{"id":11206,"date":"2014-03-03T18:18:52","date_gmt":"2014-03-03T18:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.imotrumpeta.com\/?p=11206"},"modified":"2014-03-03T18:20:41","modified_gmt":"2014-03-03T18:20:41","slug":"11206","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.imotrumpeta.com\/?p=11206","title":{"rendered":"Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"orji2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Municipal, Ikeduru To Kick-off Dame Emily-obiyo Memorial Cup
\n \u2026Preliminary Matches to Begin March 16 at Ikeduru Center<\/p>\n

All is now set for the official opening ceremony of the Dame Emily-Obiyo Memorial Football Competition organized to help fish out hidden talents in the Nine Local Government Areas that make-up Owerri zone.
\nAccording to a release made by the LOC after the official draw ceremony of the competition which took place at the Imo State Football Association Office in Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Friday February 28, the opening ceremony has been slated for Saturday March 15 at the Old Township Stadium in Owerri-Municipal and Municipal Council will engage Ikeduru (home of the donor) in a ceremonial game.
\nAddressing the press during the ceremony, the LOC chairman, Mr Ndubuisi Opara stated that the Nine LGA’s will alongside their officials take part in a match past to honor Late Dame Emily Obiyo while the donor, Chief Dr Uzoma Obiyo will take the salute.
\nIn a brief remark, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports who was represented at the occasion by a director in the Ministry, Mr Ihesiba commended the donor for using sports to unite the good people of Owerri zone as well as help to curb social vices in the society.
\nHe however admonished the participating teams to avail themselves of this opportunity to achieve greatness like Kanu Nwankwo and Jay Jay Okocha adding that the program is a youth empowerment program.
\nThe Sports Council board chairman, High Chief Tony Ajaelu described the competition as a welcomed development stating that sports must not be run by government alone and called on other well-meaning Imolites to emulate Dr Obiyo in other to further take football and sports generally to a greater height in the state.
\nThe climax of the ceremony was the over 50 phone\/airtel registered line that was distributed free of charge to the members of the LOC, Youth Leaders and YSFON executives.
\nMeanwhile, at the end of the draws, Group A (Municipal) comprised of Mbaitoli, Owerr-North and Ikeduru; Group B (Ikeduru) is made-up of Municipal, Ahiazu and Aboh-Mbaise while Group C (Ahiazu) involves Ezinihitte, Owerri-West and Ngorokpala.
\nThe fixtures further indicates that the group games will commence on Sunday March 16 at Ikeduru Center (Iho Stadium) were Municipal will take on Ahiazu with the next game at Ahiazu center (Chioma Ajunwa Stadium) between Ezinihitte and Owerri West as Municipal centers first game will see Mbaitoli battle Owerri-North at the Old Township Stadium.<\/p>\n

Kanu undergoes successful heart surgery
\n\u2026Thanks Jonathan for Centenary Award <\/p>\n

Former Nigeria international, Nwankwo Kanu, has successfully undergone a corrective heart surgery at the weekend.
\nThe surgery which was done at the Cleveland Hospital in Ohio, USA was carried out during one of his normal yearly routine medical check at the same hospital where he also had the 1997 career-saving heart surgery.
\nCoordinator of Kanu Heart Foundation, Onyebuchi Abia, confirmed that the surgery was successful and the that the former Arsenal and Inter Milan forward has since left the intensive care unit, ICU, of the hospital and is currently recuperating.
\n“He’ll be back home in a few day’s time, I spoke with him Sunday afternoon and he confirmed he’s in a stable condition,” Abia said in a statement.
\nKanu also expressed his profound gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for the honour he was bestowed with during the Centenary Award Ceremony in Abuja.
\n“He also hailed the transformation agenda of the present administration in showing commitment to sports adding that he was humbled by the award and promised to continue his football ambassadorial work for the benefit of the country,” Abia quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n

Mikel, Echiejile, early Arrivals for Mexico tie in Atlanta
\nElderson Echiejile and John Mikel Obi were the first two players to hit Atlanta for Wednesday’s friendly match against Mexico
\nMikel arrived along with Team Secretary Enebi Achor.
\nThe rest of the squad, led by assistant coach Daniel Amokachi and NFF president Aminu Maigari, were expected to arrive later on Monday evening.
\nTravelling from Nigeria with the NFF officials were Ejike Uzoenyi, Kunle Odunlami, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Shehu Abdullahi.
\nAchor and Mikel will not be alone however, as the contingent from Nigeria also left on Sunday night The delegation which left Lagos for Atlanta is headed by NFF President Aminu Maigari, while Chairman, National Sports Commission and Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi is expected also for the game.
\nOn the Delta Airline flight to the United States on Sunday were Assistant Coach Dan ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, Valere Houandinou and Ike Shorunmu, the goalkeepers’ trainer.
\nTeam doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, Physiotherapist, Wale Oladejo, Psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun, Chidi Ngoka, who is the Equipment Manager, ACP Abubakar Baba, the Chief Security Officer, NFF Protocol man, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and Media Officer Ben Alaiya are also part of the team.
\nFour players are on the trip to the US, with CHAN2014 Man Of The Tournament, Ejike Uzoenyi, leading the likes of defence ace Azubuike Egwuekwe, Ebenezer Odunlami and midfielder, Shehu Abdulahi for the grade A friendly.
\nWednesday’s friendly is expected to be played at the Atlanta Georgia Dome with both countries parading their potential World Cup squads for the encounter.<\/p>\n

OBULUMBA CUP-SEMI:
\n5\/3\/14 Ndegwu — Umuanunu,
\n6\/3\/14 Eziobodo — Obinze
\n7\/3\/14 Ohii — Umudibia
\n10\/3\/14 Oforola — Umualum
\nFIFA U-20 WORLD CUP (Canada 2014)
\nGroup A: Canada, Ghana, Finland, Korea DPR
\nGROUP B: Germany, USA, China, Brazil
\nGroup C: England, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria
\nGroup D: New Zealand, Paraguay, France, Costa Rica
\nDAME EMILY-OBIYO MEMORIAL CUP GAMES
\n16\/3\/14
\nMunicipal — Ahiazu @ Ikeduru
\n18\/3\/14
\nEzinihitte — O\/West @ Ahiazu
\n20\/3\/14
\nMbaitoli — O\/North @ Municipal
\n22\/3\/14
\nAhiazu — Aboh @ Ikeduru
\n24\/3\/14
\nO\/West — Ngorokpala @ Ahiazu
\n26\/3\/14
\nO\/North — Ikeduru @ Municipal
\n28\/2\/14
\nAboh — Municipal @ Ikeduru
\n30\/3\/14
\nNgorokpala — Ezinihitte @ Ahiazu
\n2\/4\/14
\nIkeduru — Mbaitoli @ Municipl
\nNEW OWERRI DEVELOPMENT CUP RESULTS
\n28\/3\/14
\nDiamond Fc 0 0 Frackers City
\n1\/4\/14
\nAvaters Fc 1 2 Galaxy Fc
\n2\/4\/14
\nBahama Fc 1 0 Sailors Fc
\nINTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES (5\/4\/14)
\nSouth Africa — Brazil
\nMontenegro — Ghana
\nB\/Herzegovina — Egypt
\nSenegal — Mali
\nTurkey — Sweden
\nBelgium — CIV
\nRomania — Argentina
\nUkrain — USA
\nGermany — Chile
\nEngland — Denmark
\nFrance — Holland
\nPortugal — Cameroon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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