Sports
Barau hails Keffi Polo as force for national unity
By George Mgbeleke
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, has described the Keffi Polo tournament as a force for national unity.
He made the remarks while speaking with journalists at the closing of the 10th Anniversary of the Keffi Polo Tournament held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sen. Ahmed Wadada (APC-Nasarawa) is the founder of the Keffi Polo Ranch and the organiser of the tournament.
Barau said that the polo would further develop Nigeria’s sporting potentials and unite Nigerians.
He said: “The game is something that is bringing us together. When you look around, you’ll find a lot of people from all parts of this country, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and others.
“It is bringing us together. So it’s always a unifying factor that will further strengthen our unity. So i mean it’s something that is good. It also helps to develop our sporting potential which is very good. So it has a lot of advantages,” he said.
Barau, who has been a regular attendee to the tournament, said “I’ve been coming around. I had attended the last four tournaments held. And here we are. And I can see that this year is more organised and very well structured.
“So I give kudos to Sen. Wadada for organising this tournament every year. It’s an event that is helping. The other time I think it was organised in order to raise funds for our kids.
“So much money was gotten. It went a long way to help to develop those indigent children who don’t have much opportunity to go to school.
“He should be encouraged to continue to organise the tournament every year.
“We are ready to support you. We will support you; we will give our financial support and whatever support that you need,” Barau said.
For his part, Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said that the tournament is “now a brand in Nigeria”.
“What is important is to keep encouraging the youth to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
“And also to commend people like Wadada who had spent their personal fortune in bringing about this tournament”.
Ningi while noting that the tournament drew people from various tribes and divides said that sport was indeed a unifying factor.
“We must keep encouraging ourselves. Our differences are very minute against those things that divide us. What I keep telling people and the media is, we must keep bringing out the positive aspects of this country”.
Speaking on sports development in Nigeria, Ningi applauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration saying “he has good intentions”.
“I’m looking at the 2024 Budget provisions, 2025 Budget provisions, if actually utilised, I am sure it will turn around sport development in this country.
“All we can do is to keep encouraging the President. We will also see that whatever approvals coming from the National Assembly, are bringing out the best of sports in Nigeria,” he said.
The founder of the Keffi Polo Ranch, Sen. Wadada who was elated said that the 10th anniversary of the tournament was a milestone.
“I feel highly elated; I feel highly fulfilled and of course, I feel highly challenged for whatever reasons that have brought this army of personalities, VIPs to be here.
“The challenge is, I should do much more of what I had done before so that I have more VIPs the next time,” he said.
Wadada said that though the game of polo when it started in the country wasn’t common but now it is common.
“This is one of the reasons why I established Keffi Polo Ranch so that I bring civilisation to my people and then, of course, leverage on it to open up my state to the rest of the world.
“As you see, the world comes here. People come from the UK, people come from South America, Argentina, people come from Dubai, and within the country, we have everybody including Captains of industries, politicians, royal fathers, all across the country,” he said.
The lawmaker commended the Nasarawa State Government on its continuous support for the tournament.
“The Nasarawa State Government, as far as Keffi Polo Ranch is concerned, I cannot thank the Nasarawa State Government enough. It has been all along for the 10 years that we’ve been here.
“The government has been very, very supportive particularly all our tournaments in support of education.
“This is because the governor and his administration has been committed to making the education environment much better in the state,” Wadada said.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of a newly constructed pavilion named after the late George Coumantaros, founder of Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), in recognition of the company’s long-standing support for Keffi Polo.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Emmanuel Akabe and royal fathers withing and outside the state.
Sports
Ruthless Okoroma United Wins Nembe LGA Final….As lawmaker LGA Boss,Splash cash on Team
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Okoroma United of Okoroma have emerged champions of Nembe Local Government Area in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football fiesta, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
Okoroma United walloped Fantuo FC of Fantuo by six goals to nil in the Nembe LGA final to emerge as champions in an encounter decided at the Nembe City Stadium, Nembe on Sunday.
The Nembe City centre winners wasted no time before stamping their authority in the game when Itaribo Opubo opened the flood gate of goals for his Okoroma-based side just six minutes into the game, after several misses from his side.
Noble Erasmus headed the second goal for his team on 33 minutes of the game. Itaribo Opubo again, scored two quick goals to put the game beyond their opponents’ reach to make it 4-0, with his third goal being applauded by the fans present at the Nembe City stadium.
Noble Erasmus added in his second goal for Okoroma United to make it 5-0 as talisman, Itaribo Opubo scored his fourth goal of the game to completely annihilate the helpless and hapless Fantuo FC.
Matters got worse for the Fantuo side when their keeper was given a straight red card for handling the ball outside the box.
The winners of the Nembe LGA finals, Okoroma United will smile to the bank with the sum of ₦1,000,000, runners-up Fantuo FC went home with ₦500,000.
In a remark, the Member representing Nembe Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. George Braah, said he was pleased with the performance of both teams, pointing out that the performance speaks volume of the avalanche of talents in the LGA and indeed the entire State.
