Market Friday at Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Center: Experiencing the Unity of Sports the World Over
Once the breeze becomes dry and a bit cool, it means that the harmattan season is here and this mean that Christmas and New year celebration is close. I just perceive the glory of Christmas. In the tropical rainforest there's no autumn or winter, no snow to feel in during the Christmas season like in Europe and the America's. Many people are preparing to travel to their villages to reunite with their family and friends. The festive holiday is usually fun in Nigeria. Greetings from @salvadornkpara and welcome to another #MarketFriday organized by her Excellency @dswigle. @dswigle I woke up one sweet morning within the week to see your gift sent to me as a grateful heart I say thanks to you. For those that have not followed @dswigle, you don't know what you're missing from this wonderful woman. This is my entry for the #Marketfriday.
Today Market Friday took me to a sports complex in Port Harcourt, Nigeria known as Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Center. The home of the defunct Sharks FC. It's a wonderful place to be due to its numerous sports facilities. Sports today is second to life and the air we breathe. In every 10 persons that exists in the world today 9 are involved in one sports activities or the other. This means that sports is a socio-cultural activity that brings the world together. The Alfred Diete-Spiff sports complex was built in the 1960s by Alfred Diete-Spiff the first military governor of Rivers State, Nigeria.
Sports Activities that takes place in the Sports Complex
Everyone in the world knows that football is the most loved sports in the world that attracts many fans. I know that lovers of basketball and other sports will want to argue with me, but that's my opinion I don't know about yours.
- Football is one of the sporting activities that takes place at the Sharks FC stadium. The Nigerian Professional League matches are usually played at the stadium. Teams like Eyimba FC of Aba, a two times Caf Champions. During the period when Sharks FC were still in action they had hosted Al-Hilal FC of Sudan and other continental club.
- Basketball is also played in the main bowl of the stadium. The main bowl is used in training amateur basketball players of which some got the opportunity to play for basketball teams in Europe and the Americas.
- Wrestling local wrestling championships are hosted at the Civic Center. A time local teams compete in the wrestling championships between teams from the 23 local government areas that makes up Rivers State, Nigeria.
- Boxing 🥊
- Swimming 🥽
It's necessary to refresh after the high sun 🌞🌞🌞🌞 shine in Port Harcourt. The temperature was about 35⁰ centigrade. I took some watermelon 🍉🍉🍉 and pineapples🍍 to refresh myself. The pineapples and watermelon were sold in front of the Civic Center.
Painting of Joseph Yobo (He played for Everton FC, Fenerbahçe, Norwich and Inter Milan and also Captained the Super Eagles of Nigeria) He's a Rivers State, guy
paintings of Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and Former Military Governor, Alfred Diete-Spiff
The world is no united with somany things of which one is sports. Even during war times, waring parties can abandon the war to watch football. This means that football and other sports can be an avenue of conflict resolution. Join me today to celebrate the unity of sports and what it'll bring to the world in the future. Next years January Africans head's for the African Cup of Nations and in November, 2022 the world cup returns to stage. Thanks for stopping by my post on a #Marketfriday. Have good times ahead.
The photographs are for your esteem pleasure
Is the Civic Center no longer used? I wasn't sure. It wasn't too clear in your post. If you were, how much is the cost to get into the Civic Center? And what was your purpose there?
Also, you stopped for refreshments, Was it expensive or well priced? The history of the Center and everything that surrounds it was very well written, with pertinent information.
#MarketFriday began as a way to reach out across the globe and learn about different cultures through by their markets, especially local markets and farmers markets and eventually branching out and evolving over time from straight shopping to a cultural affair as it highlights how we differ and then again, how much we are alike. We have become a melting pot of culture, but, it is still the Rituals, Festivals, food, architecture, even your language/languages that separate us... Along with the fact of what is these things are normal for us. There are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. A strong culture can be beneficial to a country as it promotes unity, especially during a crisis, peaceful debate, and open dialogue. I have learned so much about all of you and it has been an amazing experience. I can only hope that learning about each other can help us work together for a peaceful world.
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Take pictures! Be creative!
5. Drop the link into the MarketFriday comment section so I can find it
7. You must put #MarketFriday by @dswigle somewhere on your post. If you don't and someone reads it, there is nothing to tie #MarketFriday to that post.
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
Upped and reposted