The Hon. Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Fred Igwe on Tuesday received three trophies from three football teams. Rivers Angels Football Club of Port Harcourt, the only female football club sponsored by the state government, was the first to present the trophy the team won in this year’s female federation cup.
Addressing the commissioner, Rivers Angels’ team manager, Matilda Otiene, said the team lost one match and won four to clinch the trophy. She said the team has created a record for winning the trophy and pledged repeating the feat next year.
The team skipper decorated the commissioner with the gold medal won by the team. A group picture was also taken with the commissioner.
Hon. Igwe said he was so elated when he heard the victorious news of Rivers Angels. His words, “Your victory to me is very exciting and let me borrow the skipper’s word, very sweet. You could have done no less, if last year you won this trophy. I wonder why you could not win the trophy back to back.
“People are already asking, why is it that only the girls are winning. Good a thing, the coach of Sharks is also here. Rivers people want Sharks to win trophies.
“This trophy should just be an instrument to spur you to win more laurels. The kids in the streets see you as role models. It is good you are good in the pitch and also in the society”.
Rivers Angels also produced the tournament’s hightest goal scorer in the person of Stella Mbachu
Second on the list was MCWJeff Football Academy of Port Harcourt who became first runners-up of the Gulder five aside tournament atLagos. Addressing the commissioner for Sports, the coach of MCWJeff, Coach Michael Cookey said, “You are the only person who made it possible for the trophy to be here. You supported us to bring the trophy home. You are a very lucky man. With your luck, within your few days in office, you have started receiving trophies. These boys you see here are ready to play football. For you the boys will play football and with you as the commissioner for sports, Rivers state, these boys will win more trophies for Rivers state because you are a good man.”
Coach Cookey also revealed that his team produced the most valuable player besides coming second in the tournament. The team was awarded N200,000 for their performance.
MCWJeff also featured for Samsung week football tournament and won the tournament. The team also produced the highest goal scorer and the most valuable player.
Michael Cookey appealed to the commissioner not to relent in his support to grassroots teams.
In his response, Hon. Igwe said, he was quite sure the governor of the state will be very happy on the development, but that first all thanks should go to God, because without God, no matter what the players play, it would have not been possible for MCWJeff to come with victory.
The third team received by Hon. Igwe, same day, wasDiamondFootballAcademybased inPort Harcourt. Coach Nana Ben Peters, enumerated his load of problems and sought for the commissioner’s help to reduce them. His plea was grant in the area of training pitch. Trial to Sharks and Dolphins was also offered to the team.
Speaking to sports journalists, coach Nana Ben Peter disclosed that Obinna Nsofor, Super Eagles forward set the trophy and organized by the ambassadors (South-South Professional Footballer’s Association). The tournament was tagged, Ambassadors Cup.
According to him, having won the play off, the team is bound to represent Rivers state in further outside engagements.
Hon. Igwe, in response said, the ministry will expose the talents in the team through giving his boys invitational trial opportunity to either Sharks or Dolphins football clubs, stating that by the time the team come with other trophies, the ministry will make further commitment. He also advised all the teams he received to shun cultism and any of the social vices and assured them that the ministry will do all within its capacity to help them grow in their chosen career.
Coach John Obuh was the one that opened the eyes ofDiamondFootballAcademyto affiliate with the Nigeria Football Association so as to benefit from any youth national team trial. He made this revelation when giving the closing remarks. #####
