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Nigeria seeks to host 2030 Commonwealth Games

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Nigeria has formally expressed interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Abuja.

The Nigerian Olympic Committee, NOC, made the announcement following an executive committee meeting held on 3 April in Abuja.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the bid can only move forward if it secures the official backing of the Federal Government.

 

In a statement issued on Monday by NOC’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya, the committee stressed that hosting the Commonwealth Games would offer a strategic platform for Nigeria to exhibit its strides in national development, improve its international profile, and deepen the culture of sports across the nation.

Nezianya described the bid as a unique opportunity to reflect Nigeria’s growth, elevate its standing among the community of nations, and inspire a new generation of athletes.

Nigeria last hosted a major multi-sport event in 2003, when the 8th All-Africa Games (COJA 2003) took place in Abuja. NOC noted that the success of that event demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to organise large-scale international competitions and laid a strong foundation for future hosting ambitions.

A successful bid for the 2030 Games is expected to catalyse major investment in sports infrastructure, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.

NOC further stated that such infrastructural development would not only revitalise the nation’s sports economy but also provide lasting facilities for future generations.

Beyond infrastructure, the hosting of the Commonwealth Games would offer substantial economic and social benefits. The anticipated influx of international visitors would invigorate local businesses and the hospitality industry.

Meanwhile, the planning and execution of the event would generate employment and foster the acquisition of valuable technical and organisational skills.

According to the committee, the bid also seeks to present Nigeria as a nation that values athletic excellence, inclusiveness, peace, and cultural richness.

The next edition of the Commonwealth Games is set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 17 to 29 March 2026. Glasgow previously hosted the Games in 2014, the same year Nigeria submitted a bid but ultimately lost to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Africa is also poised to make history by hosting the Youth Olympic Games for the first time, with Dakar, Senegal, scheduled to welcome young athletes from 31 October to 13 November 2026.

Other significant forthcoming events include the Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina in February 2027, the African Beach Games in Equatorial Guinea later that year, the 14th African Games in Egypt from January to February 2027, and the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in July 2028.

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Transfer: €40m paid as Galatasaray, Napoli finalise Osimhen’s deal

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Galatasaray have paid Napoli an initial €40m for Victor Osimhen’s permanent transfer.

According to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Galatasaray and Napoli are now finalising details of Osimhen’s deal.

The Turkish champions will also pay the Serie A champions a €35m in one year for the second part of the payment for the 26-year-old’s transfer.

Romano added that Napoli also set a penalty clause for Galatasaray to avoid selling Osimhen to any Italian club in the next two years.

However, final details to get Osimhen’s deal done and the sell-on clause are yet to be agreed at the moment.

Osimhen spent the whole last season on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli and he has already made it clear he wants to continue at the Turkish giants.

The Nigeria striker rejected huge money offers from Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal to continue at Galatasaray.

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Transfer: Osimhen has arrived, Galatasaray reach agreement with two more players

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A sports commentator, Zeki Uzundurukan has insisted that Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has arrived at Galatasaray.

Uzundurukan, who said this while commenting on Galatasaray’s transfer agenda, said that the Turkish champions have also reached an agreement with two more players after securing Osimhen’s permanent transfer deal from Napoli.

“Victor Osimhen had always planned to stay at Galatasaray from the beginning to the end, and the thought of going to Saudi Arabia had never crossed his mind,” Uzundurukan said (via habersarikirmizi).

“President Dursun Özbek managed the process very well. If it had been another Turkish team with €150 million in its coffers, they might not have been able to make this transfer.

“There were those who tried to sabotage Victor Osimhen’s transfer, and there were those who intervened. This transfer happened thanks to Osimhen’s upright stance.

“Osimhen has arrived. Galatasaray has reached an agreement with two more players. One of them is a goalkeeper… They will announce them as well,” he said.

This is coming after Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu insisted that no one can mock the club regarding Osimhen’s permanent transfer.

According to Kavukcu, Osimhen wants to join Galatasaray badly to the extend that the 26-year-old attacker rejected incredible offers from other clubs.

Galatasaray and Napoli had already reached an agreement on bank guarantees and payment plans regarding Osimhen’s transfer.

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WAFCON 2024: We respect Super Falcons, not scared – Zambia captain, Banda

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Ahead of their quarter-final meeting at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia captain, Barbara Banda says they have no fear for the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Ekwutosblog reports.

The Copper Queens are seeking a second consecutive appearance in the semi-final of the competition.

Nora Hauptle’s side went home with the bronze three years ago, edging past Nigeria 1-0 in the third-place match.

The Super Falcons waltzed through Group B without conceding, though yet to hit expected heights.

They still remain a strong force, and have some of the best players on the continent.

Banda, who is the current African Footballer of the Year, declared that they respect the Super Falcons but have no fear for Justine Madugu’s team.

“We are not scared, but we respect them because we know the game is 90-plus, so we are going to speak on the pitch. We want to hunt it,” she told a press conference in Casablanca.

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