U-20 World Cup: FIFA officials pleased with facilities in Stephen Keshi stadium

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has expressed satisfaction with the state of facilities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Head of FIFA inspection team, Mr Kaj Heyral, expressed the feeling at a news conference on Wednesday in Asaba, shortly after the team had inspected facilities at the stadium.
Nigeria is bidding to host the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup and the Stephen Keshi Stadium has been designated as one of the host centres.
Heyral said, “We are pleased with the facilities here; I must say that we are impressed with what is in place here.
“When we get back, we will sit and discuss based on our observations and see how best the facilities will be used for a successful tournament.
“FIFA is committed to ensuring adequate preparations are put in place and that is our major concern.”
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Bid Coordinator, Mr Mainasara Illoh, said the stadium was one of the stadia to host the tournament if FIFA approved Nigeria’s bid.
Illoh lauded the Delta Government for the state-of-art facilities at the stadium, and expressed hope that FIFA would award Nigeria the hosting right.
“Today, we are here with the FIFA team to see the facilities as part of our readiness to host the 2020 U-20 female world cup.
“What we are doing now is part of the bidding process but FIFA has the final decision,” Iloh said.
Also, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick, described the stadium as a fantastic facility.
He said the facilities at the stadium were capable of hosting a major tournament.
“What we have here in Asaba is a beautiful and wonderful facility and they can attest to that.
“In fact, the facility at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, is far beyond what FIFA is expecting.
“As you may know, I am a member of the organising committee for FIFA competitions.
“In one of our inaugural meetings, we decided to reduce the conditions for hosting.
“What FIFA is expecting is just a modest stadium with all the facilities working. However, what we have here is far beyond that,” Pinnick said.(NAN)

Okowa hails Warri Wolves on promotion to NPFL

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated the players and management of Warri Wolves Football Club of Warri, following their promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Warri Wolves otherwise known as the 'Sea Siders' returned to the NPFL after four years in relegation, defeated Dynamite Force of Benin City in a game that went into extra time, after a goaless draw in regulation time.

Governor Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu on Tuesday in Asaba said the promotion of Warri Wolves to the NPFL is a well deserved effort and a proof of the State Government's commitment to sports development in the state.

While also congratulating the Chairman and members of the Delta State Sports Commission, the Governor noted that the promotion no doubt is an encouragement to do more for sports development in the state.

He charged the two Delta based football clubs in the NPFL, Warri Wolves and Delta Force to strive harder and double their efforts towards winning the NPFL and securing continental tickets in the coming season.

NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, removed as CAF vice president

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnck has been removed as Confederation of African Football (CAF) 1st vice president. According to sports journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, who is currently in the North African nation, the decision to remove Pinnick was arrived at the ongoing CAF’s exco committee meeting. Interestingly, Pinnick replaced Kwesi Nyantakyi, who resigned from the post last year amid corruption row that hit the Ghana Football Association.

Initially, the post was left vacant after the resignation of Nyantakyi following bribery allegations, but CAF through the secretary general Amr Fahmy named Pinnick as 1st vice president barring endorsement at the CAF Executive Committee meeting last September.

“Following the resignation of the first vice-president Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi and the prevailing situation in the Football Federation of Nigeria. "The Caf president, after consulting the members of the Emergency Committee, appointed Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick as first vice president.

"This decision is immediately applicable, in accordance with article 27 para. 2 of the statutes which will be ratified by the Executive Committee in its session scheduled on the 27 and 28 of September 2018,” CAF scribe summed up.
Pinnick has now been replaced with Constant Omari Selemani, a Congolese football administrator, and a member of the FIFA Council.
Earlier, our source reported that Amaju Pinnick who is the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made it clear that there is no plan to sack Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr after the AFCON 2019. Since the day Super Eagles were beaten 2-1 by Algeria in the semifinal of AFCON 2019, there have been reports that Gernot Rohr would be sacked after the championship. Some radio and television media houses in Nigeria even reported that the NFF are planning to sack Gernot Rohr after the third place match against Tunisia on Wednesday, July 17.

Delta Poly students honour Ibori through sport fiesta

By Kelvin Ohoror

Delta State polytechnic students from the three campuses located at Ozoro, Ogwashi-kwu and Oghara,recently organized sports fiesta, tagged ‘’Ibori sports fiesta 2019” to commemorate his Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State for the establishment of the Delta state polytechnic that has produced personalities in the state and entire nation.

