Connect with us

Sports

The Tale Of Dangote And Arsenal Football Club

Published

on

 

Though his interest in football remains high, his desire to buy into the English Premiership League (EPL) side, Arsenal Football Club has subsided.

This much, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Alh Aliko Dangote, shared with Bloomberg at a recent interview in New York.

ALSO READ: CATS Ladies Win Southern Finals Of Girls Play Sports Football Tournament

According to Dangote, his priority was completing the Dangote Refinery, when the opportunity to purchase the Gunners for a ‘cheap’ $2 billion presented itself.

Dangote told Francine Lacqua, that his desire to own the North London side was in the past, though he would continue to support the highflying EPL side.

He said, “I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal.

“But you know everything has gone up and the club too is doing very well. Arsenal is doing extremely well right now. That time, Arsenal wasn’t doing well.

“I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion, so to speak and use it as a promotional something.

“But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.”

On if he regretted not buying the football club value was lower, he said, “Actually, I regret not buying it before but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (the Dangote Refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, it was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”

Recall that Dangote had in 2020 disclosed his desire to buy the North London EPL side, after his $20 billion refinery.

With the Dangote Refinery done and functioning, it does appear, though that Africa’s richest man has now rested his ambition to take over at Emirates Stadium, owing to the higher valuation of $4 billion it now attracts.

He set up the Dangote Group — the largest conglomerate in West Africa — in 1981.

Sports

Australian Tennis Champion, Max Purcell Faces Doping Suspension

Published

on

Australian doubles champion, Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting to a violation of anti-doping regulations, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday.

The 26-year-old, ranked 12th in the world for doubles, confessed to using a “prohibited method” and voluntarily entered a provisional suspension beginning December 10.

READ ALSO: Tragic Funfair Crush In Ibadan Claims Children’s Lives

The ITIA confirmed the suspension took full effect on December 12, stating, “Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.”

As a result of the suspension, the 26-year-old is banned from competing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events sanctioned by the sport’s governing bodies.

This suspension rules him out of January’s Australian Open, where he was expected to be a strong contender.

Purcell’s career highlights include winning the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title with fellow Australian Matt Ebden and this year’s US Open doubles crown alongside Jordan Thompson.

In a statement, Tennis Australia clarified that the violation concerned a prohibited method rather than a banned substance.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance.

“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it said.

The ITIA did not provide further details regarding the breach but noted that investigations are ongoing.

This case comes amid increased scrutiny over doping in tennis. Recent incidents include Polish world number two Iga Swiatek and Italian top-ranked player Jannik Sinner.

Swiatek received a one-month sanction earlier this year after testing positive for a banned heart medication, though the violation was deemed unintentional.

Meanwhile, Sinner was cleared after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol, though the World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed the decision.

Both Swiatek and Sinner are set to compete in the Australian Open, beginning January 12.

 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

CAF Awards: GTI Congratulates NFF, Lookman, Others

Published

on

 

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), GTI Group has congratulated the football ruling body on the successful achievements of Nigerian footballers at the just concluded CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco where Super Eagles dare-devil striker Ademola Lookman was crowned the African Player of the Year.

Head of Media and Publicity, GTI, Andrew Ekejiuba, in a statement in Lagos, expressed great hope that the efforts of the NFF at restructuring and repositioning football development in the country has begun yielding the desired results.

Biztellers reports that CAF awards event also witnessed the back-to-back emergence of Super Falcons goaltender, Chiamaka Nnadozie as CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while the Super Falcons carted home the Women’s National Team of the Year award.

ALSO READ: NWFL Board In Talks With StarTimes For More Visibility

Ekejiuba reiterated that the Alh Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF is gradually returning the country to the glorious years when Nigeria dominated the award and was once ranked 5th best soccer-playing nation by the world football ruling body FIFA.

“The achievements of our Nigerian players at the just concluded CAF Award is a testament to the abundance of talents in the country and the clear vision of Alh Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board to ensure that these players realise their ambition to become the best in the continent and beyond.

“Therefore, GTI congratulates the Awardees for bringing honour to Nigeria,” he said.

“As strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League, GTI’s relentless effort with the NPFL Board has helped to lay a solid foundation for a prosperous elite league that will eventually attract the best legs locally and internationally. Also, by focusing on transparency, infrastructural development and security, GTI and NPFL are creating a sustainable environment where football can thrive”.

Continue Reading

Sports

NWFL Board In Talks With StarTimes For More Visibility

Published

on

 

In a bid to ensure increased visibility for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) this coming season, the Board has reaffirmed its commitment by engaging with StarTimes, a key broadcasting partner.

This filtered out of the NWFL Annual General Assembly held in Abuja on Tuesday, which saw Chairman of the NWFL Board, Nkechi Obi, lead a high-powered delegation to meet with StarTimes management on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: NWFL Backs Edo Queens’ Historic Quest @ 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League

She said, “This partnership is a vital step in our mission to bring the excitement of the league to a wider audience and showcase the talent in women’s football.”

It was gathered that during the discussions, StarTimes’ Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Tunde Aina reiterated that, “StarTimes is committed to delivering top-quality coverage and ensuring that our viewers enjoy every moment of the women’s leagues.”

These initiatives aim to significantly boost audience engagement and elevate the NWFL’s profile both locally and internationally. The discussions covered the production and coverage of matches, highlight shows, and strategic marketing of league content across StarTimes’ diverse channels.

As a key outcome of the meeting, a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being finalized, with both parties expressing optimism about concluding arrangements in time for the Season Opener.

The anticipated partnership is expected to kick off with the high-stakes NWFL Premiership clash between defending champions Edo Queens and Abia Angels at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on January 15, 2025.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking NWFL officials, including Vice Chairperson Hajiya Hussina Suleiman and Board member, Madam Henrietta Ihiabor.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.