Standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has congratulated Rivers United FC on their victory in the 2021/2022 season of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Abe, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, said the victory is as a result of the resilience of the Rivers spirit that plods on despite daunting challenges all around.

He urged the management, technical crew and playing staff of the champions of the Nigeria’s domestic football to push for higher honours on the continental scene as representative of Nigeria in the 2022/23 CAF Champions League.

Abe said: “The Victory of Rivers United FC is a pointer that Rivers Youths can be meaningfully engaged, and our state is teeming with potential champions who can be the best in whatever they set out to achieve”.

In the same vein, the Senator has commended the Sarah David-led Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rivers State Chapter.

He urged them to go beyond sports writing and begin to use sports to seek solutions on how to build a better and more progressive Rivers State where all can live in peace and harmony.

The statement reads in parts: “In other clime where the people understand the business aspect of sports, it has made the game to be rewarding, more glamorous, all-inclusive and profitable.

“It is only in Nigeria that sport is treated as a leisure and Government charity.

“I commend your initiative to revamp the Henry Kalio Football Competition among media houses in the state but want you to go beyond just sports writing and focus on how to use sports to build the economy and develop the state.

“Identify the factors that will make sports self-sustaining in terms of stabilization of investment and returns. When sports become profitable in our country, it will ultimately attract more investors and bring expansion into the game”.