Sports

ETHIOPIAN NATIONALS WIN $60,000 FIRST PRIZE IN LAGOS CITY MARATHON, AS SANWO-OLU RACES WITH ATHLETES

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2022

Sahara Weekly

ARE MUSLIMS SHORTCHANGED IN SANWO-OLU’S CABINET LIST?

ETHIOPIAN NATIONALS WIN $60,000 FIRST PRIZE IN LAGOS CITY MARATHON, AS SANWO-OLU RACES WITH ATHLETES

…‘Getting Contest From Elite To Platinum Level By 2024 Our Top Priority’ – Governor

…Dr. Hamzat, Sports Minister, Edo Deputy Governor Take Part In Marathon

At exactly 8:03am on Saturday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu crossed the finish line of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, ceremonially becoming the first athlete to breast the final ribbon.

Ethiopia’s runner, Ulfata Deresa, finished the 42-kilometre-long race 11 minutes after the Governor’s arrival and became the winner of the marathon’s 7th edition in the male category. He set a new finish time record of 2:11:58 and clinched $30,000 cash prize.

Sanwo-Olu took off from the State House in Marina, jogging through highways to Eko Atlantic City; he covered 8km distance in 40 minutes.

The Governor teamed up with his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Minister for Sport and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, Lagos Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Shola Aiyepeku, and LSSC Director-General, Gafaar Bolowotan, among other top functionaries, to participate in the symbolic flag-off.

The marathon is an elite-labeled athletic fiesta held in second weekend in February of every year in Lagos and draws participation from local and international teams in the athletic ecosystem. It kicked off at 6am.

Sanwo-Olu said the event had consistently placed Lagos on the global radar, noting that the sporting fiesta had become a yearly ritual for athletes.

The Governor said the marathon embodied the spirit of Lagos, which teaches endurance, perseverance and resilience while toiling through physical strength.

He said: “One of the objectives of this event is to put Lagos on a global platform in the area of sport. Every year, new records are broken and the marathon gets bigger and better. As a Government, we are fully committed to sustaining this noble initiative and leading from the front to ensure that all participants, especially, our youths, get the best from this event.

“I acknowledge the great work which Access Bank and all other sponsors have put in to make this edition a success. The goal of the marathon is to use sport as a tool to promote physical fitness, togetherness, resilience and every virtue that can make human beings progress and live fulfilling life. This is the strongest rallying point for our youths and next edition would be better than what we have had this year.”

Sanwo-Olu pledged his Government would be relentless in raising the status of the marathon to a platinum-labeled event to attract more participants beyond Africa.

This, the Governor said, would open up the State’s economy for more foreign investment and boost tourism revenue for operators in the sector.

Sanwo-Olu said the decision of Kenyan Airways, a global aviation brand, to be part of the sponsors of the event this year indicated that the marathon would bring more tourism opportunities for Lagos if attained platinum level.

“We target the next two years to get this marathon to the platinum level, which means the event would be fully globalised. When this is achieved, every second weekend in February becomes calendarised for this marathon and Lagos would become a place to be and a destination for all sport enthusiasts,” the Governor said.

Presenting the prizes to the winners, Sanwo-Olu encouraged participants from Nigeria to brace themselves for first prizes in the next year’s edition.

Two Kenyans, David Barmasai and Naibe Emmanuel, finished as first and second runners-up in the male category, at 2:13:27 and 2:14:42 respectively. They got a cash prize of $20,000 and $15,000.

In the female category, Ethiopian marathoner, Dagne Siranesh Yirga, won the race at 2:33:50. She received $30,000 cash prize.

Alemenesh Herehaguta and Naomi Maiyo, both Kenyans, won $20,000 and $15,000 as first and second runners-up in the female category.

Sports

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Published

2 days ago

December 22, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury Again, Solidifies Legacy Among Boxing Greats

Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight championship titles and cemented his place in boxing history with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their rematch on Saturday night.

The judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor across the board, marking his second consecutive win over Fury. This victory extended Usyk’s flawless professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to a career already highlighted by Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.

A Masterclass Performance

Usyk, 37, showcased his signature precision and relentless pace, repeatedly catching Fury with clean left hooks and dominating the latter stages of the fight. Fury, at 6ft 9in (206cm) and weighing a career-high 281 pounds, attempted to impose his physicality but was unable to break Usyk’s composure.

The fight, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Usyk wearing traditional Cossack attire during his entrance, while Fury entered the arena dressed in a festive Santa-inspired robe to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

The early rounds were competitive, with Fury landing powerful jabs and body shots. However, Usyk’s endurance and tactical brilliance began to shine in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian landed sharp combinations and dictated the tempo, including a stunning uppercut in the final round that left little doubt about the outcome.

