Members of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) have raised alarm over Nigeria’s poor run in football, even as they charged whoever takes over from Amaju Melvin Pinnick after the September 30 election in Benin to take radical steps to turn things around. The group while addressing the media yesterday in Lagos also called for a closer tie between the body and the NFF. Chairman of the body, Rev Sam Ikpea rolled out a ten point agenda which the new NFF board must implement for Nigeria to shine again in the round leather game. Top on the agenda is the close monitoring of age group competitions. In Ikpea’s words…” The NFF must monitor talents discovered at age grade tournaments and help them progress into the senior categories. To achieve the above, we must be sincere with our age selections for age grade competitions.” He was quick to add…”The new board should focus on developing the local league and hire quality coaches devoid of sentiment.” He noted that his group can not be overlooked if our national teams must continue to do well. “Importantly, too, it is very important that the incoming board of the NFF give due and respectable recognition to Nigeria Football Supporters Club in view of their age-long selfless services to Nigerian football and the country, in general. Members of the Supporters Club home and diaspora have been bearing the heavy financial and physical implications of cheering our various national teams for several decades, without government support. Therefore, we earnestly crave that the new board would see the supporters club as partners in progress, and give it all necessary supports in the continued cause of promoting our country.”

Bayelsa Proposes New Stadium

As Gov Diri hosts newly-promoted Bayelsa United, motivates team with N10m

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has disclosed that his administration is considering constructing a new stadium following the promotion of the state-sponsored football team, Bayelsa United, to the elite Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL). Governor Diri stated this on Tuesday night at a dinner in honour of the management and players of Bayelsa United. Last Saturday, the team emerged champions of the Group B2 Southern Conference of the 2021/22 Nigerian National League (NNL) after defeating Cynosure of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 2-0 in their last game at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa. The governor said although the Samson Siasia complex, which hosts both Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens, which also won the 2021/22 Nigerian Women Fooybal League (NWFL), will be re-modelled ahead of the new season, there was need for a stadium of international standard in the state. He expressed the commitment of his administration in making Bayelsa a hub of sports in Nigeria. He added that the state would soon organise a sports festival to complement its sports development policies and that the government had received positive responses from corporate organisations. Diri congratulated Bayelsa United for surmounting all the odds that prevented it from gaining promotion to the elite league in the past seven years. The governor noted that the victory has opened a new chapter for the team and the sports-loving people of the state, which he said would now witness top class football in the premier league.

He charged the team to remain focused and to target winning the NPFL trophy as well while assuring it of the state government’s continuous support, including further training for the technical crew and beefing up of the squad. He announced the approval of the sum of N10 million as motivation to the team. His words: “I like to join all Bayelsans to congratulate you and welcome you to the elite division of the Nigerian Professional Football League. Last year, when you contested for the FA Cup now renamed AITEO Cup, you were called giant killers because you were in the lower league. But you defeated clubs in the premier league to win the trophy. “From then on, the sign was that we can do better. At the end of the day, you made yourselves and the state proud by winning that coveted AITEO Cup. “Going forward, we have decided to ensure that our past glory is returned to our state. Sports is a veritable tool for youth development and we all know that football is like the king of sports. “I like to inform you that this is the beginning of a new dawn of your footballing career. We want to signpost you to win the Nigerian Professional Football League so you can represent this country again on the continent. “If the technical crew needs to go for refresher courses, please let us know. We are prepared to send you to anywhere. Whatever you need to beef up this team, we will provide the resources.

“I am happy to hear that we have 75 per cent of Bayelsans in the team. But I do not mind if you bring in international players.” In his remarks, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo commended Governor Diri for the team’s victory, saying it was another feather to his cap in sports development and that it was the beginning of more laurels for the state. Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that the governor’s passion for sports had resulted in the state recording numerous achievements in just two and a half years in office. Earlier in his address, the chairman of Bayelsa United, Mr. Ebiki Timitimi, while appreciating the governor for the financial support to the team, noted that frequent pep talk through phone calls boosted the morale of the players. Mr. Timitimi equally expressed gratitude to the deputy governor, who supervises sports, for being a pillar of support to the team wherever they travel for matches. In attendance at the dinner were House of Reps members Dr. Fred Agbedi and Fred Obua, members of the state assembly, Timi Agala-Omubo and Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, President of Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, member of CAF Medical Committee and chairman of the state’s Civil Service Commission, Dr. Peter Singabele as well as chairman of the state football association, Barr. Porbeni Ogoun and top government functionaries.

Ochiagha leads Imo chapter of NAPHER-SD, pledges to lift body to enviable height

Renowned sports administrator, Sir Emma Ochiagha has been elected chairman of Imo state chapter of National Association For Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports And Dance (NAPHER-SD). Ochiagha’s election was made public in a release signed by the secretary of the body, Mr Okey Chijioke. According to the release, the body met in May where it among other things X-rayed it’s activities in the last two decades and resolved to change leadership. The release further stated…”- Following that resolution, the body conducted their State election recently with the emergence of the following officers -: 1. Sir. Emmanuel Ochiagha – Chairman 2. Sir Ferdinand Emeagha1st Vice Chairman 3. Mr. Okey Chijioke – Secretary 4. Mrs. Victoria Adindu- Assist. Secretary 5. Mrs. Charity Ngoka- Financial Secretary 6. Mrs. Adaku Onyewuchi Treasurer 7. Mrs. Patricia Ezeji- PRO.

In his acceptance speech, Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha pledged to lift the association to an enviable height while calling on his professional colleagues to come and join hands to revive the association. He emphasized that a lot needs to be done in the association considering the low enrollment of students in PHE even as the Subject is now an examinable subject in both WAEC and JAMB. He reiterated the fact the the State will benefit a lot especially in grassroot sports by the time the new Excos sets the ball rolling. He thanked the Executive Governor of the State for his support to the sports sector and added that a lot needs to be done to achieve success in that regard. He promised to engage relevant authorities in formulating proactive and favourable policies that will help the State make it in her quest to conquer the world through sports.”