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Tinubu declares 8th National Youth Games open in Asaba

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The 8th National Youth Games was officially declared open by President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, said that the NYG has become a vision of hope for the nation’s sports.

“There is no better time than now to stage this National Youth Games after our participation at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Though our athletes did better at the Paralympics, there is an urgent need to re-strategise for Nigeria’s sports to return to winning ways. One of the reasons our sports is on the decline is age falsification. We need to get it right at this level.

“My administration is dedicated to repositioning sports for a better tomorrow. When I came here for the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of the National Youth Games last year, I was barely two weeks old in office. I can proudly say that there is a drastic improvement in the opening ceremony this year.”

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Tinubu urged all Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the sports industry, to join hands with the Sports Ministry in its desire to change the face of the nation’s sports.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Governor Oborevwori said the aim of hosting the National Youth Games is to discover young athletes to replace aging ones, adding that Delta being the home of sports in Nigeria would continue to lead the way.

Oborevwori said: “Nigeria’s performance at major international sporting events is on the decline. It may not be the problem of the sports minister. We need to tackle the issue together. I expect old records to be broken and new ones set in this year’s National Youth Games. Delta is proud to partner with the Federal Ministry of Sports in hosting this Games to reposition our sports.

“There is a good result from hosting these games because, you can see this last Olympics in Paris, our daughter, Favour Ofili did very well even though she did not win a medal. She is a product of these games.

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“So, in this year’s games, we are looking for a talent better than Ofili. I assure our people that this year will be better than last year.”

He urged all the athletes to compete fairly saying: “You are on your way to winning medals for Nigeria at the Olympic Games.”

Oborevwori also urged the sports ministry to as a matter of urgency reverse the age limit of participation in the National Youth Games to its original U-17 from the present U-15 so that athletes discovered can easily form the bedrock of the National U-20 teams.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, said all that is needed to make Nigerian youths happy throughout the Games have been put in place.

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He thanked the governor for giving the LOC and Delta Sports Commission the moral and financial support to host the Games.

Meanwhile, the rush for medals begins this morning as cyclists from the various states hit the road.

Over 6,000 athletes and 1000 officials are taking part in the Games.

Meanwhile, athletes and officials at the Stephen Keshi Stadium observed a one-minute silence for an official said to have died on his way to the Games.

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Although the identity of the official or his function at the Games was not revealed as at press time, he was said to be leading a team to Asaba when he died on the way to the Delta State capital.

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Mo Salah takes over from Osimhen as the highest paid player in Turkish league

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Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah has reportedly become the highest-paid footballer in the Turkish Super Lig following his move to Trabzonspor, with his weekly salary surpassing that of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

According to salary data published by Capology, the former Liverpool star is earning £342,500 per week after signing a two-year contract with the Turkish club, making him the league’s top earner.

Salah’s reported wages place him ahead of Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, who previously occupied the top spot with an estimated weekly salary of £307,795.

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Former Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante, now with Fenerbahce, ranks third on the list, taking home £225,716 every week.

The Super Lig’s growing financial strength is further reflected in the salaries of several other international stars who now ply their trade in Turkey.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who recently joined the Turkish top flight, reportedly earns £225,716 per week, matching Kante’s salary.

Former Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane is also among the league’s highest earners, with reported weekly wages of £184,677.

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Three other high-profile players Mason Greenwood, Milan Skriniar, and Marco Asensio are each said to receive £164,157 per week.

 

Brazilian attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca reportedly earns £153,980 weekly, while Belgian international Leandro Trossard takes home £133,460.

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Rounding off the list are Nathan Ake and Matteo Guendouzi, who are each reported to earn £123,118 every week.

 

Salah’s arrival is widely seen as another major statement of intent by the Turkish Super Lig, which has increasingly attracted established European stars through lucrative contracts and ambitious transfer deals.

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English FA withdraws support for Infantino – Reports

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The English Football Association has withdrawn its support for under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, according to reports on Thursday.

The BBC and Sky said the FA has sent a letter underlining its refusal to back Infantino, who wanted to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and was rejected by European body UEFA and two other continental confederations, forcing him to scrap the scheme last week.

Amid growing calls for his resignation, the 56-year-old received the backing of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.

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But UEFA turned the heat back up on Infantino on Thursday when it said it would maintain its plan to boycott the men’s and women’s World Cups in protest at his “shabby” plot.

UEFA said in a statement that FIFA’s support of Infantino “changed nothing”.

According to British media, the English FA has joined the chorus of disapproval by refusing to support his bid for re-election as FIFA president next year.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who now works for FIFA, and ex-Portugal star Luis Figo are among the leading names from the football world to condemn Infantino’s plan.

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As Infantino clings to his role, global players’ union, FIFPRO on Thursday condemned FIFA and its president for their “abuse of power”.

FIFA had said during Wednesday’s meeting that “mistakes” were “acknowledged”.

World football’s governing body insisted it was “not the intention” for the FIFA Council and member associations to “feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently”.

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Newcastle Appoints Matthias Jaissle As New Head Coach

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Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as the club’s new head coach following the departure of Eddie Howe.

The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the English Premier League club announced the appointment on Wednesday, with the 38-year-old German taking over at St. James’ Park after a successful spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

Although Jaissle has built an impressive coaching résumé in recent years, he is yet to manage a club in one of Europe’s top-flight leagues.

Reacting to his appointment, Jaissle expressed delight at joining Newcastle, describing the opportunity as one of the biggest moments of his coaching career.

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“It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United.

“This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.

“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club’s journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see,” he said.

Jaissle’s playing career ended prematurely at the age of 25 after he suffered an injury.

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He moved into coaching and got his first managerial opportunity with Austrian club Liefering, where he guided the team to a second-place finish in the second division, matching the club’s best-ever league performance.

In 2021, he was appointed head coach of Red Bull Salzburg and enjoyed immediate success, leading the Austrian giants to back-to-back league titles as well as lifting the Austrian Cup.

He later joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2023, where he further enhanced his reputation by leading the club to consecutive AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.

Jaissle takes charge of a Newcastle side looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

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His predecessor, Eddie Howe, transformed the Magpies during his five-year spell at the club after replacing Steve Bruce in November 2021.

Howe guided Newcastle back into the UEFA Champions League in 2023 before securing qualification again in 2025.

His biggest achievement came in March 2025 when Newcastle defeated Liverpool in the League Cup final to win their first major trophy since 1969.

Despite his earlier successes, Howe came under increasing pressure last season as Newcastle struggled in the Premier League.

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The uncertainty surrounding striker Alexander Isak’s prolonged transfer to Liverpool affected the team’s campaign, with the Magpies finishing 12th after suffering 17 defeats in 38 league matches.

Newcastle also reached the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 but were convincingly beaten 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona.

The club has since lost more key players during the summer transfer window, with midfielder Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham Hotspur and England international Anthony Gordon completing a move to Barcelona.

Jaissle will now be expected to rebuild the squad and restore Newcastle’s challenge for European qualification and domestic honours.

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