By Silvernews

The appointment of Chief Executive Officer of G-Innovation, Mr. Chigozie Nwagwu, into the board of the Nigeria Minifootball Association has continued to generate widespread reactions among followers of the game across the country.

Stakeholders, players, and enthusiasts of minifootball have described the appointment as well-deserved, citing Nwagwu’s long-standing contributions to grassroots talent development and administrative support within the sport.

Mr. Nwagwu, widely regarded as one of the country’s leading football talent developers, has been instrumental in nurturing young players who have recently secured transfers to various leagues across the nation.

His developmental model, anchored on discipline, exposure, and structured mentorship, has earned him recognition within the football community.

He also currently serves as the Imo State Minifootball Chairman, where he has played a pivotal role in expanding the game at the state level through structured competitions and grassroots engagement.

Beyond talent development, he has remained an integral member of the minifootball family, serving in various strategic and statistical capacities within the association.

His experience in data management, player assessment, and competition organization has strengthened the operational framework of the sport in recent years.

In a statement made available to Silvernews.com.ng, close associates noted that his elevation to the board is a strategic move aimed at consolidating the growth of minifootball in Nigeria.

With his wealth of experience, administrative insight, and grassroots network, Nwagwu is expected to contribute significantly to policy formulation and the expansion of the game across the country.

Many followers of the sport have expressed optimism that his inclusion on the board will usher in a new phase of innovation, improved talent discovery structures, and broader national participation in minifootball.

His appointment signals the association’s commitment to integrating proven grassroots developers into its leadership structure as it continues to reposition the game for greater national and international relevance.

By Silvernews

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Cutix PLC, Uchechukwu Igbokwe, has called on tennis clubs across the region to deepen their partnership with the company by patronising its products in their building and infrastructure projects.

She made the appeal during the Super 4 extravaganza of the ENIC Tennis League held at the Port Harcourt Club, where Recreation Club Orlu defeated Aba Sports Club to lift the trophy back-to-back in the 27-year-old competition.

Mrs Igbokwe noted that Cutix PLC has remained the major sponsor of the league from inception, sustaining the competition for nearly three decades as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

While reaffirming the company’s commitment to providing a platform for clubs to network and enjoy tennis, she encouraged participating clubs to consider Cutix products in their construction and renovation plans.

“We have supported this league from the beginning because we believe in its vision,” she said.

“As clubs continue to grow and develop their facilities, we encourage them to patronise Cutix products, which are known for quality, durability and industry standards. Such collaboration will further strengthen our partnership and promote indigenous excellence.”

Industry observers regard Cutix cables as among the most durable in the country, with decades of manufacturing experience backing the brand.

The Super 4 finale once again showcased high-level competition, with Recreation Club Orlu demonstrating resilience and tactical superiority to retain the coveted title.
Stakeholders have continued to commend Cutix PLC’s unwavering sponsorship, describing it as a model for sustainable private sector investment in grassroots sports development.

As preparations begin for the next season, the league’s enduring partnership with Cutix PLC remains central to its continued success.

Barau Football Club on Saturday played out a goalless 0–0 draw with Warri Wolves in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 27 fixture.

The encounter between the two sides, who were both promoted to the NPFL last season, ended without a goal at the Southern Delta State University Stadium, Ozoro.

Despite several attempts from both teams, neither side could find the breakthrough, as the spoils were shared at full time.

Barau FC forwards, including Uche Moses, Joseph Atule, and Muhammad Umar, made efforts to put the Maliya Boys ahead, but were denied by brilliant saves from the host goalkeeper.

Under the leadership of General Manager Dominic Lorfa, Barau FC have now recorded a seven-match unbeaten run in the second stanza of the NPFL season, boosting the club’s hopes of securing a continental ticket.

Following the vital point, Barau FC remained 12th on the NPFL table with 34 points from 26 matches, with one outstanding fixture.

The team will now turn attention to a rescheduled Matchday 25 clash against Rivers United on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Barau FC head coach Eugene Agagbe expressed satisfaction with the team’s unbeaten streak.

