Sports

Over Sixty Youths Storm Enugu For Lawn Tennis Tournament

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2023

Editor

Not less than sixty youths from the South East and South South regions have stormed Enugu state for the 6th edition of the tournament.

The tournament tagged, Prince Victor Uwakwe Under 15 and 21 Regional Tennis Tournament kicked off inside the Enugu Sports Club Tennis court.

The tournament features both male and female in each category with 40 male and 20 female.

In his opening speech, the sponsor, Prince Victor Uwakwe said that the tournament was organised to harness the budding talents from the grassroots and greater exposure to the quality engagements of children on tennis skills.

Uwakwe who was represented by Mr Lawrence Molokwu said that the discipline and capability of the players will be tested adding that the tournament offers opportunity for the young players to build a rich regimen of experience which will serve as a pedestal for greater attainment in the future.

“It is my belief that focus and discipline achieved in sports rubs off in other parts of your life. It gives you a more robust trajectory in the ladder of success.

“Winning the prize is wonderful but it is more important to understanding the lessons learnt in the journey all the way.

“The tournament has been evolving over the years and this year, we are glad to have our sister states join us, we want to engage and build with them as we are brothers and sisters.

“We hope they have a memorable experience with us. We hope to always improve and enrich the quality of the tournament to a better and worthy experience,” he said

in his remark, the chairman of the Enugu Sports Club Sir Victor Atuonwu welcomed everybody and reiterated the club’s commitment to sports development in the state.

He noted that the club has sports facilities was built to ensure that sports strive in the state.

The captain of tennis department of Sports Club John Ekeocha said that the tournament is for the youths between the age of 15 and 21 and wished that there are people to take the programme to the next level.

He advised the participant to take the event serious and make life out of it as the programme has provided opportunity for them to take their talent to the next level.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Mr Chuka Ezike expressed happiness for identifying with such function and to know that some individuals are sponsoring such sports within the state.

He advised the organisers to continue the good work and called on the participants to take the game as their ambition in life to ensure that they play it at the highest level.

Ezike said that the Ministry of Youths and Sports are ready to partner with any philanthropist who wished to give back to the society through sport and to give the youths base for a good living.

Sports

AC Milan Scrap Victor Boniface Transfer Over Failed Medical Tests

Published

21 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

AC Milan has called off its proposed transfer of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen, claiming the player failed to pass mandatory medical examinations.

The deal, which had been verbally agreed upon with a €5 million loan fee and a €24 million buy option, fell through despite Boniface’s arrival in Milan within the last 48 hours.

The decision was confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, on Sunday.

“AC Milan call Victor Boniface deal off as Nigerian striker did not pass the medical tests,” Romano posted.

“Despite verbal agreement for €5m loan fee and €24m buy clause with player in Milano in the last 48h, deal called off due to medical. Boniface, returning in Germany today.”

According to reports, the 24-year-old Nigerian international had two anterior cruciate ligament operations and recurring groin problems that have affected his availability in recent seasons.

Milan are not the first Serie A club to have reservations about the striker’s fitness, with reports suggesting that Roma rejected a swap proposal involving Boniface and Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk several weeks ago due to similar concerns over the Nigerian’s condition.

Sports

Why I’ll Never Advise My Son To Visit Nigeria – Taribo West

Published

3 days ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

A former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, on Friday, berated the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning the family of late goalkeeper, Peter Rufai.

Speaking at Rufai’s burial in a video posted by News Central on Friday, the ex-Inter Milan star expressed disappointment over what he described as the neglect of Nigerian football heroes after their death.

“It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.

“My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?” he said

The former international recalled similar situations with late football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, stressing that the treatment of ex-players discouraged him from encouraging his children to serve the country through football.

“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.

“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he stated.

Rufai, fondly called “Dodo Mayana,” was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the country’s debut at the FIFA World Cup the same year.

He passed away in July 2025.

Sports

CHAN 2024: Top Scorers Ahead Of Quarter-final Fixtures

Published

5 days ago

August 20, 2025

Editor

Uganda’s Allan Okello and South Africa’s Thabiso Kutumela are currently joint top scorers at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), with three goals each as the tournament heads into the quarter-final stage.

The group stage concluded on Tuesday, with Sudan holding Senegal to a 0-0 draw to finish top of Group D, while Nigeria defeated Congo 2-0.

Here are the top scorers going into the CHAN quarter-finals:

Allan Okello (Uganda) – 3 goals
Thabiso Kutumela (South Africa) – 3 goals
Abdelrazig Omer (Sudan) – 2 goals
Kaporal (Angola) – 2 goals
Austin Odhiambo (Kenya) – 2 goals
Clement Mzize (Tanzania) – 2 goals
The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.