According to him, the tournament, over the years, has become a veritable platform for young players in the State to showcase their potentials particularly in football.
He pledged the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000) to the winners, Okoroma United while the runners-up, Fantuo FC received three hundred thousand naira ₦300,000.
Chairman of Nembe Local Government Area, Chief David Alagoa, represented by the Political Secretary of the council, Hon. Ambrose Tari, appreciated the organizers of the tournament for the laudable initiative, stating that he was elated with the growth of the competition.
The council boss announced a cash reward of one million naira (₦1,000,000) to champions, Okoroma United and five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000) to the runners-up, Fantuo FC.
Chief Alagoa also pledged that the Council will take full responsibility of both teams for the rest of the competition.
An elated Okoroma United Coach, Ebinimi Festus, in his post-match reaction praised his boys for the show of determination throughout the encounter, maintaining that their attention has moved to the Round 32 slated for later this month.
Also, Fantuo FC coach, Omoh Alex bemoaned his side’s lack of proper training before the encounter that they will improve as the tournament progresses.
The Prosperity Cup train will move to Ogbia LGA on Monday, 13th April, 2026 as enterprising Movers FC of Otuasega battle Edi 1 FC of Ayakoro by 1.00pm at the Imiringi Township Stadium.
Sports
Igali Gets Commonwealth Games Ambassadorial Role*
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, has been unveiled as one of Nigeria’s ambassadors for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Olympic and world champion alongside Bayelsa’s finest Blessing Oborodudu, as well as other stakeholders like, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Mallam Saleh Ahmadu, Dr Amos Adamu, Chief Patrick Ekeji, Alhassan Yakmut, and Gbenga Elegbeleye highlighted a blend of technical expertise and athlete representation in a deliberate effort to foster inclusivity, credibility, and performance-driven preparation.
The initiative remains a powerful tool for national unity, youth engagement, and international visibility.
Also, the importance of coordinated stakeholder involvement in ensuring that Team Nigeria is adequately prepared to compete at the highest level.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August 2026,
Sports
Prosperity Cup 2026: NYSC FC Stage Comeback to Qualify for Round of 32 … As Tournament Commences in Kolga LGA
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The National Youths Service Corps, NYSC FC produced one of the greatest comebacks in the 2026 edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
NYSC FC came from two goals down to beat United Stars 4-2 on penalties after a two-all draw in regulation time to advance into the round of 32 in an encounter decided at the Golf Course, Onopa, Yenagoa.
Ifeanyi Johnson put United Stars ahead three minutes into the game from a beautiful finish. Genesis Ebi doubled the lead for United Stars on 16 minutes to rekindle their hopes of winning the tournament.
Ugoh Victor on 83 minutes reduced the deficit for the NYSC side to give the NYSC team a lifeline, having taken charge of the game but when it looks like United Stars were coasting home with victory, Joshua Xaga scored on 86 minutes to drag the game into the anxiety of penalty shootout.
Hummels Stars FC of Otuokpoti pipped Donbai United by a lone goal thanks to Richman Barnabas’ 63 minutes strike to secure a place in the round of 32, having lost to Izuo Gillette in the last match of the Swali centre.
Mighty-Mighty FC in the third match of the runner up play-offs defeated Etivie FC 7-6 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time while Citiboi Feeders in the last match of the day edged out Rich Destiny FC two nil to move into the round of 32 of the spectacle.
In the Yenagoa LGA quarter finals tie, Akinima/Biogbo hammered Global City by four goals to one. Afini FC beat Sea Side FA 4-3 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time while Brazil FC beat high-scoring MFM FC 4-3 on penalties, having played out a one all draw in normal time at the Golf Course, Onopa.
Elsewhere, Bina FC at the Odi centre in Kolokuma/Opukuma LGA beat Oko/Safa FC 7-6 on penalties after a one-all draw at normal time while Mezeh City in the last fixture at the Odi centre triumphed 5-4 on penalties over Adaka FC after a two all-draw in regulation time to secure a place in the next round of the competition.
Odi United at the Sabagreia centre beat Amatugu FC by three goals to two to progress to the next round of the competition. Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Bayelsa FC in the last fixture, pummeled Orukarebai FC by four goals to one to keep their hopes of winning the tournament alive.
Action will resume on Saturday, 4th April, 2026 in Kolokuma/Opokuma as De Rhema United battle Premium FC at 12.00 Noon. Mountain of the Lord’s Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC will take on Sir Temple FC at 3.00pm at the Odi centre.
Opu-Okun United at the Sabagreia centre will welcome Premium FC at 12.00pm while King Warriors FA will face Creek FC at 3.00pm as the battle for the N30,000,000 prize money gets tougher.
Bayelsa United Feeders will confront Afini FC on Sunday, 5th April, 2026 at 12.00 noon as Akimima/Biogbo battle Brazil FC at 3.00pm at the Golf Course, Onopa, Yenagoa.
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