Worried by the dwindling state of football across the nation, a sports philanthropist, Mr. Iyere Ahamioje has donated a soccer trophy to be competed for by U-13 football clubs in Ilorin.

According to the co-ordinator of the tournament, Prince Soni Ahamioje, “the competition is meant to discover young talents and nurture them to stardom. The sponsor of the tournament, Iyere Ahamioje is not happy with the recent performance of the Super Eagles.

One of the reasons why the Eagles failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup is because there is no replacement for our ageing players. Therefore, there is need for all lovers of the game to go back to the grassroot and hunt for young talents. There are so many Kanus, Okochas, Amunekes, Yekinis, Olisehs out there but we are not doing enough to discover and develop them.”

The tournament will be the first step in building a solid foundation for our future Super Eagles. The maiden edition of the tournament, Ahamioje said, will take place in Ilorin, Kwara State from December 18-24, 2011.

Already, eight teams have collected registration forms which is free. The teams are, Arsenal Kiddies FC, Wisdom Stars, Covenant Stars, New Era Boys, 3 Stars, Young Pro Boys, Wetona FC and Surprise Stars.

The organizers who have issued guidelines for the tournament, stressed that “age cheats will not be tolerated. All players taking part in the competition must be below the age of 13 and must not weigh more than 45kg and not more than 1.55m tall. Genuine birth certificates and school admission letters/ report cards will be used to screen players.”

Prizes will be given to the best three teams while the most valuable player (MVP) will be awarded one-year academic scholarship based on the current ministry of Education rate. The organizers intend to invite U-13 teams from neighbouring states from the next edition in 2012.

Heartland condole Chukwu

By Ime Bassey

Heartland FC of Owerri have condoled their Technical Consultant, Christian Chukwu (MFR) over the recent demise of his mother, Chief (Mrs.) Rebecca Chukwu.

In a release signed by the team’s Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara, Chief Fan Ndubuoke, the club’s General Mana “She was a woman of Christian virtue who through her wise counsels, nurtured and guided her children to became useful to their community and society in general. I pray God to grant her eternal life,” Ndubouke said.

Ndubuoke said Chukwu was very close to his mother while she was alive and there was no doubt he would miss her solely.

“There are no words to adequately assuage the burden of your grief, knowing your closeness to her, but be consoled by the knowledge that she lived a worthwhile life and left legacies by which she will be remembered,” he added.

Uyo bubbles for LM Golf Open

As the third leg of the Le Meridien amateur open golf championship gathers momentum, one of the tournament major sponsors; Heineken has promised a swell time for all the participants in the two day event.

Known for its splendor and unique taste, Heineken will definitely be the first choice at the competition even as organizers pledges to use the event to liven up preparation for the coming yuletide.

The Championship which teed off yesterday at the Highbrow Le Meridien Golf course in Uyo will end tomorrow and is expected to feature over 150-players drawn from across the country.

Players are expected from far flung, IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, where the likes of Dare Bello, a regular feature in the competition is expected alongside, Oke Igwe, Chief Executive Officer of Bolingo Hotel and Towers. Igwe has also had the opportunity of writing his name on the winners chart in the past and would be hoping to do better this time around.

Expected from Lagos are former captain of Ikeja golf club, Awa Ibraheem, so also is Kunle Ogunleye, another regular feature in the competition on the card.

But the biggest draw of the weekend is the tournament defending Champion, Port Harcourt based Suzan Cole-Kotas; the lady who stole the show at the last edition of the tournament in June.

She would be leading other array of stars from the Niger-Delta region including big hitting Eddie Peters, Peter Eben-spiff, Diana Okah and many more.

The senior Brand Manager Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen, disclosed that the company is passionate about golf sponsorship in the country and this commitment is underlined by its sponsorship of the Le Meridien which can boast of a world class 18-hole golf course, hence Heineken, as a premium beer is very glad to be associated with the tournament.

Paul Abiyou with a net score of 145 won the first stage while the duo of Cole-Kotas and Solomon Ideriah won the second stage of the event last June and all the winners are expected to face stiff opposition from numerous top golfers who will be participating in the tournament.