“I thought I’ve won both fights,” Fury said post-match, sporting a bruised right eye. “But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”

A Legacy Sealed

Usyk’s victory solidified his standing as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Already the first undisputed heavyweight of the four-belt era, Usyk joins the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson.

The bout, reported to have a prize purse of $190 million, also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Usyk, who served briefly as a soldier during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, celebrated his victory by hoisting a symbolic sabre belonging to Ukrainian nationalist hero Ivan Mazepa.

Fury’s Uncertain Future

The defeat leaves Fury’s future in doubt. Once unbeaten across 35 fights, Fury now stands at 34-2-1. His attempt to reclaim glory after a brief retirement in 2022 has been marred by back-to-back losses to Usyk.

Usyk, on the other hand, continues to add to his already remarkable resume, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his technical skill, resilience, and determination. As the heavyweight division looks ahead, Usyk’s reign appears unshakable, and his place among boxing’s all-time greats is firmly secured.

Sports

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Published

5 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Lille Netted Just €7M from Osimhen’s €70M Napoli Move, Club President Reveals”

Lille’s financial gain from Victor Osimhen’s high-profile 2020 transfer to Napoli was far less than expected, with the French club earning only €7 million despite the deal being valued at over €70 million. The shocking revelation was made by Lille’s President, Olivier Letang, who explained that the €7 million figure was the net result after factoring in the purchase price of Osimhen, four Napoli players who never played for Lille, and various intermediary fees and commissions.

“The net amount, after accounting for the player’s purchase, four players valued at €20 million who never featured for us, as well as intermediaries and commissions, was around €7 million,” Letang told L’Equipe TV.

This disclosure comes amid ongoing investigations by both Italian and French authorities into the circumstances surrounding the transfer, though Napoli has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Napoli’s legal team highlighted the club’s clean record, with lawyer Mattia Grassani emphasizing that the club had been acquitted after facing scrutiny from multiple judicial levels.

Letang, who took over as Lille’s President months after Osimhen’s departure, has now shed light on the intricate financial details behind the deal that saw Osimhen move to Italy. The striker’s move to Napoli would become a pivotal moment in his career, propelling him to stardom and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Born in the tough environment of Lagos’ Olusosun community, Osimhen’s rise to prominence began at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 10 goals. After stints at Wolfsburg in Germany and Charleroi in Belgium, Osimhen’s impressive performances at Lille led to his transfer to Napoli, where he went on to score 76 goals in 133 appearances. In 2023, he helped Napoli end their long wait for the Serie A title, earning the Serie A Golden Boot and breaking records, including becoming the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

Currently on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, Osimhen has continued his impressive form, with 10 goals and five assists in just 14 appearances. Though contracted to Napoli until 2026, his future remains uncertain, as his contract includes clauses that could facilitate a permanent departure either in January or the summer. The details of his transfer and the shifting dynamics between player and club add another layer to the complex and ongoing saga of Osimhen’s career.

Sports

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Published

5 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Controversy in Morocco as Lookman Beats Hakimi to African Player of the Year Award

Moroccan football enthusiasts have expressed disappointment following Atlas Lions captain Achraf Hakimi’s loss in the race for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award.

Atalanta’s Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman clinched the prestigious title during the CAF Awards ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday evening. Lookman’s achievement sees him succeed compatriot Victor Osimhen, marking consecutive wins for Nigeria in the category.

Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 made a compelling case for his selection. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s historic Europa League triumph, notably scoring a remarkable hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the final—the Italian club’s first-ever European title. Additionally, the 27-year-old was instrumental in Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, contributing three goals and an assist, and earning a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.

Speculation leading up to the awards had suggested that Hakimi was the favorite for the accolade, given his outstanding contributions to both the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain throughout the year. Reports from Moroccan and French media fueled expectations of a Hakimi win, only for Lookman to be announced as the victor.

The decision has drawn criticism from Moroccan football analysts and fans. Tawfiq Al-Sanhaji, a prominent sports commentator, told 365scores: “It is a great regret for all Moroccan fans, and for all those who follow football in Morocco, because Achraf Hakimi presented distinguished levels throughout the year with the Moroccan national team and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Another sports analyst, Abdel Salam Kourahi, suggested potential internal politics within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) might have influenced the outcome. He remarked, “Perhaps there were understandings, calculations, and divisions within CAF that tipped the scales in favor of the Nigerian over the Moroccan international at the last minute.”

Some fans also pointed to past decisions by CAF, noting that Yassine Bounou, a key player in Sevilla’s Europa League victories in 2020 and 2023, was similarly overlooked for the award.

Lookman’s victory represents a milestone for Nigerian football. It is the first time in three decades that the nation has produced back-to-back winners of the African Player of the Year award, harking back to the consecutive victories of Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

While Lookman’s achievements are undeniably remarkable, the debate over the decision underscores the intense passion and pride that the African Player of the Year award evokes across the continent.