Sports
Nigeria’s Olympic cyclist hails German team over bike loan
Nigeria’s first ever Olympic cyclist has praised the German team for giving her a bike to compete with in the Paris 2024 Olympics after she was unable to source one of her own.
Ese Ukpeseraye had initially only been registered for the women’s road race but competed in two track events – which require a different kind of bike – at “short notice”, she said on social media platform X.
The 25-year-old wrote that with no bicycle to race with and in the spirit of sportsmanship the German team had come to her rescue.
Her post prompted several Nigerians online to question the competency of their national sports authorities, but Nigeria’s sports minister insisted the situation was unavoidable.
John Owan Enoh said the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world’s foremost cycling authority, offered Nigeria last minute slots in two women’s track events “due to the disqualification of a country”.
The offer was made after Ukpeseraye and the rest of Team Nigeria had arrived in Paris for the games, Mr Enoh said.
“For this track race reallocated to Team Nigeria, a very special equipment (approved specifically for the Olympic track game) is used,” he posted on X.
“It’ll take months to have it delivered after ordering and making payment.”
Online commenters remained sceptical, however. Some linked Ukpeseraye’s case to incident earlier on in the games, where Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili discovered last minute that she could not race in the women’s 100m as she had been left off the entry list.
“I would have asked what happened to Favour Ofili who missed her 100m race because whoever was supposed to fill in her name for the competition failed to do so. Does that also take months to import?” one X user wrote.
Others asked why Nigeria was yet to win any medals at this year’s games. It is an outcome even Nigeria’s government seems frustrated by – the information ministry touched on “the disappointing performances of Nigerian athletes” in a recent press release.
In this year’s games, Ukpeseraye became the first Nigerian – man or woman – to compete in a cycling event.
Her first event was the women’s road race, but she was among a number of athletes who failed to complete the 154km (96-mile) route.
“It was an honour to represent Nigeria at this level. Although I couldn’t finish the race, being here is a victory in itself,” she is quoted by the Nigerian media as saying.
Ukpeseraye also missed out on the finals of the two track events she competed in – she finished sixth in her keirin heat and 28th in the sprint qualifiers.
However, she remains proud of her achievements, writing on X that she has “set the ball rolling for cycling in Nigeria”.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Diagnosed Down With Viral Infection-Club
By Mario Deepromoter
Al Nassr struggled in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence on Monday, when the Saudi club kicked off the revamped Asian Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in Iraq.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.
The statement read: “Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection.
“The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at his place.
“As a result, he will not be travelling with the team to Iraq today. We wish a speedy recovery to our captain.”
Al Nassr, who were knocked out of last season’s Asian Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, were given a dream start in the Iraqi capital, when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam met Otavio’s astute, first-time pass on 14 minutes to finish low past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil
Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi club.
Sports
Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa May Return To NPFL
By Mario Deepromoter
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has hinted on a possible return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Musa urged his supporters to decide on his next club among the 20 teams in the NPFL.
The former NPFL hotshot made the announcement on the social media.
“Let’s go again, which of this team’s do you wish for me to sign,” Musa wrote on X with the logos of the 20 NPFL clubs..
Musa previously had two stints with Kano Pillars in the NPFL.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving Turkish Super Lig club, Sivasspor.
Sports
Champions League: Vinícius Jr Bags 2023-24 Best Player Award
By Mario Deepromoter
Superstar Vinicius Junior on Monday received his award as the Best Player for the 2023/24 Champions League.
Vinicius was decisive as the LaLiga champions won the title.
The Brazilian winger scored six goals and laid on five assists in the competition last season.
His ability to step up in crucial matches was instrumental in ultimately securing the trophy.
Meanwhile, Mbappe was also awarded as the top scorer of the Champions League, netting eight goals throughout the tournament.
Both players will be hoping to form a lethal duo that will dismantle opposing defences this season.
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