Sports

Two Athletes Withdrawn From Games

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2026

Editor

Two states that were reportedly poaching their athletes in the ongoing Niger Delta Games in Benin have had the athletes withdrawn from the games.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He explained that even when medals have been won they can be withdrawn based on evidence of wrongdoing.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

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.