Sports
Halkin Sponsorship: Gov Diri Denounces Bayelsa Utd’s Kit Deal
The Bayelsa State Government has denied the reports that the state-backed football club, Bayelsa United, has finalized a new shirt sponsorship deal with Halkin Exploration and Production Limited for the rest of the 2023/24 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
The government explicitly stated that it did not authorize or endorse any such agreement for the team during the current football season.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, issued a statement on Wednesday, labelling the reports regarding the kitting deal as misleading and falsely representing the governor’s consent.
It is worth noting that, Halkin Exploration and Production Limited had previously been embroiled in controversy regarding the alleged acquisition of Oil Mining Lease 46, also known as the Atala Oilfield, which belonged to the Bayelsa State government.
Governor Douye Diri vehemently opposed the revocation of the OML 46 license by the now-defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in April 2020, emphasizing the oilfield’s significance as a “prized asset of the state.”
Mr. Alabarah highlighted Governor Diri’s support for private sector investment in sports.
However, the administration stands firm on ensuring that any arrangements involving such investments comply meticulously with due diligence and due process, emphasizing the importance of these principles.
He said: “The State Governor, Senator Diri, expresses surprise and embarrassment over reports of a new kit sponsorship deal signed by the state-owned football team, Bayelsa United.
“The governor wishes to unequivocally place on record that he is not aware of any such deal involving Bayelsa United and Halkin Exploration and Production Limited.
“Governor Diri has consequently directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, and the Bayelsa United chairman, Ebiki Timitimi, to immediately halt the process pending the conclusion of a full-scale investigation into the matter.”
He further clarified that initial investigations uncovered a disregard for due diligence and the essential approvals from the pertinent authorities in this deal.
Governor Diri cautioned the various boards, agencies, and government parastatals against independently taking action on state-related matters, emphasizing the importance of collective decision-making to prevent unfavorable repercussions.
Sports
Team Nigeria Stuns Commonwealth Games with Record-Breaking Performances
Team Nigeria delivered a remarkable display at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, producing a world record, a historic gold medal and a hard-fought bronze to underline the country’s growing dominance in athletics.
Leading the charge was para-athlete Goodness Nwachukwu, who successfully defended her women’s F42 discus throw title in spectacular fashion by setting a new world record of 39.66 metres with her final throw.
ALSO READ: FIFA in Turmoil as Senior Adviser Steps Down Over Controversial World Cup Deal
The 27-year-old surpassed her previous world record by more than three metres to register her fourth career world record and add another Commonwealth gold medal to her impressive collection.
Wales’ Funmi Oduwaiye settled for silver with a throw of 38.52 metres, while Bree Cronin claimed bronze after recording 36.00 metres.
Reacting to her achievement, an emotional Nwachukwu said, “I feel like I am on top of the world. I feel so great. I feel so wow, I was like, ‘Ah, what?’ and I started shouting.”
She also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support, adding, “I love you all and I can’t wait to see you. Love you.”
Nigeria’s celebrations continued in the men’s shot put, where Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win Commonwealth Games gold in the event.
The African record holder secured victory with a throw of 21.07 metres, improving on the silver medal he won at the 2018 Commonwealth Games while erasing the disappointment of his fourth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago.
Defending champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand claimed silver with a throw of 21.03 metres, while England’s Scott Lincoln finished with bronze after throwing 20.99 metres.
Meanwhile, world record holder Tobi Amusan displayed determination in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.60 seconds to claim bronze and extend her Commonwealth Games medal streak to three consecutive editions.
Although she narrowly missed out on a third successive Commonwealth title, Amusan revealed after the race that she had been hampered by a knee injury sustained during Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen.
The outstanding performances by Nwachukwu, Enekwechi and Amusan capped another memorable day for Team Nigeria, as the athletes combined to deliver medals, history and a world record at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Sports
FIFA in Turmoil as Senior Adviser Steps Down Over Controversial World Cup Deal
FIFA has been thrown into fresh controversy after a senior adviser to President Gianni Infantino resigned over a proposed plan to sell a stake in the commercial operations of the FIFA World Cup, describing the move as harmful to the future of football.
The resignation, announced on Friday, marks a major setback for Infantino as criticism continues to mount over the governing body’s plans to commercialize aspects of the world’s biggest football tournament.
SEE MORE: FIFA Makes Historic Change as World Cup Winners to Receive Championship Rings
Carlos Cordeiro, a former president of the United States Soccer Federation and one of Infantino’s senior advisers, said he could not support the proposal, insisting it would undermine the interests of FIFA’s member associations and the sport itself.
“As a senior advisor to the FIFA president, a former banker, and a lifelong football fan, I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” Cordeiro said in his resignation statement.
He stressed that he had no role in developing the proposal.
“Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” he said.
Cordeiro further described the initiative as detrimental to football’s long-term future.
“It is a bad deal for FIFA’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game,” he added.
His resignation came just hours after FIFA announced it would continue with what it described as an “open and democratic” consultation process on the proposal, despite growing opposition.
The development represents one of the most significant internal challenges facing Infantino in recent months and is expected to intensify debate over the commercial direction of global football and the governance of the FIFA World Cup.
Sports
End of an Era: Neymar Retires from International Football After 16 Years
Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has officially announced his retirement from international football, ending a remarkable 16-year career with the Brazil national team and closing one of the most celebrated chapters in the country’s football history.
The 34-year-old Santos forward confirmed his decision after his side’s 4-2 victory over Universidad Central in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs, putting an end to months of speculation about a potential return to the Seleção.
SEE ALSO: World Cup Setback: Neymar Ruled Out of Brazil’s Crucial Haiti Clash
Reflecting on his decision, Neymar said he had given everything for his country.
“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my blood, my life. I always fought for the yellow jersey, but now I don’t want to anymore,” he said.
Neymar’s final appearance for Brazil came in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Norway. Although he converted a stoppage-time penalty, Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat, ending their hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star retires as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, having scored 80 goals to surpass the legendary Pelé’s record of 77.
Since making his senior debut in 2010, Neymar represented Brazil in four FIFA World Cups, multiple Copa América tournaments, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Olympic Games.
He played a key role in Brazil’s 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup triumph and captained the nation to its first-ever Olympic men’s football gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games.
Despite his extraordinary achievements, injuries often hampered his international career. A calf injury sustained while playing for Santos ruled him out of Brazil’s opening two matches at the 2026 World Cup.
He later returned as a substitute against Scotland in the final group-stage match before making his final international appearance against Norway, scoring the last goal of his Brazil career.
Neymar’s retirement marks the end of an era for Brazilian football, leaving behind a legacy of record-breaking achievements, unforgettable moments and unwavering commitment to the famous yellow jersey.





