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NCF Tasks State Associations on Accelerated Growth Programme

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Prof. Yahaya Ukwenya, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation(NCF), on Sunday tasked state associations to embark on accelerated growth programmes to further enhance the sport in the country.

Ukwenya gave the advice during a teleconference developmental seminar organised by the Lagos State Cricket Association (LSCA).

He said such programmes would help to identify and attract budding talents to the sport.

“We should organise accelerated growth programmes which has the objective of bringing in 250,000 new entrants annually for the next four years into the national cricket ecosystem.

“I charged the LSCA to contribute its quota in this respect,” he said.

Kofi Sagoe, Chairman of the LSCA board, while speaking, said the association had presented a five-year strategy document to the Lagos State Sports Commission in April for the development of the sport.

“The LSCA put together a five-year strategy document earlier presented to and approved by the Lagos State Sports Commission in April 2021 for the development of the sport.

“The strategy rests on the pillars of infrastructure, players development, coaches/umpires’ certification, sponsorship, recognition/reward and governance,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the board to implementing the development agenda outlined as well as the activity schedule.

The Lagos Cricket Stakeholders (LCS), an NGO set up in May 2021 to support the growth of the sport in Lagos, was introduced during the seminar.

The LCS is headed by David Harper, who is also serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The seminar was the first to be conducted since the inception of the new LSCA board inaugurated in March 2021. (NAN)

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SPORTS

Mayweather Fights Kickboxer before Pacquiao Rematch

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Floyd Mayweather will fight veteran Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in an exhibition bout in June before his rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, 47, and Mayweather, 49, will fight at Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday, 19 September, live on Netflix, in a rematch of their 2015 ‘Fight of the Century’ – the richest bout in boxing history.

And former five-weight champion Mayweather – who announced he would come out of retirement for a fourth time two weeks ago has decided to take on Zambidis in Athens to prepare for his first professional boxing match in nine years.

“2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me,” American Mayweather said on Instagram.

“I’m on the way to entertain!! Athens, Greece, get ready. This summer will be a legendary battle.”

Zambidis, 45, boasts a 157-24 kickboxing record with 87 KOs. His last official fight was in June 2015.

Mayweather has not had a pro bout since beating mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor with a 10th-round technical knockout in 2017.

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SPORTS

I Take Training Seriously but Ramadan is More Important – Mahamed

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A marathon training block is tough enough. Fasting while preparing to take on the world’s best over 26.2 miles is harder still.

Mahamed Mahamed is among a talented generation of British male distance runners closing in on Mohamed Farah’s national record over the marathon distance.

But, as he builds towards this year’s London Marathon, the 28-year-old is currently finishing his sessions as late as 1am as he attempts to balance the demands of training at altitude with observing Ramadan.

Mahamed, fourth on the UK all-time list, has ignored advice to postpone his fasting while training to improve his personal best of two hours seven minutes and five seconds.

“Some people think I shouldn’t [fast while training],” Mahamed told the Press Association.

“Especially now, because I’ve got a competition coming up, they think I should focus on training for now and then maybe fast.

“But I’m used to it. It became my routine. I am grateful for that advice but I just get on with everything.”

Mahamed has based himself in the town of Ifrane in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains as he builds towards April’s race.

The location allows him to train safely under the floodlights of the track at night, alongside other Muslims currently observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan by not eating or drinking during daylight hours.

At their longest, Mahamed’s days extend into the early hours of the morning. He will head out for his first session at around 4pm, then break his fast and attend mosque before completing a second session.

Once he is adequately refuelled, Mahamed will sleep for an hour or two and then wake for more food at about 4am, before returning to bed to top up on sleep.

“It’s a little bit hard,” Mahamed admitted.

“I take my job seriously, but Ramadan is the most important for me. It makes me focus as well. It makes me understand who I am and what I could do.”

Mahamed is among four active British marathon runners to have clocked under 2:08, alongside triathlete Alex Yee, Emile Cairess and Philip Sesemann, in what he describes as a “new era” cohort.

Fourth at the 2024 London Marathon, he will target a personal best in London before chasing a European Championship medal in Birmingham this summer.

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SPORTS

Ronaldo Leaves Saudi Arabia for Madrid Following Strikes

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Captain and forward for Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, has left Saudi Arabia for Madrid, Spain, following escalating tensions in the Middle East after US-Israeli strikes in Iran.

The 41-year-old departed Riyadh late at night aboard his £61 million ($81 million) Bombardier Global Express 6500 private jet.

His reported departure follows regional strikes.

The US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones overnight, and Iranian state media reported that a command and staff building in Bahrain had also been destroyed.

“Riyadh, where Ronaldo lives with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their five children, has been affected by attacks linked to the regional conflict,” the report said.

Flightradar24 confirmed that the aircraft “departed Riyadh at 8:00 pm and arrived in Madrid at almost 1:00 am, flying a path over Egypt and the Mediterranean.”

The move follows US-Israeli military strikes in Iran on February 28, 2026, which reportedly killed several Iranian leaders. Iranian state media confirmed early on March 1 that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been killed, declaring 40 days of mourning and a seven-day national holiday.

The Saudi Ministry of Defence said, “A limited fire broke out at the United States Embassy in Riyadh after it was hit by two drones,” noting the strike caused “minor material damage.”

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