By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

World Athletics has announced that potential hosts for three World Athletics Series events including the new World Athletics Road Running Championships, should register their interest by March 1.

The world athletics governing body, in a statement on its website, said the Championships would become part of the prestigious World Athletics Series in 2023.

It added that the event would be a week-long festival of road-running, encompassing the existing World Athletics Half-Marathon Championships, and the inaugural edition would also feature championship races over 5km.

“There will also be mass races to allow recreational runners to be part of the event,” the statement read.

It further said the Bid guides for the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships, the 2023 World Athletics Relays and the 2025 World Athletics Championship were now available to download.

“The Bid documents contain pages of useful information for prospective host cities of World Athletics Series events, outlining the benefits for hosts, the social and environmental impact and the revenue potential.

“Bidding requirements, processes and timelines are also included in each Bid guide.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Athletics Relays is a hugely popular event, featuring a range of men’s, women’s and mixed relay disciplines.

The highest-placed teams in the 4x100m and 4x400m finals earn qualification for the World Championships later that year.

The World Athletics Championships, meanwhile, is the jewel in the crown of World Athletics’ global competition programme.

It is the third largest sports event in the world, involving approximately 2,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing for 49 gold medals. (NAN)

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Rolland Ezuruike, a Powerlifter, and Paralympics Gold Medalist, has expressed doubt over  setting  new records in the forthcoming Tokyo “2020” Paralympics Games scheduled to hold from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, 2021.

Ezuruike had set a new Paralympics record in the men’s – 54kg category after lifting 200kg at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 44-year-old,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that his doubt stemmed from his low level of preparation for the Games as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Preparations for me has been very low due to COVID-19. Tournaments that I should have participated in toward preparation for Tokyo has been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19.

“Since the lockdown in 2020, most of my trainings have been at home. I engaged in morning and evening  exercises to keep fit.

“All these challenges may affect my ambition of breaking my record and setting another one at Tokyo. I am not certain about setting a record but I will give it my all,” Ezuruike said.

The Paralympian, however, lauded the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as well as the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation, for organising a three weeks closed camp for the team in November, in Lagos.

“The camp really helped us train well. I am hoping that the National Sports Festival holds soon enough, so that we can also use that as a preparatory ground for the Olympics,” he added. (NAN)

Following the conclusion of the first-round, second-leg matches in the 2020/21 CAF Champions league on 5 and 6 January, 2021, the following teams are through to the Group stage of the competition.

First-named teams hosted the second leg and the first-leg results are in brackets, with the qualifiers named.

1. Wydad Casablanca, Morocco 3-0 Stade Malien, Mali (0-1) – Wydad Casablanca qualified on 3-1 goal aggregate.

2. Raja Casablanca, Morocco 0-0 Teungueth, Senegal (0-0) – Teungueth through on 3-1 penalties.

3. Horoya, Guinea 1-0 RC Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (1-1) – Horoya qualify on 2-1 aggregate.

4. Al Ahly, Egypt 4-0 AS SONIDEP, Niger (1-0) – Al Ahly through on 5-0 aggregate.

5. Espérance de Tunis,Tunisia 3-2 Al Ahly Benghazi, Libya (0-0) – Espérance through on 3-2 aggregate.

6. TP Mazembe, DR Congo 2-1 AS Bouenguidi, Gabon (2-1) – Mazembe qualify on 4-2 aggregate.

7. Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa 3-1 Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana (2-0) – Sundowns through on 5-1 aggregate.

8. AS Vita Club, DR Congo 4-1 Young Buffaloes, Eswatini (2-2) – AS Vita qualify on 6-3 aggregate.

9. 1º de Agosto, Angola 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa (0-0) – Kaizer Chiefs through on 1-0 aggregate.

10 Enyimba, Nigeria 2-1 Al Merrikh, Sudan (0-3) – Al Merrikh qualify on 4-2 aggregate.

11 Al Hilal, Sudan walked over Asante Kotoko, Ghana (1-0) – Al Hilal through on walkover after winning the first leg 1-0.

