Sports Archives | Page 25 of 36

Buffon hooks long-term fiancée

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Italy and Juventus stars reunited as Bianconeri and Azzurri legend Gianluigi Buffon got married to his long-term fiancèe Ilaria D’Amico at the weekend. Buffon and D’Amico tied the knot in a ceremony in Versilia in northern Tuscany. The couple have one child together and have been engaged since the summer of 2017. It is the former goalkeeper’s second marriage. Pictures captures by Tuttosport showed that the legendary defensive unit of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini were all in attendance to wish their old teammate well. Italy national team CT Lucian Spalletti was also there, as was FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, among countless other sporting stars and celebrities.

NDLEA: Auto parts dealer conceals heroin, loud in lamps, sofa legs

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested an automobile spare parts dealer Ejiofor Nnaemeka Chiwuzie over attempt to export consignments of heroin and loud, a strain of cannabis, concealed in LED rechargeable lamps and sofa metal legs through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos. Ejiofor was arrested on Tuesday 24th September 2024 at the Trade Fair complex, Ojo area of Lagos where he sells automobile spare parts following the seizure of his cargo containing auto parts, rechargeable lamps, sofa metal legs and electronics going to Liberia at the export shed of the Lagos airport. Concealed inside the LED lamps and sofa legs were 37 parcels of heroin weighing 1.10 kilograms and four blocks of loud with a total weight of 1.20kg. A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of two freight agents and then Ejiofor who sent the consignment. In the same vein, attempts by drug trafficking networks to export consignments of loud, tramadol pills, co-codamol tablets, pentazocine injection, dihydrocodeine and promethazine tabs through some courier companies to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Thailand and Oman were foiled by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, attached to the logistics firms. While 2.3kg of loud hidden in a carton was going to Thailand, 749 grams of tramadol concealed in soles of locally made footwears were heading to Oman, with 60 ampoules of pentazocine injection going to the United States. No less than 200 pills of co-codamol were meant for Australia while a total of 700 tablets of dihydrocodeine, promethazine and tramadol as well as 20 ampoules of pentazocine injection concealed in soles of footwears were heading to the United Kingdom. Going to Canada were 58 ampoules of pentazocine injection hidden in female cloths. All the seizures in the courier houses were made between Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th September in Lagos.

Awoniyi’s Foundation donates jerseys to 14 Kwara Kiddies League teams

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

In line with his commitment to giving back to his community, Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has presented jerseys to all 14 teams participating in the Kwara Kiddies League through his foundation, Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation. On Saturday, at the Kwara Football Academy, Awoniyi’s parents, Mr. Solomon and Mrs. Mary Awoniyi and his grassroots coach, Rasaq Olojo, presented the jerseys to the teams on behalf of the foundation. This gesture was aimed at promoting football development, encouraging teamwork, and providing support to young athletes in Kwara State. “He is passionate about nurturing the next generation of football talent in Nigeria,” said Mr Solomon Awoniyi. “Through his foundation, he’s committed to providing opportunities for these young players to grow and succeed.” The jersey presentation ceremony was attended by officials of the league board, its directors, coaches, and players of the participating teams. “We appreciate Taiwo Awoniyi’s kind gesture,” said Chairman Kwara Kiddies League Proprietors, Barr. Luqman Balogun. “This will undoubtedly motivate these young players to strive for excellence.” Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation remains dedicated to empowering youth through sports, education, and community development initiatives. As a Dettol ambassador, Awoniyi also secured support from the leading hygiene brand, which provided essential gifts to young athletes. This partnership underscores Awoniyi’s commitment to promoting health, hygiene, and sports development among Nigeria’s youth. To further support the well-being of the young athletes, Awoniyi’s foundation also introduced a meal program, providing a nutritious meal to each player.

FIFA names 12 stadiums set to stage historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