The event which held at Ozoro polytechnic stadium, Isoko North local government area, featured track and field competition by selected students numbering over two thousand from the three campuses of the institution.

Speaking to newsmen, comrade Wiska Anthony, president student union government from Ozoro campus of Delta State polytechnic said, during the student week 2019, unanimous decision was reached by the executives of the student union government of the polytechnic, to organize sports fiesta in honor of Chief James Onanefe Ibori for his role in the establishment of the three campuses of the institution.

Wiska asserted that the sports fiesta will be observed once in two years to honour governors with legacies on human capital development and infrastructural development of the state. He urged students of the institution to use the occasion to improve on sporting activities which according to him forms integral part of the nation’s economy.

The three campuses which had selected athletes for 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters finals also witnessed football final between Ozoro campus football team and Oghara campus football team during the event. At the end of the competition, Ozoro campus football team scored four goals to defeat Oghara campus football team that scored three goals.

Wiska commended professor Job Akpodiete, Rector Delta State polytechnic Ozoro and management of the institution for support and cooperation at ensuring that the event was successful. He also commended the student union government executives that represent the entire students of the institution for successful sports fiesta.

Also speaking, comrade Itare Godspower, president student union government from Oghara campus and Miss Enebeli Choice, vice president student union government from Ogwashukwu campus, noted that the establishment of the institution has enhanced the graduation of students that could not get admission to the university.

Itare maintained that the sports fiesta organized in commemoration of the former governor, is intended to appreciate legacies of good governance even as students will always remember the good intention towards the establishment of the institution.

On his part, Akpobome precious, treasurer student union government from Ozoro campus posited that the three campuses of the institution has created employment in the state, adding that Ozoro polytechnic stadium and other infrastructures in the three campuses of the institution brought development to Delta State which according to him was instituted by Chief James Onanefe Ibori.

The track and field athletes were decorated with medals presented by comrade Wiska Anthony and other executive members of the student union government of the polytechnic. The climax of the event was celebration by the students for successful student week and Ibori sports fiesta 2019.

In attendance was Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Chairman Isoko North local government area, represented by Hon. Apije Benson, supervisory councilor for works, manager and staff members of Fidelity Bank Abraka, Mr. Oyekachi, registrar Ozoro high court, Mr. Oladimeji Kasheem, polytechnic sports director among others.

Okowa hails Divine Oduduru over NCAA award

.........As sports programme holds from 20th-22nd June at the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro Stadium

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated Delta born, Nigerian sprinter, Divine Oduduru on his emergence as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Male Athlete of the Year in the United States of America.

Gov. Okowa receiving Nigerian Pitch Award from Mr. Amaju Pinnick

The Governor who was excited that Oduduru also got nominated for the Bow man award, the highest award in the U.S for Collegiate Athletes being the second Nigerian to be so nominated after Blessing Okagbare equally from Delta State.

Okowa in a statement in Asaba and made available to journalists said "Oduduru's nomination is sequel to his superlative performance this season in the U.S Collegiate Championships winning the 200m Indoor title, the 100m and 200m outdoor titles in 9.86secs and 19.73secs respectively.

"Oduduru who was a student of West End College Asaba before he travelled to the U.S on scholarship at the Texas Tech University, Lubbock, was discovered at the annual Awoture Eleyae Junior Athletics Competition in Delta State.

"I also wish to congratulate other Delta Athletes who have done well like Raymond Ekevwo, who led Florida Central University to break the NCAA 4×100m record and ran the second fastest time of 10.02secs behind Divine Oduduru in more than ten years, he said, adding "another Deltan Mr. Itsekiri Usheoritse also ran the third fastest time of 10.07secs behind Oduduru and Ekevwo.

"We are grateful to God because they are part of the modest contributions of Delta State to Sports Development in Nigeria. It will be recalled that all of them including Ese Brume, Uruemu Odjesa, Favour Ofili, Princess Kara, Hannah Kemele and a host of others are products of our yearly Awoture Eleyae Junior Athletics Programme.

"In the build up to this year's programme holding from 20th-22nd June at the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro Stadium, i urge all our young Athletes to be encouraged by the successes recorded by Divine Oduduru and others to put in their best and be counted," the Governor added.