Sports
Jude Bellingham Crowned Bundesliga Player Of The Year
Jude Bellingham, the talented teenage midfielder of Dortmund, has been named the Bundesliga player of the season.
This accolade comes just two days after the disappointment of witnessing his team lose the German title in their final match against their top rival, Bayern Munich.
Despite trailing behind, Dortmund managed to secure a point by playing a 2-2 draw against Mainz.
The 19-year-old English international received the highest number of votes in a ‘Team of the Season’ poll. However, he was unable to participate in the last match of the season due to a late knee injury.
Throughout the season, Bellingham featured in 31 out of 34 games, starting in 30 of them. He accumulated a remarkable total of 2,693 league minutes, more than any other player in the club, and showcased his skills by scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
He was quoted as saying on the Bundesliga site “Every year or half year that I’ve played at the club, my responsibility in the team has increased.
“I came to the club as a talented lad, but I have added elements to my game that have taken it to the next level.”
“I have to continue to be everywhere on the pitch and try my best to contribute going forwards and backwards and try and control games, try to dominate the midfield.
“I want my teammates to see that I’m always doing everything I can to make sure we win. If we lose a game, I’m the worst person.”
Jude Bellingham, who joined Dortmund at the age of 17 from Birmingham City in the English Championship for a transfer fee of 29 million euros ($32 million), played a prominent role in England’s midfield during the previous year’s World Cup.
There have been strong speculations linking Bellingham with a potential move to Real Madrid or Manchester City in the upcoming summer transfer window.
In October, when Bellingham led his team out onto the field in Cologne, he became the youngest captain in a match since the Bundesliga began keeping records in 1995.
His coach, Edin Terzic, affectionately referred to Bellingham as “the oldest 19-year-old in the world,” acknowledging the maturity and skill that the young midfielder possesses.
Based on Bundesliga statistics, throughout the season, Bellingham displayed exceptional work rate and determination.
He covered a total distance of 322 kilometers, surpassing all his teammates, and emerged as the league leader in winning 482 duels.
Bellingham’s outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, as he was one of the four Dortmund players to be included in the team of the season which was made through a vote that involved fans, clubs, and experts.
The Bundesliga team of the season has been announced, featuring the standout performers from the league. The selected players are:
Goalkeeper:
Gregor Kobel – Borussia Dortmund
Defenders:
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen
Matthijs de Ligt – Bayern Munich Nico
Schlotterbeck – Borussia Dortmund Alphonso
Davies – Bayern Munich
Midfielders:
Julian Brandt – Borussia Dortmund
Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
Forwards:
Moussa Diaby – Bayer Leverkusen
Randal Kolo Muani – Eintracht Frankfurt
Niclas Fuellkrug – Werder Bremen
Sports
Obi’s Inspiring Christmas Message Of Hope For Women’s Football
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Nkechi Obi, has delivered an inspiring Christmas message, celebrating the board’s achievements in 2024 while expressing hope and determination for the future of women’s football in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the milestones of the past year, Obi extended heartfelt gratitude to players, coaches, fans, and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to the league’s growth and success.
The experienced sports administrator described 2024 as a year of breaking barriers, strengthening structures, and laying the groundwork for even greater accomplishments.
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“As we celebrate Christmas and reflect on another remarkable year, I want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has been part of the NWFL’s journey,” Obi said.
“To our players, your passion, talent, and resilience are the heart of this league, inspiring us to aim higher. To the coaches, officials, sponsors, and supporters, your commitment to advancing women’s football in Nigeria has been invaluable.”
Obi emphasized the values of love, unity, and hope that Christmas embodies, drawing parallels to the collaborative spirit driving the league forward. She encouraged stakeholders to celebrate the progress made and remain optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
“The 2024/2025 season promises to be one of growth, excitement, and greater inclusivity,” she added.
“Together, we will continue to push boundaries and ensure women’s football reaches its full potential in Nigeria. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May the season bring peace, love, and renewed inspiration for us all.”
Her message not only celebrates the successes of the past year but also sets a tone of optimism and collaboration for 2025, reaffirming the NWFL board’s commitment to excellence and progress.
Sports
Australian Tennis Champion, Max Purcell Faces Doping Suspension
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.
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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.
Sports
CAF Awards: GTI Congratulates NFF, Lookman, Others
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.
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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”.