports.
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
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.
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.