Other Sports
ENCOMIUMS ON WIKE FOR NATIONAL SWIMMING CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Notable sports related personalities have poured encomiums on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for his various sports initiatives, the latest being his accepting to have the national Swimming Centre of Excellence in Port Harcourt.
He is also playing hosts to the African Wrestling Championship which will run for a week starting from this weekend.
Among those commending the governor is Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the proprietor of the defunct Iwuanyanwu Nationale which has since transformed to Heartland FC of Owerri.
Also commending the governor is the African queen of the track, Mary Onyali According to Chief Iwuanyanwu who incidentally is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Sports Development Fund Inc (NSDFI), “that is a decision that takes that state into the future if only you can see what I am seeing. That is one project that will give many people, children especially from poor homes, those who live around the three swimming pools already have a career.”
“Honestly, that is one governor whose conducts I have variously admired and appreciated. For this one he has done for the children and youths of Rivers State, I will have to visit the state myself especially when the first generation of the athletes will be training. Governor Wike, may God bless you and make your heart desires thrive. This is like a personal gift to me,” said the proprietor of Champion Newspaper.
“When I read of the development, the kind of celebration I had most likely was more than any one I had when I win medals for the country. I jumped for joy until I lost my voice. I was overjoyed. Governor Wike has given me my best gift in 2018,” said the first Nigerian to do five Olympics in a straight row.
Chief Onyali is the Executive Director (Technical) for the Basic Olive Opportunity Sports Training (BOOST) which is housing the National Swimming Centre of Excellence.
“I am so tripped with the timing. With this, I can tell you that our medal prospects for the 2024 Olympics will come from here. Governor Wike’s name will be boldly written in the lives of the children who will be in this project.”
President of the Aquatics Federation, Fatayi Babatunde-Williams said on telephone, “we as a federation are so appreciative of Governor Nyesom Wike for this wonderful initiative. This may be the biggest support that Swimming will be having. I am so happy for the children of the state.”
Other Sports
Stolen Ferrari Recovered Almost 30 Years Later –
![Stolen Ferrari Recovered Almost 30 Years Later -](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Stolen-Ferrari-Recovered-Almost-30-Years-Later.jpg)
A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.
Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.
A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.
Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.
-Reuters
Other Sports
Bayelsa State are National Para Games champions
The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.
“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”
“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”
From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.
Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.
The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.
As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.
Other Sports
A football club gets record! Sixteen yellow cards in a game
A Czech football club playing in the lowest division has made the sports pages across the country after 16 of its players were booked at the same time last weekend.
TJ Sokol Upohlavy’s players decided to make a splash as they were trailing TJ Sokol Libochovany 6-0 in their game in the lowest district tier last Saturday.
When Martin Blizil scored to make it 6-1 in the 82nd minute, all 11 of the team’s players on the pitch took off their shirts in celebration – a deed punishable by a yellow card.
Five substitutes came off the bench to celebrate with them, also taking off their shirts and earning a booking.
“The last game didn’t really go our way, but our players maybe set a world record,” the team said on Facebook after losing the game 6-2 in the end.
“When you underperform, what’s left is a sense of humour.”
The referee did not book each player individually – also because with the players’ shirts off, he could not see the numbers.
But he did enter the bookings in the match report. The transcript, with a yellow rectangle next to each Upohlavy player’s name, has since gone viral on local social media.
The village of Upohlavy, where the club is based, has a population of 276 people and lies about 50 kilometres northwest of the Czech capital Prague.
–AFP
-
TRANSFER MARKET3 days ago
Points of Interest as Napoli’s coach apologises to Victor Osimhen
-
Badminton1 week ago
American beats Nigeria’s Segun Obasanjo
-
TRANSFER MARKET1 week ago
Transfer market still bubbling as Chelsea agents lands in Napoli for Osimhen
-
TRANSFER MARKET1 week ago
BREAKING! Osimhen is left stranded! Future remains uncertain
-
TRANSFER MARKET5 days ago
Lukaku pays respect to Osimhen
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
As in 1974 , 1995 and 2005 another coach, Labbadia disappears from Nigeria’s national team job
-
PARALYMPICS5 days ago
How Mikano powered Eniola to Nigeria’s first medal at Paris 2024
-
AFCON1 week ago
Interim Commander, Eguavoen opens up on his plans for Super Eagles