Sports

Nigerian Gymnasts ’ll Excel In Canada – Coach

Published

9 years ago

February 10, 2017

National gymnastics coach, Tony Asuquo has assured that the 12 gymnasts that will represent Nigeria at the 2017 Junior Olympics in Canada will excel.
The tournament is slated to begin on April 16 and end on April 21.
Asuquo told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that the gymnasts had been training four hours daily since December.
“2017 is going to be a super one for us, I believe in possibilities and I believe we are going to come out in flying colours.
“We started training since December, intense four hours’ training and the girls are ready to go for Olympic Juniors in Cagliari, Alberto, Canada.
“The competition is slated for April 16 to April 21. But we are going to be there from April 16 to April 26.
“Spots minister Solomon Dalung has promised and has even signed and approved sponsorship for the girls to go and represent Nigeria.
“Twelve of the girls will be travelling.
“This (the competition) is a follow-up to the South Africa trip because they (the gymnasts) are moving to the next level.
“This time we are aiming high and if we are able to clinch medals at the Junior Olympics in Canada, we know that the African Games will be child’s play.’’
The coach said keeping the athletes in good form ahead of major competitions would enable them to compete favourably with athletes representing other countries.
“We are supposed to be attending competitions to test our faith, to be able to get acclimatise with the new code of points for the gymnasts to get used to the new skills of elements that they are supposed to be performing.
“But here in our country we just sit back and allow the gymnasts to go for major championships without preparations and they go there and use the same old skills or they are forced to do in three months what they have not attempted to do before.
“So at the end of the day you see them achieving nothing but another jamboree.
“That is not what I am looking at; I am looking at the future, a long time plan where we’ll have national teams one, two, and three.’’
According to him, while national team one is representing Nigeria at the All Africa Games, national team two is in the world championship, just as national team three is in Nigeria training.
“After the competition in Canada, we are going to come back home to prepare for our own in-house national in Abuja.
“In June, July we are going back for the African juniors in South Africa and that is held annually.’’

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

16 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

PH To Host 2026 NWFL Super Six

Published

18 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Women Football League has announced Port Harcourt as the host city for the 2026 Premiership Super Six, marking the first time the season-ending tournament will be held in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.

The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.

Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.

The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.

The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.

Sports

Khana, Akpajo All-Stars Set For Friendly Match ” Morrow”

Published

19 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Khana All Stars FC in the Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, will tomorrow host Akpajo All Stars in a friendly football match at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, football pitch.

The return leg of the friendly game promises to be exciting and entertaining as both teams are prepared.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports yesterday in Port Harcourt, the chairman of Khana All Stars FC, Saro Tap-le, said preparations for the game are in top gear.

According to him, they will use the match to honour and decorate their patron, the Chairman of Khana LGA, Dr. Bariere Thomas.

He said the encounter won’t be an easy one, knowing that Akpaoju All Stars are coming with full force to win the match.

“We played in Akpajo before, and they hosted us well, so tomorrow is our day to host them back. We are doing everything possible to give them a good fight. All arrangements for hosting them are in top gear.

“There is no cause for alarm. We are doing our best to host them in a big way. It is an All-Stars game, so winning is not the most important thing. What matters is the relationship we will create.

“You know, in the first encounter they defeated us 2-0, so tomorrow we will do our best to ensure we repay the scoreline.

“I think my teammates are training very hard for the game. Despite the fact that it’s not all about winning, we are going to surprise them,” Saro Tap-le stated.

Kiadum Edookor