SPORTS
How Sports Can Curb Youth Restiveness – Bayelsa Deputy Gov
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, has described sports, and football in particular, as a sure means of curbing youth restiveness.
The Deputy Governor stated this while flagging off the third edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament otherwise known as Restoration Cup at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Commending the organisers for putting the competition together, the state’s number two man stressed that organising a tournament with 161 teams participating was unprecedented.
His words: “A tournament with 161 teams is not an easy thing. The advantage to us is that it goes down to every corner of the state.
When they say talent hunt, this best explains it.“Youths everywhere in the country exhibit lots of energy and if you don’t direct that energy well, they will direct it. One of the areas that is like a religion in Nigeria is football. So, when you have every corner or almost every community involved in football, you are actually solving a problem.”
The Sports Commissioner, Perekiye Buruboyefe, commended sponsors and individuals who contributed toward the competition.
“As you are aware, we have had this competition twice before now. The first one we had the finals in Nembe and the second finals we had it here. I just want to say we will see beautiful football throughout this competition,” he said.
Director General of the Restoration Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, in his remarks, highlighted the positives of the Restoration Cup since its maiden edition, especially the Restoration Starlets that finished third at the African Youth Cup in Cape Verde as well as the team’s exploits in the Bayelsa State League, where the young lads emerged winners.
“From our research, we have discovered that this is the biggest grassroots football competition in the entire country. So, we must salute His Excellency, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson because from the first edition who he threw his weight behind it having realised the strength and
beauty of football and the unifying factor it brings. He has given us all the support to get to this third edition.”
The opening game between Igbogene community and Aluku Dynamics of Biseni community saw the latter pick the first victory of the tournament after humiliating their opponent five goals to nil.
Aluku Dynamics dominated the entire game and progressed to the next round with goals from Greatman Johnson, Binaemi Dena, Paul Godswill, Nyesi Agunowei, and Oyowah Alex.
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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