12 CS Sfaxien, Tunisia 1-0 MC Alger, Algeria (0-2) – MC Alger through on 2-1 aggregate.

13 Petro de Luanda, Angola 1-0 Nkana, Zambia (1-1) – Petro through on 2-1 aggregate.

14 Simba, Tanzania 4-0 FC Platinum, Zimbabwe (0-1) – Simba through on 4-1 aggregate.

15 Gor Mahia, Kenya 1-2 CR Belouizdad, Algeria (0-6) – Belouizdad through on 8-1 aggregate.

16 Note – Gazelle failed to appear for the first leg in Cairo against Zamalek following disputes between the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the country and the Chadian Football Federation, which prevented players and officials from traveling to Egypt.

As a result, Gazelle were disqualified from the competition by CAF, and Zamalek won on walkover.

According to CAF, the 16 winners advance to the group stage while the 16 losers enter the Confederation Cup play-off round. (PANA/NAN)

By Nicholas Obisike

The Enugu State Government has congratulated iconic former Nigerian international football player and national coach, Christian Chukwu, on his attainment of 70 years.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Information Commissioner Nnanyelugo Aroh said that the government and the people of the state were “indeed very proud of the immeasurable contributions of their great son to the development of the game of football both nationally and internationally’’.

“We recall with great delight the numerous contributions of Christian Chukwu to the game of football, including leading the Nigerian national team, The Green Eagles, as Captain to win their first ever African Nations Cup in 1980,’’ he said.

The commissioner noted that Chukwu also had an outstanding career as coach of various national teams, including Nigeria, Kenya and Lebanon.

He stated that Chukwu’s performance at various times as player, coach and manager of Rangers FC was “unparalleled“.

“As we join his family, friends and the entire football family worldwide in celebrating this football icon, we beseech the Almighty God to grant him good health of mind and body,” Aroh said. (NAN)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday that upcoming exhibitions of the Tokyo Olympics torch around the Japanese capital have been postponed “to reduce the flow of people and the further spread of COVID-19.”

The torch had been on display in certain municipalities at the end of last year and the exhibitions were due to restart on Thursday but as a state of emergency for Tokyo and three neighbouring prefectures will begin on Friday, the government chose to postpone all displays until the end of the month. (Reuters/NAN)

Manchester City reached their fourth straight League Cup final after a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Wednesday’s semi-final at Old Trafford.

Two second half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho gave Pep Guardiola’s side victory in the match.

Manchester City will now meet Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the April 25 final as they seek their fourth League Cup triumph in a row.

In a frantic opening to the game, both teams had efforts ruled out for offside.

Stones turned the ball into his own net but he was saved by the flag.

Also, Ilkay Gundogan converted a low ball in from Phil Foden but, again, the attempt was rightly ruled out.

Kevin De Bruyne struck the post with a thundering drive from outside the penalty box.

Later on, Foden also put the ball in the net for Manchester City but the visitors were foiled by offside once again.

It was an open and entertaining game, with Manchester City looking sharper.

But Manchester United were competitive as they sought revenge for last year’s defeat by their neighbours at the same stage of the competition.

Manchester City then went ahead five minutes after the break when Foden whipped in a free-kick from the left through a crowded box.

Defender Stones bundled a cross home at the back post, the ball going in off his thigh.

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced a brilliant save to tip over a strike from Riyad Mahrez, after the Algerian had burst forward from the halfway line.

Fernandinho made sure of the win seven minutes from time with a stunning volley as he pounced on a headed clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Manchester United have now lost at the semi-final stage in their last four Cup campaigns, leaving manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still searching for his first final since taking over at the club.

Olympique de Marseille have offered to make their Stade Velodrome ground available to French health authorities for COVID-19 vaccinations.

“The club is offering to provide the Regional Health Authority with facilities within the Orange Velodrome to facilitate the organisation of the vaccination campaign,” the Ligue 1 club said on Wednesday in a statement.

