Connect with us

Sports

Tinubu meets super eagles in Abuja, Honour them with National awards

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, met with the National team, the Super Eagles, where he announced national awards (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON) to each of them.

The honours bestowed on them also included flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and a piece of land.

The delegation to the presidency was led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh including officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

The Super Eagles came second in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Côte d’Ivoire.

All the team members were adorned with green attires.

Other officials spotted by our correspondent include Alex Iwobi, who had faced cyber attacks following Nigeria’s loss to Cote D’Ivoire at the final of the just concluded African Cup of Nations.

President Tinubu had in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale commended the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament, acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.

The President had urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasising that Nigeria won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.

“Let this passing event not dispirit us, but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.

“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the President had said.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Legendary Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman passes away at 76

In a significant loss to the boxing world,George Foreman, the two-time heavyweight champion and beloved figure in the sport, has passed away at the age of 76, as announced by his family on social media.

Foreman, known affectionately as “Big George,” was more than just a boxer; he was a symbol of resilience and reinvention.

Throughout his career, Foreman claimed numerous victories, including a fifth-round TKO against Joe Frazier, who he had previously stopped to win his first heavyweight title.

After a brief retirement at age 28, he returned to the ring in 1987, making one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports.

At 45 years old, he stunned the world by defeating Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history—a title he held until 2014.

Beyond the boxing ring, Foreman found tremendous success with his line of grills, which sold over 100 million units globally. His charisma and insight as an HBO boxing analyst further cemented his status as a beloved sports personality.

The boxing community has expressed deep sorrow over his passing, with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum stating, “We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.” Foreman’s contributions to the sport and his larger-than-life personality will be remembered for generations to come.

As the world mourns the loss of a true legend, George Foreman’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future athletes and fans alike.

Continue Reading

Sports

2026 World Cup qualifier: Super Eagles beat Rwanda 2-0

The Super Eagles secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda on Friday to boost their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute and doubled the lead just before halftime, giving Nigeria a comfortable advantage at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

The match marked the first game under new head coach Éric Chelle, the Franco-Malian tactician tasked with guiding the Super Eagles back to the global stage.

With these two goals, Osimhen has now surpassed the legendary Segun Odegbami on Nigeria’s all-time scorers list.

Continue Reading

Sports

Zimbabwean Coventry elected as IOC’s first female president

Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry, has been elected as the new President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)+.
The 41-year-old former swimmer, who won two Olympic gold medals, will replace German Thomas Bach – who has held the role since 2013 – and become the first woman, the first African and the youngest person to hold the role.

World Athletics boss Lord Coe was among the favourites to win Thursday’s election in Greece, but Coventry secured an absolute majority of 49 of the 97 votes available in the first round.

Runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr won 28 votes while Coe secured eight.

France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe won four votes each, while Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch both took two.

Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board and was said to be Bach’s preferred candidate, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport and will be in post for at least the next eight years.

Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals – including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.

“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” said Coventry, who beat six male rivals to win the vote.

“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.

“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”

Coventry described her election as an “extraordinary moment” during her acceptance speech, and promised to make IOC members proud of their choice.

During her election campaign Coventry pledged to modernise, promote sustainability, embrace technology and empower athletes.

She placed particular emphasis on protecting female sport, backing a blanket ban of transgender women from competing in female Olympic sport.

Coventry has faced criticism in Zimbabwe in her capacity as sports minister since 2018, but defended her association with the government of controversial president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Governmental interference in football resulted in FIFA banning Zimbabwe from the international game in 2022, while last year the United States imposed sanctions on Mnangagwa and other senior officials for corruption and human rights abuses.

The presidential vote took place at a luxury hotel in a seaside resort about 60 miles south of Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Games.

IOC members had to hand in their phones before a secret electronic ballot at about 14:30 GMT.

The campaign process restricted candidates to 15-minute presentations at a private event in January, with media barred and no scope for questions from members afterwards.

Endorsements by members were not allowed, nor was any criticism of rival candidates, meaning behind-the-scenes lobbying played an important role.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending