The Edo Sports Commission has expressed readiness to collaborate with the state chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in promoting grassroot sporting activities.

Executive Chairman of the commission, Hon. Amadin Enabulele, expressed the commission’s readiness when he received state executive members of the association in his office on Tuesday.

Enabulele, who said the “commission and Edo SWAN already enjoy a strong working relationship,” pledge to continually identify with Edo SWAN.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Applauds Team Edo Deaf Athletes For Performance At W’Africa Championship

The sports commission boss, while approaching Edo SWAN members for their contribution to sports reportage and development stressed that sports journalism plays a pivotal role in projecting the achievements of athletes, coaches, and administrators alike.

“The State Chairman of SWAN also works directly with us at the Commission, this means our partnership is already well-established. I pledge to continually identify with Edo SWAN, to support their initiatives, and to consolidate on our existing collaboration.

“As far as sports development in Edo is concerned, we are in it together,” he said.

READ ALSO:‘She Has Placed Edo On Global E-Sports Map’ – Enabulele Celebrates Bezi On New GWR Feat

Earlier, in speech, Chairman, SWAN, Edo State, Comrade Kehinde
Osagiede, said, “We are proud of your achievements, particularly your policy against the poaching of athletes and your commitment to grassroots development, which is already yielding positive results for Edo State.”

On the courtesy visit were Idahosa Moses, Secretary General; Nosa Igunma, Treasurer; Joseph Kanjo, Financial Secretary; Ayoola Adeleke, Assistant Secretary; Dr. Salihu Ibrahim Ex-Officio.

European Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will play their first-ever Intercontinental Cup final in Doha, Qatar, on December 17, FIFA announced on Sunday.

Their opponents will only be determined four days earlier in the final playoff, called the Challenger Cup.

This will pit Egyptian club Pyramids, the African champions, against the winner of the match between Central American champions Cruz Azul from Mexico and the future winner of the Copa Libertadores.

READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: PSG Win Best Team Of The Year

The South American tournament is currently in the semi-final stage and includes two Brazilian sides.

Palmeiras are up against LDU Quito of Ecuador, while Flamengo take on the Argentinian side Racing.

The Copa Libertadores final takes place on November 29.

READ ALSO:Ligue 1: PSG Captain Marquinhos Out With Thigh Injury

From 1960 to 2004, the Intercontinental Cup pitted the champions of Europe and South America against each other.

In 2005, it was renamed the Club World Cup to include other continental champions, but that competition was relaunched this year as a quadrennial tournament featuring 32 teams, with Chelsea as the inaugural winners of the new format.

The Intercontinental Cup was relaunched in its new form last year when Real Madrid beat Mexican club Pachuca.

AFP

Lamine Yamal returned from injury to help Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday and move to the top of La Liga by one point.

After Real Madrid were thrashed 5-2 by rivals Atletico Madrid in a derby on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side had the chance to claim pole position above Xabi Alonso’s side.

Alvaro Odriozola gave Real Sociedad the lead against the run of play in the first half, but Jules Kounde headed the Spanish champions level.

Yamal, who missed the last four games with a groin injury, created the winner for Robert Lewandowski just moments after coming on as a second-half substitute.

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Barcelona held the game at the Olympic Stadium, where they have played for the last two seasons, after the city council refused them a permit to reopen their Camp Nou home earlier in the week.

Flick handed 17-year-old attacking midfielder Dro Fernandez his debut, also starting Roony Bardghji on the right wing and bringing in veteran Wojciech Szczesny for injured goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

Barcelona dominated the ball in the first half but found it hard to beat Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

The Spain international made a fine save to deny Marcus Rashford in the early stages.

READ ALSO:LaLiga: Mourinho Speaks On Replacing Ancelotti At Real Madrid

On loan from Manchester United, Rashford is finding his footing at Barca and played a superb through ball for Robert Lewandowski, who fired across the face of goal from a tight angle.

Real Sociedad hit Barca with a sharp counter-attack to open the scoring after 31 minutes.

Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola applied the finishing touch to Ander Barrenetxea’s cross.

Barcelona stepped up a gear and found Remiro in their way again, with the goalkeeper superbly palming away a Kounde cross which was deflected towards his goal.

Remiro also tipped a Bardghji effort away for a corner, which led to Barcelona’s equaliser.

READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal Snatch Late 2-1 Win Against Newcastle

Rashford, who provided an assist from a corner against Real Oviedo in midweek, whipped it to the near post, where Kounde powered home a header.

Yamal’s return

Flick replaced Dro with Dani Olmo at half-time and also brought on Yamal before the hour mark, after the teenager recovered from his groin issue.

Voted second best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or gala on Monday, Yamal made an instant impact.

The 18-year-old burst into the box and crossed for Lewandowski to head home off the post, just over a minute after his introduction.

READ ALSO:LaLiga: Real Madrid Miss Chance To Go Top After Villarreal Defeat

Szczesny made a good save from Oyarzabal as La Real gave Barcelona a couple of scares, while Remiro denied Rashford and Olmo with two more good saves.

The game grew increasingly chaotic, and both sides hit the crossbar in quick succession.

Kounde, daydreaming in midfield, was robbed and Real Sociedad worked the ball to Takefusa Kubo, who crashed a shot against the woodwork.

Then Barcelona broke away and Ferran Torres teed up Lewandowski, who battered the crossbar when well placed to put the game to bed, but the hosts were not punished.

Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, also at the Olympic Stadium.

AFP