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World Athletics Rejects Ofili’s Switch to Türkiye Over Integrity Concerns

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...AFN Welcomes Ofili Back, Calls for Support from Stakeholders By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria’s sprint star Favour Ofili has been denied a request to change sporting nationality to Türkiye after the World Athletics ruled that the application failed to meet key eligibility principles guiding the sport. The decision was delivered by a three-member Nationality Review Panel comprising Donna Raynor, Cydonie Mothersill, and Susanne van Waert, following a detailed review of Ofili’s case and ten other similar applications submitted by the Türkiye Athletics Federation. Ofili, who last represented Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, had sought to switch allegiance after being granted Turkish citizenship in May 2025.  However, despite fulfilling several procedural requirements, the panel concluded that approving the transfer would undermine core regulations governing international athletics. At the heart of the ruling was World Athletics’ concern over a broader recru...
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Rwanda sets the pace as Nigeria taps sports economy

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...Federations face sponsorship reality check By Maxwell Kumoye      Rwanda is fast redefining the role of sport in national development, with Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire declaring the sector a central driver of economic transformation. Speaking at a high-level roundtable hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., Mukazayire painted a picture of a country strategically leveraging sport beyond competition, turning it into a tool for investment, tourism and youth empowerment. L According to the minister, Rwanda’s approach is deliberate and structured, anchored on heavy infrastructure development, international collaborations, and the consistent hosting of world-class sporting events. These efforts are steadily boosting the nation’s global sporting reputation and positioning it as an emerging hub on the international stage. That ambition has already taken shape through landmark events such as the 2025 UCI Road World Championships and the FIFA Ser...
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Kenya unveils strong NCAA contingent for Continental Championships and World Relays

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Athletics Kenya has named a formidable squad of student-athletes based in the United States to represent the country at the upcoming Africa Senior Athletics Championships 2026 in Ghana and the World Athletics Relays 2026 in Botswana. Headlining the NCAA contingent are sprint hurdlers Rukia Nusra and Vanice Kerubo, both arriving in red-hot form after shattering their respective national records at the prestigious Texas Relays. Nusra will compete in the 100m hurdles, while Kerubo lines up in the 400m hurdles, raising hopes of podium finishes for Team Kenya. They are joined in Ghana by Zeddy Jesire (long jump), Kevin Kemboi (triple jump), and Winny Bii (triple jump), completing a youthful and dynamic field team. Meanwhile, Kenya’s focus shifts to Gaborone, where a deep and experienced relay squad has been assembled for the World Athletics Relays scheduled for May 2–3.  Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, leads a star-studded men’...
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Team Nigeria Cleared for All Six Events at World Relays

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...As Okowa’s reforms drive remarkable rise ...AFN lavishes on the NSC for their support  By Maxwell Kumoye     Team Nigeria’s steady resurgence on the global athletics stage has received another major boost following confirmation from World Athletics that the country’s six relay teams are eligible for final entry at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana. In a communication signed by Carlo De Angeli, Head of Sport Services, participating nations were cleared for final entries, with a reminder that each event allows a maximum of six athletes and a submission deadline of April 13 (midnight Monaco time). The confirmation is more than just administrative, it is a reflection of an impressive upward trajectory recorded over the past 12 months under the leadership of Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. This progress has been firmly underpinned by the strategic backing of the National Sports Commission (NSC), with the Dire...
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NBC DG hails Tony Akiotu’s emergence as Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria Chairman

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...Seeks stronger industry collaboration By Maxwell Kumoye        The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, has extended warm congratulations to Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu following his emergence as the new Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria. Akiotu was elected during the association’s biennial proceedings held in Abuja on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, marking a new chapter in the leadership of Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. In his congratulatory message, Ebuebu commended BON and its member stations for conducting what he described as a seamless and peaceful electoral process during the organization’s 81st Annual General Meeting.  He particularly praised the contestants for their maturity and sportsmanship, noting the absence of rancor or disputes throughout the exercise. The NBC boss expressed optimism about the future of the industry under Akiotu’s leadership, emphasizing the Commission’s read...
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Ogundiran blazes 10.98s, joins Nigeria’s sub-11 elite with world-leading run

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By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigerian sprinting prodigy Blessing Ogundiran delivered a historic performance at the South Florida Invitational in Tampa, announcing herself on the global stage with a blistering run in the women’s 100 metres. Competing for Warner University, Ogundiran stormed to victory in the final on Saturday, April 11, 2026, clocking a lifetime best of 10.98 seconds with a legal wind reading of +0.6 m/s.  The remarkable time not only secured her the win but also elevated her into an elite class of Nigerian sprinters. With the sub-11 second run, Ogundiran becomes just the ninth Nigerian woman in history to break the prestigious barrier, underlining her rapid rise in the sport.  Even more impressive, her time currently stands as a joint world-leading mark for the season, further highlighting the significance of her achievement. The performance signals a major breakthrough for the young athlete, whose development within the American co...
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Copper Queens crumble in FIFA Series opener as Canada run riot in Brazil

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By Betty Enoch       The Copper Queens of Zambia endured a difficult start to their FIFA Series Tournament campaign in Brazil, falling 4–0 to a ruthless Canada side in a match defined as much by pre-game turmoil as well as on-field performance. Zambia arrived in Brazil under a cloud of disorganization, poor travel arrangements, visa issues, disrupted preparations, and the absence of their head coach Nora Häuptle.  Those setbacks showed immediately, with the more composed and well-prepared Canadians taking control from kickoff. After waves of early pressure, Canada broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when Nichelle Prince finished off a precise cross from Delaney Pridham, poking home from close range. Prince doubled the lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a failed clearance to score with a composed finish inside the box, sending Canada into the break with a deserved 2–0 advantage. Zambia attempted a revival at the start of the second half, wit...
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Aston Villa share points with Forest

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• Forest are winless in 7 Premier League home games under Pereira • Forest are unbeaten in their past five games in all competitions • Neco Williams scores his first goal since September By Trust Ittai and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye Full-time: Nottingham Forest 1 Aston Villa 1
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Bendel Insurance edge Abia Warriors in tense NPFL clash

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By Mishael Emmanuel          Bendel Insurance secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors in a fiery Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 34 encounter decided by a second-half strike from Chinedu Nwosu. Played behind closed doors at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the contest lived up to expectations with both sides delivering an aggressive and highly competitive display. Despite the absence of fans, the intensity on the pitch was unmistakable. The visitors, led by coach Imama Amapakabo, dominated much of the first half. Sticking with the same starting XI that featured in their previous outing against Bayelsa United, Abia Warriors controlled possession and created promising chances. However, their inability to convert opportunities ensured the first half ended goalless. The tide turned after the break as Bendel Insurance responded with tactical adjustments.  Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Abia Warriors ...
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NBC DG hails Tony Akiotu’s emergence as Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria Chairman

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...Seeks stronger industry collaboration By Maxwell Kumoye        The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, has extended warm congratulations to Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu following his emergence as the new Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria. Akiotu was elected during the association’s biennial proceedings held in Abuja on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, marking a new chapter in the leadership of Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. In his congratulatory message, Ebuebu commended BON and its member stations for conducting what he described as a seamless and peaceful electoral process during the organization’s 81st Annual General Meeting.  He particularly praised the contestants for their maturity and sportsmanship, noting the absence of rancor or disputes throughout the exercise. The NBC boss expressed optimism about the future of the industry under Akiotu’s leadership, emphasizing the Commission’s read...
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