Players of Defence Spikers Volleyball Club of Abuja have won the Division One National Volleyball League hosted in Abia State.
This is even as Ajase Ipo Volleyball Club of Kwara and Lifecamp Volleyball Club came second and third respectively.
In the Women Division One, VIP Volleyball Club of Abuja won the League, above the Federal Fire Service of Abuja and Excelsior Volleyball Club of Abia State who came second and third, respectively.
In National Division Two men, Light Volleyball Club of Abuja won the League above Bayelsa Volleyball Club and Rhino Volleyball Club of Plateau State.
The National Division One and Two Volleyball League had 34 teams from 20 States in participation, including host State Abia, Bauchi, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Kwara, Katsina, FCT, among others.
Declaring the event closed, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti stated that his administration sponsored the Volleyball League to discover raw talents from Abia and Nigeria, and to also positively engage the Nigerian youths so that they won’t be involved in deviant activities.
Otti, who was represented by his Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba said that the huge investment his administration made in sports facilities, made sports federations in Nigeria and Africa to give Abia hosting rights.
In his speech, Abia State Director of Sports, George Obioma challenged the winners to spring from their victories to become super stars, thanking Governor Alex Otti and the Commissioner for ensuring that the National Division One and Two Volleyball League ended without a hitch.
The President of Nigerian Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, who was represented by his Vice, Adamu Tanimu, commended the organizational quality of the League.
As part of its FIFA Forward program, the global soccer governing body on Friday inaugurated two mini-pitches in Niger as part of the FIFA Arenas project which was a historic moment in the football history of the West African country.
The two pitches situated at the CES 22 Talladje and CES 9 Harobanda primary school, both in the capital Niamey, ensures Niger becomes one of the 11 Member Associations to benefit from the initiative which has one of key projects under the FIFA Forward program.
The ultramodern sustainable facilities will provide students with a safe and inspiring space to hone their football skills, giving a ray of hope to about 10000 youth in communities within the two schools. The project is expected to impact positively and allowing youth from surrounding communities to play football ideal conditions, promoting social inclusion, personal growth, and passion for sport.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has cited the project as a watershed moment for football development in the West African country.
“Congratulations to the Nigerien Football Federation (FENIFOOT). You are part of our Starting 11—the first 11 countries to officially inaugurate their own FIFA Arena mini-pitches. You are contributing to a project capable of changing the lives of millions of children,” Infantino said.
His declaration was echoed by Issaka Adamou, FENIFOOT President who said the landmark project will mark a new chapter for grassroots football development in the country.
“When football becomes an educational tool, it’s a whole country preparing its youth’s future. Niger is committed to inclusive, dynamic, and civic-minded schooling through the power of sport. Integrating football into schools to strengthen civic education, social inclusion, and youth development through sport allows Niger to take a major step forward with FIFA for grassroots education and football.”
Similar views were shared by Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Chief Member Association Officer who remarked “I’m delighted to see Nigerien youth inaugurate these FIFA Arena mini pitches today. These brand-new spaces offer Niamey’s children a safe and inspiring environment to play and grow through football. “
“Niger holds a special place in the global football community, and I’m convinced that among today’s young players, some will follow in the footsteps of Africa’s football legends”
The FIFA Arena project is part of a global initiative to build mini-pitches worldwide, in line with the commitment made by the FIFA President Infantino at the Sustainable Sport Summit in Paris in July 2024. The project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by offering more play opportunities to children, especially in disadvantaged urban and rural areas.
The Starting Eleven code-named from the 11 players commencing a game has seen Member Associations (MA’s) such as Georgia, Thailand and Paraguay inaugurating similar FIFA Arena mini-pitches. The project is being rolled out globally with the goal of installing at least 1,000 new mini pitches by 2031.
In Africa, Niger is the third Africa country to benefit from the initiative after Algeria and recently, Liberia.
The FIFA Arena comes under the bigger FIFA Forward scheme launched in 2016, and seeks to fairly redistribute FIFA’s revenues to its 211 member associations. Dubbed the world’s largest sports development program, it is in line with FIFA’s plans to invest a record USD 5 billion in football by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, construction of FENIFOOT’s new headquarters, funded by the FIFA Forward program, is progressing steadily as the six-storey facility will offer a professional and structured environment for football development in the country.
“The FIFA Forward program is tangibly transforming football in all FIFA member countries. In Niger, the new FENIFOOT headquarters and mini pitches in Niamey illustrate FIFA’s commitment to making football truly global, inclusive, and sustainable by investing in infrastructure that strengthen the football landscape,” highlighted Gelson Fernandes, Deputy FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa.
The state-of-the-art building aligns with FENIFOOT’s strategy to improve infrastructure, enhance working conditions for staff and regional league personnel, and expand accommodation capacity at the technical centre. With a total cost of nearly USD 4.2 million, the project is fully funded by FIFA Forward and will take at least 12 months to complete.