“It’s not easy to go seven matches unbeaten in the NPFL. We thank God for the result. Our focus has now shifted to Rivers United because we are taking it one match at a time,” Agagbe said.

Barau FC XI vs Warri Wolves Chisom Chiaha (GK), Orji Kalu, Bismark Duah, Nura Ibrahim, Jimmy Ambrose, Hillary Ekawu, Usman Maidubji (C), Sunday Antony, Uche Moses, Henry Ezeonye, Muhammad Umar.

Substitutes: Emeka Nwabulu (GK), Sugau Aliyu, Moses Tsehuan, Sunday Dapma Joseph Atule, Sa’ad Tijjani, Emmanuel Okoko, Amah Chibundu, Kabir Abdullahi.

Substitutions 46′ — Emmanuel Okoko and Joseph Atule replaced Usman Maidubji and Muhammad Umar.

70′ — Kabir Abdullahi and Amah Chibundu replaced Henry Ezeonye and Uche Moses. And in 79′ Sugau Aliyu replaced Nura Ibrahim.

Unused Substitutes: Emeka Nwabulu (GK), Moses Tsehuan, Sa’ad Tijjani, Sunday Dapma.

Usman Maidubji received a yellow card in the 35th minute.

Barau FC will now travel to Port Harcourt to face Rivers United on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

By Kennedy Onwunali

The second edition of the Niger Delta Games got off to a spectacular start on Friday night at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, with Team Imo making an impressive statement at the opening ceremony.

Led by the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, alongside Hon. Willy Okolieogwo, Lady Justina Akpulo, and Kennedy Onwunali, the Imo contingent marched with precision and vibrant team colors, reflecting the state’s determination to excel in the regional sports festival.

Their elegant display drew widespread admiration from spectators, setting the tone for a week of competitive action.

Declaring the Games open, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan-Enoh, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sports development as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He commended the organisers for creating a platform to nurture young athletes and highlighted the Niger Delta’s critical role in national development.

Tinubu described the Games as a symbol of the region’s transition from unrest to peace, security, and sustainable progress.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogboku, emphasized that the competition aims to identify and develop amateur athletes across the region, while Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, praised the Games for fostering regional integration, healthy competition, and national cohesion.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also lauded the initiative, noting its potential to empower youth, promote unity, and sustain peace in the Niger Delta.

The opening ceremony was further enlivened by fireworks, calisthenics displays, cultural performances, and music from the police band, showcasing the rich Bini and Niger Delta heritage.

On the pitch, action began immediately, with Team Imo making a confident start. In men’s football, Bayelsa and Imo played a thrilling 2-2 draw, Edo crushed Akwa Ibom 6-0, while Akwa Ibom and Delta settled for a 1-1 stalemate. Team Imo’s performance demonstrated both skill and composure, signaling their determination to dominate in multiple sporting disciplines.

Officials noted that weeks of preparation, including intensive training and strategic planning, have positioned Team Imo as a formidable contender for medals across sixteen sporting events.

With over three thousand athletes and officials from nine states participating in sixteen sporting events, the festival promises a week of high-level competition and camaraderie.

Team Imo has set its sights firmly on podium finishes, unity, and excellence, aiming to surpass its previous performance in the last edition hosted in Akwa Ibom State.

As the games continue in Benin City, spectators and fans eagerly await more displays of talent, resilience, and regional pride from Imo and the other competing states.

By Silvernews

It was a celebration of tennis excellence at the ENIC Tennis League Extravaganza 2025/26 Finals, co-sponsored by the Chief Emeka Diwe Foundation, as Recreation Club Orlu emerged champions at the historic Port Harcourt Sports Club.

A total of 13 teams registered for this edition of the ENIC Tennis League, highlighting the expanding reach of club tennis across the region. After weeks of competitive action, only four clubs qualified for the knockout extravaganza, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the season.

The competition featured intense, winner-takes-all encounters from the semifinals to the grand finale, leaving no room for error and raising the level of performance across board.
Recreation Club Orlu demonstrated tactical discipline and resilience throughout the knockout rounds.

