Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
To sustain its culture of sporting excellence, Ritman College recently opened a standard football field and crowned the day with a novelty match.
Ritman College is the State Basketball Champion in the male category for this year. It also emerged winner in both male and female state basketball competitions in 2015. The school has had a remarkable academic performance, producing the highest National Examinations Council scores in Akwa Ibom State (2013).
Agreeing with the assertion by John F. Kennedy (35th President of the United States) that physical fitness is one of the bases of dynamic and creative intellectual activity, Ritman College has been in the forefront of holistic training, with sports as one of its yardstick.
Vice Chancellor of Ritman University, Prof. Celestine Ntuen, declared the standard-sized, level and grassy field open on Tuesday 3rd May, 2016, while Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien took the kickoff before Ritman College engaged Community Secondary School, Ikot Abia Idem in a football match.
In attendance were the Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, backed up by Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and other dignitaries.
In his welcome address, the Principal of Ritman College Day School, Elder Robert Ekanem said that being aware of the benefits of sporting and recreational activities in the lives of students, the college has standard courts for Basketball, Volleyball, Lawn Tennis, and table tennis, while cricket, Hockey, Badminton and Weightlifting facilities are under construction. Sporting activities, he said, are to provide an opportunity for students to unveil their talents and learn new skills.
Chairman on the Occasion Mr. Tony Dogun II noted that the proprietor of this school had made sporting activities a vital part of students’ grooming, and expressed faith that this inauguration would be the beginning of greater successes.
In the keenly-contested match, Ritman College team made spirited attempts to break the defence of Community Secondary School Ikot Abia Idem that proved impenetrable, with superlative saves from their goalkeeper. Much of the first half was dominated by host team, but their opponents came out strong in the second half, hitting the back of the net.
The shot on goal was however disallowed by the referee for being taken offside, and it was hard to convince the visiting team and fans that it was so. The guests screamed “foul play”, knowing it was almost impossible to snatch a win from Ritman College.
Assistant Referee, Ndifreke John who decided against the goal said the decision was just and that being a professional from the Nigeria Referees Association and a visitor, he had nothing to gain from cheating any team.
Principal of Ritman College Boarding School, Mr Ini Okon, in his closing remarks thanked the participating teams and their fans, noting that the match was a friendly, so both teams had lost nothing from the goalless draw. He advised the visitors to take the outcome in good faith as good sportsmen.