Jannik Sinner won the Paris Masters for the first time by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7⁄4) on Sunday as the four-time Grand Slam champion reclaimed his position atop the world rankings.
The 24-year-old’s maiden crown in Paris, coupled with incumbent world number one Carlos Alcaraz of Spain crashing out early in the tournament, will see Sinner return to the pinnacle of men’s tennis when the ATP rankings are updated today.
The Italian first claimed the number one ranking in June last year and held it for 65 weeks until he lost the US Open title-match to Alcaraz in September.
Reclaiming top spot from his rival in Paris will taste even sweeter for Sinner after he went down in a remarkable five-set final to Alcaraz at Roland Garros earlier in the season.
“Today is a very, very special day,” Sinner said on-court before thanking his team for their work over the season.
“Felix, amazing week, I know you had a lot of pressure… If you keep playing like this I’m sure you’re going to win (big titles).”
Despite missing three months at the start of 2025 after twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year, Sinner has now won five titles this season – including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Sunday’s victory was, however, his first 1000-level title since Shanghai last October.
For Canadian ninth seed Auger-Aliassime, defeat at the last hurdle in the French capital prevented him from sewing up his spot at the ATP Finals later this month.
Auger-Aliassime is, however, favourite to claim the eighth and final berth for the season-ending tournament as his run to the title-match leapfrogged him ahead of Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the race to Turin.
“It’s never easy to lose a final but there’s an opponent that I have to congratulate… You push me and all other players to improve,” Auger-Aliassime told Sinner.
Despite being unable to add a fourth title to his list of achievements so far this season, the 25-year-old has enjoyed a renaissance in 2025 and cemented his place back amongst the world’s top 10.
“It’s been a beautiful year and I’m sure our (his and his team) moment will come,” he added.
In menacing form after dropping only one game in his semi-final win against third seed Alexander Zverev on Saturday, Sinner picked up immediately where he left off as he broke Auger-Aliassime in the opening game to seize the advantage.
The Canadian did not allow himself to be cowed by the second seed’s power hitting from the baseline and dug in to force Sinner to serve out the opening set, which he did in typically efficient fashion.
The break point converted by Sinner at the start of the match was the sole one either player managed to fashion in a first set characterised by impeccable serving.
Sinner then forced a couple of break opportunities at the very start of the second frame but Auger-Aliassime rallied to save himself on each occasion with a huge first serve.
Both men were striking the ball cleanly as the number of winners continued to climb.
Auger-Aliassime displayed grit to save three break points in the seventh game as Sinner looked to have finally worn the Montreal-native down with the relentless pace and accuracy of his groundstrokes.
Leading 5-4, Auger-Aliassime made a sudden charge on Sinner’s serve, taking the game to deuce before an overcooked forehand and a net-cord, which landed on the wrong side of the court for the Canadian, saw the opportunity to force a decider pass him by as the set rumbled towards a tie-break.
In the breaker, Sinner got ahead at 3-2 and never looked back as he raced to the trophy and the top of the world rankings, sealing both with a blistering backhand down the line on his first championship point.
Kenya’s Benson Kipruto held off a thrilling late charge from Alexander Mutiso to win the closest New York Marathon finish in history on Sunday while compatriot Hellen Obiri smashed the course record to win the women’s race.
Kipruto took the tape in two hours, eight minutes and nine seconds to add the New York title to his previous major marathon wins in Boston, Chicago and Tokyo.
Mutiso, the 2024 London Marathon winner, finished just 0.16secs behind his compatriot after a gripping duel over the final mile.
Kipruto looked to have done just enough to lead by several metres as the finish line loomed into view in Central Park.
But Mutiso kicked for home in a sprint finish and was just fractionally behind Kipruto as he took the tape.
“The last part was so hard, but I was giving myself morale, saying ‘Come on you, you can win it, come on’,” Kipruto said after his victory.
“I was pushing so hard to make sure I win.”
Kenya’s Albert Korir, the 2021 New York winner, was third in 2:08:57.
Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge, in what is expected to be his last major marathon appearance, finished 17th in 2:14:36.
In the women’s race, meanwhile, Kenya’s Obiri produced a devastating late kick to power to victory home in a new course record time.
Obiri, the 2023 New York winner, pulled away from compatriot Sharon Lokedi with just under a mile to go to cross in 2:19:51.
Obiri’s time obliterated the 22-year-old course record of 2:22:31 set by Kenya’s Margaret Okayo in 2003.
Lokedi, the New York winner in 2022, finished second in 2:20:07 while last year’s winner Sheila Chepkirui was third in 2:20:24.
The top three finishers were all under Okayo’s old course record.
“Amazing, it was a very good run for me,” Obiri said afterwards. “We had a very strong field and I said to myself ‘let me try to do my best.’
