Sports
Sons and daughters of Oyo state salute Sunday Dare for bringing football back to the ‘Pace Setter State
They screamed, they danced and sang his praise to the heavens. According to them, they never knew that during their lifetime, they will ever watch a Nigerian team play a competitive football match before their naked eyes in the Pace Setter State.
That fear has finally been laid to rest as the Nigeria Under-23 national team, also known as the Olympic Eagles camped and played the first of many games to come in the Olympic Qualifiers at the Adamasingba stadium in Oyo State.
After the match, Ranti Bello, an indigene of Molete, in Ibadan, said she couldn’t hold back the tears.
” I was among the early birds at the stadium today, I came here with my husband and two kids just to be part of history. I have watch the Nigeria National teams play but have never done so in my state. I have prayed for this day to come and it is finally here. That perhaps explains why i am in tears”.
“Today is my happiest day as I sat with my husband and kids, cheering the Under-23 team to victory. I kept asking myself if this was a dream”.
Biodun Balogun traveled all the way from Ogbomosho to be part of history. He is particularly impressed with the successes a son of the soil, Sunday Dare has achieved so far as Nigeria sports minister and he is proud to be associated with a man who many never gave a chance but has gone on to silence his critics.
“For me, it is all about Sunday Dare. I am happy because a yoruba man is doing us proud at the very top. Dare has shown in the last four years that Oyo state can produce exceptional leaders that can help fix this country. Since his appointment as Sports minister, we have followed his success story with keen interest and we have all come out today, to support the Nigeria team and our dear brother and leader, Sunday Dare”
Fatai Jamiy traveled all the way from Shaki town, he is a trader who decided to close down his business for football.
“I am happy to be hear he said”.”these memories will linger on in my head forever”.
“Watching our national football team here in Ibadan has always been my dream and seeing us win in style got me crying. It was all tears of joy” he concluded.
Sports
NDSF: Rivers Seek to dominate in Weightlifting, Swimming, Boxing, and Para-Lifting
Rivers State continued the final state trials for weightlifters, swimmers, boxers and para-lifters as the athletes battled for places in Team Rivers contingent for the forthcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The games will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8.
The Boxing and Weightlifting Arena on Niger Street in Old Port Harcourt Township came alive as athletes showed their skills and willingness to be part of the festival train.
The state technical coordinators believe they have identified some promising athletes with high potential for successful careers in their chosen fields.
Coach Aduche Ojadi, the state’s weightlifting coach, said the athletes have been training intensively for some time and the trials was expected have been a true test of their strength and endurance.
“The Niger Delta Sports Festival is indeed a fantastic initiative, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially launch their careers. The fact that the trials are already yielding promising new athletes is a testament to the festival’s importance,” Coach Aduche said.
“The festival is a great way to identify and nurture young talents, and the NDDC’s support is crucial in making this happen. By providing opportunities for young athletes to compete and develop their skills, the NDDC is not only promoting sports development but also contributing to the overall well-being of the region and country,” Coach Aduche concluded.
Gift Otuonye, the state’s boxing coach, believes that the trials provided her with the opportunity to see and assess boxers she had not known before. She said that she has assembled champions that would be able to replicate the golden era of the sport for the state.
According to her, “The boxers are all good and we are hopeful. I think that with the opportunities being provided by this Niger Delta Sports Festival, many athletes, especially boxers, will want to take advantage, come out of the creeks and embrace sports. It is time to relaunch boxing to enviable heights in the state and region “.
The state trials will be concluded on Tuesday at different centers with Basketball, Football, Wrestling , Handball , Table tennis and Athletics taking the center stage.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports2 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News3 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
