Sports
Nigeria submits bid to host 2031 African Games
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Nigeria has formally submitted its bid to the African Union Sports Council to host the 2031 African Games, signalling the nation’s ambition to once again welcome Africa’s premier multisport event nearly 25 years after successfully hosting the 2003 edition.
In a statement shared by the Nigeria Sports Commission on Friday, it was revealed that the bid presentation was made during high-level engagements with AUSC, where Nigeria reaffirmed its readiness and capacity to stage another world-class continental festival.
Ace sports broadcaster and administrator, Mainasara Ilo, presented the bid to the AUSC.
Nigeria has demonstrated exceptional organisational capability by successfully hosting a series of major international sporting events, including the CAA Africa U18/U20 Athletics Championships, Africa Karate Championship, ITTF Africa Youth Table Tennis Championship, African Armwrestling Championship, Badminton National Open, West Africa Para Games and the African Cadet and Junior Taekwondo Championship.
Central to Nigeria’s growing influence in continental sports development are the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who have consistently championed Nigeria’s sports economy agenda.
Nigeria’s successful hosting of the CAA U18/U20 Africa Athletics Championships generated a major economic impact, with more than 5,000 small and medium enterprises benefiting from increased patronage.
Similarly, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, recognised as a World Athletics Gold Label race, has become a major global showcase for Nigeria, enhancing international visibility, boosting tourism and attracting elite participation from around the world.
Nigeria also hosted the 2024 Africa Military Games, an event that strengthened the nation’s soft power, deepened regional cooperation and advanced military diplomacy on the continent.
The West Africa Para Games and several related events hosted in the country created hundreds of direct jobs while indirectly impacting thousands more in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, tourism, security, merchandising and event services.
Nigeria’s bid to host the 2031 Africa Games is guided by a forward-looking vision to harness sports as a catalyst for national development.
England had been on course to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead 10 minutes after half-time in the semi-final in front of 68,239 fans in Atlanta.
But the great rivalry between these nations has produced several memorable contests on the World Cup stage down the years, and this will be remembered as the stuff of legends in Argentina as the South Americans denied England with two late sucker punches.
Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to fire in an 85th-minute equaliser and then, with extra time looming, crossed for substitute Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
It was maybe not quite up there with Diego Maradona’s legendary display in putting England to the sword in 1986, but the goals this time brought Argentina back from the dead and kept alive their hopes of winning back-to-back World Cups.
Argentina are in the final of the World Cup! The defending champions fought back from one goal down to defeat England and book a date in Sunday’s game.
Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
World football governing body, FIFA, has made a key video assistant referee, VAR decision ahead of the much exected World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina.
The match will be played in Atlanta on Wednesday.
FIFA has opted to deploy an on-site VAR team for this high-profile encounter.
Previously, the VAR team had been functioning from a central hub located at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, regardless of the venue of each match.
However, for this particular game, the on-site officials will act as a backup in the event of any technical or communication difficulties.
Dan Hunt, a member of the Organising Committee, elaborated on the decision to have VAR operate on-site for the second semi-final as reported by Sport Bible.
He said, “There is a significant amount of drama that occurs during these matches. Moreover, when only four officials are tasked with overseeing the action on a field that is considerably larger than an American football field, it becomes quite challenging
“I am pleased that there will be on-site officials. I am uncertain about how the communication will be managed.”
FIFA has faced considerable criticism for the inconsistent VAR decisions throughout the tournament, with the defending champions Argentina benefiting from favorable calls without any against them, while England has experienced the opposite, resulting in a net negative outcome.
Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has reacted to the Les Bleus’ World Cup semi-final 2-0 defeat to Spain.
Henry said that the La Roja were far superior to France during the encounter.
Spain defeated France on Tuesday to qualify for the World Cup final, thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
“Too little from France at the end of the day. Spain controlled the game on and off the ball,” Henry said on Fox Sports.
“They showed why they are European champions, they are showing why they are going into the final.
“Nothing to add, they were far superior, and there is nothing to say about it. Spain, congratulations. you deserves to go to the final,” he said.
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