Their dominance in both singles and doubles matches proved decisive, as they outclassed their opponents to lift the coveted trophy in grand style.

The co-sponsor of the competition, Chief Emeka Diwe, used the occasion to eulogise Cutix PLC for its remarkable 27-year sponsorship of the ENIC Tennis League, describing the company’s unwavering support as a model of corporate commitment to regional sports development.

He also commended the Chairman of the League, Deacon Ugboaja Onyekwere, for the improved participation recorded in this edition.

According to him, the ENIC Tennis League remains the only standing regional sporting competition in the country that has sustained relevance and structure for 27 years.

Chief Diwe noted that the league’s longevity is a testament to visionary leadership, private sector partnership, and the dedication of participating clubs across the region.

The atmosphere at the Port Harcourt Sports Club was electric, with enthusiastic spectators applauding every crucial serve and match-winning rally.

With Recreation Club Orlu crowned champions and the Chief Emeka Diwe Foundation earning commendation for its impactful support, the ENIC Extravaganza once again reinforced the importance of collaboration in sustaining competitive tennis across the region.

By Silvernews

All is set for a star-studded novelty football match in Mbaise as Coach John Amaechi, a Certified Coach from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) and member of the Nigerian Society for Sports Management (NSSM), leads a galaxy of football veterans against former Super Eagles players in celebration of the 60th birthday of Chief Dr. Barr. Obioma Success Akagburuonye.

The novelty encounter, billed for Saturday, February 21, 2026, will take place at the newly built football podium at Oke-Ovoro Secondary School pitch, a facility donated by Akaraugo Mbaise.

Amaechi, who serves as the Technical Head of the event, will parade Hope Rising All Stars, a team comprising notable football figures from Mbaise including Chief Christopher Onwuzurike, Mr. Unity Uzoaga, Dr. Kennet Ahiwe, Mr. Daniel Oparoacha, Dr. Ujoatuonu, Chief Summers Nwokie (Ikukuoma), Coach Emma Dickson and other respected veterans.

They will confront a select side of former Super Eagles ex-internationals drawn from five generations of Nigerian football, spanning the 1980s through the early 2000s, in what promises to be a thrilling showcase of experience, flair and nostalgia.

The match forms part of activities marking the Diamond Jubilee and Biography Book Launch of Akagburuonye, described by organisers as a distinguished kingdom investor and renowned philanthropist whose developmental strides have impacted communities across Mbaise and beyond.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Dennis Adikwuru, has called on football enthusiasts, community leaders and the general public to attend the event and participate in the celebrations honouring the legal luminary and community benefactor.

With the blend of veteran stars and former national team heroes expected to rekindle old rivalries and memories, Saturday’s novelty match is poised to deliver both entertainment and a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy transcends sports.

Judith Nneka Chime, a former Super Falcons goalkeeper, has made a bold declaration of her intent to deepen her contributions to sports and football development in her home state of Enugu State and across Nigeria, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

The 47-year-old shotstopper who represented Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA World Cup finals in the United States of America, USA, and the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 spoke to Silvernews.com.ng from her Atlanta, Georgia, USA, base, expressing desire to play more active role in sporting development in her own state, Enugu where she holds her Annual Judith Chime Women Football Championship.

“Yes, I do hold my annual Women *Football) Championship in Enugu. The championship, through my foundation, also encourages the girl child to toe the education line as well as their Football careers.

“I played soccer and also went to school. I don’t want these kids to go through the hard way that I went through. That’s why my foundation is always ready to assist in this regard”, the ex Nigeria international goalkeeper began.

“Yet, I still have a lot to contribute to my state, Enugu State. Our people are hardworking and resilient. What we need is strategic support and inclusive policies that will help our young talents to thrive.”

Chime has singlehandedly sponsored the grassroots women’s football tournament, first in Asaba and now Enugu in the last four years, an initiative that is focused on giving back to the grassroots and ensuring that the girl child is provided opportunities to explore her football potentials while combining sports with education.

The emphasis remains firmly on grassroots development, women empowerment, and creating sustainable opportunities for young people through sports.

