Category: Sports

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has hailed the Nigeria women national basketball team, D’Tigress, for their great outing at the Paris Olympics, saying they put up a courageous performance against the most successful female national basketball team, the USA.

Mbah also restated his administration’s determination to position Enugu State’s sports sector as the incubation hub for future Olympic champions.

The governor, who took to his social media handles to react to D’Tigress’ loss said, “With the final score of 88 points garnered by the US as against 74 points by Nigeria , D’Tigress bowed out in grand style and won the heart of the world and fans of basketball.”

He described D’Tigress qualification for the quarter finals before they were stopped by the US as “a height never attained by any African basketball team, male or female, at the Olympics,”

“Today, in Enugu State, we are intentional and strategic in repositioning the sports sector to make our state a repository of Olympic medal-winning sports men and women.

“Once again, congratulations, D’Tigress. Hold your heads high. You have my respect, the admiration of Ndi Enugu, Nigerians, and all basketball lovers around the world,” Mbah concluded.

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has announced a cash reward of N50 million in addition to non-cash gifts to Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, winners of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

The governor announced this when he treated the Nigerian champions to a state banquet at the Government House, Enugu, during the weekend, thanking them for etching Enugu State on the African and global map.

“We are indeed very proud of you. I cannot tell you enough what this NPFL title that you have brought right here before us represents and means to us.

“Rangers International transcends generations; it is a unifying factor for us. It is not just about winning a trophy or about making us proud. It is putting Enugu State in the hearts and minds of the people of this country and beyond.

“You have made us proud and we will in turn also make you happy. We are going to provide the sum of N50 million to you in addition to other non-cash rewards that will implant you in our state and immortalise you,” he stated.

Continuing, he said, “I commend the General Manager, who has guided this team with a deep sense of purpose and also fueled your optimism, reinforcing the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit that you are all known for. I thank most sincerely the coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, who through his professional ethics and consistency, has continued to do us proud. The captain and all the players, you are a true embodiment of the ‘Never-Say-Die’ spirit. The fans are not left out. I also commend the Commissioner, who has shown deep commitment to the success of Rangers through his tireless efforts and sacrifice.

“However, recall that I had always said to you that success abhors complacency. We still have quite a huge space in our trophy cabinet. So, we still need more. I am sure we are all getting ready for the CAF Champions League and other tournaments. Let me assure you that we will never get tired of supporting you. If anything, we are going to double down and reinforce our support.”

Speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, who hailed Rangers for the successful title chase, thanked the governor for his personal and official support that transformed the club.

Also, the General Manager and CEO of Rangers International, Amobi Ezeaku, who went down memory lane, appreciated Governor Mbah for taking Rangers as his special pet project.

“For two years, the club played away from home, but in a twinkle of an eye, the club came back to the Cathedral. That is why 28th December 2023 when we returned to the Cathedral will forever be engraved in the hearts of not just Ndigbo, but all true lovers of Rangers and football.

“Today, we thank you for easing the stress of our trips, for approving for corporate sponsors to get on board, for coming to watch our matches, and for braving the turbulence of the weather on that day to fly to Jos to witness the lifting of this trophy.

“It is also under you that the Rangers’ jersey is proudly instituted at the FIFA museum in Zürich, Switzerland. It is under you that the Rangers’ jersey is now known at the headquarters of African Football in the 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt, and as we speak, Rangers have been nominated in many categories by the league bloggers award,” Ezeaku stated.

Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of Rangers Supporters Club, Dr. Uchenna Orji; club captain, Chukwudi Nwodu; and a top fan, Emmanuel Okoh, aka Okwuruoha, said Rangers were going into the CAF Champions League to win, assuring that they would also retain the league title and lift the FA Cup.

As part of its effort to promote sporting culture and fitness in the state, the Enugu State Government has announced that it would be hosting the Coal City Marathon Sport Festival on 4th May.

While announcing the development in Enugu on Monday, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Llyod Ekweremadu, also said the state had already commenced playing night matches at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, stating that this was possible because of the governor’s giant strides in the security sector, which has made the state the safest in the country.

The commissioner, who said the half marathon would traverse the city and parks, encouraged lovers of sports to seize the opportunity by registering for the sports festival regardless of whether they fall within the level of professional or amateur as it was meant to revive the spirit of the “huge sporting culture” the state is known for.

He announced that there would be degree of prizes to be won by participants even as he disclosed that both male and female winners would go home with the sum of one million naira each, with the first and second runners-up in both categories clinching the sum of five hundred and three hundred thousand naira, respectively.

The commissioner added that there would be consolation prizes, stressing that Enugu was becoming the premier destination for sports tourism in the region.

“It is a half marathon that will treverse the city. It is an opportunity for us to invite everyone, every lover of sports, regardless of your level of participation in long distant running; whether you are an elite marathon runner or amateur or even if you think you just want to test yourself out and run.

“So, our people should take advantage of it and get registered.

“Registration is open and the website will soon be up for those outside the state,” he added.

Ekweremadu further noted that Rangers Football Club would be hosting rival clubs at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in night matches because of the avalability and installation of the modern facilities at the stadium.

According to him, this was also possible because of the improved security situation in the state, which has already put the state in the map as the most secure and peaceful state in the federation.

He explained that the first night match was played at the stadium last week after many years, adding that “nightlife in Enugu state is back and we are elated about that.”

“We are happy we were able to host the finals of the Ball Ogbe at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. It was the first night match we had at the stadium in several years now, just to test out our facilities. We appreciate the governor for the support he has been given towards the remodelling and the modernisation of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.

“Enugu is steadily becoming a premier destination for sports and tourism. So, people from all over the place can come here, host their sports event, and enjoy the hospitality and the sports culture that we have here,” the commissioner said.