Sports
Mbappe Clinches France Player Of The Year Award
In a glittering ceremony held in Paris on Monday, Kylian Mbappe, the prodigious talent of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was crowned France’s player of the year.
The award, presented at the prestigious UNFP Trophies gala, marks Mbappe’s fifth consecutive triumph as the best player in Ligue 1.
At just 25 years old, Mbappe’s remarkable season saw him notch an impressive 44 goals across various competitions for PSG.
However, amidst the celebrations, Mbappe’s departure from PSG looms large.
Recall that the French captain last week, confirmed his imminent exit as his contract with the club draws to a close.
With speculation rife about his next move, all eyes are on Real Madrid as the likely destination for the football sensation.
Mbappe’s final appearance at PSG’s home ground on Sunday saw him add another goal to his tally, though it came in a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Toulouse.
Nonetheless, his season’s haul of 27 goals in Ligue 1 places him comfortably ahead of his rivals, with Lille’s Jonathan David trailing by eight goals.
With two more Ligue 1 fixtures remaining this week for PSG, in addition to the upcoming French Cup final against Lyon on May 25, Mbappe’s sensational form could further solidify his status as one of the game’s elite talents.
The award, voted for by fellow players and presented by Marie-Jose Perec, the revered French former Olympic champion, reaffirms Mbappe’s prowess on the field.
Among the contenders he surpassed were his PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele, along with Pierre Lees-Melou of Brest, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille, and Edon Zhegrova of Lille.
Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) commanding presence in French football extended beyond Kylian Mbappe’s individual accolades at the UNFP Trophies gala.
Teenage sensation Warren Zaire-Emery was heralded as the young player of the season, while Gianluigi Donnarumma’s exceptional goalkeeping skills earned him the title of the best goalkeeper.
Furthermore, Eric Roy’s remarkable coaching feat at Brest didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named coach of the year.
Roy’s leadership propelled the modest Brittany club to European qualification for the first time in their history.
With one game remaining, Brest’s assured fifth-place finish guarantees them a spot in the Europa League.
Ogun State Governor and chief host of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, Dapo Abiodun has remarked that the event will inspire more sports stars in Nigeria.
The festival which will host in May will be held at various facilities in Abeokuta and Ikenne-Remo axis.
During the flag-off of the games by President Bola Tinubu, the governor remarked that Ogun State is eager to welcome the athletes with all arrangements in place to ensure a smooth and successful tournament.
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“We worked hard to secure the hosting right, and we want to use the festival to unearth more sports stars for Nigeria.
“We want to inspire the next generation of athletes that will make the country proud at the national and international tournaments. We’re ready and hopefully, this can be the best National Sports Festival in the history of the games,” he said.
In the same vein, during the event at the Aso Villa on Tuesday, former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba lauded the governor’s interest in sports while acknowledging that the state has produced some of the country’s finest athletes including Falilat Ogunkoya and Tobi Amusan.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Akwa Ibom State.
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The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) has reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment and socioeconomic growth through a strategic partnership with The Athletics School Games (TASG)
The TASG is an annual sporting event bringing together young athletes from private schools in Lagos, Biztellers reports.
The initiative aligns with the NGX Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on community development, underscoring the Group’s belief in nurturing well-rounded future leaders through sports, discipline, and teamwork.
Held on Saturday, March 22nd, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, the event provided a dynamic platform for students to showcase their athletic talent while cultivating essential life skills such as resilience, collaboration, and leadership, qualities critical for success in today’s competitive global economy.
The involvement of NGX Group extends beyond sponsorship, reflecting a deliberate strategy to support initiatives that bridge education, leadership, and economic opportunity.
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Head, Group Communications and Partnerships at NGX Group, Clifford Akpolo, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “As a key institution in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, NGX Group understands that sustainable development begins with investing in human capital. Our support for The Athletics School Games goes beyond sports, it is about equipping young Nigerians with the discipline, teamwork, and determination needed to excel in business, finance, and entrepreneurship. This initiative is a cornerstone of our broader mission to foster a resilient economy powered by capable, well-rounded individuals.”
On his part, the event’s initiator, Seun Akinbohun, highlighted TASG’s role in unlocking opportunities for young athletes: “This initiative is designed to create pathways for athletes to excel and be discovered by scouts. There are so many opportunities for kids in TASG, and I am glad we are contributing to their development. We have expanded the event to include more participants, age categories, and flexibility. I am excited to bring the experience from the first edition into the second, with a larger technical committee and more experienced personnel.”
The event featured a wide range of track and field competitions, including sprints, relays, long-distance races, high jump and long jump. Beyond medals and trophies, the games emphasized personal growth, resilience, and the value of teamwork, qualities that extend far beyond the sporting arena into leadership and professional development.
By collaborating with organizations like TASG, NGX Group continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s future workforce. This partnership exemplifies how private sector engagement in youth development can create lasting socioeconomic impact, aligning with NGX Group’s vision of a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
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