Observers say her tournament has not only unearthed budding talents but also provided a platform for mentorship and exposure for young female footballers in the region.

Chime also expressed confidence in positively influencing preparations and outcomes for the 2026 National Sports Festival, which Enugu State is set to host. She maintained that her international exposure and experience would be valuable assets in ensuring the state delivers a successful outing, particularly in football.
Judith Nneka Chime is a former goalkeeper for the Nigerian women’s national football team, the Nigeria women’s national football team. She represented Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2000 Summer Olympics, earning recognition for her contributions between the posts.

Beyond her grassroots tournament, Chime was recently awarded a Certificate of Acknowledgment from Global Wealth Women Warriors for her continued impact in empowering young women.

She has also extended her generosity to the domestic league by offering cash prizes to outstanding goalkeepers in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), further demonstrating her dedication to nurturing excellence in women’s football.

With her passion, dedication, and generosity, Judith Chime continues to inspire the next generation of athletes and change makers, reinforcing her message that she still has much to offer Enugu State and Nigeria at large.

Former Nigerian coach and Ex player, Samson Siasia, on Wednesday visited the training ground of Barau Football Club in Abuja ahead of the club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 27 clash in Ozoro, Delta State.

Siasia, a friend and also a brother to Barau FC General Manager Dominic Iorfa, commended his leadership and dedication to the growth and success of the club.

The former Super Eagles striker, who played and later managed the Nigeria National football team, charged the Maliya Boys to remain focused and continue to work hard as the league progressed.

Siasia and Iorfa both represented Nigeria during their playing careers, strengthening their long-standing collaboration in advancing football development within and beyond the country.

Barau FC is currently intensifying preparations for two crucial away fixtures.

The Maliya Boys will face Warri Wolves in the NPFL Matchday 27 encounter on Saturday in Ozoro, Delta State, and later travel to take on Rivers United in a rescheduled NPFL Matchday 25 fixture on Wednesday.

By Kennedy Onwunali

With the countdown to the second edition of the Niger Delta Games underway, Imo State has stepped up preparations, commencing closed camping for its contingent ahead of the February 20–27, 2026 competition in Edo State.

A total of 270 athletes and 46 coaches, drawn from 16 sports associations, have settled into camp at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, where technical and tactical drills have begun in earnest.

Separately, the state’s swimming team has already taken camp in Asaba, where they are undergoing specialised sessions aimed at sharpening endurance and competitive edge before joining the rest of the contingent for the Games.

The Commissioner for Sports and Chairman of the State Liaison Committee, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, while addressing the athletes, described the camping programme as a strategic move to boost fitness, discipline and team bonding.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to the welfare of the athletes, assuring them of adequate support throughout the competition.

According to him, the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma is determined to reward excellence and celebrate podium finishes.

On his part, Onyeocha promised personal recognition for gold medallists, noting that the team would remain in camp from February 17 to 18 before departing for Edo on February 19. He added that necessary logistics had been provided in line with competition regulations.

The Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited under the theme, “Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents,” are expected to showcase emerging sporting talents from across the Niger Delta region

By Akeem Busari

The holy month of Ramadan is here again and it is the period for abstinence from all acts against the dictates of the Islamic religion.

President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr  (Dr). Ahmadu Musa Kida has joined millions of muslim faithfuls across the world to welcome the holy month, even as he noted that the month brings so much peace, unity, love and compassion.

In his well delivered message, Kida urged for piety, sober reflection and selflessness amongst the people. He added that the period also allows for spiritual and personal rebirth, that would consequently bears positively on the fortunes of the country.

“This is a very important month in the lives of muslim faithfuls. Muchmore, it is another gracious opportunity for the people to show love, kindness and display true peace and unity, in line with the religion,” Kida preached.

Kida, who doubles as Chairman of NNPCL, admonish well placed Nigerians to display compassion and support for the lesser privileged, which he added, aligns with the all-inclusive renewed hope agenda of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He further tasked Nigerians to also use the period to pray for peace, unity and the continued growth of the socio-economic life of Nigeria.