Paralympics: FG announces financial reward awaiting medalists

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced financial rewards to Nigeria paralympic athletes ahead of 2024 paralympic games scheduled to commence next week. Team Nigeria athletes are currently on a training tour of Germany preparing for the games. Nigeria will participate in four sports; athletics, badminton, para-powerlifting and para table tennis. Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), Suleiman Isah, said that the Minister of Sports, John Enoh has promised monetary rewards to the athletes in order to boost their morale. “We are ready, Team Nigeria is ready to make the nation proud in Paris. There is no injury nor crisis in camp, so we are good to go. “The Minister of Sports, has assured monetary rewards to the athletes that excel at the games. “He promised every gold medal ($15,000), silver medal ($10,000), and bronze ($5,000). “This will serve as motivation for the athletes, so we expect all the athletes to do well at the games,” Isah said. He, however, called on all Nigerians to support the team. “We appeal to all Nigerians home and abroad to continue to support us with prayers, we promise we will not let the county down,” Isah said. Also, the head coach, Nasiru Sule said that the atmosphere is calm and conducive with all the athletes ready to explode and compete at the games. According to the Atlanta Paralympics games bronze medalist in table tennis, he said; “The athletes have been training well and vigorously too in order to make the country proud at the games. “We are in high spirits and battle ready to go. The training has been going well as planned and I will want to thank the Paralympic Committee Nigeria (PCN) leadership for their focus and planning towards the camping exercise and I am optimistic that we are coming home with medals.  “Though, I cannot say precisely how many or which color but with the determination of the athletes in camp, the future is bright for us,” he said. It would be recalled that Team Nigeria para athletes won ten medals at the last Games held in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.

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Osimhen considers Al-Ahli move

African footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen is considering a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli following an improved offer. This development comes as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain continue to monitor the situation closely. Media report claimed Al-Ahli has intensified their pursuit of Osimhen, with the club’s sporting director personally traveling to Italy to present a new, more lucrative offer to Napoli. The substantial increase in the bid, accompanied by an attractive personal package for the player, has prompted Osimhen to seriously consider the possibility of joining the Saudi Pro League. Despite this new development, both Chelsea and PSG remain interested in securing Osimhen’s services. Chelsea, in particular, has ramped up their efforts in recent hours and is reportedly preparing to submit an offer to Napoli before the transfer window closes on Friday. Napoli, for their part, are hopeful of finalizing the deal with Al-Ahli. However, the final decision rests with Osimhen and his representatives, who are carefully evaluating all offers without ruling out any options. A source close to the negotiations stated, “Osimhen and his agent will assess all offers and every situation without precluding anyone. The player is now open to the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia, but Chelsea and PSG’s interest adds an interesting dynamic to the situation.”

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Minchin & Kelly signs partnership with sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo

Minchin & Kelly (Botswana), a member of DLA Piper Africa (www.DLAPiper.com), is proud to announce its partnership with 2024 Olympic Gold medallist and Motswana sprint sensation, Letsile Tebogo. Under the partnership, Minchin & Kelly together with DLA Piper Africa will be Tebogo’s official legal sponsor, providing the 21-year old Motswana sprinter with legal services locally, regionally and globally. Born in Kanye, Botswana, Tebogo began his track and field journey in 2019. He has since taken the athletics world by storm, winning significant titles and setting records across various track lengths in the lead up to the 2024 Summer Olympics. In Paris, he won Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold in the men’s 200m, a first for any African national in this event. Tebogo was also part of the men’s 4 x 400m Botswana relay team that won the Olympic silver medal. Terence Dambe, Managing Partner at Minchin & Kelly (DLA Piper Africa, Botswana) said: “Letsile has put Botswana on the map in the sprinting world, igniting a wave of pride and ambition across the entire nation. “As the oldest law firm in the country, we’re passionate about helping people and businesses in Botswana achieve their ambitions – locally, regionally and globally. “We are honoured to now be part of Letsile’s inspirational journey, contributing to his ongoing success by safeguarding his commercial and personal interests as a rising star, international brand and, most importantly, young athlete on the global stage.”

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Morocco 2025: Osimhen, Ekong, Ndidi, others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

Morocco 2025: Osimhen, Ekong, Ndidi, others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

Captain William Ekong, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are back in the Super Eagles’ nest, for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda. This year’s AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competition, Ekong, was discountenanced for the Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race in June as he was recovering from injury, while Aina, Awoniyi and reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen were out injured altogether. There are three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star, Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. Bendel Insurance safe hands Amas Obasogie also returns, just as South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah, and Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not been called since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in November last year. The Super Eagles go up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September, before flying to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10th September. All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 2nd September. Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England) Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England) 

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