Sports

Two Athletes Withdrawn From Games

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2026

Two states that were reportedly poaching their athletes in the ongoing Niger Delta Games in Benin have had the athletes withdrawn from the games.

The Chief Executive Officer of Dunamis Icons Limited, organizers of the games, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, disclosed this yesterday in Benin while
fielding questions from members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The Dunamis Icons Limited boss harped on the need to stop age cheat in Sports competitions, saying “If we don’t stop age cheat, we would not have people on our medals table”.

He, therefore, urged all hands to be on deck to check age cheating in Sports.

Honourable Ikpokpo, while disclosing that the next edition of the Niger Delta Games would feature 21 games as against 16 games in this year’s edition, said Dunamis Icons Limited was creating a platform to nurture discovered young talents.

Ikpokpo stressed the need for the re-introduction of Schools Sports in the country to discover and develop new talents.

“We need to be deliberate, to plan for Sports. We need to invest and Sports should be taken very seriously”, he said, adding that one of the impacts of the Niger Delta Games is the development of more sporting facilities in the region.

Speaking of officiating at the Games, Ikpokpo said the judges were fair in their handling of the games.

He explained that even when medals have been won they can be withdrawn based on evidence of wrongdoing.

On challenges at the games, Hon. Ikpokpo said: “There have been no serious challenges, it’s been smooth sailing”.

He, however, disclosed that an official who was coming from Akwa Ibom to attend the games in Benin was involved in an accident in which some lives were lost.

He said the official was being taken to the mortuary when he woke up and has returned home for adequate medical attention.

Sports

Messi Opens Up On Relationship With Cristiano Ronaldo

Published

5 days ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Barcelona and Argentina legend, Lionel Messi, has opened up on his relationship and long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo following years of intense competition between the two football icons.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo faced off at the pinnacle of football for many years.

Fans watched with bated breath as “La Pulga” and CR7 consistently tried to outdo one another.

In a recent interview on Argentine television, Messi reflected on his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi and Ronaldo encountered each other more frequently as adversaries during their tenures at Barcelona and Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018.

“What transpired was a remarkable sporting rivalry,” Messi told Polloalvarezok.

“It is a natural occurrence in football. I was with Barcelona while he was with Real Madrid, and we were competing for everything, both as a team and individually, which led to constant comparisons between us.

“However, our relationship was always positive and respectful, and everything that unfolded was strictly athletic. There was nothing personal.

“We did not often meet outside matches or award ceremonies, and we maintained a cordial relationship.

“Now we find ourselves in different phases of our lives, but what transpired was indeed a remarkable sporting rivalry.”

Sports

LaLiga: Real Madrid Open Negotiations With Mourinho Amid Fights In Dressing Room

Published

5 days ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Real Madrid have established direct contact with Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, as they seek to bring the Portuguese back to the club.

President Florentino Perez is keen to appoint Mourinho ahead of next season.

Perez will however have to pay a fee to release the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss from his current contract.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X on Friday: “Real Madrid have started José Mourinho operation with direct contacts now taking place.

“Benfica want Mou to stay at all costs but aware of Real talks ongoing; it depends on Madrid.

“Up to Florentino Pérez: he will decide if Mourinho returns or not.”

This comes in a week when the tensions within the Madrid dressing room became public.

Captain Federico Valverde had to be taken to hospital after clashing with Aurelien Tchouameni in training.

Days before then, Antonio Rudiger reportedly slapped Alvaro Carreras and was forced to apologize.

It is also rumoured that certain players openly mock interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Sports

Turkey: Galatasaray Give Condition To Sell Victor Osimhen

Published

5 days ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Galatasaray board member, Bora Bahçetepe, has insisted that the club will sell their star striker Victor Osimhen if they receive an offer of 150-200 million euros.

Bahçetepe stated this on the HT Spor broadcast while fielding questions about Osimhen’s future amid reports linking the Nigerian international with a move away from Galatasaray in the summer transfer window.

Galatasaray has many players, including Osimhen, whose future is uncertain at the end of the season.

“Victor Osimhen is the best striker in Europe,” Bahçetepe said.

“We won’t sell him unless we receive an offer of 150-200 million euros,” he said.

Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Serie A side Napoli on a permanent transfer in 2025.