France accelerated vaccinations of medical staff in hospitals on Monday after a slow start to inoculations in one of the most vaccine-sceptical countries in the world.

Health officials delivered just 516 COVID-19 shots during the first week of a campaign that focused on nursing home residents. (Reuters/NAN)

Manchester City reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson, midfielder Cole Palmer and a member of staff have tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The result came in hours before their League Cup semi-final at Manchester United.

The trio join a growing list of individuals who have contracted the disease at the club.

Manchester City missed six players due to positive tests in their 3-1 league victory against Chelsea last weekend.

The club said in a statement that they would observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with league and UK Government protocols on quarantine.

Manchester City’s game at Everton last week was also postponed due to several positive cases in their camp.

The Manchester club have joined Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Fulham among those who have suffered virus outbreaks.

The Premier League returned 40 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest in a week this season, after two rounds of testing last week. (Reuters/NAN)

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), on Tuesday, felicitated with former Super Eagles Coach and Captain, Christian Chukwu, on his 70th birthday.

Ebere Amaraizu, Director in-charge of South-East of the NLO, in an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, said Chukwu has played significant roles in the lives of youths especially sportsmen and women in Nigeria.

”We are joining millions of soccer loving personalities, administrators, fans, coaches and veteran players to felicitate with Christain Chukwu who marked his 70th birthday on Jan. 4,” he said.

Amaraizu, who is also the National Coordinator of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), said Chukwu over the years also displayed high level of patriotism to his fatherland.

“Chukwu, popularly known as Chairman, has contributed immensely in the placement of Nigeria name in the annals of history in sports especially football.

“He is been a role model to upcoming sports stars to discover their potentials devoid of involvement in cultism and other vices as well as to upcoming football coaches,’’ he said.

Amaraizu revealed that Chukwu, in his usual characteristic, was among professionals that offered great technical assistance to the Crime Busters FC, Enugu under Enugu State Police Command.

“We join millions of lovers of the round leather game in Enugu, Rangers International his traditional club-side and his family to wish him a very happy birthday and continual good health of mind and body,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Chukwu, MFR, was born in Obe in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State on Jan. 4, 1951.

As a player, he became the captain of Enugu Rangers football club and the Nigeria National Team in the late 1970s.

He was the first Nigerian captain to lift the African Nations Cup trophy after a 3–0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 1980 tournament.

Chukwu started his coaching career in Lebanon in the mid-1990s, before being appointed coach of the Kenya national team in 1998.

Later, from 2003 to 2005, he coached Nigeria, leading them to reach semifinals at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. (NAN)

Elite Sports will be allowed to continue in England in spite of Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing a new national COVID-19 lockdown on Monday.

The new lockdown was due to surging infections in the country caused by a more contagious variant of the novel coronavirus.

The United Kingdom has had more than 2.65 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and recorded over 75,000 deaths.

A record 58,784 new cases of the coronavirus were reported on Monday.

England have followed neighbours Scotland in implementing a stringent lockdown with stay-at-home instructions but allowing professional sports to continue.

Outdoor sports venues including outdoor gyms, tennis courts and golf courses will close and outside team sports will not be permitted but elite sports, including Premier League football, will continue.

In football, the League Cup semi-finals are set to be played on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by FA Cup third round action which begins on Friday.

The Premier League also has a fixture crunch to contend with after four matches were postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks at Newcastle United, Manchester City and Fulham.

The outbreaks at Newcastle United and Manchester City led to the clubs closing their training centre for a deep clean before the players could return.

The Premier League recorded a season-high 18 positive cases in a week last month and a total of 131 individuals in the English top flight have tested positive in 17 rounds of testing.

The situation is worse in the lower tiers of the football pyramid.

English Football League (EFL) clubs’ players and staff are not tested as regularly and a number of outbreaks led to more than 50 matches being called off this season.

Premiership rugby is also set to continue in spite of a number of games being called off due to outbreaks.

However, unlike the Premier League, cancelled Premiership rugby matches will not be replayed, with four points allocated to the team who were able to play the game and two points to the other club. (Reuters/NAN)