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NDSF States’ Trials Gain Momentum

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Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa led the nine other states in organising trials for local government and federal constituencies on the first day of the trials for the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) from Tuesday, March 11.

In Yenagoa, Bayelsa State declared that it was aiming to put forward its best young athletes in a fair and competitive environment.

It turned out to be trail blazing of sorts in Eket where Akwa Ibom held the first day of trials with athletes featuring in Canoeing, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Basketball and Athletics.

It was gathered that the Commissioner for Sports Development and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Liaison Committee, Hon. Daniel Igali, who also serves on the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), met with the Bayelsa State Working Committee in his office on Wednesday.

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The meeting was to strategize towards achieving the expected goals for the festival that holds in Uyo from April 1-8.

Igali emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the competition by ensuring that all participating athletes meet the age requirement of 25 years and below. He reiterated that while winning is important, the primary focus should be on fair play, development, and showcasing young talent.

Igali met at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, with the coaches and association secretaries.

The discussions centred on establishing a structured and practical framework for conducting trials at both the Local Government Area (LGA) and Senatorial District levels.

In Eket, Hon. Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey was seen at different competion grounds supervising the trials with budding talents from the Eket Senatorial District competing for one of 316 coveted spots to represent the state at the inaugural event.

From the pitch to the tracks, mat, sand, river, pool, and courts, young athletes gave their all, showcasing their skills in various sports, including football, track and field, weightlifting, traditional wrestling, swimming, basketball, boxing, tennis, handball, canoeing, and volleyball. The organization of the trails was top-notch, conforming to the standards set by the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the festival.

The technical lead of the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee, Catherine Ekuta Ewa, expressed her excitement about the talents on display, saying, “If we can harness the talents we have seen here, Akwa Ibom will have a very bright future in sports.” She also thanked the organizers for creating an avenue for young athletes to be screened and aspire to compete at a higher level.

The trials, which were held in various locations across the Eket Senatorial District, including Eket town, Ibeno LGA, and Oron, saw a high level of competition, with many young athletes displaying exceptional skills and energy.

Nine states including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta are among the competing states. The rest are Edo, Imo, Cross River, Ondo and Rivers. The festival is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a sports intervention project to mark its 25th anniversary and also help to harness talents in the region.

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Tragedy Hits Spanish Football As Tenerife Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies At 30

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Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a second-division match.

Tenerife confirmed the player’s death on Tuesday, November 3, revealing that he died at 8:00 a.m. following complications from injuries sustained during the encounter.

The incident occurred towards the closing stages of the match, which was tied at 2-2, when Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, rushed out of his goal and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.

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The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned.

Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after the collision and was resuscitated. However, Tenerife later announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated before he eventually died.

In a statement announcing the tragedy, the club expressed profound sadness over the loss of the striker and extended its condolences to his family, friends and supporters.

“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8:00 am (7am GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said.

De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 from Castellon and had spent just over a season with the Spanish side.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across Spanish football, including former Barcelona defender and FC Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Pique.

“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote on social media.

FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several other Spanish clubs sent messages of sympathy.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation equally expressed its grief, describing the news as deeply saddening and extending its condolences following the striker’s death.

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Sanwo-Olu Pledges Full Support as Lagos Prepares to Host 2026 CAF Awards

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.

The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.

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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”

He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.

“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.

He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”

The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.

The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.

The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.

The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.

The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.

The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.

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Iheanacho Flaunts Turkish Nickname

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After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.

The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.

He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.

In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”

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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.

The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.

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