FIFA has confirmed the 12 stadiums in the United States that will stage matches at the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 when the 32 best clubs in the world play for the only official title of FIFA Club World Champions. The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 15 June 2025, with all roads leading to the MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Sunday, 13 July 2025 where the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final will be played, just over a year before the venue stages the FIFA World Cup 26™ final. This venue is joined by 11 more – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), GEODIS Park (Nashville), Camping World Stadium (Orlando), Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Lumen Field (Seattle), and Audi Field (Washington, D.C.). “Football is the most popular sport on the planet, and in 2025 a new era for club football will kick off when FIFA stages the greatest, most inclusive and merit-based global club competition right here in the United States,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who made the announcement at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York while simultaneously announcing FIFA’s new four-year partnership with Global Citizen to mobilise football fans globally to help end extreme poverty and provide access to education for millions of children. “The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature 12 fantastic stadiums where a new chapter in football’s global history will be written by great players from the 32 best clubs in the world,” Mr Infantino continued. “This new FIFA competition is the only true example in worldwide club football of real solidarity and inclusivity, allowing the best clubs from Africa, Asia, Central and North America and Oceania to play the powerhouses of Europe and South America in an incredible new World Cup which will impact enormously the growth of club football and talent globally. “This is about opportunity and hope for those who need it most, and also about prestige and true football for those who make our sport shine. My thanks go to all. We never discriminate; we include everyone. This is the true spirit of the brand new FIFA Club World Cup. “It has been an honour to make this significant tournament announcement before an enormous, energetic crowd at the Global Citizen Festival here in New York. The fans of the 32 competing clubs will create a similar buzz at the FIFA Club World Cup next year when we take it to the world,” the FIFA President concluded. With the draw set for December, just two of the 32 teams are yet to be confirmed: one from South America, the other representing the host country. Further information regarding the draw, which will see the 32 best clubs in the world divided into eight exciting groups of four, will be released in due course. The tournament match schedule will be published shortly after the draw.

Bribery case: SERAP orders INEC to enforce judgement against Governors

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has handed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu seven days to enforce judgement on bribery case against State Governors. SERAP gave this deadline on its social media platforms on Sunday. “We’ve given Professor Yakubu, INEC chair 7 days to enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies, and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, or face contempt charge.” The deadline is believed to have began today (Sunday).

Osimhen opens Galatasaray goal account

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen scored his first two goals for Galatasaray on Saturday and celebrated with a funny message: ‘Finally.’ The Nigeria international had delivered two assists in the first two appearances for Galatasaray but found the net for the first time with the Turkish club in a home league game against Kisampasa on Saturday. Osimhen hit twice in the opening 28 minutes, and after scoring the first one, he celebrated by showing a Galatasaray shirt with the word ‘finally’ written on it. The Napoli loanee also imitated a goal celebration of ex-Inter captain Mauro Icardi when the Argentinean netted the third goal for Gala at minute 34. Osimhen will remain on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli until the end of the season. Galatasaray’s vice president, İbrahim Hatipoğlu, said earlier this week that the Nigerian forward will stay at the club in the January transfer window despite rumours. Oismhen’s Napoli contract includes a €75m clause and expires in June 2027. The 25-year-old scored 76 goals in 133 games with the Partenopei.

NFF’s media manager, Olajire bags doctorate degree

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Director of Communication, Ademola Olajire has added to his feathers. The seasoned journalist bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication from University of Lagos recently. Olajire was the Deputy Sport Editor at Vanguard newspapers before his appointment as the Director of Communications, NFF. The media buff studied Mass Communication/Media Studies for his Master of Science (M.Sc.) also at University of Lagos. Present at the award of doctorate degree ceremony were; the Panelists, Ist Supervisor, Dr.Ibitayo Popoola, Representative of PG School, Dr. Omon Oshiki,the Internal Examiner and Immediate Past Head of Department, Prof Adepoju Tejumaye, the Incumbent Head of Department, Panel Chair, Prof Oloruntoba Sunday, Other are l; Prof. Dele Odunlami, the Internal- External, Dr Peter Oni and lthe second Supervisor, Prof. Ismail Ibraheem.

NFF commiserates with Governor Eno on wife’s demise

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday commiserated with Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on the death of his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Patience Umo Eno. Mrs Umo Eno reportedly died in hospital on Thursday, 26th September following an illness. President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed deep shock at the unfortunate occurrence, saying the Federation and the Nigeria Football fraternity as a whole felt the pain of the Number One citizen of Akwa Ibom State and his family. “We are deeply saddened by the demise of Her Excellency, Mrs Patience Umo Eno. This is heart-rending. Our hearts go out to His Excellency, Governor Eno and the immediate family that Mrs Eno has left, as well as their extended family, friends and relations, and the good people of Akwa Ibom as a whole. “Her passing at this time, when her robust support for her husband is needed as he seeks to take governance in Akwa Ibom State to a new level of excellence, is very sad.” Gusau prayed that the Almighty will grant the deceased eternal rest, and also grant Governor Eno, the immediate family and the people of Akwa Ibom State the fortitude to bear the huge loss.