“In my mind I said to myself to be patient. I knew Sharon was there and she has won the New York Marathon before. I said ‘Can I be the first one to win here?’”.
Dutch star Sifan Hassan, the reigning Olympic marathon champion, was sixth in 2:24:43.
Erling Haaland was back on the scoresheet with two goals to help Manchester City return to winning ways in the Premier League and leapfrog Bournemouth into second place.
Pep Guardiola’s side had suffered their first defeat in 10 games at Aston Villa last Sunday, with Haaland not finding the net for only the second time this season.
But the Norwegian’s double proved crucial against the in-form Cherries as City moved six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Bournemouth almost made the dream start when they had the ball in the net after 44 seconds through teenager Eli Junior Kroupi, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Despite the early scare, the hosts went ahead in the 17th minute courtesy of Haaland, who latched on to Rayan Cherki’s neat header on the halfway line and there was only going to be one outcome as the striker stroked home an unerring finish.
The visitors, though, restored parity just eight minutes later when Tyler Adams reacted quickest to crash home following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s miscued punch, although the goalkeeper felt he had been held by David Brooks at the corner and was booked for his protestations.
It was USA midfielder Adams’ first goal in English football during spells at Leeds and Bournemouth.
City, though, have a prolific marksman in Haaland and the striker linked up again with Cherki before going around Djordje Petrovic and coolly converted his 13th league goal of the campaign – and 26 in all competitions for club and country.
He was denied a first-half hat-trick when a chipped effort was clawed away by the Bournemouth goalkeeper and also headed over at the start of the second period.
Kroupi had a first-time shot batted away by Donnarumma and that miss proved crucial as Nico O’Reilly burst forward at the other end on the hour mark and drilled in a precise, finish low into the corner to seal an impressive success.
The sight of a mounted horse galloping across the field at high speed can be thrilling and fun to watch. In faraway Kaduna last weekend, there was much more.
It was a story retold, a commitment reaffirmed, it was the 104th edition of the famed Georgian Cup, and it was FirstBank of Nigeria Limited reaffirming commitments, cementing legacies, not just around polo but across all sports.
So when the combatants, Kaduna El-Amin and Kaduna Makarfi, came onto the turf that hot Sunday afternoon, it wasn’t just about playing to win, but a fight for a slice of the historic Georgian Cup.
Teams with long histories, the Kaduna-based El-Amin, a dominant force in the Nigerian polo scene, caught the eyes of all as they rode their horses onto the Turf for the epic clash. The team is one of Nigeria’s most dominant high-goal polo sides. They have an unmatched legacy with their numerous Georgian Cup titles, having won their first one in 1999.
Led by Mohammed Babangida, who has won the Georgian Cup 16 times as El-Amin and once with Kaduna Kakuri, the team has a combined team strength of +16, comprising Lado Aliyu +3, Abdulrahman Mohammed +4, highly rated Facundo Ratama +6-golaler, and team patron Mohammed Babangida +3.
The opposing Kaduna Makarfi is also a polo powerhouse and a prominent rival to the dominant El-Amin. It has tested polo Gladiators in Aminu Alhaji+1, Hamisu Buba+3, Ibrahim Mohammed+2, and Argentine imports; Rico Recaite +6. Complimenting their efforts are some of the world’s best horses: the Argentine Thoroughbred heavy horses and the sleek speed stars, the Arabian ponies. At stake is the oldest polo trophy in West Africa: the Georgian Cup.
Now, on one side of the Turf were polo fans rooting for their favourites team while on the other were the royals led by the Emir of Zauzau, top government functionaries, Zamfara State’s governor, Dauda Lawal Dare, and of course, the Chief Executive of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, all waiting to be entertained.
The dribble runs from +6-goaler Rico Recaite of El-Amin and Fecundo Ratamar were a delight to watch, keeping fans on the edges of their seats throughout the 6-chukker round. As goals poured in, more fans trooped into the Murtala Mohammed Square Polo ground even as the shouts of “Moha” rent the air. Surely, it was El-Amin’s day and moment. Urged on by its teaming supporters, El-Amin walloped Kaduna Makarfi by 12 goals to 4 goals.
Speaking shortly after, Babagida attributed the victory to hard work and team chemistry.
“Sixteen victories in this competition is never a joke. As a team we have wonderful chemistry. We have been together for long. And we also understand the need to invest in our horses. We have done so much in the physical wellbeing of our players and the horses as well.
“We cannot be here without FirstBank, we must appreciate what they have done for polo. It is the lifeline of everything you’ve seen here over the past weeks.”
Reacting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to sponsorship of the Georgian Cup.
“We will continue to sponsor the Georgian Cup and remain committed in the same way we are committed to all other sports sponsorship that we are involved in, especially sporting initiatives that engages our youths”, he said.
Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika is set to make his long-awaited return from injury when Club Brugge host Benjamin Fredrick’s Dender on Saturday in the Belgian Pro League.
Onyedika has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during the thrilling 5-5 draw against Westerlo at the Jan Breydel Stadium in September.
The 24-year-old Nigerian has missed seven matches across all competitions, four league games, one Crocky Cup fixture, and two UEFA Champions League encounters.
Thirty-seven days after his last appearance for the Blue-Black, Onyedika has been included in the 21-man squad for the clash against Dender.
He is joined on the list by Kaye Furo, son of former Super Eagles centre-back, Iyenemi Furo.
Before his injury, Onyedika was an integral part of Nicky Hayen’s squad, providing calmness, composure, and defensive balance in midfield.
His return is expected to boost both club and country, especially with Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff fixtures approaching.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will also be pleased by the midfielder’s recovery, having faced limited midfield options during October’s qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.
With Onyedika’s return, Chelle will be eager for him to regain full match fitness ahead of the crucial playoff tie against Gabon next month.
Fulham yesterday defeated Wolves 3-0, marking the return of Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze from injury. He came off the bench in the 77th minute to replace Harry Wilson.
Ryan Sessegnon opened the scoring for the hosts in the ninth minute, before Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou received a straight red card midway through the first half.
With the visitors reduced to ten men, Harry Wilson doubled Fulham’s advantage in the 62nd minute, and the contest was effectively settled when Yerson Mosquera inadvertently turned the ball into his own net with fifteen minutes remaining.
The Super Eagles winger injected pace and creativity into Fulham’s attack, twice coming agonisingly close to adding a fourth goal for the Cottagers.
In the 86th minute, the AC Milan loanee struck the post after excellent work from Alex Iwobi, and moments later, he weaved past three Wolves defenders before unleashing a curling effort that forced a superb fingertip save from the goalkeeper.
1994 African Cup of Nations winner Efan Ekoku who was on commentary duties for the Premier League world feed noted that Chukwueze looked lively throughout his cameo but could not find the finishing touch to reward his efforts.
Capturing the moment Chukwueze hit the post, Ekoku said: “He can’t quite believe it, Chukwueze. Mosquera tries to shield it out of play, Iwobi steals it.
“Just look at him, off balance as he’s turning; it’s not easy to wrap your foot around that and keep it underneath the crossbar.
“He’s falling back, just losing his footing. Great chance for number four missed.”
After Chukwueze’s curling shot was saved, Ekoku added: “What about that for silky feet from Samuel Chukwueze. This one was heading for the corner.”
Having come through the game unscathed, Chukwueze is expected to be named in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon
Danny Welbeck scored for a third successive Premier League game as Brighton climbed into the top half of the table with a comfortable win over Leeds United.
The 34-year-old netted the opener for the hosts in the 11th minute, volleying home from close range to finish off a brilliant team move that involved Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer.
It was Welbeck’s sixth goal of the season and fourth in three league games as he continued his fine recent form.
Brighton took command after that with Diego Gomez adding two more in six second-half minutes on his return to the starting line-up to seal a dominant success for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
It could have been more for the hosts as Welbeck and Minteh also went close.
Leeds were restricted to few opportunities, but threatened to restore parity seconds before the interval when midfielder Sean Longstaff had an effort blocked inside the box by Jan Paul van Hecke.
In the pouring rain at the Amex, the start of the second half was a much more open affair but Gomez’s quickfire double – his first in the Premier League since May – killed off the game as a contest.
The Paraguay midfielder first tapped in after more good work from Minteh on the right wing in the 64th minute, before driving home a cutback from ex-Leeds forward Georginio Rutter.
It was a fourth win in 10 games for Brighton, who also kept their first clean sheet of the campaign.
Leeds, who had not won at the Seagulls in the league since 2009, remain in 16th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Crystal Palace ended a three-match winless run in the Premier League with victory over in-form Brentford at Selhurst Park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored a hat-trick in Palace’s 3-3 draw with Bournemouth a fortnight ago, breathed life into a largely uneventful first half when he sent a brilliant looping header over Caoimhin Kelleher and into the far corner.
Victors over Liverpool in their last league game, Brentford were poor in the first half but could have restored parity when Daichi Kamada fouled Mikkel Damsgaard right on the edge of the Eagles’ area – only for Damsgaard to blaze his free-kick high over the crossbar.
Things went from bad to worse for the Bees early in the second half when defender Nathan Collins inadvertently headed Jefferson Lerma’s long throw into his own net to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
The unfortunate Collins almost gifted Palace a third when he lost possession to Ismaila Sarr deep inside his own half, but the Senegal international was only able to steer his shot against the inside of the post.
Reiss Nelson forced a fine save out of Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a curling effort late in the second half, but Oliver Glasner’s team held on comfortably.
